C o s m i c L i f e S k e t c h e s

Monday Morning Museum: Gustave Courbet

2012-03-05T00:05:00.004-08:00

Gustave Courbet – Thursday 10 June 1819 Ornans, Doubs, France to Monday 31 December 1877 La Tour-de-Peilz, Switzerland

French Realist Painter

The Calm Sea, 1869

“Courbet's first encounter with the Mediterranean, in 1854, resulted in a group of seascapes. He returned to the genre during a prolific three-month period in Trouville in 1865. There, in the company of James McNeill Whistler and Claude Monet, he executed, by his own count, thirty-eight canvases, including twenty-five seascapes. Returning to Étretat along the coast of Normandy in August 1869, he painted this view of the Channel coast at low tide. The composition, in which an immense sky reduces the landscape to narrow bands of sea and shore, is one that Courbet favored for his seascapes.” – Metropolitan Museum of Art

Last Monday’s Artist - Édouard-Denis Baldus
Next Monday’s Artist –

“Monday Morning Museum” logo created by Adrean Darce Brent

Monday Morning Museum: Édouard-Denis Baldus

2012-02-27T00:04:00.005-08:00

Édouard-Denis Baldus – Saturday 5 June 1813 Grünebach, Prussia to Sunday 22 December 1889 Arcueil, France

French Photographer

Avignon, Pont St. Bénezet, circa 1864

Medium: Albumen silver print from glass negative
Dimensions: Image: 21.1 x 28.5 cm (8 5/16 x 11 1/4 in.) Mount: 46 x 60.5 cm (18 1/8 x 23 13/16 in.)
Inscription: Printed in ink on mount, recto BL below image: "AVIGNON. PONT St BENEZET"; facsimile signature stamped in ink on mount, recto BR below image: "E. Baldus" – Metropolitan Museum of Art

Last Monday’s Artist – Lewis Carroll
Next Monday’s Artist –

“Monday Morning Museum” logo created by Adrean Darce Brent

Monday Morning Museum: Lewis Carroll

2012-02-20T00:05:00.000-08:00

Lewis Carroll (Charles Lutwidge Dodgson) – Friday 27 January 1832 Daresbury, Halton, Cheshire, England to Friday 14 January 1898 Guildford, Surrey, England

English Writer and Photographer

Alice Liddell As “The Beggar Maid”, circa 1859

“For Carroll, Alice was more than a favorite model; she was his "ideal child-friend," and a photograph of her, aged seven, adorned the last page of the manuscript he gave her of "Alice's Adventures Underground." The present image of Alice was most likely inspired by "The Beggar Maid," a poem written by Carroll's favorite living poet, Alfred, Lord Tennyson, in 1842. If Carroll's images define childhood as a fragile state of innocent grace threatened by the experience of growing up and the demands of adults, they also reveal to the contemporary viewer the photographer's erotic imagination. In this provocative portrait of Alice at age seven or eight, posed as a beggar against a neglected garden wall, Carroll arranged the tattered dress to the limits of the permissible, showing as much as possible of her bare chest and limbs, and elicited from her a self-confident, even challenging stance. This outcast beggar will arouse in the passer-by as much lust as pity. Indeed, Alice looks at us with faint suspicion, as if aware that she is being used as an actor in an incomprehensible play.” – Metropolitan Museum of Art

Last Monday’s Artist – Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec
Next Monday’s Artist –

“Monday Morning Museum” logo created by Adrean Darce Brent

Monday Morning Museum: Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec

2012-02-13T00:03:00.000-08:00

Henri Marie Raymond de Toulouse-Lautrec-Monfa – Thursday 24 November 1864 Albi, Tarn, France to Monday 9 September 1901 Château Malromé, France

French Post-Impressionist Painter and Printmaker

At the Circus: The Spanish Walk (Au Cirque: Le Pas Espagnol), 1899

“The grand master of urban entertainments, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec made many paintings and drawings on the circus theme in the late 1880s and 1890s, just as his popularity as a commercial artist soared. Fin-de-siècle Paris hosted an assortment of professional circuses, and Lautrec frequented them all. He was personally drawn to circus performers-those colorful equestrians, animal trainers, clowns and acrobats on society's "fringes." It was while undergoing treatment for alcoholism at a sanitarium on the outskirts of Paris in 1899 that Lautrec produced an ambitious group of crayon/chalk drawings of circus figures. These imaginative sketches were drawn entirely from memory, without recourse to preliminary studies. The Lehman horse and rider perform the "pas espagnol", the ambling gait formalized by the Spanish Riding School of Vienna. It was thanks to these circus drawings that Lautrec earned his release from the sanitarium-their impressive handling convinced doctors of his improving health. As Lautrec left the clinic, he is said to have remarked, "I've bought my release with my drawings."” – Metropolitan Museum of Art

Last Monday’s Artist – Horace Pippin
Next Monday’s Artist –

“Monday Morning Museum” logo created by Adrean Darce Brent

Multi-Talented and Multi-Troubled Singer Whitney Elizabeth Houston Dies On Eve Of The 54th Grammy Awards

2012-02-11T20:37:00.000-08:00

Whitney Elizabeth Houston – Friday 9 August 1963 Newark, New Jersey to Saturday 11 February 2012 Beverly Hills, California

World Will Always Love Whitney

Images:
Left: Whitney Houston from the website Whitney-Houston-Fans.blogspot.com
Center: Whitney Houston from the website photos.express.ge
Right: Whitney Houston from the website userserve-ak.last.fm

Monday Morning Museum: Horace Pippin

2012-02-06T00:02:00.000-08:00

Horace Pippin – Wednesday 22 February 1888 West Chester, Pennsylvania to Saturday 6 July 1946

American Folk Artist

Lady of the Lake, 1936

“"Lady of the Lake" is distinctive in Pippin's work, not only for its landscape setting, but also for its literary subject matter, taken from the Arthurian legends. In Pippin's own inimitable interpretation, the Lady of the Lake is here personified as a nude sunbather at the edge of the water, stretched out on a blanket decorated with what seems to be a Native American design. The figure sits with her face held up to the sun, next to a cabin that seems too small to accommodate her height—an exaggeration of scale and perspective that marks the work of many self-taught artists. On the near shore of the lake rests a canoe. Meadow and forest fill the opposite shore, and mountains rise in the distance. The symmetry is broken only by the trellis with a single, prominent red rose at the lower right of the composition. The artist's use of bright, intense reds and greens is typical of his palette during his period.” – Metropolitan Museum of Art

Last Monday’s Artist – Eugène Cuvelier
Next Monday’s Artist –

“Monday Morning Museum” logo created by Adrean Darce Brent

New England Falls To New York – Again: Super Bowl Is Super Blah

2012-02-05T22:51:00.003-08:00

My arrival at Sonny McLean’s is around 9:30 a.m., an hour and a half after the bar opened for Super Bowl Sunday. My favorite booth is occupied, however the booth nearest the front entrance is free and I swoop in to claim it. Looking around I see Rich and I go over where he is at the bar – the surprise on his face and the ensuing hug are unexpected (though this is the first time I’ve been in my favorite New England sports living bar in over a year). Give Rich the store’s business card and he takes down my number. He is still not online, so no Red Sox Box for him. Rich tells me that he’s no longer a health and safety trainer with the Post Office, but is now a postal carrier in the Valley. He asks if I’m still in the area and I tell him no – I have to travel further to get to Sonny’s now. Andrew comes to Rich’s end of the bar (Rich now sits closer to the entrance) and he looks the same despite being a new father – great to see him. As I go back to the booth, Jen passes by and says she’s left a diet coke on the table for me and states “some things never change.”

As I look around at all the unfamiliar faces, I still feel the connection this bar gives me as the Bruins and Celtics play on screens throughout Sonny’s. Taking advantage of my temporary solitude, I read The Expats (no, it’s not about former New England football players) until someone asks to sit at the table. Well, that someone turns out to be Kevin, the Operations Manager at the condominium complex where Joanie and Grant (the new owners of Sonny’s) live in Pacific Palisades. He’s expecting his boss and a friend to come as well. This is Kevin’s third time in Sonny’s, though he has been in Southern California for years and his roots are in Maine. Steve B. passes by the booth and we chat for a few minutes – really good to see him. During the hours before kickoff, the Bruins and Celtics both win their games, I check out the Beer Garden in the bar’s parking lot (great idea – allows tens of people to be someplace other than the bar, which allows it to remain “walkable”), and I order the Steak Tip Dinner and though broccoli no longer comes with the meal, it is so much more flavorful than the previous version. Eventually, Kevin’s boss, Rita, makes it to the table and a couple, Shaun and Chandra round out the table guests.

Guess it’s time to go into a description of the game, though I do so without any joy. The New York Giants lead at the end of the first quarter on a safety and touchdown and point after and the New England Patriots keep the Giants from scoring in the second quarter, while managing to get a field goal and touchdown and point after to end the half in the lead by 10 to 9. In the third quarter the Pats score first with a touchdown and point after to increase their lead to 17 to 9, though the Giants come back in that quarter and score two field goals to come within two points of the Pats who lead 17 to 15 at the end of the third quarter. How I wish the Super Bowl ends now! Unhappily, there is one more quarter to play and the Patriots score no points and the Giants score six in the fourth quarter. The Giants win Super Bowl XLVI by a score of 21 to 17. To sum it up: the Giants lead first, the Patriots lead in the middle, and the Giants lead last. Another somber Super Bowl Sunday at Sonny’s.

I leave after the failed Hail Mary – no reason to hang around. Say good-bye to Kevin and Rita (the others had already departed). See Rich and say I’d come to Sonny’s during the baseball season this year. So, I’ll return in April and hope that the Red Sox can bring some happiness to the bar.

