Monday, April 30, 2012

the hike from Gais to Appenzell

 
A morning hike I took from Gais to Appenzell on the only day the skies were clear enough to see the alps. I've never seen such expanses of green ahead of me before. I met some very sweet and friendly goats along the way and got to walk through some patches of tall black pines (something I find very iconic of Switzerland/Germany). 
I hope you all had a beautiful weekend!
xo, Amanda

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Munich

Slowly but surely, I want to do a series of posts about my trip to visit my friend Eleanor in Switzerland! Last year, I got so overwhelmed with all the things I wanted to share from Europe that I ended up sharing practically nothing. I am going to try to break things down into segments so I don't fall off the band wagon. Here we go!
For Eleanor's birthday, we decided to leave Switzerland; and so we took three trains and a ferry across Lake Constance to Germany to spend the night in Munich.
Around 10 pm, we finally arrived at our hotel, which had a balcony that looked out on some lovely construction. But still, we had a balcony in Munich!
By the time we got into city center, the only place still serving food was a bar called Margarita's. Everything was red with black and white photos all over the walls, and they projected clips of people dancing from mid-century movies set to modern music, mostly hip hop, from a DJ. It was so up our alley - such a happy accident!
The next day, we explored the city.
We had an amazing Venetian breakfast at a fantastic place called Cafe am Beethovenplatz. If you ever go to Munich, you have to eat here! The food is insanely delicious and they have jazz brunch on Sundays.
(they give you a bread basket with the most incredible homemade jam)
We were so lucky. We had no idea there was going to be any music when we arrived, and we happened to arrive slightly before this mother-daughter ensemble ("Ensemble Jasmin") performed. They played piano, cello, violin, and brass. It was so beautiful. We stayed for a couple of hours and drew and listened to them play.
Our waitress, who was so nice and comforting for two American girls traveling in another country, tried to get us to stay another night and let us see the beautiful hotel above the restaurant. This room was so insanely gorgeous. We didn't end up staying, but we want to go back someday!
We wandered a bit more and then hopped our many trains home, ending our 24 hour stint in Munich. We got back to Switzerland and went to a concert in Saint Gallen and then went home to Gais.
It was such a fun weekend.

Thursday, April 19, 2012

Venezia, the water playground

Venice is completely magical.
Out of everywhere I have been in my life, it most revived in me that feeling you get when you're little, when you're completely immersed in a game of make believe so intense that it is real to you, and you are outside by yourself and you are free to just play.
The streets are made of water in the most beautiful color I have ever seen.
I only got to spend two days there, but I'm so glad I did! 
I'm off to explore the mountain towns today. I fly back home this weekend. See you then!
xo, Amanda

Saturday, April 7, 2012

don't fret; it will turn out differently, anyway.

On Monday I'm off to Switzerland to visit my amazing friend Eleanor, who has been living there for a design internship. While I'm there, I'll be making a quick trip to Venice, as well.
I'll be back on April 21st with pictures and drawings to share!
Till then, I hope you all have a beautiful and peaceful April spring.
xo, Amanda

Wednesday, April 4, 2012

see the jungle when it's wet with rain.

"you came about so naturally"
acrylic on masonite, 9x12"
for my upcoming show at Three Graces Gallery, info coming soon.
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I hope you're all having a beautiful week!
xo, Amanda

Friday, March 30, 2012

sketchbook as my companion

"the elephant room" - available as a print here
I hope you all have a beautiful weekend!
xo, Amanda