Fresno, here we come!

Posted on March 12, 2013 by Salley Mavor

detail from “Wee Willie Winkie” board book

Yes, the Pocketful of Posies traveling exhibit is coming to Fresno, California and so am I! 25 original embroidered illustrations from my picture book Pocketful of Posies, 10 pieces from my series of baby board books and George’s Chair will all be on display March 18 – May 24, 2013 at the Arne Nixon Center for the Study of Children’s Literature, Henry Madden Library at Fresno State.

All are invited to the opening reception on Friday, March 22 at 6:00 pm. Rob and I will be traveling to California for the event and I will be giving a talk at 7:00 pm. In addition, I’ll be at Petunia’s Place, also in Fresno, for a book signing on Saturday, March 23rd from 11:00 – 1:00. We’re really looking forward to coming to California and hope to meet some of you on Friday or Saturday.

detail from “Pocketful of Posies” 2010

My artwork is included in the dual exhibition, “Golden Threads: Journey through the Picture Book,” in Fresno State’s Madden Library. Featured will be “Golden Legacy: 65 Years of Golden Books,” sixty pieces of original artwork from Little Golden Books, and “Pocketful of Posies: The Worlds of Salley Mavor” (co-hosted by the Fresno FiberArts Guild). I’m happy that the show will be up for more than 2 months, giving people plenty of time to come and see it.

upper west side

Posted on February 2, 2013 by Salley Mavor

My husband and I spent a few days in the upper west side of New York City. As we bustled to and from the Amsterdam Diner in the morning, we passed this vine climbing up several stories to the roof of a building. I showed this picture on my Facebook page and someone commented that it looked like Kathleen Kelly’s house in “You’ve Got Mail”. I haven’t seen the movie and the fact that I don’t know who Kathleen Kelly is, could have something to do with my tendency to work in my studio all of the time. If they did use this house front in the movie, I can see why–it’s very appealing!

I found the wildness of the tangled vines refreshing in such an otherwise tidy and perfect neighborhood. It must look gorgeous in warmer weather, with leaves and possibly flowers!

It was frigidly cold and there was a pretty dusting of snow on the sidewalk and stairs.

This was the view from our hotel, looking toward the grounds of the Natural History Museum.

to the end of the world and back

Posted on December 27, 2012 by Salley Mavor

The experience of being in Antarctica cannot be adequately conveyed in photographs and words. The continent is a truly awesome part of our planet, with an environment so different and extreme that my visit was as close to being on another planet as I’ll ever experience. From the deck of our big comfortable boat, we saw this sailing ship, with some more adventurous tourists aboard. The monochromatic scenery was breathtakingly beautiful! And everywhere there was wild life to gawk at.

We woke up a napping elephant seal pup.

We had to bundle up, but the temperatures were mild for the end of the world–in the 30’s F.

Being the height of summer, the sun was out most of the day and night.

The elephant seals sang (or grunted), “There were 9 in the bed and the little one said, roll over, roll over.”

Polly had a great time!

Throughout the frozen landscape, there were signs of growth, like these lichens and moss.

The adorable penguins won our hearts.

And an occasional seal on an ice flow noticed our presence. Antarctica was worth the trip! My husband, Rob Goldsborough took many of the photographs I’ve shown from this trip. See more of his great pictures of Antarctica on Flickr.

Antarctica: birds

Posted on December 20, 2012 by Salley Mavor

We just flew into Logan after about 24 hours of traveling, beginning in Ashuaia, Argentina, to Santiago Chile, to Atlanta to Boston. After a day of flying and while we wait in the airport to catch the bus to the Cape, I thought I’d write a post and show you the splendid birds we saw in Antarctica. Some were seen from the boat and others we saw on land. Can you guess what they are? Answers at the end of this post.

Birds, top to bottom: Cape petrel, Antarctic fulmar, Cape petrel, Giant Antarctic petrel, Giant Antarctic petrel, petrel, Giant Antarctic petrel.

Antarctica: Polly at the rookery

Posted on December 17, 2012 by Salley Mavor

Polly has visited several penguin rookeries, which have their own pungent perfume! The penguins are such entertaining and curious creatures! Both the male and female take turns sitting on the egg and keep up the nest of stones.

gentoo

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Ireland: windows

Posted on December 17, 2012 by Salley Mavor

When I’m traveling in some place new, I like to take pictures within categories, which helps focus my attention. In this case, it’s windows from our trip to Ireland last September. I don’t remember the names of the places, but they’re all located somewhere between Cork and Dublin.

Antarctica: landscapes

Posted on December 17, 2012 by Salley Mavor

I’m downloading these photos at 5:00 AM, taking advantage of the time. The sun has been up for hours and the internet is wide open because almost all of the boat’s passengers are asleep and not trying to send e-mails and their pictures of this amazing place. Antarctica is a most spectacular environment, which I think my husband Rob has captured in these photos. Enjoy!

Antarctica: zodiac tour

Posted on December 16, 2012 by Salley Mavor

We’re finally able to get internet service, so here are a selections of pictures taken from a zodiac. Polly saw some amazing ice formations and some very cute penguins.