Teams	1st Quarter	2nd Quarter	3rd Quarter	4th Quarter	TOTAL
New England Patriots	0	10	7	0	17
New York Giants	9	0	6	6	21

New England Patriots logo from the website wikipedia.org

Monday Morning Museum: Eugène Cuvelier

2012-01-30T00:02:00.000-08:00

Eugène Cuvelier – 1837 Arras, France to 1900 Thomery, France

French Photographer

Fontainebleau Forest, circa 1860

“The Forest of Fontainebleau-and, in particular, the small town of Barbizon within it-was a popular destination for artists seeking refuge from urban, industrial life in the mid-nineteenth century. With its forty thousand acres of dense woods intercut with rocky gorges and dotted with ancient oaks, Fontainebleau provided an idyllic natural setting for plein-air painters, such as Corot and Millet, as well as for photographers, including Gustave Le Gray and Eugène Cuvelier.
Although the process of making salted paper prints from paper negatives was already somewhat antiquated by the 1860s, Cuvelier chose the technique because of its aesthetic qualities-the soft fibrous effect of the paper negative and the velvety mat surface of the print.” – Metropolitan Museum of Art

Last Monday’s Artist – Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino
Next Monday’s Artist –

“Monday Morning Museum” logo created by Adrean Darce Brent

Monday Morning Museum: Raffaello Sanzio da Urbino

2012-01-23T00:12:00.000-08:00

Raffaello Sanzio da Urbibo – 1483 Urbino, Italy to Friday 6 April 1520 Rome, Italy

Italian High Renaissance Painter

Madonna and Child Enthroned With Saints, circa 1504

Last Monday’s Artist – Thomas Cole
Next Monday’s Artist – Eugène Cuvelier

“Monday Morning Museum” logo created by Adrean Darce Brent

Patriots Proceed To Bowl (Super) And Ravens Recede To Stadium (Bank)

2012-01-22T19:48:00.000-08:00

Instead of my favorite New England sports living bar, a booth, dozens of televisions and knowledgeable fans, I watched today’s AFC Championship game in a house, on a sofa, one television and with non-fans. No matter the venue and the lack of other New Englanders, I am exceedingly happy that the New England Patriots beat the Baltimore Ravens by a score of 23 to 20 to become the AFC Champions. This is a definite contrast to the last time these two teams met in the playoffs.

The Patriots took an early lead and kept it during this back-and-forth scoring game until the third quarter. That’s when the Ravens were able to garner a four point lead by the end of the quarter. However, as in the first quarter, all the scoring in the fourth quarter was done by New England. And thanks to a Ravens missed thirty-two yard field goal with eleven seconds left in the fourth quarter, the game does not go into overtime – New England Patriots are the AFC Champions!!

This wasn’t the most exciting football game I’ve watched – just a couple of touchdowns, interceptions, long passes, no long runs - but the outcome is what matters. So, on Sunday 5 February 2012, the New England Patriots will play the New York Giants in Super Bowl XLVI at Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis, Indiana. Good Luck Pats!

Teams	1st Quarter	2nd Quarter	3rd Quarter	4th Quarter	TOTAL
New England Patriots	3	10	3	7	23
Baltimore Ravens	0	10	10	0	20

New England Patriots logo from the website wikipedia.org

The Blues Sound A Little Bluer Today With The Passing Of Award-Winning Singer Etta James

2012-01-20T22:38:00.000-08:00

Etta James – Tuesday 25 January 1938 Los Angeles, California to Friday 20 January 2012 Riverside, California

At work KKJZ is our radio station of choice and on this day of her death, the station played a number of Etta James’ songs in tribute to her life. I never had the pleasure of seeing her in concert, but I have always felt deeply for her song “At Last”. The song resonates with me and gives me hope in the possibility that my love will eventually find me. Thank you Etta for all the music!

Images:
Left: Etta James from the website newsone.com
Center: Etta James from the website afrobella.com
Right: Etta James from the website yaare.com

Monday Morning Museum: Thomas Cole

2012-01-16T00:11:00.000-08:00

Thomas Cole – Sunday 1 February 1801 Bolton, Lancashire, England to Friday 11 February 1848 Catskill, New York

English-born American Hudson River School Painter

The Titan’s Goblet, 1833

Last Monday’s Artist – Frederick Childe Hassam
Next Monday’s Artist –

“Monday Morning Museum” logo created by Adrean Darce Brent

Monday Morning Museum: Frederick Childe Hassam

2012-01-09T00:15:00.000-08:00

Frederick Childe Hassam – Monday 17 October 1859 Dorchester, Massachusetts to Tuesday 27 August 1935 East Hampton, New York

American Impressionist Painter

Surf, Isles of Shoals, 1913

“Hassam's summer sojourns on the Isles of Shoals, ten miles east of Portsmouth, New Hampshire, were among the most fruitful of his long career, inspiring almost ten percent of his works. This painting in oil on canvas is a particularly fine example. It presents a broad view of a tidal pool—rendered with great chromatic variety and inventiveness—embraced by rocks and punctuated by spray; distant islands appear on the horizon.” – Metropolitan Museum of Art

Last Monday’s Artist – Michelangelo Merisi da Catavaggio
Next Monday’s Artist – Thomas Cole

“Monday Morning Museum” logo created by Adrean Darce Brent

Monday Morning Museum: Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio

2012-01-02T00:10:00.000-08:00

Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio – Saturday 29 September 1571 Milan, Italy to Wednesday 18 July 1610 Porto Ercole, Italy

Italian Baroque Era Painter

The Musicians, circa 1595

Last Monday’s Artist – Edward Hopper
Next Monday’s Artist - Frederick Childe Hassam

“Monday Morning Museum” logo created by Adrean Darce Brent

Happy New Year 2012!

2012-01-01T00:12:00.000-08:00

Please, Twenty Twelve, please,
Bring a better life for all.
Welcome Twenty Twelve!

- Adrean Darce Brent
Sunday 1 January 2012

"Happy New Year! 2012" graphic created by Adrean Darce Brent

Monday Morning Museum 2011

2011-12-27T00:05:00.000-08:00

Andreas Achenbach - German Landscape Painter - 16 May 2011
Eugène Atget - French Photographer - 31 October 2011
George Wesley Bellowa - American Ashcan School Painter - 4 July 2011
Léon Joseph Florentin Bonnat - French Academic Painter - 15 August 2011
Félix Henri Bracquemond - French Art Nouveau Engraver - 21 November 2011
Pieter Bruegel The Elder - Flemish Nothern Renaissance Painter - 31 January 2011
Annibale Carracci - Italian Baroque Era Painter - 9 May 2011
Mary Stevenson Cassatt - American Impressionist Painter - 14 March 2011
Paul Cézanne - French Post-Impressionist Painter - 23 May 2011
Alvin Langdon Coburn - American-born British Tonalist Photographer - 14 November 2011
Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot - French Realist Painter - 27 June 2011
John Constable - English Romantic Painter - 5 December 2011
Lucas Cranach the Elder - German Northern Renaissance Painter - 18 July 2011
Edgar Degas - French Realist / Impressionist Painter and Sculptor - 21 March 2011
Eugène Delacroix - French Romantic Painter - 12 December 2011
André Derain - French Fauvist Painter and Sculptor - 10 January 2011
Thomas Cowperthwait Eakins - American Realist Painter - 10 October 2011
Walker Evans - American Social Realist Photographer - 4 April 2011
Eugène Henri Paul Gauguin - French Post-Impressionist Painter - 21 February 2011
Francesco Lazzaro Guardi - Italian Rococo Era Painter - 25 July 2011
Katsushika Hokusai - Japanese Ukiyo-e Printmaker - 8 August 2011
Winslow Homer - American Maritime Art Painter - 24 October 2011
Edward Hopper - American Scene Painter - 26 December 2011
Wassily Wassilyevich Kandinsky - Russian-born French Expressionist Painter - 6 June 2011
John Frederick Kensett - American Hudson River School Painter - 11 July 2011
André Kertész - Hungarian-born American Photographer - 30 May 2011
Gustav Klimt - Austrian Art Nouveau Painter - 7 March 2011
Joseph Christian Leyendecker - American Golden Age Illustrator - 19 December 2011
Édouard Manet - French Realist / Impressionist Painter - 19 September 2011
Francesco di Giorgio Martini - Early Italian Rennaissance Painter and Sculptor - 7 November 2011
Oscar Claude Monet - French Impressionist Painter - 14 February 2011
Berthe Morisot - French Impressionist Painter - 3 October 2011
Charles Nègre - French Photographer - 1 August 2011
William Lamb Picknell - American Landscape Painter - 5 September 2011
Robert Rauschenberg - American Pop Artist - 28 March 2011
Pierre-Auguste Renoir - French Impressionist Painter - 3 January 2011
Hubert Robert - French Rococo Era Painter - 17 October 2011
John Singer Sargent - American Portrait Painter - 13 June 2011
Elsa Schiaparelli - Italian-born French Desinger - 28 November 2011
Georges-Pierre Seurat - French Pointillist Painter - 25 April 2011
Charles Rettew Sheeler, Jr. - American Precisionist Painter and Photographer - 26 September 2011
Cindy Sherman - American Photographer - 17 January 2011
Edward J. Steichen - Luxembourgeois-born American Tonalist Photographer and Painter - 7 February 2011
Thomas Sully - English-born American Portrait Painter - 2 May 2011
Joseph Mallord William Turner - English Romantic Painter - 22 August 2011
Anne Vallayer-Coster - French Rocco Era Painter - 28 February 2011
Anthony van Dyck - Flemish Baroque Era Painter - 12 September 2011
Vincent Willem van Gogh - Dutch Post-Impressionist Painter - 24 January 2011
Rembrandt van Rijn - Dutch Baroque Era Painter and Engraver - 18 April 2011
Jacob van Strij - Dutch Landscape Painter - 20 June 2011
Jacometto Veneziano - Italian Early Renaissance Painter - 11 April 2011
Johannes Vermeer - Dutch Baroque Era Painter - 29 August 2011

Image: "Monday Morning Museum" logo created by Adrean Darce Brent

Monday Morning Museum: Edward Hopper

2011-12-26T00:05:00.000-08:00

Edward Hopper – Saturday 22 July 1882 Nyack, New York, to Monday 15 May 1967 New York, New York

American Scene Painter

Although Hopper may be best known for having a dark palette, I have chosen a work with a light palette – The Mansard Roof, 1923 – to feature. If the structure still exists, I would very much like to visit it.

Last Monday’s Artist – Joseph Christian Leyendecker
Next Monday's Artist - Michelangelo Merisi da Caravaggio

Images:
Left: Seven A.M., 1948 from the website allposters.com
Center: The Lighthouse of Two Lights, 1929 from the website metmuseum.org
Right: Rooms by the Sea, 1951 from the website ibibilio.org
Below: “Monday Morning Museum” logo created by Adrean Darce Brent

Winter Solstice 2011

2011-12-21T21:30:00.000-08:00

HAPPY WINTER SOLSTICE EVERYONE!!!

