Saturday, February 26, 2005

Lifting my eyes to look

Cultured, I am not. But, it doesn't stop me from appreciating artwork. I can't rattle off the various period pieces and artists associated with the timeframe but I have a general idea and knowledge. I know who my favorites are and what speaks to me. Typically, I am drawn towards Impressionists and pastorals. My favorite artists are Monet, Renoir, and Degas. The more I go to museums, the more I learn. Reading journals has helped me considerably as well. Both Albert and Vince have afforded me a tremendous learning experience through their entries on art. Judith Heartsong is one of our resident artists and her entries about her artwork have been quite inspiring.

When I went to LACMA last Sunday with Kevin, I was snapping pictures of some of the artwork that spoke to me in some way. I think it's pretty cool that they allow you to do this. Understandably, you can't use flash when snapping shots. It makes me a bit nervous because when I turn on my camera the auto-flash is turned on by default. I have to make a concerted effort to remember to check that it is off before taking pictures.

One of the first pictures that I snapped was this one by Georgia O'Keeffe. I'm not a big fan of hers although some of her floral prints I have found enjoyable. I've never really quite understood this piece. I think this is a popular one of hers because I've seen the print often. It's funny because when I saw this I felt excited to actually see  the original, almost like seeing a movie actor that you don't like but thrilled because of the awareness that you are in the presence of a celebrity.

I told Kevin that I thought we had the print of this piece hanging somewhere at work. At work on Tuesday, one of the girls was in my office and had asked me about my weekend. I started telling her about going to LACMA and that I saw a picture of a print that I thought we had here. It reminded me that I wanted to look for it. I started to rise from my chair to go look around. That's when I spotted it hanging to the left of me right in my office! I guess it goes to show just how unaware of my surroundings I can be sometimes.

I must admit I gained a greater appreciation for this piece by seeing the original. The print doesn't do it justice. The colors of the original are so vivid that it adds a different perspective and makes me want to meditate on what the message that Ms. O'Keeffe was trying to relay through her work - maybe that there is beauty all around us even in the less than obvious places if we just open our minds and lift our eyes to look.

14 comments:

Anonymous said...

It is exciting to see original art that you are famliar with.  I love going to art museums for just that reason.  I especially like the chance to go see an entire exhibit featuring an artist I know (but I don't know many).  They have a Salvadore Dali exhibit in Philly now....I've GOT to remember to get some tickets....

Anonymous said...

You always educate me. Thank YOU
-- Stay Safe out there.
Kate~

Anonymous said...

Georgia O'Keefe is one of my favorites, but that piece has always disturbed me. Then life and death teasing each other can do that to me.

Anonymous said...

YOU aren't cultured?!?!  PUHLEEZE!  Honey, if you aren't cultured then I am just ignorant!  I haven't been to a museum since I was about 19 years old and naming actual artists?  Ha!  The only ones I could name would be Thomas Kinkade or maybe Norman Rockwell.  LOL!  That painting is an odd one I must admit.  I don't think I'd be meditating on it very much.  That's the thing with art, it makes you think, and darnit, my head hurts too much to do that!  ;)
Hugs and love, Lisa

Anonymous said...

As usual your journal entries inspire me.

Anonymous said...

Every time I see this painting I am reminded of the old addage "You can't make a silk purse from a sow's ear." It's supposed to mean you can't make something nice from poor materials. But the context I heard it most in was, you can't take something really ugly and make it beautiful. In this case, I think Ms. O'Keeffe took an example of something that most folks would consider ugly/scary and showed that there is true beauty there. That's how I see it, anyway. ;-)

Anonymous said...

I will never forget as a young child going to the National Gallery and seeing Renoir's Girl with a Watering Can. I fell in love with it. Later Mdm Alexander made all of Renoir's famous painting girls into dolls. I bought them and when I sold my other home I distributed copies of the pictures and the dolls to my nieces. I love the Impressionists. Nelle

Anonymous said...

I agree with Lisa's comment, you seem pretty darned cultured to me, or at least very sensitive and open to new knowledge.

& thanks for the compliment/link...rofl.

OK, here's some art history: Have you seen many photos of O'Keefe as a young woman, (taken by her husband Stieglitz) and then as an old woman in N.M.? Seeing her in her studio and surroundings really amplifies her art. Plus, she managed to hook up with this handsome boy-toy in her later years-- she had it going on.   hugs, Albert

Anonymous said...

Aww, Robbie..I wish I was your age again!
Beautiful entry!
V

Anonymous said...

Culture schmultzer.  You have a natural and instinctive appreciation for what you see, and a discerning eye.  It isn't about terminology; it's about appreciation of an artist's intent and execution, and an eye for talent.  And that you clearly possess.

I love LACMA!  Can I come too?  I promise I'll behave.  :)

Anonymous said...

I love Georgia O'Keeffe! I don't think the prints do her justice until you see her originals. That is too cool they let you take pics of it.

Gretchen
http://livinginsavannah.blogspot.com/

Anonymous said...

I grew up in the Chicago area, so one of the premier places to go on field trips from school was the Art Institute.  In high school, we went to a Georgia O'Keefe exhibit, and I have loved her ever since.  She had a way of breathing life and soul into inaninimate---even DEAD---objects.  Lisa  :-]

Anonymous said...

Lovely entry Robbie....... You are wonderful. judi

Anonymous said...

hmm, I read this.  but, I did not comment.  I wonder why?  
anyway.
LOVE art museums.  and someday...I will go to one!
you know, I wouldn't think of you as someone who isn't cultured.
you have a passion for expressing yourself creatively, and wanting to KNOW more about it.   to me, that's being cultured.  It's just a desire.

I do like Georgia O'Keeffe, her artwork fascinates me. Have you seen her flowers?  wow.