Art at the Met

So much to see at the Metropolitan Museum of Art.  You could spend days in there but my favorite art is contemporary.  It is a thrill to see your favorite art in person.  They had lots of Picasos and Monets but I did notice that women artists were very much under represented.  But here are some of my favorites:

Monet

Georgia O'Keefe 

Picasso

A Modigliani sculpture

Another Modigliani.  Amazing.

Road Trip!

It was time for a road trip.  We went with the Rhode Island Watercolor Society to New York City.  It was a nice sunny day and we decided to go to the Metropolitan Museum of Art.  But how to see it all?  We decided to concentrate on the contemporary wing and the Plains Indian exhibit.

I have never been to the Met before and it was a real treat.  The building and exhibits were beautiful and the art was amazing.  Here are a few pictures of the surroundings.  I will post some of my favorite things soon.

This was our ride.  Nothing like being a little obvious

Front of the Met.  Lots of people out enjoying the day. 

Beautiful courtyard where we had lunch

New York was a little ahead in spring

So nice to see people out of doors for a change

Who knew people actually sailed boats in parks.

New York Public Library.  Next time we hope to go inside.

New Work

I haven't decided whether or not this is done.  It just came together a little quickly and I'm wondering if the blue lines look a little too forced.  Abstract looks so easy and effortless but nothing is further from the truth.  Where are my muses?

This is a 12 x 12 acrylic on a wood panel.  I have been using Dick Blick's matte acrylic in celadon and I love the color as suggested by  Artist and Author Jane Davies of Vermont.  I would love to take one of her classes.

The Big Show

Today I took advantage of the nice weather instead of being holed up in the studio.  I walked downtown which it seemed like a long time ago and stopped in to see the Big Show put on by the Art League of Rhode Island.  The criteria was to have at least one side a minimum of 36 inches.  Since I have been working small, I only had a couple of pieces to be considered so I passed on the opportunity.  The work was interesting and there was a lot to see.  So in keeping with working small, I did this 8 x 10 oil based on one of my photos from San Miguel.  It only took me a couple of hours and I was quite pleased with the results.

RISD Museum

A beautiful day for a trip to the RISD Museum which is always free on Sundays.  I usually just stop into see the latest exhibits but today I went to see the permanent exhibits.  If you have never been there, you would be surprised about what is in there.  They are known for their textile collection but they also have Egyptian, Greek, Asian and some old masters but my favorites are the impressionists and the giant Buddha.

Here is my favorite.  He was not on display for over a year while they renovated the museum.

I really like this face

I like this too.  Maybe he will be a painting some day.

Picasso

Van Gogh

Renoir

Monet

Signs of Spring (Finally)

To say that this has been a long winter would have been an understatement.  But today it actually felt like Spring was on the way.  Although only in the mid fifties with strong winds, I decided to take a walk with the camera.

If you look closely you can see some seals sunning themselves

This was taken somewhere along the bike path

Some flowers ready to bloom in Roger Williams Park                                     

A sure sign of spring

New Work

I decided to rework a wood panel canvas that is bigger than what I usually work with, a 24 x 30.  The back ground is textured with cheesecloth, plaster and papers then topped with acrylic paint.  I added subtle circles with my favorite water soluble oil pastels.  I drew the bicycle with a pastel pencil and toned it down with water and rubbing.  Now I am wondering if the seat is a little too big.