Happiness is...whatever brings joy to your heart. Wishing you many gifts of joy throughout your life on Earth.

Image: "Winter Solstice 2011" graphic created by Adrean Darce Brent

Monday Morning Museum: Joseph Christian Leyendecker

2011-12-19T00:15:00.000-08:00

Joseph Christian Leyendecker – Monday 23 March 1874 Montabaur, Germany to Wednesday 25 July 1951 New Rochelle, New York

American Golden Age Illustrator

In anticipation of the upcoming holiday here is Leyendecker’s - Three Kings, 1900 – and the first verse of “We Three Kings Of Orient Are”

We three kings of Orient are
Bearing gifts we traverse afar.
Field and fountain, moor and mountain,
Following yonder star.

Last Monday’s Artist – Eugène Delacroix
Next Monday’s Artist – Edward Hopper

Images:
Left: The August, 1896 from the website metmuseum.org
Center: At Tea, date unknown from the website metmuseum.org
Right: Couple Descending Stairs, date unknown from the website cgfa.acropolisinc.com
Below: “Monday Morning Museum” logo created by Adrean Darce Brent

Paris Bookseller George Whitman Dies Above Shakespeare And Company At The Age Of Ninety-Eight

2011-12-14T23:55:00.000-08:00

George Whitman – Friday 12 December 1913 East Orange, New Jersey to Wednesday 14 December 2011 Paris, France

I first saw George Whitman at Shakespeare and Company on Tuesday 4 July 1989 during my first (of many) trips to Paris, France. Part of my coursework for the Literary section of the University of California at Berkley’s Travel/Study program was to attend afternoon field trips to various parts of Paris. On that American Independence Day, a visit to the world famous bookstore across from Notre Dame was much anticipated.

My first entry into George Whitman’s life work presented books in every possible space (no faceouts here) – outside and inside; the register right as you entered the store where books could be paid for in American dollars or French francs (Euros were a dozen years away); and the way onto the second floor that was an adventure in “climbing” skills. I went to Shakespeare and Company several times on that first Parisian trip and George was always around somewhere – at the register figuring the currency exchange for customer book payments, escorting collectors into the rare book building, or as in the photograph above, reading at the bookstore’s window.

Years later, when I lived in Paris, the bookstore was a regular haunt of mine for the poetry readings held on the second floor during the cold months and outside in front during the warm months. And it was a frequent stop on my way to or from my favorite place to hang out on the Seine’s Left Bank. From that first visit in July 1989 to the last visit (so far) in August 2002, Shakespeare and Company has been a central part of my Parisian experience, whether as a student traveler or as an all-too-temporary resident. Thank you, George Whitman, for providing me with one of the best experiences in the City of Light. May your next “City of Light” be book-filled and angel-inhabited. Salut George!

Images:
Left: Shakespeare and Company entrance, Tuesday 4 July 1989. Photo is © An Adrean Darce Brent Image
Center: George Whitman, Tuesday 4 July 1989. Photo by Dorothy McCorkle
Right: UC Berkley students outside Shakespeare and Company, Tuesday 4 July 1989. Photo is © An Adrean Darce Brent Image

Monday Morning Museum: Eugène Delacroix

2011-12-12T00:40:00.000-08:00

Eugène Delacroix – Thursday 26 April 1798 Charenton, France to Thursday 13 August 1863 Paris, France

French Romantic Painter

Just a little bit of summer – Bouquet of Flowers, 1849-1850 – to brighten this almost-Winter day.

Last Monday’s Artist – John Constable
Next Monday’s Artist – Joseph Christian Leyendecker

Images:
Left: Bedchamber of the Count de Mornay, circa 1831-1832 from the website of upload.wikimedia.org
Center: A Moorish Couple on Their Terrace, 1832 from the website of metmuseum.org
Right: Study of the Sky at Sunset, 1849 from the website wga.hu
Below: “Monday Morning Museum” logo created by Adrean Darce Brent

Monday Morning Museum: John Constable

2011-12-05T00:13:00.000-08:00

John Constable – Tuesday 11 June 1776 East Bergholt, England to Friday 31 March 1837 London, England

English Romantic Painter

I have not been to this subject of Constable’s painting – Stonehenge, 1836 – but would very much like to experience it one Summer Solstice.

Last Monday’s Artist – Elsa Schiaparelli
Next Monday’s Artist – Eugène Delacroix

Images:
Left: Study of Clouds and Trees, circa 1821 from the website pintura.aut.org
Center: Salisbury Cathedral From the Bishop’s Grounds, circa 1825 from the website metmuseum.org
Right: Stratford Mill, 1820 from the website cgfa.acropolisinc.com
Below: “Monday Morning Museum” logo created by Adrean Darce Brent

Monday Morning Museum: Elsa Schiaparelli

2011-11-28T00:29:00.000-08:00

Elsa Schiaparelli – Wednesday 10 September 1890 Rome, Italy to Tuesday 13 November 1973 Paris, France

Italian-born French Designer

I really like the use of different materials in Schiaparelli’s – Pin, circa 1950s – and having blue in the pin only adds to my appreciation of the flower bouquet accessory.

Last Monday’s Artist – Félix Henri Bracquemond
Next Monday’s Artist - John Constable

Images:
Left: Evening Jacket, circa 1936-1938 from the website collections.wam.ac.uk
Center: Apollo of Versailles, Winter 1938-1939 from the website metmuseum.org
Right: Belt, Evening, circa 1938 from the website metmuseum.org
Below: “Monday Morning Museum” logo created by Adrean Darce Brent

Queen Dragonrider Anne Inez McCaffrey Goes Between And Pern Fans Mourn - Thursday 1 April 1926 To Monday 21 November 2011

2011-11-21T23:27:00.000-08:00

I was living in Massachusetts the first time I read a Pern story in an anthology borrowed from the local library. I continued to read and began to buy Pern and other of her series (Crystal, Ship, Talents) during my first residence in California. Then it was onto Europe and I’m sorry to say that during my stay there I did not often seek out Pern novels. Now I am in my second residence in California and I have revisited the Pern world thanks to Anne’s son Todd.

Anne McCaffrey was one of thirty women writers I featured in this blog during March 2010. The post began…

"I want to be a Dragonrider of a Golden queen and lead my Weyr in the fight against Thread! From the first novel, Dragonflight, I have loved the tales of Pern penned by Anne McCaffrey. They just touch something in my imagination. How wonderful it would be to ride a dragon and have such absolute connection with another living creature. Even though I prefer my science fiction located in space and with extra-terrestrial interaction, the Pern Series is a wonderful, different perspective."

Though I may never really ride a queen dragon or fight Thread, through Anne McCaffrey’s Pern novels and short stories I will always be an eager visitor to the planet Pern and its amazing dragons. You may have gone Between Anne, but you’ll always remain Beside in all the journeys of Pern.

Images:
Left: Anne McCaffrey from the website irishtimes.com
Center: Signed Bookplate for Dragon’s Time
Right: Anne McCaffrey from the website empmuseum.org

Monday Morning Museum: Félix Henri Bracquemond

2011-11-21T00:31:00.000-08:00

Félix Henri Bracquemond – Wednesday 22 May 1833 Paris, France to Thursday 29 October 1914 Sèvres, France

French Art Nouveau Engraver

There’s no particular reason why I’m featuring Bracquemond’s – Soleil Couchant, 1875 – other than it has a bit of color while most of his designs lack pigmentation.

Last Monday’s Artist – Alvin Langdon Coburn
Next Monday’s Artist – Elsa Schiaparelli

Images:
Left: Eaux-Fortes, 1854 from the website digitalgallery.nypl.org)
Center: Soup Plate (part of a set of 3), circa 1866-1875 from the website metmuseum.org
Right: Frontespizio per il catalogo della collezione di stampe di Philippe Burty, 1878 from the website digitalgallery.nypl.org
Below: “Monday Morning Museum” logo created by Adrean Darce Brent

Monday Morning Museum: Alvin Langdon Coburn

2011-11-14T00:13:00.000-08:00

Alvin Langdon Coburn – Sunday 11 June 1882 Boston, Massachusetts to Wednesday 23 November 1966 Rhos-on-Sea, Wales

American-born British Tonalist Photographer

This image by Coburn – Cadiz, 1908 – I like because of the angular outline of the photograph’s central subject and its use conveys the illusion of looking through an unusual porthole.

Last Monday’s Artist – Francesco di Giorgio Martini
Next Monday’s Artist – Félix Henri Bracquemond

Images:
Left: Spider-webs, 1908 from the website upload.wikimedia.org
Center: The Octopus, 1912 from the website metmuseum.org
Right: Vortograph, 1917 from the website masters-of-photography.com
Below: “Monday Morning Museum” logo created by Adrean Darce Brent

Monday Morning Museum: Francesco di Giorgio Martini

2011-11-07T00:41:00.000-08:00

Francesco di Giorgio Martini – 1439 Siena, Italy to 1502 Siena, Italy

Italian Early Renaissance Painter and Sculptor

My ideal city would incorporate greenery and places to sit, elements which are missing from Martini’s – Ideal City, circa 1477 – although I do like the open plaza and fountain, I’m not loving the placement of the background structures

Last Monday’s Artist - Eugène Atget
Next Monday’s Artist – Alvin Langdon Coburn

Images:
Left: Architectural View, circa 1477 from the website upload.wikimedia.org
Center: Design for a Wall Monument, circa 1490 from the website metmuseum.org
Right: Interior of the Church, 1484 to 1490 from the website wga.hu
Below: “Monday Morning Museum” logo created by Adrean Darce Brent

Monday Morning Museum: Eugène Atget

2011-10-31T00:31:00.000-07:00

Eugène Atget – Thursday 12 February 1857 Libourne, France to Thursday 4 August 1927 Paris, France

French Photographer

Although I have been to Versailles, I do not remember seeing this Atget image – Versailles, Bosquet de la Colonnade, date unknown – but I like the photograph because it is the type of shot I would take.

