You probably guessed it but I love to work. I love to make things and create products to share with others that they can then too make. When I was a kid, I was the one doing the making of the products that were out there for sale. I spent all summer sewing and stitching - it was heaven. Now it is the other way around - me designing the products for others to make.
There hasn't been much producing around here the past couple weeks. Julia and I have been out and about - visiting friends and relatives. Sure, I have worked a bit on my Chair Project but I can't say I have gotten very far or inspired. Julia goes back to school soon and she is excited about the new prospects of her coming junior year. I'm looking forward to her getting back and me getting back to work too.
This past week, Julia and I have been taking advantage of some of the fantastic places to visit around here. On Thursday, we went to The Clark Art Institute in Williamstown, MA. There is a show called Van Gogh and Nature. If you are anywhere in driving distance to The Clark, GO. The show is there until September 13th. The catalog is available here although I did not purchase it.
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| Wheatfield with Cypress Trees from The Clark website by Van Gogh |
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| Butterflies and Poppies from The Clark website by Van Gogh |
I asked Julia to chose her favorite painting in the exhibit. She chose this one which is from Paris' Musee D'Orsay. It is called Frittilaries in a Copper Vase. The very cool thing was that next to the painting was the actual vase that Van Gogh painted. It looked brass to me.
If you enjoy art or color or nature - or all three - and you live close enough to get to The Clark - GO to see this exhibit before September 13th. I think it may be the art highlight of my summer. If you go, you might be able to take a ride on the Van Gogh bus!
7 comments:
What a great exhibition! And I completely relate to how you feel about getting back to work and getting the kids off to school. I enjoyed the summer with them, but I also reach a point where I'm ready to be able to focus on my creative work again. :)
*DECADES* ago, I managed to attend 2 large VAN GOGH Exhibits held at the NYC MMoA. Fabulous! I had sprung for an International Membership to the Museum at the time and was able to get a discount on posters and such... Back in the day when the stuff was dirt cheap! I got several of the VAN GOGH ones. - Still rolled up in a cupboard some where... One of my favourites - [I bought 2, gave one to my BFF who had it framed] - is of the Cherry Blossoms against the sky blue background...
You know, some times your house interior reminds me of his work and colour palette... ;-D
BTW, if Julia is really interested in knowing more, try to find a copy of the Documentary stuff that LEONARD NIMOY did on him years ago. PBS might've produced it..? As I recall, a lot of the info came by way of Vincent's brother THEO.
As for the paint thickness... I think he might have made his own..? The oils used then are different from modern ones. I don't know for certain, but the paint then might have contained much more lead. - [Exposure to which, might also explain some of his health issues!] - That I think would thicken it up, wouldn't it? When you paint, do you add in much linseed oil?
Anyhoo, I'm glad you two got to see the Exhibit. "COLOUR" is what that whole IMPRESSIONIST PERIOD was all about. - Personally, I'm a big fan of GAUGUIN's Polynesian works. [Got several prints on my bedroom wall.] Whilst in Europe his tones were rather dull, but the Tahitian stuff has a much more vibrant aesthetic.
Also, if Julia is getting into this style of art, you'll have to take her to Chicago "some" day to see GEORGES SEURAT's "A Sunday on La Grande Jatte" at the Art Institute. Worth the trip! And, you can get close up to see the brush strokes, or in his case, "dots", too!
:-D
Great picture choice, Julia! It's not a Van Gogh I know, but the colours are beautiful. I too used to play the game with my children when they were small of which was the picture they liked best (or which picture - in an ideal world would you take home with you!) brings back happy memories! Looks a great exhibition - wish I could visit. Katherine
I was lucky enough to see this exhibit earlier in the summer--it was incredible!
Did you see Whistler's Mother too? The contrast between all the greys of Whistler's work and all the color of Van Gogh's was really interesting.
Thanks so much for sharing the exhibit. It looks wonderful. It's such a thrill to see painters like Van Gogh or Monet. I hope you find out the trick to the thick paint. It is a wonderful technique.
Van Gogh has always been a favorite of mine, as well. He used a technique known as Impasto (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Impasto), try using a palatte knife (or several of different sizes) to paint with instead.
I'm glad Julia is looking forward to her junior year. I LOVED my junior year!! Julia, enjoy yourself, explore, and just have a good time. You have a lot of fans out here!
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