Fruits of Their Labor

The Strawberry Thief by Morris & Co., 1883 drawn by Philip Webb.

As William Morris and his family tried to grow strawberries at their home, Kelmscott, thrushes would climb under the barriers they erected and steal the strawberries.

Go See Some Art

Dora Wheeler, William Merritt Chase, 1882-83, The Cleveland Museum of Art.

Those of you close to the Cleveland area will want to check-out The Cleveland Museum of Art as it begins to re-open its permenant galleries after they have been closed to renovation for the last three years. It is a beautiful setting for some spectacualr art!

This work by William Merritt Chase is a particular favorite and features two fighting cats hidden in the background.

Free Reign

Harmony in Blue and Gold: The Peacock Room, designed by James McNeill Whistler, 1876-77, Freer Gallery of Art, Smithsonian.

Whistler was asked by the room's owner to paint the room to compliment the painting that Whistler had done that is seen over the fireplace. When the owner returned he was stunned and horrified at what Whistler had done. Luckily, he did not destroy it and the room is now found at the Freer Gallery in Washington D.C.