Last Monday’s Artist – Winslow Homer
Next Monday’s Artist – Francesco di Giorgio Martini

Images:
Left: Paris – 136 rue Amelot – Portail, 1907 from the website upload.wikimedia.org
Center: Shop Front Of Courone d'or Quai Bourbon, 1922 from the website metmuseum.org
Right: Pavillon at 20 Rue Jacob, 1910 from the website upload.wikimedia.org
Below: “Monday Morning Museum” logo created by Adrean Darce Brent

Monday Morning Museum: Winslow Homer

2011-10-24T00:52:00.000-07:00

Winslow Homer – Wednesday 24 February 1836 Boston, Massachusetts to Thursday 29 September 1910 Prout’s Neck, Maine

American Maritime Art Painter

Though the location of Homer’s – An October Day, 1889 – is unknown, I venture it is a New England setting.

Last Monday’s Artist – Hubert Robert
Next Monday’s Artist – Eugène Atget

Images:
Left: Glass Windows, Bahamas, 1885 from the website artrenewal.org
Center: Palm Tree, Nassau, 1898 from the website metmuseum.org
Right: Flower Garden and Bungalow, Bermuda, 1899 from the website the-athenaeum.org
Below: “Monday Morning Museum” logo created by Adrean Darce Brent

Monday Morning Museum: Hubert Robert

2011-10-17T00:14:00.000-07:00

Hubert Robert – Tuesday 22 May 1733 Paris, France to Friday 15 April 1808 Paris, France

French Rococo Era Painter

On a few guided walks I have taken in Paris, the guides have mentioned that houses once stood on some of the bridges – The Demolition of Houses On The Notre Dame Bridge, 1786 – is evidence that such statements were true.

Last Monday’s Artist – Thomas Cowperthwait Eakins
Next Monday’s Artist – Winslow Homer

Images:
Left: La Bastille Dans Les Premiers Jours De Sa Démolition, 1789 from the website upload.wikimedia.org
Center: The Bathing Pool, date unknown from the website metmuseum.org
Right: Ancient Ruins Used as Public Baths, 1798 from the website upload.wikimedia.org
Below: “Monday Morning Museum” logo created by Adrean Darce Brent

Monday Morning Museum: Thomas Cowperthwait Eakins

2011-10-10T00:26:00.000-07:00

Thomas Cowperthwait Eakins – Thursday 25 July 1844 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Sunday 25 June 1916 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

American Realist Painter

My favorite sport is baseball and at this time of year very few baseball professionals are actually – Baseball Players Practicing, 1875 – and unfortunately, my favorite team is definitely not practicing baseball now.

Last Monday’s Artist – Berthe Morisot
Next Monday’s Artist – Hubert Robert

Images:
Left: Carmelita Requena, circa 1870-1871 from the website the-athenaeum.org
Center: The Champion Single Sculls (Max Schmitt in a Single Scull), 1871 from the website metmuseum.org
Right: Portrait of Amelia C Van Buren, circa 1886-1890 from the website pintura.aut.org
Below: “Monday Morning Museum” logo created by Adrean Darce Brent

Monday Morning Museum: Berthe Morisot

2011-10-03T00:36:00.000-07:00

Berthe Morisot – Thursday 14 January 1841 Bourges, France to Saturday 2 March 1895 Paris, France

French Impressionist Painter

Although the view I have seen from Trocadero includes the Eiffel Tower, Morisot’s - View of Paris From the Trocadero Heights, 1872 – is a nice reminder of the area pre-Eiffel.

Last Monday’s Artist – Charles Rettew Sheeler, Jr.
Next Monday’s Artist – Thomas Cowperthwait Eakins

Images:
Left: Harbor in the Port of Fecamp, 1874 is from the website the-athenaeum.org
Center: Young Woman Seated on a Sofa, 1879 is from the website metmuseum.org
Right: Fall Colors in the Bois de Boulogne, 1888 is from the website the-athenaeum.org
Below: “Monday Morning Museum” logo created by Adrean Darce Brent

Monday Morning Museum: Charles Rettew Sheeler, Jr.

2011-09-26T00:17:00.000-07:00

Charles Rettew Sheeler, Jr. – Monday 16 July 1883 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Friday 7 May 1965 Dobbs Ferry, New York

American Precisionist Painter and Photographer

I chose to feature this Sheeler work – Winter Window, 1941 – simply because I like the uncomplicated and uncluttered image with its straight lines and single object delineations of the foreground and middle ground. However, I do think that the top 25% of the painting does not add anything to the image and perhaps detracts from it.

Last Monday’s Artist - Édouard Manet
Next Monday’s Artist - Berthe Morisot

Images:
Left: View of New York, 1931 from the website cgfa.acropolisinc.com
Center: Criss-Crossed Conveyors, River Rouge Plant, Ford Motor Company, 1927 from the website metmuseum.org
Right: Windows, 1952 from the website pintura.aut.org
Below: “Monday Morning Museum” logo created by Adrean Darce Brent

Monday Morning Museum: Édouard Manet

2011-09-19T00:05:00.000-07:00

Édouard Manet – Monday 23 January 1832 Paris, France to Monday 30 April 1883 Paris, France

French Realist / Impressionist Painter

Here is Manet’s view of an often portrayed Italian site – The Grand Canal, Venice, 1869 – a more focused and singular depiction than is usually rendered by artists.

Last Monday’s Artist – Anthony van Dyck
Next Monday’s Artist – Charles Rettew Sheeler, Jr.

Images:
Left: The Pier at Boulogne, 1869 from the website the-athenaeum.org
Center: Boating, 1874 from the website metmuseum.org
Right: The Seine at Argenteuil, 1874 from the website the-athenaeum.org
Below: “Monday Morning Museum” logo created by Adrean Darce Brent

Monday Morning Museum: Anthony Van Dyck

2011-09-12T00:10:00.000-07:00

Anthony van Dyck – Thursday 22 March 1599 Antwerp, Belgium to Thursday 9 December 1641 London, England

Flemish Baroque Era Painter

Although I prefer the city with the name of this painting – Paris, 1632 – I can appreciate the depiction of a major character in Greek Mythology.

Last Monday’s Artist – William Lamb Picknell
Next Monday’s Artist – Édouard Manet

Images:
Left: Emperor Theodosius Forbidden by St. Ambrose to Enter Milan Cathedral, circa 1619-1620 from the website wga.hu
Center: Saint Rosalie Interceding for the Plague-Stricken of Palermo, 1624 from the website metmuseum.org
Right: St. Martin Dividing His Cloak, 1618 from the website wga.hu
Below: “Monday Morning Museum” logo created by Adrean Darce Brent

Monday Morning Museum: William Lamb Picknell

2011-09-05T00:06:00.000-07:00

William Lamb Picknell – Sunday 23 October 1853 Hinesburg, Vermont to Sunday 8 August 1897 Marblehead, Massachusetts

American Landscape Painter

Not sure if I like this painting by Picknell – Solitude, 1888 – more for the actual image or for the title, which reflects my state of being.

Last Monday’s Artist – Johannes Vermeer
Next Monday’s Artist – Anthony van Dyck

Images:
Left: Grey Day, Moret, 1895 from the website the-athenaeum.org
Center: Banks of the Loing, circa 1894-1897 from the website metmuseum.org
Right: Man in a Boat, year unknown from the website cgfa.acropolisinc.com
Below: “Monday Morning Museum” logo created by Adrean Darce Brent

Monday Morning Museum: Johannes Vermeer

2011-08-29T00:33:00.000-07:00

Johannes Vermeer – Wednesday 31 October 1632 Delft, Netherlands to Wednesday 15 December 1675 Delft, Netherlands

Dutch Baroque Era Painter

Since Vermeer mainly painted intimate interiors, I like this expansive exterior – View of Delft, circa 1660-1661 – exception to the usual subject matter of his works.

Last Monday’s Artist – Joseph Mallord William Turner
Next Monday’s Artist – William Lamb Picknell

Images:
Left: The Lacemaker, circa 1669-1670 from the website artrenewal.org
Center: A Maid Asleep, circa 1656-1657 from the website metmuseum.org
Right: The Geographer, circa 1668-1669 from the website upload.wikimedia.org
Below: “Monday Morning Museum” logo created by Adrean Darce Brent

Monday Morning Museum: Joseph Mallord William Turner

2011-08-22T00:04:00.000-07:00

Joseph Mallord William Turner – Sunday 23 April 1775 London, England to Friday 19 December 1851 London, England

English Romantic Painter

This image by Turner – Old London Bridge, circa 1796-1797 – reminds me of the nursery rhyme whose first verse is “London Bridge is falling down, falling down, falling down. London Bridge is falling down, My fair lady.”

Last Monday’s Artist - Léon Joseph Florentin Bonnat
Next Monday’s Artist – Johannes Vermeer

Images:
Left: London, 1809 from the website pintura.aut.org
Center: View of London From Greenwich, 1825 from the website metmuseum.org
Right: Chichester Canal, circa 1828 from the website upload.wikimedia.org
Below: “Monday Morning Museum” created by Adrean Darce Brent

Monday Morning Museum: Léon Joseph Florentin Bonnat

2011-08-15T00:57:00.000-07:00

Léon Joseph Florentin Bonnat – Thursday 20 June 1833 Bayonne, France to Friday 8 September 1922 Monchy-Saint-Éloi, France

French Academic Painter

My experience in the Sistine Chapel was somewhat different than the one being depicted in this Bonnat painting - Intérieur de la Chapelle Sixtine, circa 1877-1879 – I was certainly not alone with my thoughts and admiration.

Last Monday’s Artist - Katsushika Hokusai
Next Monday’s Artist – Joseph Mallord William Turner

Images:
Left: La Petite Sœur de L’artiste, 1850 from the website upload.wikimedia.org
Center: Roman Girl at a Fountain, 1875 from the website metmuseum.org
Right: Jeune Fille Italienne, date unknown from the website the-athenaeum.org
Below: “Monday Morning Museum” logo created by Adrean Darce Brent

Monday Morning Museum: Katsushika Hokusai

2011-08-08T00:02:00.000-07:00

Katsushika Hokusai – October/November 1760 Edo, Japan to Thursday 10 May 1849 Edo, Japan

Japanese Ukiyo-e Printmaker

All of Katsushika Hokusai images in this post are from his series “Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji”.

