Inspiration...

I have been kinda nose to the grindstone for a good long while now working on various projects, substitute teaching as much as humanly possible and painting a cello...

Yes. You read that right. I did say painting a cello.

More about that later...

Awhile back I made a deal with myself to visit, at least once a month- a sculpture exhibit, art and craft gallery, glassblower, potter, blacksmith, weaver, quilter, photographic exhibition, theater production, concert- to practice really 'seeing' and 'listening', and to appreciate the bounty of loveliness in this big beautiful world we live in.

At the same time, I also made a deal with myself to park as far away from whatever entrance I was heading to. Like, at the grocery store, to park way over in the farthest space in the farthest row. Even in the winter. And to always, always bring my grocery cart back to the store entrance, or at the very least to those little designated cart corrals that have appeared in the parking lots these days. It is a very rare occasion now when I park close to the entrance and it usually has something to do with it raining and me not wearing rain gear. 30 below and snowing I can take.

I made these deals with myself, along with a few others mostly because I felt like my life was passing me by. That I was too caught up with 'getting everything done' on my 'to do' list at the expense of enjoying the actual life I've been given.

Oh yeah. And what about my health? When I am plowing across a snow-covered parking lot in a blizzard, (having parked away over yonder) I am actually appreciating the fact that I am alive and well and walking on my own two feet... (well, okay, more or less-wink ;-) and being thankful for my muscles and even the snowflakes (especially the snowflakes) that insist on landing on my glasses even though my head is down.

The point i'm trying to make is despite the fact that at times all the news seems bad and that pain and suffering abound, there is still so very much beauty and genuine goodness in the world too-we just need to train our eyes and hearts to see it and listen for it.

So I said all that to say this.

I recently kept a promise to myself and visited the Shelburne Museum. I particularly wanted to see the exhibit, In New Light- French Impressionism Arrives in America. A small collection of the works of Edouard Manet, Gustave Courbet, Mary Cassatt, Edgar Degas and, one of my absolute all-time favorites, Claude Monet.

That picture above, I love. It's a Monet entitled, Grainstacks, With Snow. How could I not love it? It was painted in Giverny. 1891.

When I have the opportunity to look at paintings I like to see them from a distance...

but then, I like to take my glasses off and get right up close when i'm not in anybodys way, and look at the brush strokes, colors, signature... all the details...

I do wish that picture was in focus... still don't have the hang of taking pics with the museum setting when flash is not allowed. But, can you still see the abundance of colors?! I was in awe. It made tears come to my eyes. There I was with my nose two inches away from a famous painting by my favorite Monet.  That he painted in 1891.

1891 people.

That was a long time ago. 123 years to be exact. Think of all the ways our world has changed. For one, who stacks grain like that anymore? I wish someone would.

(Actually, a little aside... outside of the Art gallery building where this exhibit was hung, some highly creative person(s) had made two separate pairs of pseudo grainstacks out of straw and chicken wire. Awesome. I think it said something like Vermont Straw Creations... I don't find anything when I google that though. If anyone knows who the artist(s) were that made the present day grainstacks at Shelburne Museum, please let me know!!)

It was a wonderful, inspiring and fun day with an ole pal from my college days.

That exhibit is gone now, but, I challenge you to go take in some art or creativity of your own choosing in September, and please send me a note here, maybe i'll go too!

Now, back to the cello...
with love, as always-
susie