[Intermezzo] Bedridden with a Monstrous Cold

I’m stuck in bed today, tired from coughing. Croaky-voiced. Re-reading Ansel Adams’ autobiography and dreaming of great snow-capped mountains. I catch a glimpse, through the dirty window, of a white-blanketed roof and try to make do. Persuade me that there is no difference on the scale of majesty, and I’ll be impressed.

The Sick Girl by Michael Ancher, 1882

The Sick Girl by Michael Ancher, 1882

Words to the wise: On gloomy days, imagination is the best tool of all.

[Alternative Muses] Coming and Going: Christina Rossetti/Claude Monet Mashup

“Who has seen the wind? Neither you nor I: But when the trees bow down their head, The wind is passing by.”-Christina Rossetti (born on 12/5/1830)

Three Trees in Grey Weather by Claude Monet, 1891

Claude Monet (died on 12/5/1926): Three Trees in Grey Weather, 1891

[Alternative Muses] Happy Birthday, Georgia O’Keeffe!

Georgia O’Keeffe was born on 15 November 1887.

Georgia O'Keeffe by Alfred Stieglitz, 1918

Georgia O’Keeffe by Alfred Stieglitz, 1918

“I’ve been absolutely terrified every moment of my life and I’ve never let it keep me from doing a single thing that I wanted to do.” *

Georgia O'Keeffe, taken July 19, 1915

Georgia O’Keeffe, taken July 19, 1915

“To create one’s world in any of the arts takes courage.” Continue reading

[Alternative Muses] Coming and Going: T.S. Eliot/Edgar Degas Mashup

“Half of the harm that is done in this world is due to people who want to feel important. They don’t mean to do harm. But the harm does not interest them.”-T.S. Eliot (born on 9/26/1888)

The Millinery Shop, Edgar Degas, 1879/86. Art Institute of Chicago.

Edgar Degas (died on 9/27/1917): The Millinery Shop, 1879/86. Art Institute of Chicago.

Getting Back on Track with George Bellows

My step-dad’s funeral was two days ago. We have to empty out the contents of his apartment by the end of the month, so there is not a lot of time to spare for work or play. Much like life, we have to grab it whilst we can. Yesterday, my mom and I took a much-needed mental health break at the Columbus Museum of Art. The short walk there and back provided us with a liberal dose of sunshine, which was a partial cure in and of itself to the stress of the last two weeks.

A sculpture and its shadow

A sculpture and its shadow in front of the museum.

I was super excited to see the George Bellows exhibit, and it did not disappoint. Four large rooms are given over to the show, which runs until January 4, 2014. To read more about it, go here. Although his work encompassed so much more than the famous boxing images, standing in front of a few of those legendary canvases was extraordinary. I was also delighted to see a few copies of The Masses, for which Bellows supplied artwork, on display underneath a glass case. What an unexpected highlight!

Then, there was this:

Bathsheba, by Artemisia Gentileschi. Circa 1636.

Bathsheba, by Artemisia Gentileschi. Circa 1636.

Absolutely awe-inspiring in person!

An afternoon at the museum was a great reminder that art is good for the soul, and a further indication that life is slowly returning to normal.

“Try everything that can be done…Learn your own possibilities.”-George Bellows

[Book Nerd Links] A Bunch of Links for Your Morning Reading Pleasure