When I first saw this print – Fuji Seen Through the Mannen Bridge at Fukagawa, circa 1830 – the bridge seemed familiar to me, though I have never been to Japan. Then I realized that the Mannen Bridge could be the inspirational source for Claude Monet’s Japanese bridge at Giverny (which I have seen in person). I love the connection from one artist and culture to another!

Last Monday’s Artist – Charles Nègre
Next Monday’s Artist – Léon Joseph Florentin Bonnat

Images:
Left: Sazai Hall – Temple of Five Hundred Rakan, circa 1830 from the website upload.wikimedia.org
Center: The Great Wave at Kanagawa, circa 1830-1832 from the website metmuseum.org
Right: Ushibori in the Hitachi Province, circa 1830 from the website upload.wikimedia.org
Below: “Monday Morning Museum” logo created by Adrean Darce Brent

Monday Morning Museum: Charles Nègre

2011-08-01T00:03:00.000-07:00

Charles Nègre – 1820 Grasse, France to 1880 Grasse, France

French Photographer

The primary reason that I like this photograph – Arles. Saint-Trophime, 1852 – is the composition of the print and how it draws me into the picture.

Last Monday’s Artist – Francesco Lazzaro Guardi
Next Monday’s Artist – Katsushika Hokusai

Images:
Left: Der Wald von Muy (Var), 1852 from the website images.zeno.org
Center: The Refectory of the Imperial Asylum at Vincennes, 1858-1859 from the website images.zeno.org
Right: Pinien an einem Strand bel Cannes, 1852 from the website images.zeno.org
Below: “Monday Morning Museum” logo created by Adrean Darce Brent

Monday Morning Museum: Francesco Lazzaro Guardi

2011-07-25T00:04:00.000-07:00

Francesco Lazzaro Guardi – Sunday 5 October 1712 Venice, Italy to Tuesday 1 January 1793 Venice, Italy

Italian Rococo Era Painter

Although I have never been to Venice, Italy, I would love to experience a present day version of Guardi’s painting – Nighttime Procession in Piazza San Marco, 1758 – and perhaps photograph my version of a night in St. Mark’s Square.

Last Monday’s Artist – Lucas Cranach the Elder
Next Monday’s Artist – Charles Nègre

Images:
Left: The Three-Arched Bridge at Cannaregio, circa 1770 from the website humanitiesweb.org
Center: The Grand Canal Above the Rialto, date unknown, from the website metmuseum.org
Right: Venice: A View of the Church of San Giorgio Maggiore Seen from the Giudecca, circa 1780s from the website wga.hu
Below: “Monday Morning Museum” logo created by Adrean Darce Brent

Monday Morning Museum: Lucas Cranach The Elder

2011-07-18T00:15:00.000-07:00

Lucas Cranach the Elder – Sunday 4 October 1472 Kronach, Germany to Monday 16 October 1553 Weimar, Germany

German Northern Renaissance Painter

I offer this Lucas Cranach the Elder portrait – Amorous Old Woman and Young Man, 1520-1522 – as proof that the older woman/younger man relationship is not a hot, new twenty-first century trend - it’s 500 hundred years old (at least)!

Last Monday’s Artist – John Frederick Kensett
Next Monday’s Artist - Francesco Lazzaro Guardi

Images:
Left: Portrait of Dr. Johannes Cuspinian, 1502 from the website artrenewal.org
Center: Judith With the Head of Holofernes, circa 1530 from the website metmuseum.org
Right: Portrait of Anna Cuspinian, 1502 from the website artrenewal.org
Below: “Monday Morning Museum” logo created by Adrean Darce Brent

Monday Morning Museum: John Frederick Kensett

2011-07-11T00:04:00.000-07:00

John Frederick Kensett – Friday 22 March 1816 Cheshire, Connecticut to Saturday 14 December 1872 New York, New York

American Hudson River School Painter

I like this landscape by Kensett – Wooded Interior, date unknown – because it reminds me of hiking in the woods back in New England. And who knows, since Kensett painted in New England as well as New York, the painting may be of a place in which I’ve wandered.

Last Monday’s Artist – George Wesley Bellows
Next Monday’s Artist – Lucas Cranach the Elder

Images:
Left: Catskill Mountain Scenery, 1852 from the website the-athenaeum.org
Center: The Old Pine, Darien, Connecticut, 1872 from the website metmuseum.org
Right: Lake George, 1869 from the website artrenewal.org
Below: “Monday Morning Museum” logo created by Adrean Darce Brent

Monday Morning Museum: George Wesley Bellows

2011-07-04T00:02:00.000-07:00

George Wesley Bellows – Saturday 12 or 19 August 1882 Columbus, Ohio to Thursday 8 January 1925 New York, New York

American Ashcan School Painter

Although Bellows is primarily known for his depiction of life in New York City, I have chosen to present brighter images, both in subject matter and color palette such as – Paradise Point, 1919 – which, to me, evokes the light of summer.

Last Monday’s Artist – Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot
Next Monday’s Artist – John Frederick Kensett

Images:
Left: Love of Winter, 1914 from the website the-athenaeum.org
Center: Tennis at Newport, 1919 from the website metmuseum.org
Right: Autumn Brook, 1922 from the website the-athenaeum.org
Below: “Monday Morning Museum” logo created by Adrean Darce Brent

Monday Morning Museum: Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot

2011-06-27T00:03:00.000-07:00

Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot – Sunday 17 July 1796 Paris, France to Monday 22 February 1875 Paris, France

French Realist Painter

Though it may actually be a nymphaeum, this painting of the ruin by Corot – Temple of Minerva Medica, Rome, March 1826 – is not diminished by giving the subject of the work its commonly know name.

Last Monday’s Artist – Jacob van Strij
Next Monday’s Artist – George Wesley Bellows

Images:
Left: Rocks in Amalfi, circa 1826-1827 from the website artrenewal.org
Center: Diana and Actaeon (Diana Surprised in Her Bath), 1836 from the website metmuseum.org
Right: A Windmill in Montmartre, circa 1845 from the website upload.wikimedia.org
Below: “Monday Morning Museum” logo created by Adrean Darce Brent

Brilliant Solstice Sun

2011-06-21T10:16:00.000-07:00

Brilliant Solstice Sun
Flares star energy toward Earth.
Summer light arrives.

- Adrean Darce Brent
Tuesday 21 June 2011

"Summer Solstice 2011" graphic created by Adrean Darce Brent

Monday Morning Museum: Jacob van Strij

2011-06-20T00:04:00.000-07:00

Jacob van Strij – Saturday 2 October 1756 Dordrecht, Netherlands to Saturday 4 February 1815 Dordrecht, Netherlands

Dutch Landscape Painter

Though Jacob van Strij mainly painted the land life of rural people, here is a different image – The Yacht of the VOC-Chamber of Rotterdam, 1790 – showing the sea life of urban people.

Last Monday’s Artist – John Singer Sargent
Next Monday’s Artist – Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot

Images:
Left: Kustlandschap met figuren bij een ruïne, circa 1790-1800 from the website rijksmuseumtwenthe.nl
Center: Landscape With Cattle, circa 1800 from the website metmuseum.org
Right: Landschap met veedrijver en schaapherder, circa 1800-1815 from the website upload.wikimedia.org
Below: “Monday Morning Museum” logo created by Adrean Darce Brent

Clarence Anicholas "The Big Man" Clemons - Tenor Saxophonist

2011-06-18T18:32:00.000-07:00

Clarence Anicholas Clemons - Sunday 11 January 1942 Norfolk, Virginia to Saturday 18 June 2011 Palm Beach, Florida

"Clarence lived a wonderful life. He carried within him a love of people that made them love him. He created a wondrous and extended family. He loved the saxophone, loved our fans and gave everything he had every night he stepped on stage. His loss is immeasurable and we are honored and thankful to have known him and had the opportunity to stand beside him for nearly forty years. He was my great friend, my partner and with Clarence at my side, my band and I were able to tell a story far deeper than those simply contained in our music. His life, his memory, and his love will live on in that story and in our band."

- Bruce Springsteen

Images:
Left: Clarence Clemons from the website wolfsgangvault.com
Center: Clarence Clemons from the website umes.edu
Right: Clarence Clemons from the website mediaconfidential.blogspot.com

Boston Vanquishes Vancouver And Skates With Stanley!

2011-06-15T19:57:00.000-07:00

Boston Bruins win!
Silver Stanley Cup at home
With Black, Gold and White.

- Adrean Darce Brent
Wednesday 15 June 2011

Images:
Left: Boston Bruins Stanley Cup from the website facebook.com
Center: Boston Bruins team from the website bruins.nhl.com
Right: Boston Bruins logo from the website upload.wikimedia.org

Monday Morning Museum: John Singer Sargent

2011-06-13T00:03:00.000-07:00

John Singer Sargent – Saturday 12 January 1856 Florence, Italy to Tuesday 14 April 1925 London, England

American Portrait Painter

I have always admired this painting – Portrait of Isabella Stewart Gardner, 1888 – ever since the first time I saw it at the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum during my freshman year of college. I like its simplicity and the recurring motif of the neckline’s shape in the pearls around Isabella’s waist and the clasping of her hands. The Italian-inspired museum is absolutely wonderful and visually stunning from the central courtyard to the variety of artwork on all three floors.

Last Monday’s Artist – Wassily Wassilyevich Kandinsky
Next Monday’s Artist – Jacob van Strij

Images:
Left: The Chess Game, circa 1907 from the website artrenewal.org
Center: Thistle, circa 1870-1872 from the website metmuseum.org
Right: A Study of Architecture, Florence, circa 1910 from the website artrenewal.org
Below: “Monday Morning Museum” logo created by Adrean Darce Brent

Monday Morning Museum: Wassily Wassilyevich Kandinsky

2011-06-06T00:15:00.000-07:00

Wassily Wassilyevich Kandinsky – 16 December 1866 Moscow, Russia to 13 December 1944 Neuilly-sur-Seine, France

Russian-born French Expressionist Painter

Kandinsky presents in this piece – Yellow-Red-Blue, 1925 – a work whose theme is the display of the primary pigment colors utilized in painting. I have used these same colors in the "Monday Morning Museum" logo.

