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~ a romance with art and all things British

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Monthly Archives: January 2013

MOMA, Joan and New York City

29 Tuesday Jan 2013

Posted by pat in Art, Art Museums & Exhibitions, paintings, sketching, Uncategorized

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Joan Mitchell, MOMA, New York City, texting

When I was in high school, more years ago than I like to admit, I escaped to New York City to The Museum of Modern Art as often as possible.  I grew up on Long Island, and “The City”, as we called Manhattan, was magnetic, always drawing me in.

A group of us would take the train in, and spend hours looking at the art at MOMA. We would then sit in the sculpture courtyard talking about what we saw, lingering forever over one cup of coffee or a cold drink, feeling very grown up, modern and inspired.

Matisse at MOMA. Photo by me

Matisse at MOMA. Photo by me

On my last visit to MOMA this past summer, so much seemed the same even after the huge remodeling of this important museum several years ago. The groups of young adults lingering in the museum seemed the same, although the cafe on the edge of the sculpture garden has gone. Instead these art lovers gather on benches near the lobby under the great paintings and soaring architecture.

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MOMA’s admissions lobby. Photo by me

More often than not, however, they seem not to be talking, but rather texting. Every museum I visit around the world, there always seems to be this texting thing. Huddled in small groups, they hold these small objects, fingers moving furiously over the surface.  Are they still “talking” about art?  Do they feel grown up and modern with the new technology?

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Underneath a stunning Joan Mitchell (Wood, Wind, No Tuba, 1980) at MOMA, everyone was lined up on the benches, tired from walking through the galleries…texting or tweeting. I must admit, I love the new technology, but do we still share experiences with those we are with, or are we always looking out to the “net” beyond?

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A group of young adults relaxing after their day at the museum. Sketch by me

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Fleshing out color. Photo by me

Image 3

Joan Mitchell’s painting dominates the color palette and the scene. Does anyone notice?. Painting by me.

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The process of adding detail, and balancing the figures with the art.

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Finished! “MOMA and Joan”.  Painting by me.

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The Museum of Modern Art in New York City. Photo by me

I just hope this new generation of museum goers finds as much joy in their memories as I have. I think they will find their own way to remember the moment.

By the way, Joan Mitchell often painted diptychs as we see here.

Joan Mitchell's Wood, Wind, No Tuba. 2 panels 9'2 1/4" x 13 1 1/8".  Brilliant!

Joan Mitchell’s Wood, Wind, No Tuba. 2 panels 9′ 2 1/4″ x 13 1 1/8″. Brilliant!

I love that…how the two canvases would actually work as separate pieces but worked as a whole together.  Hockney was another one who use this structure of multiple canvas, and at times I have been known to use this method.

 

Studio Days and Twombly

25 Friday Jan 2013

Posted by pat in Art, Art Museums & Exhibitions, London, paintings, sketching, Travel, Uncategorized

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Tate Modern, Twombly

I have been working in the studio steadily this week, with just time in between to let a layer of color dry, or sketch a new idea, or just think of what I want to do next. It’s great when the rhythm of the studio takes over.

And often I keep the momentum going by reviewing my ideas from my travels.  Things that I suspected were important in some way when I first sketched or photographed them on location, jump out at me again and again from the images I have taped to my studio wall.

A small part of "The Wall" in my studio.

A small part of “The Wall” in my studio.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I started on an image from my trip to England last summer…the Tate Modern and an exhibit on Cy Twombly’s later works, one of my favorite artists.

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The Tate Modern in London on a rainy morning. The museum is in an old power station on the south bank, and is one of my favorites I return to again and again.

His work is minimal, but rich in its texture of layers.  Line is everything. As he grew older, the lines grew bolder and thicker.

Cy Twombly at the Tate Modern in London. Photo by me.

Cy Twombly at the Tate Modern in London. Photo by me.

These bold, red scars on canvas are some of his last works. But the movement and drips are reminiscent of his early works.

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The negative space is as important as the stroke, which is energized and rhythmic

There is nothing like his line.

