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The Enduring Allure of Mondrian: A Modern Muse for Glass Artists

The Enduring Allure of Mondrian: A Moder...

Introducing: Chippy the Cheetah Rides 545 miles from San Francisco to Los Angeles

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The Art of Gift Giving: Unique and Creative Ideas for Art Lovers of All Ages

The Art of Gift Giving: Unique and Creat...

Short History of Glass

Short History of Glass

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"Creativity is intelligence having fun."
Albert Einstein

garygraves

I bike, make glass art and read. For work, I teach Entrepreneurship at Fullerton College. Every June I ride in the Aids Lifecycle. www.545miles.com

El Greco at 18 — A Hidden Masterpiece in a Villa

El Greco at 18 — A Hidden Masterpiece in a Village Church 🇬🇷✨

Tucked inside the humble Church of Panagia on the island of Crete, we stumbled upon a forgotten treasure: a luminous icon painted by El Greco when he was just 18 years old.

Born Doménikos Theotokópoulos, El Greco began his journey in the Cretan School of iconography before leaving for Venice and Spain, where he became the master of Mannerism. But here—in this peaceful village chapel—his story begins.

💫 The icon sat undisturbed for centuries, only rediscovered in the 20th century. Painted in tempera and gold leaf, it already shows the bold, spiritual energy that would define his later works.

⛪️ The Church of Panagia is quiet, modest—and absolutely magical. No crowds, no velvet ropes. Just the echo of history in the stillness of stone walls.

Stepping Back 3,000 Years in Time: Nafplion & the

Stepping Back 3,000 Years in Time: Nafplion & the Glory of Mycenae 🏛️

Today we traded seaside charm for the awe of ancient history with a day trip from Nafplion to the legendary Mycenae, home of Agamemnon and center of a civilization that ruled the Bronze Age Mediterranean. 🏺✨

🧱 Highlights from Our Day

📍 Mycenae Archaeological Site
We wandered through Cyclopean walls and royal grave circles where gold-masked kings once lay. The scale of the stonework was jaw-dropping—and it’s said even the ancient Greeks believed only giants could’ve built it.

📍 Treasury of Atreus (aka Tomb of Agamemnon)
This beehive-shaped tholos tomb left us speechless. The symmetry and engineering of the soaring corbelled dome (with no keystone!) is still one of the most perfect in the ancient world. Step inside and you’ll feel like Indiana Jones. 🌀

📍 Panoramic Peloponnesian Views
The olive-studded hills stretching toward the mountains made the climb totally worth it. We even spotted ancient terraces below—once bustling with Mycenaean life. The seaside city itself is beautiful!!

In the House of Athena: A Day at the Acropolis and

In the House of Athena: A Day at the Acropolis and Its Museum ✨🏛️

Today I stood in the shadow of history—and in the very place where gods were once believed to walk among mortals. The Parthenon, crowned in scaffolding but no less majestic, towers over Athens like a proud guardian of civilization. It was built in the 5th century BCE, not just as a temple but as a triumph of architecture, artistry, and devotion to the goddess Athena, the city’s namesake and protector.

They say Athena was born fully grown and armored from the head of Zeus, embodying both wisdom and war. Her symbol, the owl, still watches over the city in stone and legend. And here, in the heart of her ancient stronghold, you can feel her presence—silent but undeniable.

🏺 Just down the hill, the Acropolis Museum brought marble gods and mythical stories such as the Amazons to life. From graceful friezes depicting the Panathenaic procession to striking statues of warriors and gods, every piece seems to whisper echoes of Olympus.

🙏 I found myself pausing in front of a powerful bust of Athena—her helmet calm but commanding. Athena championed reason over rage, strategy over brute strength, and civic life over chaos.

📸 And yes, the views are as epic as the myths.

Exploring the Magic of Egypt ✨🌍 Just wrapped

Just wrapped an unforgettable week of diving in th

Just wrapped an unforgettable week of diving in the Red Sea! 🌊🤿

Swam with lionfish, got stared down by a moray eel, cruised with stingrays, and found Nemo (multiple times) and all his cousins! Even spotted some underwater disco worms that clearly have better dance moves than me.

Cleopatra’s gold? Still missing.
But the coral castles, neon tails, and secret sea life? Absolutely priceless. 🐠✨

Note to self: next time, pack a treasure map.

Highlights of first day diving in the red sea!!! F

Highlights of first day diving in the red sea!!! Found Nemo! The cloud fish are my favorite! So cute how they hide in and defend their anemone home!!

Tribute to Sobek, the Crocodile God 🐊 Visited

Tribute to Sobek, the Crocodile God 🐊

Visited the extraordinary Temple of Kom Ombo, a one-of-a-kind double temple honoring Sobek, the crocodile god, and Horus the Elder. This riverside sanctuary holds deep symbolism tied to the Nile’s power, fertility, and protection.

Why Sobek matters:
In ancient Egypt, Sobek wasn’t just feared—he was revered. Crocodiles ruled the Nile, and Sobek was believed to both embody and tame their wild energy. Egyptians worshipped him for:
✨ Fertility & Creation – Sobek was linked to the fertile flooding of the Nile, which nourished crops and sustained life.
🛡️ Protection – As a guardian deity, he was called upon to defend against the dangers of the Nile and enemies in battle.
⚖️ Duality of Nature – Sobek symbolized the fine line between destruction and protection—showing reverence for nature’s raw power.