Last Monday’s Artist - André Kertész
Next Monday’s Artist – John Singer Sargent

Images:
Left: Interior (My Dining Room), 1909 from the website cgfa.acropolisinc.com
Center: The Garden of Love (Improvisation Number 27), 1912 from the website metmuseum.org
Right: In the Blue, 1925 from the website pintura.aut.org
Below: “Monday Morning Museum” logo created by Adrean Darce Brent

Monday Morning Museum: André Kertész

2011-05-30T00:06:00.000-07:00

André Kertész – Monday 2 July 1894 Budapest, Hungary to Saturday 28 September 1985 New York, New York

Hungarian-born American Photographer

It was in the midst of his French period (circa 1925 to 1936), that Kertész shot this photograph - Clock of the Académie Française, Paris, 1932 – looking towards the Pont des Arts and the Palais du Louvre, places I’ve been often and enjoyed.

Last Monday’s Artist - Paul Cézanne
Next Monday’s Artist – Wassily Wassilyevich Kandinsky

Images:
Left: Displaced People, Budapest, 1916 from the website masters-of-photography.com
Center: Poughkeepsie, New York, 1937 from the website masters-of-photography.com
Right: Kyoto, Japan (man seated reading by circular window), 1968 from the website collections.mocp.org
Below: “Monday Morning Museum” logo created by Adrean Darce Brent

Monday Morning Museum: Paul Cézanne

2011-05-23T00:05:00.000-07:00

Paul Cézanne – Saturday 19 January 1839 Aix-en-Provence, France to Monday 22 October 1906 Aix-en-Provence, France

French Post-Impressionist Painter

In keeping with presenting landscape works by Paul Cézanne, this piece – In The Woods, 1897-1898 – appeals to me because of the cool colors used, giving a refresh sense to the subject matter.

Last Monday’s Artist – Andreas Achenbach
Next Monday’s Artist – André Kertész

Images:
Left: Jas de Bouffan, the Pool, circa 1876 from the website the-athenaeum.org
Center: The House With the Cracked Walls, circa 1892-1894 from the website metmuseum.org
Right: Mont Sainte-Victoire, circa 1902-1904 from the website the-athenaeum.org
Below: “Monday Morning Museum” logo created by Adrean Darce Brent

Monday Morning Museum: Andreas Achenbach

2011-05-16T00:12:00.000-07:00

Andreas Achenbach – Friday 29 September 1815 Kassel, Germany to Friday 1 April 1910 Dusseldorf, Germany

German Landscape Painter

Here is an early Andreas Achenbach work – Landschaft mit Kirche von Schwarzrheindorf, 1839 – that I like because of the overall color of the painting.

Last Monday’s Artist – Annibale Carracci
Next Monday’s Artist – Paul Cézanne

Images:
Left: Landscape With A Stream, 1851 from the website upload.wikimedia.org
Center: Sunset After A Storm On The Coast Of Sicily, 1853 from the website metmuseum.org
Right: Westfälische Wassermühle, 1863 from the website artrenewal.org
Below: “Monday Morning Museum” logo created by Adrean Darce Brent

Monday Morning Museum: Annibale Carracci

2011-05-09T00:06:00.000-07:00

Annibale Carracci – Sunday 3 November 1560 Bologna, Italy to Saturday 15 July 1609 Rome, Italy

Italian Baroque Era Painter

I receive a real sense of serenity when I look at – Roman Landscape, circa 1600 – which is a much simpler view of Rome than the one I know from my only visit to the Eternal City

Last Monday’s Artist – Thomas Sully
Next Monday’s Artist - Andreas Achenbach

Images:
Left: Two Children Teasing a Cat, 1588-1590 from the website wga.hu
Center: A Domestic Scene, circa 1580 from the website metmuseum.org
Right: Young Painter Working, 1580-1585 from the website arthermitage.org
Below: “Monday Morning Museum” logo created by Adrean Darce Brent

Monday Morning Museum: Thomas Sully

2011-05-02T00:27:00.000-07:00

Thomas Sully – Thursday 19 June 1783 Horncastle, England to Tuesday 5 November 1872 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

English-born American Portrait Painter

In addition to portraits, Thomas Sully also painted other subject matters such as – Capuchin Chapel, 1821 – which I like because of his use of perspective.

Last Monday’s Artist – Georges-Pierre Seurat
Next Monday’s Artist – Annibale Carracci

Images:
Left: The Torn Hat, 1820 from the website cgfa.acropolisinc.com
Center: Child Asleep (The Rosebud), 1841 from the website metmuseum.org
Right: Juvenile Ambition, 1825 from the website the-anthenaeum.org
Below: “Monday Morning Museum” logo created by Adrean Darce Brent

Monday Morning Museum: Georges-Pierre Seurat

2011-04-25T00:08:00.000-07:00

Georges-Pierre Seurat – Friday 2 December 1859 Paris, France to Sunday 29 March 1891 Paris, France

French Pointillist Painter

Having spent Monday 12 August 2002 on the island of La Grande Jatte, I have an even more positive feeling for – A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte, 1884-1886 – than I did when I first saw it at the Art Institute of Chicago in the previous century.

Last Monday’s Artist – Rembrandt van Rijn
Next Monday’s Artist – Thomas Sully

Images:
Left: The Eiffel Tower, 1889 from the website the-anthenaeum.org
Center: Aman-Jean, 1882-1883 from the website metmuseum.org
Right: La Chahut, 1889-1890 from the website the-antenaeum.org
Below: “Monday Morning Museum” logo created by Adrean Darce Brent

Monday Morning Museum: Rembrandt Van Rijn

2011-04-18T00:10:00.000-07:00

Rembrandt Harmenszoon van Rijn – Tuesday 15 July 1606 Leiden, Dutch Republic to Monday 4 October 1669 Amsterdam, Dutch Republic

Dutch Baroque Era Painter and Engraver

I saw this print – Landscape With Three Gabled Cottages Beside a Road, 1650 – in March 2010 at a Rembrandt exhibition held at the Hammer Museum

Last Monday’s Artist – Jacometto Veneziano
Next Monday’s Artist – Georges-Pierre Seurat

Images:
Left: Cottage and Hay Barn, 1641 from the website hammer.ucla.edu
Center: The Good Samaritan, 1633 from the website metmuseum.org
Right: Student at a Table by Candlelight, 1642 from the website hammer.ucla.edu
Below: “Monday Morning Museum” logo created by Adrean Darce Brent

Spree Day Again!

2011-04-13T07:30:00.000-07:00

Today is Spree Day on the Clark Campus
Remember your favorite spree day moments?
– Clark University e-mail, Wednesday 13 April 2011

It’s another Clark University Spree Day! Last year I recounted my first Spree Day; this time around it’s my ostensibly last Spree Day that’s remembered below. It was a good time.

“Got up at 8:00 in anticipation of Spree Day. Joanne got up a little later. Around 9:00 Joanne call the campus & it’s SPREE DAY!! Left right away. Walked past the campus green & nothing much happening except finger-painting. Went to Hughes & got a schedule. Then I went to the mailroom. Talked to Sue St. Martin. Then David & Joanne came into the mailroom. Soon we went to the Green & settled down near the food. Played spades for a little while. People came over & visited. Eventually went to the General Store & got a water pistol. Had water fights with David all during the day. Had to buy tickets in order to get food. The prices weren’t too bad. Ran around all day. Saw Louise for the 1st time since December. It was a good day.”

"Then I went home to rest up for the night. Around 5:30 had a fight with David. He was squirting me with a water gun & I became angry because I just wanted to rest & not play & he wouldn’t stop. Eventually made some coffee.”

“…I went to 320 to see “Dumbo”. It was my 3rd time seeing it & it’s still enjoyable. Then I went to Little Commons to go to the dance, but they wouldn’t let anyone in for about 15 minutes. So I went to the Dana Quadrangle. Met Barb W. on the way & she said that Dana Commons was locked, so no Pub. Went back to the Little Quadrangle. Barb went to visit someone on the first floor of Dodd & I went to visit Katy. Talked for a while, then went to Little. The band was just beginning when I arrived. Sat with Leslie J. on the right stairway. When Cathy & Anne came in, joined them downstairs in the pit. Not many people dancing during the 1st set. At the break I went to the Union, but it was closed. So I went back to Little & a magician was performing. He was pretty good. The place was really crowded. It was almost impossible to get down the stairs or walk around. People were dancing now. I definitely rather that dances could always be in the women’s gym. At the second break went to the Dana Quadrangle & walked around. Later went back to the dance. After the 1st 2 or 3 songs of the last set, I decided to go home. I was becoming bored & depressed. Got home around 12:30.”

- personal journal
15 April 19_

Images:
Left: Blowing Bubbles. Photo is An Adrean Darce Brent Image
Center: Spree Day Man. Photo is An Adrean Darce Brent Image
Right: Dancing in the Quad. Photo is An Adrean Darce Brent Image

Monday Morning Museum: Jacometto Veneziano

2011-04-11T00:10:00.000-07:00

Jacometto Veneziano – active 1472 to 1497 in Venice, Italy

Italian Early Renaissance Painter

In addition to people, Jacometto Veneziano, also painted animals – A Tethered Hart, late 1400s – the definition of a captive subject.

Last Monday’s Artist – Walker Evans
Next Monday’s Artist - Rembrandt van Rijn

Images:
Left: Alvise Contarini, late 1400s from the website metmuseum.org
Center: A Woman, Possibly a Nun of San Secondo, late 1400s from the website metmuseum.org
Right: Ritratto Di Giovane, late 1400s from the website upload.wikimedia.org
Below: “Monday Morning Museum” logo created by Adrean Darce Brent

Monday Morning Museum: Walker Evans

2011-04-04T00:11:00.000-07:00

Walker Evans – Tuesday 3 November 1903 St. Louis, Missouri to Thursday 10 April 1975 Old Lyme, Connecticut

American Social Realist Photographer

I became aware of Walker Evans when I read Let Us Now Praise Famous Men sometime during college. Before that transformative journalistic assignment, Evans photographed – Brooklyn Bridge, 1929

Last Monday’s Artist – Robert Rauschenberg
Next Monday’s Artist – Jacometto Veneziano

Images:
Left: Fields Family, Hale County, Alabama, 1936 from the website hubpages.com
Center: Levee Scene, Vicinity New Orleans, 1935 from the website metmuseum.org
Right: Tengle Family, Hale County, Alabama, 1936 from the website loc.gov
Below: “Monday Morning Museum” logo created by Adrean Darce Brent

Monday Morning Museum: Robert Rauschenberg

2011-03-28T00:11:00.000-07:00

Robert Rauschenberg – Thursday 22 October 1925 Port Arthur, Texas to Monday 12 May 2008 Captiva Island, Florida

American Pop Artist

In a departure from the Rauschenberg paintings shown above, here is an outdoor, public art piece – Riding Bikes, 1998 – located in Berlin, Germany.

