 |
| VMFA Member Apres Picasso Exhibit, pastel 12x9 |
Eleven rooms filled with pieces from the Musee National Picasso, Paris--almost overwhelming. I could have used a break half-way through--not allowed. Nothing compares to seeing paintings and sculpture in person; his joy in creating can almost be felt. He seemed to slop on the paint in some places and leave the canvas bare in others. I saw chubby hands, short legs, and long legs. He created paintings of sculptures and sculptures of paintings; I could not pick a favorite piece; "Woman Throwing a Rock" came close.
We had dinner at the Museum's Amuse restaurant and admired the setting--the chairs (Bertoia?), the lights (Nelson?), the shades on the windows, the tall wine glasses, and the round green flowers on each Saarinen? table. The pastel above is "after Picasso" and is not a self-portrait; I, of course, wore sensible walking shoes with socks! This was fun and I'd like to try the style again with acrylics or oil.
A quick tour of the museum revealed large works by Guston (loved it), Stella, Dine, Murray and Twombly. I'll definitely be returning; I regret that I missed the German Expressionist exhibit and the Chuck Close exhibit.
I was once very close to Picasso's signature. A friend who'd cleaned out his mother's garage gave me lots of books; among them, Picasso, the Early Years. Months later, I realized that I had one of 350 copies signed by the artist. I took a photo of my hand almost touching the signature; then I returned the book.
Posts
Hallie this is fabulous, it may be Picasso inspired,but it was your hand doing it. I see that the location is the very fancy restaurant. Really great piece
ReplyDeleteAh Hallie! You are a gem among gems. One classy lady, through and through. Your Picasso style painting is wonderful! I love the whimsy, the colors and the fun element.
ReplyDeleteGlad you got to see the exhibit. Sure sounds like you had a marvelous time.
This pastel is a very entertaining record of your trip. It's as witty as your writing. You're a stitch!
ReplyDeleteYou gave the book back?! Wow. Guaranteed ticket to heaven, girl.
Hi Jane. Yes, we ate at the fancy restaurant--I was starving and it was the first one we saw. We were a bit early so we got seated without a reservation. I really enjoyed working on this pastel--I started shading and remembered that some of Picasso's work is just flat color.
ReplyDeleteHi Pam. Thanks. The classy lady is my friend whose clothes and necklace I included in the pastel. (I wanted to make circles for boobs but decided against it.) I need to get out more often; I miss a lot due to laziness.
SamArtDog. Yes, I returned the book--my friend said his stepfather must have bought it used in NY. That should give me .00001 kt. of one star in my crown. I think that what goes around comes around; and things like watches, a checkbook (in 1971), and money have found their way back to me.
ReplyDeleteThe pastel painting is excellent! Intake of breath when I saw it. I am interested to know the meaning as you see it - a tear of blood? And what are the three plants she is holding?
ReplyDeleteI saw a Picasso exhibit years ago, and have seen various works since. Love the simplicity of his pencil drawings, and his ceramics - of all things - blow me away! I'm not usually one to admire pottery (a blind spot of mine).
Neat to have your hand so close to the master's signature. sigh.
Hi Dan. Thanks for the smile. The tear of blood is actually the tall wine glass and the three plants are the green flowers that were placed on each table in the restaurant. Surprise--nothing sinister here.
ReplyDeleteThe Picasso exhibit blew me away--he did everything his way. I felt that he stood in front of the painting or sculpture and said, "I love doing this--let's play with something different today." And he felt joy; it can be seen in his work--the seeming simplicity is wonderful.
This is sweet! I get such a charge out your pieces because they are so playful and little irreverent. Please never change that.
ReplyDeleteI went to the Picasso Museum some year ago when my hubby did a an ultra-long bicycle event from Paris to Brest to Paris(PBP). After he completed the ride we did some sight seeing and that included the Picasso collection.
You are right about seeing the actual work. It's awesome and inspiring. I was taken by the ceramics he did closer to the end of his life. It had a whimsy about it. The same kind of whimsy I see in your work. And it was very inventive. I'd go back in a minute!
I was so fortunate to see the same show in Seattle. I bought the catalog and sometimes look through it thinking---I stood in front of that one, I stood in front of this one. I loved it all. I wish I had been so clever to paint an homage to the experience. My friends and I sketched from his paintings...that was fantastic.
