One of my favorite ways to spend a leisurely morning is in an art museum. I miss living near a major metropolitan museum now, so whenever I get near a big city I take the time for a visit. And because it is rarer these days that I get the opportunity, I appreciate it even more.
The Guggenheim Museum, NYC. Photo by me
As much as I love the art, it is also the art lovers that I enjoy. As you may know from following this blog I have been painting gallery scenes again.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art, NYC. Photo by me
The Museum of Modern Art is one of my favorite places to visit in New York City. I grew up near here on Long Island, and even when I was young I escaped as often as possible to “The City”, and to MOMA.
The Lobby from above, MOMA in NYC. Photo by me
It only makes sense that these gallery scenes would show up in my “Cities” series. to see them all, you can visit my art website at www.patwhitehead.com.
Another painting in my “Cities” series that focuses on MOMA museum visitors.
My latest finished painting is a continuation of this theme…Gallery View II.
In the studio. Photo by me
It started as usual with a visit to MOMA
A summer visit to NYC and MOMA. Photo by me
..and a sketch on canvas after the visit.
Gallery View II begins
And just kept building from there.
You can’t imagine how long it took to get the shadowing just where I wanted it on the museum floor. You never know when you start just which area will prove the challenge and what parts will just flow.
One thing I have learned time and time again, though, is to let the “finished” painting sit for a week or so, and then go back in for those final touches.
I love this painting. It was like spending the day at MOMA all over again. I could be any one of these viewers.
The finished painting