Last Monday’s Artist – Edgar Degas
Next Monday’s Artist – Walker Evans

Images:
Left: Yoicks, 1953 from the website pinatura.aut.org
Center: Winter Pool, 1959 from Workman Publishing
Right: Retroactive I, 1964 from the website pinatura.aut.org
Below: “Monday Morning Museum” logo created by Adrean Darce Brent

Dame Elizabeth Rosemond Taylor – Saturday 27 February 1932 London To Wednesday 23 March 2011 Los Angeles

2011-03-23T12:19:00.000-07:00

“Here lies Elizabeth.
She hated being called Liz,
but she lived”

-Elizabeth Taylor

Images:
Left: Elizabeth Taylor from the website fashionsmostwanted.blogspot.com
Center: Elizabeth Taylor from the website sant-cugal.net
Right: Elizabeth Taylor from the website movieeye.com

Monday Morning Museum: Edgar Degas

2011-03-21T00:06:00.000-07:00

Hilaire-Germain-Edgar De Gas – Saturday 19 July 1834 Paris, France to Thursday 27 September 1917 Paris, France

French Realist / Impressionist Painter and Sculptor

Degas is known for his paintings of ballet dancers, but in this work – Miss La La at the Cirque Fernando, 1879 – he presents a performer of a different kind. Living in Southern California, I certainly appreciate the woman’s name.

Last Monday’s Artist – Mary Stevenson Cassatt
Next Monday’s Artist – Robert Rauschenberg

Images:
Left: At the Races: The Start, 1861-1862 from the website the-anthenaeum.org
Center: The Dance Class, 1874 from the website metmusuem.org
Right: The Millinery Shop, 1885 from the website the-anthenaeum.org
Below: “Monday Morning Museum” logo created by Adrean Darce Brent

in Just- spring

2011-03-20T01:01:00.000-07:00

in Just-
spring when the world is mud-
luscious the little
lame balloonman

whistles far and wee

and eddieandbill come
running from marbles and
piracies and it's
spring

when the world is puddle-wonderful

the queer
old balloonman whistles
far and wee
and bettyandisbel come dancing

from hop-scotch and jump-rope and

it's
spring
and
the

goat-footed

balloonMan whistles
far
and
wee

e. e. cummings
(1894 to 1962)

“Vernal Equinox 2011” graphic created by Adrean Darce Brent

Monday Morning Museum: Mary Stevenson Cassatt

2011-03-14T00:11:00.000-07:00

Mary Stevenson Cassatt – Wednesday 22 May 1844 Alleghany City, Pennsylvania to Monday 14 June 1926 Château de Beaufresne, France

American Impressionist Painter

Although Cassatt is primarily known for portraying women and children in her paintings, this is a landscape from early in her career – Picking Flowers in a Field, circa 1875

Last Monday’s Artist – Gustav Klimt
Next Monday’s Artist – Edgar Degas

Images:
Left: Spring: Margot Standing in a Garden, 1902 from the website sirismm.si.edu
Center: Lilacs in a Window, 1880-1883 from the website metmuseum.org
Right: Young Woman in Green, Outdoors in the Sun, 1914 from the website upload.wikimedia.org
Below: “Monday Morning Museum” logo created by Adrean Darce Brent

International Women’s Day: One Hundredth Year

2011-03-08T09:39:00.000-08:00

This year marks the one hundredth anniversary of the first International Women’s Day celebration. Even though women have come far in terms of political enfranchisement, social inclusion, and personal aspirations since that initial day in March 1911, women still struggle and strive to lead complete lives in the face of opposition today. As I write this, women in the Middle East are leaders in the overthrowing of decades long ruling dictators and their hope is to bring a new freedom to that troubled and tradition-ridden region. But in addition to recognizing the sacrifices of all the nameless women over the decades, today I would like to acknowledge the international women who I know and who are friends.

Most of these women I met when I, myself, lived an international life. However, the woman who starts off the list is someone I have not met in person. We are virtual friends who met through a friend suggestion on that social media phenomena know as Facebook. Let the celebrating begin!

Alessandra is Italian and lives in Rome (a city that I have visited and hope to return). She is a translator and a poet, and we share an interest in art. - we’ve both been to Monet’s place in Giverny, France. I’m sure it would be great to meet Alessandra in the real world someday!

Domino is Belgian and lives in Brussels (a city in which I’ve lived and enjoyed). She works in an international firm and it was in that firm that we met. Like me, Domino is also a “Visual” person, though of a more practical and productive type. And most importantly, shared laughter!

Isabelle is French and is from Marseille (a city that I have yet to visit, but would like to experience). We met in Brussels during my preliminary visit before moving to Belgium and the department retreat to Le Touquet, France - the first of many more fun times. Salut Isabelle!

Jaana is Finnish and is from Kuortane (a city that I have visited and would again, if just for Jaana’s mother’s wonderful farm cheese). We met in Brussels and she now lives in Waterloo (yes, that Waterloo). We share a love of France and memories of good times in Belgium, the Netherlands, and of course, Finland!

Nita is Spanish and lives in Belgium. Once again, it was in the city of Brussels where we met. Nita was also at the Le Touquet retreat – my first gathering with future colleagues and friends. The beginning of life at work with talks, lunches, and laughs!

Teija is Finnish and lives in Helsinki (a city that I have visited and would like to see again). She is a traveler and tour guide and we met on a weekend trip to Amsterdam (a city full of bicycles and bridges). We share a love of traveling and when touring, Teija presents “educational moments”. Kippis Teija!

Happy International Women’s Day Everyone!

Images:
Left: An official International Women’s Day logo from the website internationalwomensday.com
Center: A personal International Women’s Day graphic created by Adrean Darce Brent
Right: An International Women’s Day button from the late Twentieth century

Monday Morning Museum: Gustav Klimt

2011-03-07T00:13:00.000-08:00

Gustav Klimt – Monday 14 July 1862 Baumgarten, Austria to Wednesday 6 February 1918 Vienna, Austria

Austrian Art Nouveau Painter

No particular reason for presenting this Klimt work – Apple Tree, 1912 – other than I like it.

Last Monday’s Artist – Anne Vallayer-Coster
Next Monday’s Artist – Mary Stevenson Cassatt

Images:
Left: Beech Forest, 1912 from the website pintura.aut.org
Center: Textile Sample from Workman Publishing
Right: Portrait of Elisabeth Bachofen-Echt, 1914 from the website arthistoryarchive.com
Below: “Monday Morning Museum” logo created by Adrean Darce Brent

Monday Morning Museum: Anne Vallayer-Coster

2011-02-28T00:06:00.000-08:00

Anne Vallayer-Coster – Friday 21 December 1744 France to Saturday 28 February 1818 France

French Rocco Era Painter

I am not overly familiar with the works of Vallayer-Coster, but I do like this still life – Attributes of Painting, Sculpture, and Architecture, 1769

Last Monday’s Artist – Eugène Henri Paul Gauguin
Next Monday’s Artist – Gustav Klimt

Images:
Left: Still Life with Round Bottle, 1770 from the website upload.wikimedia.org
Center: Vase of Flowers, 1780 from the website metmuseum.org
Right: Still Life with Lobster, 1781 from the website upload.wikimedia.org
Below: “Monday Morning Museum” logo created by Adrean Darce Brent

Monday Morning Museum: Eugène Henri Paul Gauguin

2011-02-21T00:10:00.000-08:00

Eugène Henri Paul Gauguin – Wednesday 7 June 1848 Paris, France to Friday 8 May 1903 Atuona, Hiva ‘Oa, Marquesas Islands, French Polynesia

French Post-Impressionist Painter

Although Gauguin is primarily associated with tropical paintings, here is an early painting of his with a cooler feel to it – Winter Landscape, Effect Of Snow, 1879

Last Monday’s Artist – Oscar Claude Monet
Next Monday’s Artist – Anne Vallayer-Coster

Images:
Left: Still-Life With Fruit And Lemons, circa 1880 from the website upload.wikimedia.org
Center: The Siesta, 1892-1894 from the website metmuseum.org
Right: Landscape On La Dominique (Hiva OUA), 1903 from the website uploawikimedia.org
Below: “Monday Morning Museum” logo created by Adrean Darce Brent

Hello, It’s Peter Guber On The Line!

2011-02-16T11:25:00.000-08:00

Here are some words of advice from fellow Massachusetts native Peter Guber (film and television producer) heard this morning via a conference call with other media-interested people.

Story is the cake, not the icing.

Impatient, not imprudent.

What’s in it for them?

Audience-centric.

Aim to heart, not wallet.
Be thoughtful about what you want.

Face-to-face.

Online is an audience of one, a million times over.

Have to be the audience you want to touch.

Enjoy the front row seat to your own drama.

Peter’s photo is from the website news.yahoo.com

Monday Morning Museum: Oscar Claude Monet

2011-02-14T00:04:00.000-08:00

Oscar Claude Monet – Saturday 14 November 1840 Paris, France to Sunday 5 December 1926 Giverny, France

French Impressionist Painter

Monet is my favorite Impressionist painter and I love his place in Giverny!

This is one of the eight tableaux from Monet’s Les Nymphéas installation at the Musée de l’Orangerie in Paris and it is the one I really like – Le Matin Clair Aux Saules

Last Monday’s Artist – Edward J. Steichen
Next Monday’s Artist – Eugène Henri Paul Gauguin

Images:
Left: Vétheuil Dans Le Brouillard, 1879 from the website upload.wikimedia.org
Center: Bridge Over A Pond Of Water Lilies, 1899 from the website metmuseum.org
Right: Weeping Willow, 1918-1919 from the website upload.wikimedia.org
Below: “Monday Morning Museum” logo created by Adrean Darce Brent

Monday Morning Museum: Edward J. Steichen

2011-02-07T00:05:00.000-08:00

Edward J. Steichen – Thursday 27 March 1879 Bivange, Luxembourg to Sunday 25 March 1973 West Redding, Connecticut

Luxembourgeois-born American Tonalist Photographer and Painter

I like this piece by Steichen – Experiment in Three-Color Photography, 1906 – it is lighter than his usual works.

