"All in the Family"

3-3/4 x 6"

oil on panel
sold

Lucky me, I got to visit the National Gallery of Art in DC last weekend - the same weekend the Washington Nationals and the Houston Astros were in town for the World Series.  At a minimum of $1,000 a ticket, I could only opt for an afternoon at a free art museum but hey, it was great being there again.

If you breeze through the galleries, sometimes you'll miss out on the fun facts of a painting - like Francois-Hubert Drouais's Family Portrait, notably dated April 1, 1756.  You may guess it's Christmas Day because of the gifts and decorations in the scene but no, it was April Fool's Day as we know it now.  Before the Gregorian calendar was adopted in 1582, the medieval calendar marked New Year's Day as March 25th, the vernal equinox - and the 1st of April marked the beginning of spring.  Many people would, and still do, celebrate by exchanging springtime gifts on that day - this informal family portrait showing the little girl giving flowers to her mother, the husband reading a poem to his wife as she points to the daughter as a symbolic gift to her husband. Very sweet.

"A Coat of Pink"

12 x 11"
oil on masonite
sold

A young woman in the French Impressionists gallery of the Art Institute - seemingly being eyed by Alfred Sisley, who was painted by Renoir. Speaking of coats of color, I'm currently having six rooms painted in my house and they're all different colors - and invariably, the painter keeps asking 'is this what you wanted?' as he slaps on the first brushstroke. 'yep, it's exactly what I picked', I say. My boyfriend had to confirm that 'she's an artist, what can I say'. A good excuse for almost anything weird. And no, it's not pink.

"Brotherhood"

9 x 12"
oil on masonite
sold

I really don't see too many kids in art museums that truly are interested in the art. Most squirm a lot and want to get going. These two brothers were the exception - seemingly enjoying the paintings. It's a nice thing to watch.

From the Art Institute of Chicago - accompanied by Renoir's famous 'On the Terrace'.

For a larger view, please click here.

"Woman To Woman"

16 x 8"

oil on masonite

sold

I let a perfect spring day pass by today - I really did want to paint. That's a good thing. There'll be plenty of those days ahead.

This is somewhat of a backed-up view of museum visitors and I like that. I found the women, as a group, more interesting than singling out anyone in particular. The room filled with French artworks is in the Legion of Honor, in San Francisco.

Click here if you'd like a larger view and purchase info.