Finale

And to round out the last day of September's art everyday is a piece by Rene Magritte.
You shouldn't be surprised that surrealism shows up so much, it's my favorite art style, followed by art nouveau.

Le Plagiat (Plagiary)

Le Plagiat (Plagiary) is Magritte's way of showing that art imitates (or perhaps, plagiarizes) life.

Curves

So, I've been compared to yakshis before. 

And before you get any ideas, it was due to body type, not disposition.

Detailed close-up of a yakshi and her elephant at the Great Stupa in Sanchi, India.

Never invite a penguin to dinner

Edward Gorey

Edward Gorey is one of my all-time favorite illustrators.
I have several of his books, large and small.
I love the style, but especially the content of his works.

From lilies to dancers

Manet is known for his lilies.
Degas is known for his dancers.
Once again, I had the difficult decision of choosing ONE piece above all. But I'm pleased with my choice.

Dancers in the Wings, Edgar Degas, 1878

Thanks goes to Wikipedia, Google and Gardner's Art through the Ages for providing information, images and inspiration.

Lovely lilies

I had a heck of a time deciding which Manet was my favorite.
I knew that his water lilies were my favorite collection of his work... but which one?

Water Lilies, Claude Manet, 1906

I finally settled upon Water Lilies 1906, which is housed in the Art Institute of Chicago.

Thanks goes to Wikipedia, Google and Gardner's Art through the Ages for providing information, images and inspiration.

The kiss in Times Square

Seriously, how iconic is this photograph?

Cling to me

One of my favorite pieces by Gustav Klimt is Der Lebensbaum, or The Tree of Life. The stylized detail in his work is amazing.

Der Lebensbaum, Gustav Klimt, 1909

Here's a close up of my favorite part.

Thanks goes to Wikipedia, Google and Gardner's Art through the Ages for providing information, images and inspiration.

Frida Frida

Frida Kahlo painted her reality as she saw it, which is, perhaps, a bit different than we see ours.

What I saw in the water, Frida Kahlo

Kahlo was a well-known and influential painter from Mexico. Her work is full of symbolism, passion and pain. She influenced me as well; while studying in university, I began to depict my own reality.

Thanks goes to Wikipedia, Google and Gardner's Art through the Ages for providing information, images and inspiration.

Warmth

I was just introduced to Pino Daeni, whom sadly died May 2010.
There are so many of his pieces that I adore, but this one is my favorite... for now.

Thanks goes to Wikipedia, Google and Gardner's Art through the Ages for providing information, images and inspiration.

Rose, Lotus

A Tale of Two Sisters, also known as Janghwa, Hongryeon (Rose, Lotus), is a Korean psychological thriller is one of my favorite movies and, in my opinion, a work of art.

One of the things that first drew me to this movie were stills. The sheer beauty and color in the shots drew me in. And the amazing and twisting story helped a whole lot too.

I would (and do) recommend this movie to any and everyone.

Thanks goes to Wikipedia, Google and Gardner's Art through the Ages for providing information, images and inspiration.

Sunlight

Queen Victoria in her Coronation Robe, Charles Robert Leslie, 1838

I find this piece incredibly beautiful: the sunlight streaming through the window, the intricate detail, shadows, design and colors of Queen Victoria's coronation robe and the overall mood of the piece.

Thanks goes to Wikipedia, Google and Gardner's Art through the Ages for providing information, images and inspiration.

Calm

Still Life with Geraniums, Henri Matisse, 1910

How calming is this piece by Matisse?

Thanks goes to Wikipedia and Gardner's Art through the Ages for providing information, images and inspiration.

Haunting

The Painter on the Road to Tarascon, Vincent van Gogh, 1888

I cannot tell you why I love this painting above all other Gogh works.
Why I like this painting, described by Francis Bacon(another artist) as, "haunting."
Perhaps it's the colors. Perhaps it's the artist's face peeking out behind the brim.

Thanks goes to Wikipedia and Gardner's Art through the Ages for providing information, images and inspiration.

Les Fleurs

Alphonse Mucha is one of my favorite artists and deciding which piece was going to be posted was a very tough decision. However, I do believe that the prominent picture on my wall helped decide.

The piece can actually be considered four pieces grouped together.

la rose

l'oeillet

le lys

l'iris

Thanks goes to Wikipedia, Google and Gardner's Art through the Ages for providing information, images and inspiration.

Snuggly

In Bed, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, 1893

With the cooler, snuggly months of fall hanging around the corner, In Bed by Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec seemed a perfect muse for lazing about in a thick, plush bed.

Thanks goes to Wikipedia and Gardner's Art through the Ages for providing information, images and inspiration.

Terrifying and beautiful

My second main regret while studying abroad was not being able to travel to Barcelona and gaze upon the Temple Expiatori de la Sagrada Familia as well as Antoni Gaudi's other works about the city.

