Da Vinci the Genius Exhibit in Salt Lake City

For our date night on Saturday January 26, 2013, My hubby and I went to The Leonardo at the Utah Museum for Science, Technology and Art.  There were several kid friendly stations through out the museum.   On the first floor, there is an art/music activity center where kids can create art (sketching, book art, crafts, learn about making a string instruments, etc).  John and I made "book art" by folding pages from an old book. John created a dragon and I just made a pop up book. Upstairs there are other exhibits one about nature (gallery with art work, movies, and displays) and another interactive museum about all sorts of technology such as leg prosthesis, making still motion films, the weather man "green screen" and several other fun things for the kids to occupy themselves for hours! We also purchased tickets for Da Vinci The Genius.  Basically it is a traveling exhibit that displays many of Leonardo Da Vinci's ideas!

It is impossible to imagine our world without Leonardo Da Vinci's brilliant contribution to science and music/art. He is not only famous for his Mona Lisa painting masterpiece he was also a brilliant scientist, inventor, sculptor, singer, and writer.   He mastered both his logical and creative side of his brain by inventing several amazing ideas such as (scuba diving gear, flotation devices, parachute, and helicopter).  He was an extraordinary artist who studied light, shadow, and reflection.  At the exhibit, we saw several samples of his sketches, architect models, paintings, and sculptures (a picture of his 23 feet size horse).  To my surprise, Da Vinci contributed some military engineering ideas by creating a tank, submarine, and military equipment/weapons. He understood civil engineering and physics. He came up with some machine ideas to carry water, place poles, lift heavy objects, etc).  He dabbled in music too by making  musical instruments (flute and drums) and loved to sing.  The medical professionals can thank Leonardo for dissecting and sketching detailed structures and functions of human anatomy! It was very fascinating to learn about Leonardo Da Vinci's life and see how many great things he accomplished.

After exploring the museum, we went to The Blue Iguana for some authentic Mexican food. The restaurant is located downtown Salt Lake City 165 South West Temple in the basement of  Benihana.  To my surprise, we didn't have to wait for a table on a Saturday night!  The waitress poured the water and served chips/salsa right away.  Then we ordered our food (chicken chimichanga and pork fajita platter) and less than seven minutes later our food was done! We barely had time to enjoy the chips and salsa!  So the service was quick and we enjoyed listening to the live Mexican musicians playing their guitar and singing. However, hubby and I were not very impressed with the food and maybe it was because we ordered the wrong thing on the menu. I did not like how spicy the red enchilada sauce was... Then my hubby ordered something that was supposed to be spicy and it was not hot enough for him... For the price we paid, we could get better food from a local cheaper place like Taco Amigo, Betos, or Costa Vida.  I doubt we will ever go back there ever again after that experience...

Cape Cod 2006 Memories and Seascape Artist Vernon H. Coleman

Karen, Nate, and Jennifer (Me)

Gramps and Grams Coleman

Cape Cod Massachusetts is my heritage and birthplace.  We moved to Utah in 1981 and I have never understood why my parents left the Cape in the first place other than wanting to be among other Latter Day Saint Mormons. My brother Nate, sister Karen, and I went to Cape Cod in July 2006 to see our Grandfather Vernon Ellsworth Coleman and step Grandmother Gloria Coleman of Marston Mills. We had a fantastic time with him and Gloria.  My step Grandmother is a gourmet cook!  She served us some delicious food!  Since my Grandfather is a local, he recommended a perfect list of fun things to do while visiting Cape Cod.

1. Eat a lot of fresh seafood! 
 We ate fresh shrimp, lobster, crab, clam chowder, etc at any local Cape Cod seafood restaurants.  I did not have a preference on the place because generally sea food is expensive where ever you go and it ALL tastes good to me!  My favorite place to have lunch was at the Box Lunch! As for some great places for dessert, we absolutely loved the ice cream from Cape Cod Creamery and Four Seas Ice Cream.

2.  Body surf and lounge at Long Beach and Sandy Neck!
My grandfather recommended those two beaches because they are less touristy.  There are few people on them compared to the public beaches.  The big bonus was the fact that he  dropped us off instead of us having to pay for parking which is around $15.00 a day.

3. Look at beautiful lighthouses!

Chatham Light House

4.  Sightseeing and Shopping in Hyannis and Provincetown.  
  I love the vintage shops such as the 1856 Country Store in Centerville and the quaint outdoor stores on Main Street Hyannis and colorful shops on Main Street Provincetown!  I picked up some yummy salt water taffy, a rope bracelet, Cape Cod clothing, Boston Red Sox stuff, cute souvenirs such as magnets, postcards, collectibles, shells, nautical themed decorations, jewelry,etc.  We loved looking at the harbor in Hyannis and was surprised how much we we could do and see in Hyannis and Provincetown.

