SueBee Arts

This past weekend was the last weekend of the Festival of Lights at the Mission Inn. Having never been to the Mission Inn during the Holidays before, and having heard how incredible the lights are, I really hoped I would get there this year….and I did! Cam and I took the trip to Riverside last […]

In Southern California today, that expression was definitely true. It was far too beautiful to stay inside, so I hopped in the truck and ended up at the mountain town of Oak Glen. Now past apple season, the crowds were gone, the beauty remained. ~SueBee (photo by SueBee)

After first checking his reflection in the mirror, White Crane set off on a little afternoon constitutional through the gardens. Intent on avoiding a group of children approaching, he took flight for a moment. Upon landing near the daffodils he glanced over and beckoned to me…. at least I’m certain that was his intent. I’m […]

Chia, known today as the Pacific Asia Museum, was founder Grace Nicholson’s nickname for the Pasadena building that her ideas and research developed in 1924. The building was brought to life by a well-known local architectural firm, and became a center for the arts. Chia is a word with distinct meaning in two cultures closely […]

Wow what a year! Flew by very fast, but so many memories were created! SueBee and I went on countless adventures together and separately, and have absolutely loved sharing these adventures with you! To wrap up a fantastic 2013, and bring in 2014, here are some of our favorite pics from the past year 🙂 […]

Kat is the close-up photography specialist, and I’ve tried my best to catch up with her skills. While wandering through the desert section of the Fullerton Arboretum yesterday, I captured a bee photo I’m pleased to share. It’s not as spectacular as some Kat’s taken, but I’m proud of it nonetheless! 🙂 🙂 ~SueBee (photo […]

Touring the Gamble House in Pasadena, a gorgeous example of American Arts & Crafts style architecture, was like taking a walk back in time, a very low-lit walk! New to the time, the electric lighting was dim, the woods dark, windows not quite sufficient for lighting such large rooms. But, the woods were beautiful, the styling very […]

The ocean beckons us for a little break from Santa Claus, overeating, and non-stop Christmas carols on the radio. Besides, it was warm (82deg, 27c) here in Southern California today and that makes me think ‘beach’! I took this picture during the summer off the pier at Huntington Beach. Surfer girl was so determined, paddling […]

Here I am, 10 years old again… Approaching quietly, secretively, one foot placed directly in front of the next to such an extreme that my balance is momentarily thrown off. I take a quick glance back over my shoulder to the whispered snickers of “them”… those cowards, my pals. No! They’re not my friends. How […]

Photos in this gallery are a sampling of the abundant, beautiful plants and flowers on the grounds at the San Juan Capistrano Mission, described in my other article. ~SueBee (photos by SueBee)

Surprising that growing up in Southern California, I’d never been inside the gates at Mission San Juan Capistrano. I suppose, even though mom took my brother and me to all the museums and sights in the Los Angeles area each summer vacation, driving any further would have been out of the question for a day […]

How many years has this little box been calling out for donations? Certainly not as long as the walls it’s attached to, but clearly more years than the door and wreath to the left. How many coins or bills have been stashed within? Which hands put them there, which hands removed them? Historical sites always […]

Pomegranates! Papayas! Fresh cut roses! Mops, brooms! Is there anything more fun than wandering through small, neighborhood markets? Particularly ethnic markets… those with items for sale that aren’t on your weekly shopping list; from cultures or countries other than your own; where the packaging is in a language you don’t understand?! Today’s Foto Fix is […]

Having spent this past Sunday afternoon enjoying the sunshine and clear blue skies in San Juan Capistrano, exploring the historic Mission grounds, you might well imagine I was in photographer’s heaven. While sorting through several hundred pictures and organizing into an enticing article, I’ve decided to make these adorable little birds landing at the fountain […]

Holiday decor at Disneyland is amazing, especially in my favorite land, New Orleans Square! This “foto fix” shows one of the many elegant displays featured in N.O.S. ~Kat (photo by Kat)

Today’s Foto Fix was taken at Aquarium of the Pacific in Long Beach with an Instamatic. I don’t know the kids in the picture, photo quality is rather poor, but I like the shot regardless! ~SueBee (photo by SueBee)

The Huntington Library is home to an amazing museum, and several stunning gardens. I posted about the museum previously, but thought I’d share some pics from one of the gardens. Out of the 14 different gardens, my favorite is the Desert. Featuring over 5,000 species, I could snap pics here all day long! Below are some […]

The Pavilion for Japanese Art at LACMA (Los Angeles County Museum of Art) is a serene, calming place. Muted colors, natural light filtering in, rounded architecture, walkways leading naturally from one exhibit to the next. A great variety of really interesting sculptures, glassware, artwork. An exhibit near the front entrance fascinated Kat and me more than […]

Black and white photography can be stunning. The subject speaks in a way that oftentimes color doesn’t allow to be expressed, the color distracting from the image. Some of the most famous pictures, those of Ansel Adams for example, were shot in BW. I haven’t used much BW film over the years, except when I […]

As I wandered along the clifftop pathway, above one of my favorite Pacific Ocean hideaways, I grew fascinated, watching these art students gathered around their teacher. I’d personally taken up the brush just over a year ago, having my first go at painting, using acrylics and an inexpensive, small canvas I’d bought at a local […]