Art Schmart

Leaning against the walls in our house, and as you can see, even spread out on the rug, are framed works of art.  It is all patiently waiting for us to figure out where best to hang it. Right now, it's like putting together a jigsaw puzzle without the picture on the box to go by, but slowly, slowly it's coming together.  

Much like the work of art itself, the composition of displaying it is quite important.  The colours, the natural light in the room, the height are all equal factors.  I do not claim to be an expert by any means. But that's one of the best things about art, it's about how it makes you feel.  Which makes us all experts.

As I've stated before, I am no artist. I cannot draw a straight line with a ruler.  But I have tremendous appreciation for art.  Once upon a time I was a docent in an art museum.  It was a thrill be to able to not only walk those halls whenever I wished, but to speak knowledgeably about those incredible works and to share that information with others.  It was canvas heaven.

I've always been a fan, even as a kid.  I recall visiting an art museum in, I believe, California and being wowed.  Some of the other kiddos were  also interested,  but more were bored and doing what bored kids do in art museums so we didn't linger. But I remember being surprised by that feeling.  And that's what all of the arts are about, really, feeling.

I have favourite artists of course. They same way people have favourite authors, sports starts, actors and musicians.  The biggest difference is, all of my most favourite artists are long gone and there will be no new great hit from my fave.

I believe the artist at  the top of my chart is Johannes Vermeer.  He was a flemish artist who lived in the 1600's.  You've no doubt seen some of his work even if you cannot immediately place him.  One of his most famous pieces is, " Girl with a Pearl Earring".  That canvas is such a big deal that it was made into a movie.  Scarlet Johansson starred.  It was a good flick.   I am drawn to all of his work. It's about the light.  He  mastered the light; he herded it,  roped it and lit up his oils with it.  Whenever I have the opportunity to view a Vermeer in person, I am mesmerized.  In fact, I seek them out. When we visit the National Gallery in DC, that's the first exhibit I visit, every time.

My second favourite is one of the impressionists, Camille Pisarro.  There are many famous impressionsts, but his work speaks to me.  I've read that he was a very wise man, a kind and generous soul and I believe those qualities come through in his work.  I was lucky enough to witness this  in person, not just in books or online.   When some of his works came to Denver in an impressionist show at the Denver Art Museum Tim surprised me with a visit.   Once again, I was literally rooms behind the other people in our group as I stood before his work, marvelling, hypnotized and listening to how it made me feel.

 What a wonderful and amazing gift to be able to speak to people.  Hundreds of years after death, artists are still relating to us,  reaching out and touching our  hearts and souls, connecting to us with their works.   Pretty amazing.

If you haven't been in a long time, maybe it's time again to try. Find an art museum and stroll through it's halls. It won't all be of interest to you probably. Some might be just "okay", but don't give up.  Somewhere there is the stuff that reaches out and touches you. It finds a place inside you that you didn't even know existed.  The stuff that makes you feel. And that is absolutely worth the time and the price of admission.