Whenever a famous designer or artist is interviewed, it seems like the interviewer always asks them where they find their inspiration, and they always say the same thing: “Everywhere!” I went to the LA County Fair last week on a field trip with my son’s class. I am not really a fair person, especially not on a week when Los Angeles was having 105+ degree weather. I don’t particularly enjoy walking around eating junk food in the heat, and I always think of fairs as dirty places with lousy food and rides where the safety is in question. So with that mindset, you will appreciate from these photos my pleasant surprise at finding quite a bit of inspiration! Plus, even when it’s obscenely hot, can you ever really have too many photos of baby animals? I think not!

The Chinese Flower Garden, Pavilion, and Atrium would have been worth the drive to the fair all by themselves. I could have stayed there all day long taking photos. Asian art has always been a fascination of mine. I love the style, the use of color and of course, Westerners have spent lots of time trying to capture the distinct look of it.

And last, but not least, for all my fellow fiber enthusiasts, yes, just for you, I took a photo of the sheep! I love sheep and alpaca, and if there had been alpaca there, I would have taken photos of them too.

Little side note to anyone who is in the LA area – if you are interested in going, the fair closes this weekend, but you will have GREAT weather! Whatever you do and wherever you are, enjoy your weekend!