i braved a first this week. armed with a fellow artist, i attend a live model
drawing session. i even sat in front and did this using nupastels. the
instructor suggested that i start by blocking in shapes and
use three colors, a dark, medium and light. i discovered
that pastels are forgiving and allow lots of layering.
i visited the norton simon as I mentioned last week.
it was a perfect spring day.
the entry with sculptures on either side of the grand walkway
we had lunch here next to
the lily pond and another sculpture garden
the reason for my visit, the mulberry tree by van gogh.
and other amazing art
i felt transported for an afternoon. the collection is just the right size to
be able to enjoy and not feel overwhelmed and photographs are allowed.
there were no crowds. i stood in front of these masterpieces and more
imagining the artist, brush in hand, paints at the ready. to see their
brushstrokes, the colors no further than inches away.... the experience is
still with me. as for the mulberry tree, it was a troubled time in van gogh's life.
after his argument with gauguin and another breakdown. he admitted
himself into a hospital for rest again. he painted many paintings
of the landscape and this was one of them. i have begun reading
his letters to emerse myself even more.
please visit these dedicated artists by clicking on their sites.