Sagrada Familia

The Sagrada Familia is not finished. Gaudi built the church in 1882, but did not finish before his depressing death in 1926. From wikipedia: On 7 June 1926 Gaudí was hit by a tram. Because of his ragged attire and empty pockets, many cab drivers refused to pick him up for fear that he would be unable to pay the fare. He was eventually taken to a paupers' hospital in Barcelona. Nobody recognized the injured artist until his friends found him the next day. When they tried to move him into a nicer hospital, Gaudí refused, reportedly saying "I belong here among the poor." He died three days later on 10 June 1926, at age 73, with half of Barcelona mourning his death. He was buried in the midst of La Sagrada Família.

Ouch.

Passion facade

What amazes me the most about the Sagrada Familia is intricate, natural detailing, which inspire and terrify me. The incorporation of Art Nouveau style (one of my absolute favorite styles) doesn't hurt either.

the west side

On November 7 (my birthday!), the Pope is scheduled to consecrate the church.
The expected completion date is 2026, on the 100th anniversary of Gaudi's death.

Thanks goes to Wikipedia and Gardner's Art through the Ages for providing information, images and inspiration.

Just in case you forgot

Architecture is art too!
The Alhambra is an amazing palace and fortress constructed in the 14th century by Moorish rulers in Andalusia, Spain.

Alhambra

I fell for it the first time I laid eyes on pictures of its beauty. I have two main regrets from my time studying in Europe: one being that I was not able to visit the Alhambra with its

sculpted arabesques...

...and drool over its beautiful detailing.

honeycomb vaulting

amazing detail

Thanks goes to Wikipedia and Gardner's Art through the Ages for providing information, images and inspiration.

May I present....

Today's post is an extra special one: I will introduce you to one of my all-time favorite paintings.

After learning of the painting, the central figure has appeared in many of my drawings, paintings and sketchpads.
While studying abroad in London, I got the opportunity to see it up close and personal while visiting the Tate Modern museum. I'm sure I giggled as I walked toward it and stood transfixed for a while; as if I was trying to burn the image with its true colors, size and form into my mind.

Celebes, Max Ernst, 1921

I can't tell you what it is exactly about Celebes that I love. I can only say it was love at first sight.
The naked mannequin beckons me into the image, introducing the main, elephantine figure, whom wore his best, pressed collar for the occasion.
It was meant to be; we were only born sixty years apart!

Thanks goes to Wikipedia and Gardner's Art through the Ages for providing information, images and inspiration.

Odalisque

Today is a two-fer.
Both pieces have the same name and were painted during the same century; a mere 31 years apart! Though, I've only seen one up close.
An odalisque is a female attendant to wives and concubines in the Ottoman Empire

Grand Odalisque, Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres, 1814

Odalisque, Natale Sciavoni, 1845

The Grand Odalisque by Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres is one of my favorite works and is housed in the Louvre, where I got to see it for myself.
Odalisque by Natale Schiavoni was painted in Italy by the self-taught engraver and painter.
What I love about both pieces are the richness of the colors and the beautiful women, their expressions hiding sensual secrets.

Thanks goes to Wikipedia and Gardner's Art through the Ages for providing information, images and inspiration.

Broken vows

In an attempt to get myself to get back into blogging and step out of my pity party, I decided to participate in NaBloPoMo for the month of September. For those of you not in the know, NaBloPoMo/National Blog Posting Month challenges you to post a blog post for everyday of the month. September's theme is art - which is probably why I'm participating again.
Granted, I'm seven days behind... I suppose I'll just have to catch up!
So, I'll be posting a one of my favorite works of art everyday of September.

Broken Vows, Phillip Hermogenes Calderon, 1857

Starting the month off is Broken Vows by Phillip Hermogenes Calderon. I had written an essay for this particular piece while studying in London and saw the painting up close.
Here's some snippets from the essay:

"The brunette's pain is politely, or perhaps cruelly, accented by the couple outside of the gate."
"Is the couple outside the gate the brunette's old beau and his new mistress? Did the relationship end before the other began, or is she now learning of her beau's fickle heart?"
"... is she listening in silence; lamenting her innocence, suffering her punishment for believing in him?"
"And are we, the audience, giving our sympathy to this woman forever locked in pain and betrayal or fearing our own romantic fates?"

Thanks goes to Wikipedia and Gardner's Art through the Ages for providing information, images and inspiration.

Currently

Ooof... it's certainly been a bit. While I bring you up to speed on what's currently going on, here are some things that I am currently adoring and simply must have!

How adorable is this shirt from ModCloth? Incredibly!
A fat cat in a tea cup sailing through the sea; that fits my attire to a T, thank you very much!

Continuing with the ModCloth love... how cute is this little rack?
Something about it screams cute little French apartment.





So, I've been doing that whole "analyzing my life" thing and it wasn't coming out pretty. Despite the fact that there are plans in place for better things to come, I can't help but mire in the current state of my life. I've been having a big pity party is what it comes down to.
Pretty pitiful, I know.




However, there are many things that have been perking me up:
Visiting with my brother, whom I haven't seen in about two years. He's been stationed in Japan!
Playing online games with friends. (such a nerd, I know!)

Cute videos like this help too:



I love it! The cat's all like, "Excuse me... wtf are you doin'? That's MY watermelon!"