Wednesday, October 28, 2009

A Good Read

My copy of this book by Alyson B. Stanfield arrived in March; I read it and ordered more copies for friends. This book is the reason I seemed almost organized at my art exhibits--invitations were mailed on time; my short artist's statement and business cards were on hand; there was even a guest book for visitors; I spoke to groups. Names and addresses are now close to being in a folder which will one day become data in my computer, and thank-you notes were sent. Until I read the book, blogging was just an often-heard word. Now I blog--I follow other blogs (and not just art blogs). Following blogs and the stock market is almost a full-time job.











Thanks to one of the suggestions in "I'd rather be in the studio," I actually left the comfort of home and looked at art last week. The Parsons-Bruce Art Association sets up an annual art exhibit at The Prizery, an historic tobacco warehouse, in South Boston VA--two floors of beautiful work by many talented artists.

I am grateful that I found this book. I considered mentioning it in an earlier blog but I only recently learned how to highlight words and add links. Hooray for old dogs learning new tricks!

11 comments:

  1. You have definitely got it going on... Thanks for the link to The Prizery exhibit. What an interestingly diverse exhibition. I always come away from art exhibits inspired and with a strong desire to get busy. Now I'm going to go check out Alyson B. Stanfield's site... -Don

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  2. You will find the book and website very useful.

    I miss the D.C. museums & shows so I usually attend most exhibits here in SOVA. Sometimes friends and I drive to the Nasher Museum in Durham NC or NC Museum of Art in Raleigh. In addition to great art, they have great food--well worth the drive and traffic. (We come home cultured!)

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  3. How far are you from Norfolk? When I worked there as Art Director I used to walk over to the Chrysler Museum of Fine Art, which was only three blocks away, every Wednesday for lunch. It is an excellent museum with a wonderful fine art collection and a spectacular glass collection. I miss it tremendously. If you ever have a chance I highly recommend you get out there. I have no real fine art museums to visit here in Vegas. The Bellagio Casino has a gallery which has about 3 shows a year, but that's about it. So, when I travel I make sure to find out where the closest fine art museum is. BTW, I love Carolina food...especially Carolina BBQ... That's a delicacy you cannot find anywhere else...

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  4. You're right about the NC BBQ. I'm 150 miles west of Norfolk and 75 miles north of Raleigh. We have lots of artists in this area; so there are frequent art shows. I just remember being so in awe when I saw Bacon's and O'Keefe's work in D.C. (loved the Hirshhorn) and Brancusi's Muse and Bird in NY took my breath away. In Raleigh, I've seen Matisse, Rodin, Monet, etc. and they have a great collection of African art. I wish I liked to travel--still have my membership with MOMA. Advantage of living here--75 miles equals 75 minutes (if you make no wrong turns). I've read about the Bellagio. Is Wynn the owner--the one who stuck his elbow through Picasso's Dream?

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  5. Wynn used to own the Bellagio. He then sold it to build the Wynn Casino, the Encore Casino and something in Macao. Yes, he's the one who put his elbow thru Picasso's "Dream". He's pretty much blind and has no sense of depth perception anymore...although he tries to hide it...

    The Chrysler in Norfolk has a wonderful painting by Hopper, titled "New York Pavements", which is one of my favorites of his. It was a bit of a departure for him in that it showed movement, but it also included the usual isolation and strong lighting indicative of his work. Check it out here: http://www.chrysler.org/wom/work0400.asp . They also have works by Degas, Renoir, Delacroix, O'Keefe and Matisse - to name a few.

    I want to go back to the MOMA so bad... My favorite Picasso of all time - "Girl Before a Mirror" - hangs there and I cannot get in front of her enough.

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  6. Thanks, Don, for showing me "New York Pavements." I don't think I've seen that Hopper before. When I think of him, I think of diners, a house near the tracks, an office; and stairs; of course, I usually don't remember names of paintings.

    You're young--Get thee to MOMA!

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  7. Thanks for mentioning this book. It's one I haven't read so I'll look for it. I wish I could say that I'm as organized as you, but....!

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  8. Ah, Kathy--I gave up on organization & schedules years ago. The book helped me appear to be organized at the opening. In fact, I could only find one of my dressy black sandals that night--I had to go with brown ones for an "arty" look.

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  9. After reading your post about Allyson Stanfield's book, I'm reminded that I've meant to get it, read it and use it! Thanks for the reminder :)

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  10. Hey thanks for commenting about the book...I think this will go on my Christmas wish list. Sounds like it's had a positive impact on your. Cool.

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  11. Kathleen--I was just posting on your blog, wondering which bowl was in your friend's dream. Great story and beautiful glass work.

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