When I started my painting, I wanted the Twombly to dominate, but it is the viewer on the right, the woman in the trench coat, that I most identify with.

Step 1

Step 1–the composition and color is blocked in.

A lot of the time it is not until you actually start sketching a painting that you know if it is going in the right direction or not.

In to the middle

In to the middle

ImageThe Twombly needed to take over the image, but not lose the viewer.

It’s when you get in to the middle of the piece that it gets rough.  The beginning is exciting and somehow at the end, fine-tuning the details is rewarding and peaceful.

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But especially in the middle of the work, decisions need to be made that will alter the outcome dramatically.  The mind works on high-speed making trying to understand what the story is. And often it means going in and taking a chance of wrecking the whole thing to make it go beyond the expected.

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Twombly at the Tate. Painting by me.

When it is finished you somehow just know.  When I was less experienced, I think I often stopped too early…didn’t take the chance of going too far. Now I seem to know just how far to push.

For information on the creative workshop in Bath, England next September, click on “Workshop” at the top of the page.

Painting in to the New Year

20 Sunday Jan 2013

Posted by pat in Art, paintings, sketching, Travel, Uncategorized

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Musee D'Orsay, Paris

I have been back in the studio on a regular basis, and am absolutely loving my time there.  I must confess though, it is exhausting.  Such concentration on a regular basis for long stretches is a challenge, but so satisfying when something good comes of it.

The Cities series begins in the studio.

The Cities series begins in the studio.

I spend an hour or so each morning working on the Creativity Workshop we are planning for next September in Bath. Can’t wait.  Art and England and My Beloved Brit.  Heaven on earth.

The River Avon at Bath

The River Avon at Bath

The workshop will focus on the artist traveler and how to use their precious time in an unfamiliar environment to best advantage. When we get back to work on our art at home, we will have an immense reservoir of ideas and reference.

If you click on the “Workshops” link at the top of this page, you can see all the details.

The Crescent, Bath England

The Crescent, Bath England

The “Cities” series of paintings I am working on now is a direct result of my years of travel.  And it is the true satisfaction and increasing interest I find in the subject of using travel for inspiration that led me to put together the workshop.

Musee d'Orsay, Paris.

Musee d’Orsay, Paris. My photo.

If you remember, back in August I began the “Cities” series, sketching a painting of the Musee d’Orsay in Paris, a direct result of my visit last spring to the magical city.

The first sketch on canvas

The first sketch on canvas

Musee d’Orsay is one of my favorite museums in the world.

The Musee d'Orsay in Paris.  Photo by me after a long happy visit inside.

The Musee d’Orsay in Paris. Photo by me after a long happy visit inside.

And of course, Paris….need I say more.

Starting to chose a color palette

Starting to choose a color palette

As always, one of the most difficult things when you get home from travel is what to choose to paint.  Even though I have a pretty good idea of my choices before I leave the foreign location thanks to editing my photos and sketches on the road, I looked at this image as well as a few others for months before I decided I had to try to interpret this particular idea. The multiple perspectives were daunting, and the arches and architectural details could be a nightmare. But I decided to tackle it.

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What I wanted to come out in the final painting was the art lovers, the museum visitors, who were dwarfed and stunned by the gorgeous museum, carved from an old train station in the center of Paris. (I love how cities have re-purposed old buildings for art–think Tate Modern in London which used an old power station)

The last stage of the painting. Art lovers embraced by architecture.

The last stage of the painting. Art lovers embraced by architecture.

This Parisian landmark is reminiscent of an ancient tomb. And yet it is so light and bright with the arched skylights overhead, perhaps it seems more like a cathedral. I am always awestruck by this museum…the building as well as the content.

Paris: Musee d'orsay, painting and photo by me

Paris: Musee d’orsay, painting and photo by me

I think the painting is where I want it. Such satisfaction to finish the last stroke. Now it sits drying in a corner of the studio while I get to work on other ideas from other travels.