ReplyDeleteI love how your painting includes all the wonderful period furniture. Picasso is like no other. I am kicking myself for not buying the 55 dollar striped shirt in the giftshop. lol. Picasso and those striped shirts!
I am glad you returned the book. That speaks volumes about you. (Pun intended).
Lifeartist--Davida, thank you. Ah, to see this in Paris would really be unforgettable. I like his ceramics, too, but I don't think they were included in this show; maybe too difficult to ship. Irreverence comes in handy at times.
ReplyDeleteHi Celeste. You should have stocked up on those shirts--I think they were $125. I bought the catalog, too, and love it. I painted this because my friend asked if I thought any artist could paint like Picasso. My answer was that they could imitate or copy. Now I'm not sure--as I was painting, I began "seeing" in that manner. As for the furnishings; I noticed that he included objects in his paintings. This was absolute fun; I felt like I was 8 years old.
"You did what?" The comedian was hollering at the sweet elderly lady who threw the priceless necklace overboard (you know, in the movie Titanic). He says, "she'd have gone in right after it!" Then he added, "And don't come back without it."
ReplyDeleteI can't imagine why I was thinking of that, but it was right and proper that you returned the book. We're very proud of you. Besides, who needs a Picasso when you can make your own?
Great job, by the way. Go for the circles. Just kidding.
I'm jealous! I would love to see this exhibition. One of the most powerful moments I have ever had in front of a painting was Picasso's "Girl Before a Mirror" in the MOMA. I had tears streaming down my face as I took in his strokes, his color, and the obvious joy that he put into creating the piece. Prints, photos and pixels cannot replace the real thing.
ReplyDeleteYour tribute to your visit is so Farber-esque. It takes a moment in time and translates it as only you can do. Beautiful! I can also see the joy that you put into creating it. It's obvious you were channelling a little Pablo...
I attempted to emulate early Picasso when in college. I got the colors and the 'cubes' right, but honestly didn't get cubism at the time. You can see my attempt here
As for someone who could paint like Picasso, that would be Georges Braque. At one point they painted side by side and few people can tell the difference in who painted which. Who knows how far the collaboration could have gone had Braque not been severely wounded in WWI.
-Don
Well done piece, Hallie. I saw a Picasso exhibit in Tacoma, WA in 1999 I think it was. I was completely enamored of his early style (not much a fan of his abstracted pieces). I didn't know he painted any other way besides the abstract!
ReplyDeleteHi Hallie, Fun painting! Great shapes and it has a joyous feeling. I think it would be exciting to see you explore more in this style if you were inclined to.
ReplyDeleteI saw the exhibit in Seattle; it was wonderful! I know what you mean, though, it is a little overwhelming. One of my favorite was a small Cubist collage with a pin stuck in it. I'm still thinking about it!
Hi William. I might dive for Peretti. I think the next one will definitely have circles.
ReplyDeleteDon, I thought about you when I was at the exhibit. There were some large paintings that reminded me of "Girl Before a Mirror." I think you can stand before these paintings and almost feel Picasso's joy or energy--it is powerful. So far, I've identified the head in your cubist painting. I can't tell the difference between a Braque guitar and a Picasso guitar.
Hi Autumn Leaves. The exhibit included some of his earlier works; it was nice to see the flow of his career. I think he was jumping for joy when he hit his eighties.
ReplyDeleteHi Peggy. I remember your trip to this exhibit--it's one of the reasons I had to see it. I might try a bit more of this style. I noticed the collage--straight pin through a small piece of wallpaper. Thanks for commenting.
Did you find a purse that was left there on a bench?
ReplyDeleteYes, Anonymous--there was a purse on the bench when I was thanking Phillip Morris/Altria for sponsoring this exhibit. It looked just like the one at MacCallum More last year.
ReplyDeleteHi Hallie!
ReplyDeleteThis is GREAT. I love your post and you reminded me of the importance of getting out and seeing art work in person. What a wonderful experience. Thank you.
Your painting at the beginning of this post is really fun. I like how your experience influenced this work. Very cool!
~ Kathleen Krucoff
Hi Kathleen. I found it hard to get out to museums and shows even when I lived in the D.C. area where everything was just a metro-ride away, BUT, the effort is always well worth it. Take a day off from jewelry-making. Stop, look, and enjoy--those days become treasures.
