Early Masters

Oh how we will miss him! David Hockney’s joyful enthusiasm and his deep curiosity was evident in everything he did. The art world lost a giant today. 💔

Fascinating visit to the asylum where Van Gogh committed himself in May 1889. (he stayed there until May 1890). Many of his most famous works were painted here- and many more unfamiliar ones. Despite his mental illness, he was prolific during his stay (painting over 150 works of art). He only spent a few hours in the solitary confinement cell with the straight jacket on. And cold plunges were believed to “drive away their deranged ideas.” Most inmates shared the communal dormitories, but thanks to Theo’s payment, he had his own room, and Dr. Peyron provided him with two more rooms, one for painting and one for storing his paintings. Looking out through the bars he created one of the world’s most iconic paintings, “The Starry Night.”

Two pears and a puddin’.

As a Canadian, this Toronto street scene brings me back to my old stomping grounds! And seeing my student finally finish her painting of the famous Lawren Harris work “Houses, Richmond Street in 1911,” was extremely gratifying! After many months of patience and meticulous brush work, she is ready to move on to her next masterpiece. This talented student has been with me since she was teeny tiny and it makes a teacher PROUD to see her grow as a confident young artist. Younger students from another class followed along with the progress with great interest and even left lovely comments on sticky notes on the back of the canvas. My students are all so supportive of one another!
Harris was a founding member of the Group of Seven and famous for his monumental works of northern landscapes. However, some of his earlier works of long ago city scenes bring us back to a simpler time, on a quiet street, in a calmer world. See it for yourself at the Art Gallery of Ontario.

Need a perfect caption for this talented twosome holding their priceless art - suggestions please ! 💕 👯‍♀️ ❤️