Ever have one of those days? Yeah, who hasn't? Well, Wednesday was very much like that – only in the 90s in the Classic City. And then, a computer crash on top of that -- so this Self Portrait Wednesday is up a full day later than hoped for (by me, anyway).Fortunately, fun times were ahead just like when I was a kid on the precipice of Summertime, where the living was easy… And still is! BTW -- all the photos looked fine when taken but it's obvious the light was too light. The sun wasn't even out... but we had one of those silvery overcast skies Thursday, and the immediate surroundings were white or more silver. Or glass. Or mirrors.
The gleesome threesome -- T, Jim and Phil. These are the friends who were with us when the tree fell on the house. Phil makes the BEST potato salad. Yes, in the world!
Where we all went -- Atlanta High Museum of Art
Side bar: Monet painted big. I mean really BIG ... one of his triptychs took up wall space of over 33 feet in length. T was astonished by this. Both of us had been unprepared for how small Van Gogh's work was -- his self portraits were tiny -- so T was thinking Monet's work of flowers and gardens would be small. Au contraire, mon frere.
Why, it's the FINKS! "Bill & Marcia Finks are in the Gift Shop, for God's sake!"
"We have 'em in Athens, too. At Frontier."
"What the... ??? Are you sure?"
"Yup!"
Some of what we ate at Table 1280, a fantastic restaurant at the High. (Alas, again, a couple of the photos just did not turn out but it was all -- as Phil said -- 'scrumptious'!)
My dinner was actually a "starter" (read: appetizer) and wow, was it delicious. Manchego (cheese) on serrano ham, with red peppers piquillo atop arugula and pinenuts (okay, 1 pinenut). Seriously delicious, esp with those breadsticks as backup.
T's dessert -- white peach sorbet with these delicious cookies. And the starter? Grits. What the...? Not like Jim's yummy rock shrimp grits... just plain. old. grits. Go figure.
Speaking of that and more, Monet worried constantly how capturing the light and the colours were "beyond the powers of an old man" to convey on canvas... admitting that it was an "obsession" and that he had to "persevere" at what he perceived. T sidled up to me at one point and said, "Monet said his life was a failure," and showed me the very quote.
The whole day was a work of art (whereas T is a piece of work). We had needed time off, and that, along with the exhibit, the good food and the company of our two good friends, we got that and more.
Speaking of that and more, Monet worried constantly how capturing the light and the colours were "beyond the powers of an old man" to convey on canvas... admitting that it was an "obsession" and that he had to "persevere" at what he perceived. T sidled up to me at one point and said, "Monet said his life was a failure," and showed me the very quote.
I didn't know what to say to that, so I just turned back to the triptych. It said plenty, if you ask me.
Get More Of What You Love.
Candace
15 comments:
It reminds me of the first time I saw a Monet on the canvass, I was a tad surprised too. Or Théodore Géricault's Le Radeau de la Méduse (Raft of the Medusa) which left me stationary for about an hour as I absorbed its size and detail.
Great post. And I love the funky self-portrait.
I'd love to see this exhibit..since Monet is one of my favorite's.
And BTW Candace, my friend just go out and buy a swimsuit. You deserve it. Lather on the sunscreen and jump in a pool somewhere!
Just do it!
I know what you mean, too, about be awestruck by Monet's work the first time I saw it. I remember getting up close and looking at the brushwork, then having to step back and try to figure out how the heck he could do that! Traveling to Giverny is on my "bucket list" of things to do someday.
and i like how you worked in the part about the light. Monet painted a lot of the same scenes - just at different times of the day or of the year to capture the differences in light.
and, you know, i've had some of the best meals at museum cafes. what's up with that? totally cool. makes me want to go back again and again! ;) lovely, lovely post. thanks!
Hi, Candace! Sounds like ya'll had a lovely visit to the museum and a fabulous fine meal! It is always stunning to me to go to a museum and see just how super large some of the pieces are. And to see all the yummy textural details in the paint ... all the subtle details you don't see in a photograph. So nice to see them in person! :-)
What a fascinating post! I don't know what to comment on first so I will go in order! You look like you are in a snow dome-you know those little shaky ones-great photo!
I live in fear of a computer crash-so much more so now with all the computer 'needs' I have! Hope yours is sorted soon.
It sounds like my perfect kind of day out-an exhibition followed by good food. I love seeing Monet paintings in real life as reproductions don't do him any justice. They are just beautiful. It is really sad that he considered himself a failure-I didn't know that. Hopefully he is up there somewhere realising he is not.
Manchego cheese is delicious! I first had it in Spain and my eyes were opened! We stayed in this hotel with the best ever breakfast buffet-of which it was a part! Hotel Carlton in Madrid in case you are ever there.
T's desert sounds good too. I have never exactly known what grits are-is it sort of fried oatmeal?
Also-homemade potato salad-mmmm!
Sarah x
Oh, I love the reflection self-portrait. (I call it a good self-portrait. You didn't cheat.) Trying to figure out how you did that, because it does look like a globe on a table, is real perplexing. I'm glad you explained. Monet! I was lucky enough to visit Giverny. But I would like to see this exhibit. Lucky you. And the cheese and breadsticks! Yum! Grits? Not so much. Hope the computer's better. - Your pal, Jeanne
Sounds like a wonderful day, and a delicious meal...I thought they were snow globes too!! Great picture! Smiles, Paulette :o)
Thanks everybody for the super comments.
Sarah, grits are like nothing else... the closest they come to describe is a small grain, similar to quinoa or better yet, polenta. With butter... lots and lots of butter. It's the only way to do them.
Come on over, and we'll treat you and Andy to a big bowl of stone ground grits at any number of restaurants...
Ooo, Giverny. Jeanne, you lucky girl! Charlie and I will just have to go and lounge around in the Japanese section in our new swimsuits!
Take care, everyone!
Candace
Wow - that sounds like a good Wednesday. But that Table 1280 or whatever - I mean, only ONE pine nut? Jeez, I know pine nuts are expensive, but I think they could have spared another two.
Hi again, Candace! I've nominated you for an award on my blog. Hope you'll stop by to check it out! :-)
i came by way of anne gaal's blog...
what a great day at the museum you had and fun lunch with friends...it has been a pleasure meeting you and i will get to know you better as i browse through the rest of your blog...in the mean time...nice to meet you..
mary
Very cool self portrait pic! Thanks for stopping by my blog and leaving a nice comment-glad I came to visit!
Hi Candace! What a wonderful day at the museum! Thanks for sharing your pics! Looks yummy!
Also, Thanks for coming to visit! Have a great week!
Hugs,
Lisa :)
Hi, Candace! Thanks for your comment. I hope the painting continues to go well and I don't totally screw it up. But then, that's why they make lots of paper, I guess. Is Monet still in town? You are so lucky to get to see those paintings. I remember seeing Picasso in Las Vegas and just crying at the beauty and love that went into his paintings. Thanks pal! Hey, should I have gotten my prize by now? Just wondering if I should worry about the Post Office. - Jeanne
Love your reflection self portrait photo.
This is my first time heard about Monet.
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