ReplyDeleteHi Hallie, long time no visit/talk/see! I like your Picasso piece. Well done. It's so enlightening to see a Picasso exhibit. We had an exhibit here in Cleveland about 20 years ago and I took a group of students. Such an eye opener for me. I had minimal knowledge or rather understanding of Picasso at the time. I prepped my students for the visit, thus teaching myself. But seeing the works, face to face...ahhhh. So memorable and I really learned and understood Picasso. I had the good fortune to visit Paris about 10 years ago, where I visited the Musee National Picasso. Again, my eyes were opened. Wider.
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad you went to the exhibit!
Hi Indigomar. It has been a long time--I figured you were having a really cold winter. Enlightening is the perfect word. Before the exhibit I thought Picasso was a marketing genius and lover; then artist. Now I think first and foremost he was great artist. Wow--Paris; maybe next life.
ReplyDeleteHi Hallie
ReplyDeleteeeks...you've reminded me that I have to pull up the website and order my ticket...I'm also two hours away... since i adore anything Picasso I'm hungry to get up to Richmond...
your description of your day is priceless...I admire the fact that you can conjure up the designers of everything from lighting to tables...you rock.
I'll be honest: I love Picasso and I love what you've done in your Picasso-esque piece.
ReplyDeleteThe story of the signature is amazing too. Nice to know that there are people in the world like you who'll return such a treasure carelessly given away. That's life lived as art.
Hi Donna. Get your ticket. Although we went on a Thursday afternoon, we weren't alone. I like mid-century modern furniture; occasionally, I find a nice piece at GoodWill or the thrift shop--it pays to know designs; I have an $8 Timo (can't remember his last name) Orchid Vase & a $10 Saarinen chair. Design Within Reach has great catalogs.
ReplyDeleteThank you, MM. I'd guess that you love Picasso. I don't think I'm alone in doing the right thing.
Picasso would smile with pleasure at your Piscassoesque painting--and be overwhelmed by your return of the book--so much so I'm sure he'd sign another for you. Picasso exhibits are so eye-opening, very inspiring with regards to experimentation. I only saw one. It was the one in New York just before they sent Guernica back to Spain. I felt very fortunate. You'll have to frame that photo.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Linda. I've been studying the catalog from the exhibit for the last five days--I might have to make another trek to the museum. I believe I saw Guernica in NY in the 70s (huge) but I was more interested in Brancusi's Sleeping Muse and Bird at the time. I only glanced at paintings in the museum--went straight for the sculpture.
ReplyDeleteTrès beau post sur le ressenti du peintre lors d'une exposition et pas n'importe laquelle avec des oeuvres de Picasso, que de merveilles je l'adore!
ReplyDeleteTrès original ton 'pastel' Hallie, j'aime beaucoup!
Merci pour tes visites sur mes pages!
bonne journée à bientôt!
bises-cath.
I love your Picasso-inspired painting, absolutely love it! And this blog post is a reminder that nothing replaces seeing art in person, (one of the biggest drawbacks of sharing our work online).
ReplyDeleteThank you, Weekend and Brush. You've probably seen this exhibit often; for me it was once in a lifetime, and I was thrilled.
ReplyDeleteRobin, thanks. I hope you saw some paintings in Italy; I know you saw great landscapes and came home with photos.
Actually Hallie.... I had been to Italy specifically to view artworks throughout Europe when I was an art student in college so the trip I just took was NOT about the art (although it was unavoidable!) We really wanted to go just to relax and enjoy being in the Tuscan countryside; no lining up to see museums and art exhibits. We did go to a church with Renaissance frescoes - saw bits of Etruscan art here and there, sat in famous piazzas, but mostly we were there for the food, wine, and medieval villages!
ReplyDeleteHi Robin. Now that's a vacation!
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like a wonderful trip. We had an exhibit here in Atlanta of his work years ago, but I don't think it was as large as the one you went to. I still have the tee shirt with his silk screen signature. As for Karma, you were very smart to return the book. I have had an awful year with bad luck and I know it's some bad karma from something, but I don't know what. At my age I'm sure there is a lot I could have done differently :O)
ReplyDeleteLove your painting!The raised flowers gives it a happy mood.
Love Picasso and his work. You should give that style another try. You're good at it.
ReplyDeleteThanks Sue. I suspect this style of painting matches my thinking--or my not thinking. It felt a lot like play--pure fun.
ReplyDelete