Hyannis Port
Ferry boats to Nantucket, whale watching, and deep sea fishing boats are usually docked here.   Many years ago, I went with my father on a boat ride to see John F. Kennedy's Home from Hyannis Port. John F. Kennedy Museum is located in Hyannis as well.

 Pilgrim Monument, Provincetown

5.  Visit Plymouth Rock and Mayflower II at Pilmoth Plantation.

6.  Take a ferry to Martha's Vineyard or Nantucket.

Around August 2010, Nate and Karen took a Ferry boat ride from Hyannis Port to Nantucket.  They had a lovely time visiting the beaches, walking to the lighthouse, and eating there.

7. Go to Museums, Town Hall, etc to see my Great Grandfather's seascape paintings!

To our surprise in 2006, we planned our trip while my Great Grandfather Vernon Herbert Coleman (1898 -1978) nautical paintings were being showcased at Centerville Historical Museum.  My Great Grandfather was a well known marine seascape muralist artist.  He was also an art teacher on the Cape.  He taught junior high, high school, as well as elementary school children.  I was able to get a couple prints of his famous pieces at the art exhibit and my father has given me a couple original seascape paintings, which I have hanging up in my home.  We were thrilled to see many of his work of arts!  What an incredibly talented artist! I am so lucky to have him as my Great Grandfather!

These were found at Auctions

Hyannisport Marsh with Dunes

 Sandy Neck Cape Cod 

Rocky Coastal Scene

Cape Cod Cove

Crosby's Boat Yard

Stan Dubeck's Cabin Cruiser

My Grandfather Vernon E. Coleman found this at a yard sale.

 These are some of my favorite paintings by my Great Grandfather 

He loved painting clipper ships!

I love the sand dunes in this one!

 
My Dad owns this painting

Some of his large murals are found in Barnstable Town Hall, Pope John Paul II Catholic High School, Center for Creative Arts in Hyannis, Centerville Recreation Building Senior Home, and Osterville Historical Society Boat House.  He has hundreds of paintings that are collected by art dealers, fans of his work, family, friends, etc. 

This large mural can be found at Barnstable Town Hall.

Lastly, there are several breathtaking murals that are found at the  Centerville Recreation Building Senior Home and Pope John Paul II Catholic High School.

Spanish Ship and Clipper Ship in the High School

Captain's Wife on Widow Walk, 19th Century Sailing Vessels, Whale Tail, and Neptune

This was his last clipper painting he did which he gave to my Grandfather Vernon E. Coleman 

There are endless things to do while vacationing on Cape Cod.  My brother Nate during a trip a couple years ago went Whale Watching with my Grandfather.  You can go sailing, deep sea fishing, canoeing, kayaking, biking, exploring dunes, etc.  Cape Cod will always be "my home" as well as have a special place in my heart!  

Carl Bloch BYU Art Exhibit

 “Christ Healing the Sick at Bethesda" By Carl Bloch

For Activity Day this past week, my co leader and I took the girls to the Carl Bloch Art Exhibit at BYU Museum of Art.  

We printed out our free tickets and parking pass before driving south to Provo.   Carl Block (1834-1890) was a well known Lutheran Danish artist.  Most of his art can be found in Denmark and Sweden mostly in Lutheran churches and castles.  BYU did a magnificent job in displaying his beautiful oil painting and etchings.  I have always been a fan of Carl Bloch's work!  It is probably due to the fact most of his religious works are in the LDS church publications, books, primary materials, etc..   I absolutely loved looking at his etchings.  I felt strong emotions while looking his beautiful etching of Christ.  Maybe someday I will buy a print along with a pretty frame to display on my wall in my bedroom so that He is the first person I see when I wake up in the morning... 

Portrait of Christ

Bloch portrayed many phases of Jesus Christ's life. He had etchings of his birth, healing the sick, raising the dead, His death, resurrection, and so forth.   It was so exciting to see his real oil paintings and etchings on the wall instead of prints.  Some of the paintings were worn and cracked from age still absolutely breath taking.  


 If you live near the Utah area, I highly recommend you go see Carl Bloch: The Master's Hand Art Exhibit!  It will be going until May 7, 2011 and I doubt his works will ever be back like this exhibit!  It was an amazing experience to see his masterpieces that I will never forget!