And party time...

Grilled artichoke, blueberry molasses and strawberry custard tart.

It's Business Time - Vegas Styles...

The Red Bathroom

Our friends we are staying with in Vegas have art and interesting objects everywhere - even in the bathroom.

From our temporary home in Vegas...

The Art Institute of Chicago

I've always liked what I've seen of Felix Gonzalez-Torres' work in books, but it was a lot more powerful to see these works installed; 'Untitled (Golden) 1995' and 'Untitled (Portrait of Ross in L.A.)' 1991. Top left is 'Bust of an African Woman' by Charles-Henri-Joseph Cordier , 1851, and the other works are from the Sculpture Court.

Two fine artists

We've been lucky enough to meet two great artists recently who've both been really lovely to us - Marilyn Murphy in Nashville and Tony Fitzpatrick in Chicago.

Downtown Chicago

Cloud Gate in Millennium Park

Thanks to Matt for these two photos. Cloud Gate is the creation of Anish Kapoor and it was unveiled in July 2004.

Wicker Park, Chicago

We went and checked out the Flat Iron building in Wicker Park where there are lots of artists' studios. The area is also great for cafes, bookshops and second-hand clothes.

Mexican Art Museum

We went out to the National Museum of Mexican Art. These two works are from their collection - the Virgin of Guadalupe by Miguel Cabrera c.1750, and a painting by Alonzo Encinas.

Some more views of Chicago from the train...

Diner Breakfast

We are loving these old-style diners. This is a breakfast special - $6.95

The Alley Murals

Central Chicago Murals

Arts District, Chicago

There are heaps of galleries in the Arts District, but we didn't see a lot of work which really excited us. My favourite gallery was probably Zg where I enjoyed work by Amy Casey, Bill Frederick and Ben Butler.

And now - Chicago!

I took these photographs from the train on the way into Chicago from the airport. The glass was etched with graffitti and the views were really grungy - I loved it.

Music City

I couldn't leave Nashville without adding a music post. We didn't get to any of the Broadway venues but we went to another Nashville institution - the Station Inn two nights in a row, first to see the Texan Swing band The Time Jumpers. Their numbers vary but this week there were ten of them up on stage playing to a full house - they were great. The next night we saw the Doyle and Debbie show which had been recommended by heaps of people as a Nashville experience. They were very entertaining - an almost Monty Pythonesque Country Music act.

Hatch Show Print

Hatch Show Print is a Nashville institution with close ties to the music industry. Seen here is Jim with some beautiful posters he had just hand-printed.

Malachi at Estel Gallery, Nashville

Some stange animals in Nashville

Downtown horse on left and 'Crawling Lady Hare' by Sophie Ryder.