Bird & Sunrise photo

Bird & Sunrise photo
Because "someday" is today!

Sunday, June 28, 2009

Nothing Like the Real Thing...

Central Train Station, Amsterdam.  So much fun to ride and watch the trains.
Central Train Station
Hotel Filosoof, Amsterdam,  We had a great room here.
Hotel Filosoof



















We just got back from our whirlwind trip to Amsterdam. I wondered when we went if it would be worth the jet lag to do such a short trip, but I have to say that seeing the Rembrandt, Vermeer, Hals, and Van Gogh paintings in person was well worth the effort.

I liked that the museums we went to made the effort to put the history of the country and the history of the various artists work in context. Nothing is created in a vacuum, although it sometimes seems that way when all I have seen were the great masterpieces in my textbook in college.

The Van Gogh museum where they had many of Vincent's early paintings showing his learning process and how hard he worked before he even came to his famous style was particularly important to me. I was also moved by how he didn't realize that he was doing the very thing he was trying to accomplish, but he couldn't see it! He despaired and desiring not to be a burden to his brother anymore, he took his own life. How often have I felt that all my efforts are not amounting to anything! Sometimes it is so hard to judge when you are in the middle of things. If Van Gogh could have just held on ten more years, he would have started to see the interest in his work begin to blossom.

This is only one of the many things I felt I learned on such a short trip. I have to say, that there is nothing like experiencing and seeing the world for myself and not just seeing it on t.v. on the travel channel.

Jeff's Corner: Standing at Rembrandt's easel in his studio was amazing!

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

Go Van Gogh...

Vondel Park, Amsterdam.  Runner's paradise in the city.
Vondel Park
What a whirlwind my life has been lately. Deadlines for artwork for my Artist Boss's show coming up in August, summer visitors, trying to keep the garden going, and we decided on a last minute inspiration to go to Amsterdam for five nights!

I haven't made any progress on my artistic projects and I have been feeling rather disgruntled about that. Going on an artistic field trip IS the next best thing though, and helps me feel a bit better about the lack of time I have spent painting.

Bikes and Bridges, Amsterdam.  Watch out for the cyclists, they mean business!
Bikes and Bridges
 We already have our tickets to the Van Gogh museum, Rembrandt's house and the Rijksmuseum. The club Melkweg is also on the list in order to get some musical inspiration from a cool band called the "SilverSun Pickups" (Jeff's idea.) It will be short and sweet and a much needed break. I hope to come back recharged to paint...once I get over the jet lag!

Jeff's Corner: "Stay-cation" my a**!!!

Monday, June 1, 2009

To be like Georgia, or not...

I finally had some of my own Irises bloom this spring and this morning I had a great photo taking experience. I have been wondering how I could make my "back-light" flower series of paintings more interesting and have considered closer angles and unusual view points.

Of course, these start looking reminiscent of Georgia O'Keefe's famous flower paintings. The only difference is that I would have more of a sense of light shining through the petals. I have always admired her work, but I don't like to be a copy cat. I suppose all I can do is try out the idea and see if I like it. Sometimes something that looks great as a photograph doesn't translate well onto canvas.

Ah, choices.

Jeff's Corner: "Georgia on my mind..."