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Tag Archives: Washington DC

The Baker

09 Saturday May 2020

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

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bakery, coffee shop, Washington DC

For this painting, I worked from a photo image that I had taken a little more than a year ago at one of my favorite coffee/bakery stops near The National Gallery of Art in Washington,D.C.

Standing on line at the coffee bar, looking at the gorgeous sandwiches, rolls and pastries in the clear cases, you could turn to the other side and see the bakers working behind a wall of glass. I originally wondered if I would show more of the reflection in the glass. I did a bit, but greatly modified it from my original thoughts.

Now in the midst of the 2020 pandemic, there’s not a chance anytime soon of taking the metro in to town, walking to this shop to pick up my coffee and head over to any one of the numerous art museums in the area.

I truly miss it, even though I am safe and happy in my studio cocoon at home.

This image reminds me of those heady days, wandering into an open, social world with no fear.  I wonder how this baker is doing now.  He seemed to have such joy and purpose in his job.  I assume his world has been turned upside down also. Will he be ok?

The Baker, 24 x 30″, oil on linen.

 

Sunday Afternoon

24 Monday Jul 2017

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

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Phillips Collection, Washington DC

I have always loved the intimate setting of the Phillips Collection in Washington, DC.  I have visited it for decades. I had an hour to kill when I was downtown near Dupont Circle recently, so I popped in.

It was hot and busy out on the surrounding streets, with people getting coffee, visiting the street markets…hustle and bustle.

When I entered the Phillips, it was cool and golden.  The art is purposely juxtaposed to present different styles and eras in close proximity.  It gives a richness to the experience of wandering through the rooms, just as this couple was doing.

The red chair, the bright stairwell, and the soft glow around the painting they have focused on is a magnificent play of light, shadow and color surrounding a superb collection.

“Sunday Afternoon at the Phillips”, 30 x 24″, oil on linen.

Shared Impressions

18 Saturday Feb 2017

Posted by pat in Art Museums & Exhibitions, Uncategorized

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Andy Goldsworthy, East Wing NGA, French Impressionism, Picasso, The National Gallery of Art, Washington DC

I have spent many mornings exploring the newly renovated East Wing of the National Gallery of Art since it re-opened last fall.  The old friend is still familiar, yet fresh and revitalized.

I almost always go alone to art museums.  It gives me the opportunity to really emerge myself in the art, and pick the little corner I want to explore that day.  But these three young women made it look like such fun to go with friends.

Tucked away to the left when you first come in the main entrance, there was a gorgeous exhibition from the museum’s French Impressionist collection.

These three women followed me through the collection, and exited to the main hall soon after I did.

Wedged between Andy Goldsworthy’s rock sculpture and the graphic detail of Madame Picasso next to the entrance (the original is inside!), the girls put their heads together and looked at their images on their phone.

I would love to think they had photographed images from the show, and were reliving the experience, but can’t know for sure.  But Madame Picasso, looking over their shoulders, probably has a pretty good idea what they’re talking about.

Whatever the conversation, I loved the camaraderie in a truly wonderful setting. “Shared Impressions”, oil on linen, 24 x 36

 

Counterbalance

06 Monday Feb 2017

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

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Calder, East Wing of NGA, National Gallery of Art, Washington DC

The entire East Wing of the National Gallery of Art finally re-opened this past fall after undergoing a huge renovation. Even this part of the main atrium, which had been open throughout the renovation, seemed fresh and new.

With Alexander Calder’s massive (920 lb) aluminum and steel mobile gently rotating overhead, the calm movement creates the perfect counterbalance to the busy world of Washington DC just outside the door.

The lone figure hurries across the bridge seemingly oblivious to the red and black wings circling overhead.

Rushing back to her office from lunch?  Or just enjoying the spectacle of this panoramic open space.

“Counterbalance”, oil on linen, 24 x 36″

Brown and White

17 Wednesday Jun 2015

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

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Hirshhorn Museum, Janine Antoni, Lick and Lather, oil painting, sculpture, Washington DC

I am never sure what will be the subject of my next painting.  Sometimes I have a few images taped on my wall that I think may be possibilities.

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But until I strip the wrapping off a new canvas, I am never really sure what my next painting might be. These photos are from the gardens surrounding the Hirshhorn Museum in Washington DC.

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The inspiration for “Brown and White”  came from this same visit to the Hirshhorn this past March, but from inside the galleries.

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I hadn’t been to this museum in over a decade and had forgotten how much great sculpture there was.

Image 1

When I came across “Lick & Lather” (1993-94), a twin piece by Bahamian sculptor Janine Antoni, I was fascinated.  The brown bust is made from chocolate, and Antoni, known also as a performance artist, cast the piece and then licked the details and refinements in to the chocolate self-portrait.

