an artist's studio

Friday we went to see a house/museum that used to belong to Ilya Ephimovich Repin. He is one of the most famous Russian painters, I have loved his work since I was a little girl. His house was destroyed during WWII, but then faithfully reconstructed as a national treasure. Here are some images of the outside. And here is his summer studio, inside and outsideand the huge winter studio. All his props, brushes and paints are there. Paintings by Repin and his students are through out the house. Here are links to a few of my favorites. Cossacks. Volga Boat Men. Freedom. Ukrainian girl. He was quite prolific and inspiring. I am so glad that I got to see this house. I used to spend summers in the same village a very little girl and although I am sure my parents took me here before, I have no memories of it. Now I do...

textile infusion... ahhh...

We went to the Russian Museum of Ethnography a few days ago; it has an excellent permanent costume and textile collection. It also has interesting textile oriented temporary exhibits too. We got to see the Apron Exhibit and the Estonian Textile Artists Exhibit.
First some textiles from the permanent collection to show you: Russian linens, decorative towels Russian peasant costume Baltic bark, branch and linen weavings, I absolutely looove these! Ukrainian redwork embroidery on towels and aprons Russian headdress, jewelry and scarves.

The Apron Exhibit was quite extensive with all peoples of Russia well represented, unfortunately all of it was behind glass. I did not have much luck photographing it, here are two pictures that came out decent enough. I believe these were Byelorussian aprons and Russian redwork embroidery.

The Estonian Artists Exhibit was wonderful and innovative. I was very happy to be able to see each artists name and title of the work next to it, including the main technique. My only complaint was that the space was not big and you could not step far enough back to really appreciate the bigger works, never mind taking a straight on picture… Then I had the hardest time choosing my favorites for your viewing pleasure, here are a few with detail shots, ahem.. (please pardon the possible misspellings of names, I’m transliterating from Russian) Kertu Sillaste, View of the Sea (weaving, digital print) (I think this one is my favorite) Ludmila Svarchevska, Pro Anima (tapestry, wool, cotton)Heli Kelt, Lavender (tapestry, wool, linen)Kadi Paupuu, Job’s Exit (wood, linen, digital print) Aune Taamal, Opus 5 (different materials)Monika Yarg, Stone (crochet, acid, cotton, stones) Tiina Puhkan, Ancient Valley (silk painting)Kadri Viires, Castle (diptych) (commercial and handmade felt)Ulle Raadik, Curiosity (diptych)(painting, cotton) Here an overall view of the exhibit..

the doll museum

Today we visited a lovely gem of a museum tucked away in a less visited part of St. Petersburg. I discovered it last summer and the girls and I happily returned this year. And this year they started allowing photography, so I have lots to show. Quite a bit of the displays are behind glass, I only managed one good picture of those and it just happens to be an art quilt. A pretty scene done with sheers and solids and even denim. Unfortunately I could not find the name of the artist anywhere. There were dolls in all sorts of genres, representing fairytales and literary characters from all over the world. On the second floor you can even watch artisans at work. The biggest art quilt I loved was a very traditional style firebird hung high above the displays.

a short visit to Helsinki

We got away to Helsinki for a short visit without the kids. It was lovely, a five hour train ride there and back, I read two books back to back, unheard off! and Helsinki was lovely too, pretty, elegant and good food. Here are a few pictures... Inside the Lutheral cathedral.Inside the Russian Orthodox cathedral.The outdoor market.Seagulls and clouds.Helsinki from the sea.Reflections of the city in my glass of Kir Royal.Balloons in the night sky, that's 10P.Sunset after the fog rolled out.Inside of the Rock church.A detail of the Sibelius monument.The Kiasma Museum of Contemporary Art.