Category: Blog

Kigelia africana The sausage tree (also sometimes called Kigelia pinnata) belongs to the family Bognoniaceae. This family contains trees, shrubs and climbers including the exotic jacaranda tree. Its unique sausage-shaped fruit, sometimes over a metre in length, and weighing as much as 10kg, has inspired a wide variety of vernacular names, including one, in South Africa, that means ‘the fat tail of a sheep’. The sausage tree draws its name from its large, sausage-shaped fruit, suspended from lengthy stalks. The hard, grey fruit has a thin skin covering a firm, fibrous fruit pulp containing numerous small, unwinged seeds. When the fruit itself eventually dries, the remaining fibre is sometimes mistakenly thought to be a loofah. This tree is also known for its medicinal properties being used for skin problems by Africans and now recognized by various companies.

You’ll love The Yes Men!!

Looking back at my image entries over the past several weeks, I found it interesting that the posting that got the most comments was the one of a sandy patch of ground with a few plant tendrils creeping across its surface.

In 1959 I had a rock collection from my family’s travels across the US. We went from L.A., Calif., to Cincinnati, Ohio every summer and every time we stopped for gas I’d find an interesting rock. I never had a teacher or anyone I was associated with mention the earth sciences as a possible field of study. I had mentioned oceanographic sciences but chemistry wasn’t a strong suit for me. It was the math. I can figure out the answer even though I do it in a different way than I was taught. I still have a great interest in geology, rekindled by my former professor and now colleague at the University.

Edouard got this quartz in New Mexico when he went out there to work on a neighborhood art project. New Mexico is a geologic dream with all kinds of things to look at and for. I want to go back this summer and visit my father who lives outside Albuquerque. The images shown are from a single geode.

The metallic flag and green (resin) head is Edouard’s work. Since I’m heading back over there Monday, I’ll try to post a couple studio shots. I have a few shots from in his studio already lined up although, they are not “artwork” shots.

I was supposed to photograph several paintings by my Haitian friend, Edouard. He wasn’t ready for me today. He’s got too much on his plate with two major projects and an exhibition in Santo Domingo. We rescheduled for Monday after work.

The two yellow works above the door are his drawings, otherwise he has a studio cluttered with African, Asian, S. American, S. Pacific, and Caribbean objects. The large light-green and red piece on the same wall is a fabulous Chinese embroidered tapestry. He also love textiles as much as I do. He’s one person I can always have a hard-hitting conversation about art with.

Also there is one of the best art libraries you’d ever want to see if you’re interested in non-Western art. I borrow his books all the time in English, French, and Portoguese. The publication in French are exceptional for the most part, with better documenation of their former colonies than the same countries by the British or US. Art of Edouard Duval-Carrié

Two of several that inhabit the Univ. campus lake area. Iguanas swim very well, too.

The soft muted color of these palm fronds is really nice. We have a good number of these trees on campus. After today’s posting, I’ll give them a break though.