Dale Chihuly

I used to spend a fair bit of time in Miami (I am involved with an international sailing organization). So much so, that I became close with a local cab operator, Oscar, and I called him each time I was there.
One day in 2005 (so hard to believe it was 5 years ago!), I had three hours to kill between meetings and I asked Oscar to take me somewhere I had not been before....he turned in the driver's seat, looked me in the eyes and said: "do you know Chihuly?"...
"No", I answered....and the adventure began...

His trusted yellow cab sped to the magnificent Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, in Coral Gables, just outside Miami....there, the world of Dale Chihuly was revealed to me for the first time....

We walked through the Gardens, stunning in their own right, and marvelled at how Dale had "enhanced" them with his amazing glass creations. Trust me when I tell you that the photos included here do not do his work justice - you just have to see it to believe it!
Sometimes, the glass objects were so in tune with the surroundings, they were virtually impossible to spot.
This became a little game for Oscar and me, searching for Dale's tricks. At one point, I found myself standing under a giant, green glass cocoon - I had no idea it was there until Oscar pointed it out to me (he was standing further away)....it was made of twisted, glowing glass, as if an insect from outer space rested inside before joining us on this planet.

Dale is not only an amazing artist, he is a very, very interesting human being and I encourage you wholeheartedly to take a look at his website.
He exhibits all over the world (the photos here are only from the Fairchild).

I honestly did not want to leave this beautiful place....it's hard to explain but the glass objects had a certain mesmerizing presence....I am forever grateful to Oscar for taking me to see Dale's work.

Dale is currently exhibiting in Columbus, Ohio. If you have a chance to see his work, do not let is pass you by...you will be mesmerized....

Photos via chihuly.com
paulstravelpictures.com