The Crocodile Museum nearby showcases dozens of real, mummified crocodiles—some over 10 feet long—offered as sacred gifts to Sobek. These ancient reptiles were laid to rest with the same care as humans, highlighting the depth of their worship.

Kom Ombo’s setting at sunset? Unreal. Imagine the Nile shimmering behind temple ruins, echoes of ancient prayers still in the stone. This place isn’t just a stop on the cruise—it’s a powerful reminder of how closely Egyptians lived with the rhythms and risks of the natural world

Gebel el-Silsila: Where Temples Were Born Before

El Kab by Tuk-Tuk. Horus by Horse. 🐎🛕 This

El Kab by Tuk-Tuk. Horus by Horse. 🐎🛕

This morning’s journey felt like a scene from a time-bending travel reel—arrived in El Kab by tuk-tuk, weaving through dusty alleyways and curious smiles, then switched gears to a horse-drawn carriage ride straight to the majestic Temple of Horus.

Built to honor the falcon god, the temple rises from the Nile’s banks like it never got the memo that 2,000 years had passed. Inside, I stood before a timeless embrace—Horus welcoming Amun—a stone-carved blessing of divine right and cosmic order.

Golden light, ancient shadows, and one unforgettable arrival!

Good Night, Egypt. 🌅 As Ra sinks below the palm

Good Night, Egypt. 🌅
As Ra sinks below the palms and the Nile whispers ancient secrets, I say farewell to another magical day in the land of pharaohs and gods.

My favorite image of the day…The Leopard Cloak &

My favorite image of the day…The Leopard Cloak & the Priest’s Power
Today I spotted something that looked surprisingly modern: the dark streaks under the eyes of a priest’s cloak, just like a cheetah’s “tear marks.” But this wasn’t fashion—it was sacred. The priest wore a leopard skin, symbolizing strength and the divine ability to transform.

In ancient Egyptian rituals, the leopard represented the chaos of nature subdued by order—a perfect symbol for a priest performing the sacred rites of rebirth. This painted feline, with its soulful eyes and powerful presence, made this my favorite image of the day.

Exploring the West Bank: Pharaohs, Queens, and Art

Exploring the West Bank: Pharaohs, Queens, and Artisans

Today felt like time travel. We began at the Valley of the Kings, descending into the tombs of ancient pharaohs where vivid wall paintings still whisper tales of the afterlife. Standing before the tomb of Tutankhamun was surreal—small but powerful in its historical weight.

Next, we visited the breathtaking Temple of Hatshepsut, dramatically carved into limestone cliffs. Egypt’s most powerful female pharaoh left an indelible mark, and her mortuary temple is pure architectural poetry.

We ended at Deir el-Medina, the village of the royal tomb builders. Walking through their modest homes and beautifully decorated tombs reminded me that the artisans behind Egypt’s grandeur lived full, creative lives of their own. Their tombs, though humble, were filled with personal art and deep humanity.

Every site was different, yet together they told a story of ambition, artistry, and devotion that still resonates thousands of years later.

Wandering Through Time in Luxor, Egypt Just spent

Wandering Through Time in Luxor, Egypt

Just spent an unforgettable day exploring two of the most awe-inspiring sites in all of ancient Egypt: the Temple of Karnak and the Temple of Luxor. Walking through these monumental ruins felt like stepping through the pages of history—only bigger, brighter, and hotter!

Karnak Temple Complex
This place is mind-blowing in scale—like a city of stone. From the Avenue of Ram-Headed Sphinxes to the towering columns of the Great Hypostyle Hall, it’s a humbling reminder of the power and devotion of ancient Thebes. The hieroglyphs are still so vivid in places, you feel like the scribes just left for lunch.

Luxor Temple
Later in the day, we explored Luxor Temple, glowing in the warm afternoon light. Dedicated to the rejuvenation of kingship, it’s an elegant contrast to Karnak’s grandeur. The giant statues of Ramses II guard the entrance with timeless authority. The highlight? Standing beneath one of the obelisks, with carved figures frozen in time around us.

More @fullcoll @fcbusinessdiv graduation day photo

More @fullcoll @fcbusinessdiv graduation day photos… it is so great to everyone so happy! Graduations Hornets!!

Today, we graduate students from @fullcoll and th

Today, we graduate students from @fullcoll and the @fcbusinessdiv !! What a great honor to be part of a college system to educate and make lives better!!! Go Hornets!! Go out and make the world a better place!!

Right out of the kiln this morning. Beautiful pend

Right out of the kiln this morning. Beautiful pendants!!

Happy Mother’s Day to my Mom, Ann, in Heaven! A

Happy Mother’s Day to my Mom, Ann, in Heaven! A super mom that I miss all the time! Thanks for being the one who believed in power of a smile.

The bunnies came to see what is happening the stud

The bunnies came to see what is happening the studio today! And I saw the baby too!! Hooray! The coyotes did not get them!! Yep! Coyotes showed up hunting a few nights ago!

Beautiful stuff out of the kiln!!! For sale soon a

Beautiful stuff out of the kiln!!! For sale soon at https://gravesgallerystudio.etsy.com

Happy Birthday Shirley Thiele!! Another trip aroun

Happy Birthday Shirley Thiele!! Another trip around the sun!!!

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