New beginnings. Photo by me, the studio

New beginnings. Photo by me, the studio

I have about 5 different pieces in almost finished stages.  Unusual for me.  In the past, I have worked on one or two pieces at a time. But this series is so interesting to me, I keep rushing on with it.  There are at least 5 more ideas that I have not even started sketching yet.  Such fun, and I get to relive each travel adventure as I paint.

The Red Phone Box

18 Friday Jan 2013

Posted by pat in England, London

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Phone Box, telephone

More and more, public phones seem to be disappearing in the United States as well as in the UK.  But it still cheers me to turn a corner and see a red phone box on a London Street…

Across from Hyde Park in London. Photo by me.

…or near a country road.

Photo by me in Castle Combe

They still pop up in the odd spot when you least expect them. They are so cheerful and reassuring, in some way. Tradition.  I hope they never totally go away.

The Victoria and Albert Museum

15 Tuesday Jan 2013

Posted by pat in Art, Art Museums & Exhibitions, England, London, paintings, sketching

≈ 3 Comments

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Constable, fashion, Victoria & Albert Museum

The Victoria and Albert has been on my list for years of places that I wanted to visit.  Finally, on my last trip to London, I made it. It was worth the wait.

The Victoria and Albert Museum, down the road from Harrods in London. Photo by me

I loved the fashion wing with the different era’s beautiful clothes lovingly displayed.

The historic costume wing Photo by me

Boas and embroideries from the 20s. Photo by me

Ball gowns. Photo by me

Women who lunch Photo by me

Color. Photo by me

Modern times. Photo by me

Ending with an ethereal figure floating above the space. Photo by me

After such fashionable beauty, I tackled the museum, exploring the vast halls. It is massive.

The VA from the inner courtyard. Photo by me

The entry hall. Photo by me

The entrance to the gift shop. Photo by me

It was incredibly large, and the hallways went on forever.  Even with my map I had to stop to ask the guards directions several times. I was looking for a room filled with Constable water-color sketches. It was a maze.

Down dark hallways…Photo by me

…past huge storerooms of great treasures. Photo by me

…past the guardians. Photo by me

…no time to rest. Photo by me

…an angel trumpeted the way. Photo by me

Finally I found them in a very dim room under glass.  I couldn’t use any flash and it was hard to photograph them, but take my word…they were exquisite.

And finally I was there. Photo by me

A room filled with small Constable gems. Photo by me

My day was complete. Back out on the wet streets of London, I was totally at peace. Constable can do that for you.

The walk back home. Photo by me

 

 

Mind the Gap

12 Saturday Jan 2013

Posted by pat in History, London, Travel

≈ 1 Comment

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London underground, mind the gap

The London ” Tube” celebrates 150 years this week, the world’s oldest underground railroad.  The underground is definitely one of my favorite ways to get around London, especially once I figured out the Oyster Pass.  Happy birthday!

The Underground...a must for getting around London. Photo by me

The Underground…a must for getting around London. Photo by me

Thames Sailing Barges

09 Wednesday Jan 2013

Posted by pat in England, History, Sailing, United Kingdom

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Maldon, Thames Sailing Barges

Last summer, we spent a lovely afternoon in Maldon looking at the Thames sailing barges moored there in regal splendor.  They are sculptural and historic, and were used to transport supplies up and down the coast. Now you can charter them for the day, but some still work.

The Thames sailing barges line the seawall of Maldon in Essex. Photo by me.

Each had its own style, colors and beautiful woodwork.  The patterns of the masts against the sky were graphic and strong.

Masts. Photo by me

I love that England is an island, and so much of the country centers on boats and especially sailing.  The great naval power and all that. I grew up on Long Island in New York, so maybe I just feel at home surrounded by water.

Photo by me

But what is so interesting in Great Britain, is that each section of the country seems to have its own design of boat and navigational style.  Being married to My Beloved Brit, an avid sailor, I have my own personal tour guide when we visit these ports. And he is always willing to spend the time walking along the docks and explaining the idiosyncrasies of each boat to me.

photo by me

The Barge Trust has lovingly labelled all these historic barges with details of their history.  MBB could have spent hours here just looking.

Photo by me.

But my favorite sign had to be this one…

photo by me

You have been warned.

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