Image - Version 2

For “lather”,  she cast herself in soap, and then actually submerged the bust in a tub of water with herself and lathered the details in to shape.  Fascinating.

Image - Version 2

When I saw the two pieces I immediately went to the wall to the left to read about the work.  Following me, a well dressed middle-aged black gentleman did the same thing, trying to identify what the pieces were all about. Part of the explanation for the pieces talks about our love-hate relationship with physical appearance.

IMG_2115

Several weeks later, the riots broke out in Baltimore over the death of a young black man while in police custody. It was one of several incidents that had been very troubling this year involving police misconduct against black individuals. I started thinking about the issue of race in this country, something that I have pondered more and more often in the last decade.  Having lived in the Caribbean in a West Indian society had made me even more conscious of the differences and challenges of race in our country.

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And of course, now that I live in the southern part of the United States where the issue of race is never far from the surface, I have pondered it even more.

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All of a sudden, the photo I had taken back in March 2015 at the Hirrshorn had a new impact for me.

Image 3

I chose it as reference to do “Brown and White” as my next painting. The color palate and simplicity of composition spoke to me as strongly as the underlying message. It was March when I saw the museum reference…the world was still brown and white, struggling to come out of winter in Washington.

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Somehow, everything just seemed to be obvious for the painting.

Image 1

 

“Brown and White”, 30 x 24″, oil on linen.

10 Downing Street and The White House

16 Tuesday Jul 2013

Posted by pat in History, London, Uncategorized

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10 Downing Street, Prime Minister, The White House, Washington DC

10 Downing Street has been the “locale” of British Prime Ministers since 1735, over 50 years before construction began on The White House.

Winston Churchill emerges from 10 Downing Street flashing a V for Victory

Winston Churchill emerges from 10 Downing Street flashing a V for Victory

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It’s instantly recognizable black door has shielded some of the most important decisions made in the last 275 years…the First and Second World Wars, the ending of The Empire, the building of the British nuclear bomb, handling the economic crisis of the Great Depression…just to name a few.

2010_Official_Downing_Street_pic

The White House, on the other hand, has only been on its current location since construction began in 1792, and was first occupied by President John Adams.  The total cost to build was $232,372, and until after the Civil War it was the largest house in the United States. (The British burned it August 24, 1814, during the War of 1812, but did not destroy it. We’ve forgiven them since then.)

The White House

The White House

 

Both 10 Downing Street and The White House are the official residences, and also house the offices of The Prime Minister and The President, respectively. Both also are used to host countless receptions for both national and overseas guests.

Prime Minister Winston Churchill along with Roosevelt's Joint Chiefs of Staff outside The White House May 24, 1943. Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library

Prime Minister Winston Churchill along with Roosevelt’s Joint Chiefs of Staff outside The White House May 24, 1943. Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library

The 55,000 square foot White House is 168 feet long by 85 feet wide (152 feet with its porticos), and is on 18 acres of land, with 132 rooms.

President and Mrs. Lyndon B. Johnson walk through White House Cross hall with guest of honor, Prime Minister Harold Wilson, June 1967

President and Mrs. Lyndon B. Johnson walk through White House Cross hall with guest of honor, Prime Minister Harold Wilson, June 1967

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10 Downing Street is much bigger than it appears from outside. In the late 18th century, the house on Downing Street was joined to a more spacious and formidable building located behind it. And over the decades it has also taken over most of 11 and 12 Downing Street. It is hard to find out exactly how many square feet or how many rooms there might be, but everyone concurs that it is a labyrinth of hallways, reception rooms and office space. William Pitt the Younger, who last lived in the house in 1806, referred to it as “My vast, awkward house”.

Margaret Thatcher and Nancy Reagen in the recption area at 10 Downing Street

Margaret Thatcher and Nancy Reagan in the reception area at 10 Downing Street

The White House, of course, is white. 10 Downing Street is black. When it was refurbished in the early 60s, it was discovered it was not black at all, but that pollution had resulted in the black appearance over the yellow brick. To keep the familiar appearance, the newly cleaned yellow bricks were painted black to match their previous color.

President Ronald Reagan and First Lady Nancy Reagan chat with Prince Charles and Princess Diana in the East sitting Hall, November 9, 1985. Ronald W. Reagan Presidential Library

President Ronald Reagan and First Lady Nancy Reagan chat with Prince Charles and Princess Diana in the East Sitting Hall, November 9, 1985. Ronald W. Reagan Presidential Library

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10 Downing Street’s Cabinet Office has its own official mouser, Larry the Cat. Larry was recruited from Battersea Dogs & Cats Home “on recommendation of his mousing skills”. On the 10 Downing Street website it is concluded that since joining the staff, he has made a significant impact.

Larry the Cat

Larry the Cat

 

I wonder how he would get along with Beau…

250px-Bo_official_portrait

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