Last Monday’s Artist – Pieter Bruegel The Elder
Next Monday’s Artist - Oscar Claude Monet

Images:
Left: The Flatiron building, 1904 from the website upload.wikimedia.org
Center: Melpomene-Landon Rives, 1904-05 from the website metmuseum.org
Right: Across the Salt Marshes: Huntington Before 1912, circa 1904 from the website upload.wikimedia.org
Below: “Monday Morning Museum” logo created by Adrean Darce Brent

Monday Morning Museum: Pieter Bruegel The Elder

2011-01-31T00:11:00.000-08:00

Pieter Bruegel The Elder – circa 1525 Breda, Netherlands to Friday 9 September 1569 Brussels, Belgium

Flemish Northern Renaissance Painter

One of Bruegel’s works that I find most interesting is – Netherlansish Proverbs, 1559 – a very overt display of meaning in art. If you have problems deciphering the images, here are the proverbs.

Last Monday’s Artist – Vincent Willem van Gogh
Next Monday’s Artist - Edward J. Steichen

Images:
Left: Winter Landscape with Bird Trap, 1565 from the website upload.wikimedia.org
Center: The Harvesters, 1565 from the website metmuseum.org
Right: The Wedding Dance, 1566 from the website upload.wikimedia.org
Below: “Monday Morning Museum” logo created by Adrean Darce Brent

Monday Morning Museum: Vincent Willem van Gogh

2011-01-24T00:30:00.000-08:00

Vincent Willem van Gogh – Wednesday 30 March 1853 Groot-Zundert, Netherlands to Tuesday 29 July 1890 Auvers-sur-Oise, France

Dutch Post-Impressionist Painter

Although I do like van Gogh’s The Starry Night, 1889, I prefer this earlier painting – Starry Night Over the Rhone, 1888

Last Monday’s Artist – Cindy Sherman
Next Monday's Artist - Pieter Bruegel The Elder

Images:
Left: The Night Café, 1888 from the website upload.wikimedia.org
Center; Wheat Field With Cypresses, 1889 from the website metmuseum.org
Right: Houses At Auvers, 1890 from the website mfa.org
Below: “Monday Morning Museum” logo created by Adrean Darce Brent

Reel Rewind: “Rabbit Hole”

2011-01-22T22:53:00.000-08:00

From whole to hole to (w)hole, family life for Becca and Howie devolves and evolves following the accidental death of their four year old son, Danny. The whole (which we see in video flashbacks), shows a happy and loving three-person family with lots of laughter. It is eight months after their child’s death and the hole is the disconnection between the now two-person family that seems to be increasing in distance each passing month – even group therapy does not help; at least not for both of them. Slowly Becca and Howie become (w)hole enough in a way that allows them to tentatively face the future. When Becca asks “So what are we gonna do?”. . . and Howie eventually answers “We’ll figure it out.”, you believe that they will.

Focus of “Rabbit Hole” is on how Becca deals with her grief in contrast to Howie’s approach. After eight months Becca takes down Danny’s artwork from the refrigerator and ends up donating his clothes to Goodwill. Becca makes an unsuccessful attempt to return to work at Sotheby’s, but unexpectedly finds comfort in conversations with Jason, the teen-age driver who accidently hit Danny when he darted into the street. Even talks with her mother (who went through a similar experience with her adult son – Arthur, a thirty-something year old drug addict), gives Becca insight to coping with her grief. Howie plays over and plays over and plays over a video of him and Danny at play. The images of his son brings smiles to Howie’s being and is his comfort in coping with the tragedy. Howie also finds connection with a kindred spirit from group therapy, Gaby, who has been going to group for years and can’t move forward.

Gradually, Becca and Howie work through their disconnection and come to a realization (occurring at the same time for both) that they can continue their life together and it will be all right. And perhaps it will be all right. For in their grief, they each blame themselves and not the other for what happened to Danny (though they do fear the other blames them). As hard as it is to forgive yourself for what you perceive as your fault, it is even harder to forgive someone on whom you’ve placed total blame for a tragedy. To me, the ending rings true as Becca and Howie commit to becoming (w)hole in hopes of someday returning to whole.

Film Facts: Director: John Cameron Mitchell, Writer: David Lindsay-Abaire, Cinematographer: Frank G. DeMarco, Editor: Joe Klotz, Musician: Anton Sanko, Producers: Caroline Jaczko, Nicole Kidman, Geoff Linville, Bill Lischak, Linda McDonough, Brian O’Shea, Gigi Pritzker, Daniel Revers, Per Saan, Leslie Urdang, Dean Vanech, Production Companies: Olympus Pictures, Blossom Films, Odd Lot Entertainment

Film Type: Drama, Cast: Nicole Kidman (Becca), Aaron Eckhart (Howie), Dianne Wiest (Nat), Miles Teller (Jason), Tammy Blanchard (Izzy), Sandra Oh (Gaby), Giancarlo Esposito (Auggie), Jon Tenney (Rick), Stephen Mailer (Kevin), Mike Doyle (Craig), Roberta Wallach (Rhonda), Patricia Kalember (Peg), Ali Marsh (Donna), Yetta Gottesman (Ana), Colin Mitchell (Sam), Length: 91’, Language: English, Country: United States, Year: 2010
Official Site
United States release date Friday 17 December 2010
Film Trailer

Images:
Left: Nicole Kidman as Becca from the website moviepicturedb.com
Center: Graphic interpretation of “Rabbit Hole” created by Adrean Darce Brent
Right: “Rabbit Hole” poster from the website movieposterdb.com
Below: “Reel Rewind” logo created by Adrean Darce Brent

Reel Rewind: “Kisses”

2011-01-22T22:19:00.000-08:00

Once upon a time, with the songs of “musical god” Bob Dylan as the background theme, “Kisses” brings us into the explosive young lives of two neighbor children - eleven year old Dylan (a namesake?) and ten year old Kylie – living in a poor area outside of Dublin. The story is basic – they run away from home, spend a night in Dublin, and return home the next day. Why did they leave? How was their first experience of Ireland’s capital? Did they have to return?

Dylan is a lonely child who lives with his parents and is tormented by other boys for being quiet and liking electronic games. Kylie lives with siblings and a single mother and is teased by older girls about her feelings for Dylan. Their world is full of the ranges of abuse – emotional, physical, sexual. When Dylan’s father chases him in the house to do physical harm, it is Kylie who gets a ladder and rescues him from a sure beating. Off they run to the river and their means of escape is a passing dredger. Though the Captain refuses Kylie’s request for the children to join him, Kylie goes ahead and jumps on the dredger and after hesitation and a mishap, Dylan also comes aboard the dredger. Now their adventure begins.

It is the Captain who introduces the children to the music of Bob Dylan with a rendition of “Shelter From The Storm”. And shelter from the misery is what the Captain gives the children on the trip to Dublin, as well as the chance to play and laugh. On arrival in Dublin, the children set out on a quest – Dylan’s older brother Barry ran away two years prior and all they have is a name of a street to try and find him. Ultimately their quest fails, but along the way they experience good – new clothes, wheelies, musicians, adults who are helpful – and bad – hunger, separation, a dead body, adults who are harmful. From these adventures a closer connection between Kylie and Dylan is forged. In fact Dylan returns the rescue favor by saving Kylie from “The Sack Man”. Monsters also reside in Dublin. Morning comes and it’s time to return to the known horrors they can handle.

“Kisses” is structured as home – Dublin – home with both home segments shot in black and white, while the Dublin section is shot in color. The color delineation between the segments is subtle and you slowly realize you are viewing a new palette. Transitioning from one world to another doesn’t have definite boundaries. Kylie is fearless and keeps fighting for what she needs. Girl power. Dylan is assuredly the passive one and gives up easily. Even with the new bond between them, I am not sure that Dylan and Kylie would be together if we return to their story five years from now. One unexpected aspect of the film is the use of subtitles. The film is in English and so are the sporadic subtitles – guess it was thought the Irish accents would be troublesome. For the most part they weren’t. However, the use of language in the film is very direct and raw by all the characters. If hearing children speak adult language bothers you, then “Kisses” is not for you. But they are speaking the language of their lives. If “Kisses” is a contemporary fairy tale, I’m afraid there’s no happily ever after for Dylan and Kylie back in the environment from which they briefly left. Let’s hope there’s a fairy godmother/godfather in their future. Or perhaps they will leave again when they are truly ready to do so. Once upon a time. . .

Film Facts: Director/Writer/Producer/Cinematographer: Lance Daly, Cinematographers: Jake Corbett, David Grennan, Editor: J. Patrick Duffner, Musician: GoBlimpsGo, Producers: Donna Eperon, Macdara Kelleher, Les Kelly, Nial O’Brien, Production Company: Fastnet Films

Film Type: Drama, Cast: Kelly O’Neill (Kylie), Shane Curry (Dylan), Paul Roe (Dylan’s Da), Neili Conroy (Dylan’s Ma), David Bendito (Dredger Captain), Elizabeth Fuh (Gardiner street girl), Cathy Malone (Kylie’s Ma), Jose Jimenez (Busker), Willie Higgins (The Sack Man), Sean McDonagh (Uncle Maurice), Stephanie Kelly (Kylie’s sister), Gerry Moore (Roadie), Hilda Fay (Anita), Elga Fox (Ban Garda), Stephen Rea (Down Under Dylan), Length: 72’, Language: English, Country: Ireland, Year: 2008
Official Site
Ireland release date Friday 21 November 2008
United States release date Friday 16 July 2010
Film Trailer

Images:
Left: Kelly O’Neill as Kylie and Shane Curry as Dylan from the website outnow.ch
Center: Graphic interpretation of “Kisses” created by Adrean Darce Brent
Right: “Kisses” poster from the website movieclock.com
Below: “Reel Rewind” logo created by Adrean Darce Brent

Monday Morning Museum: Cindy Sherman

2011-01-17T06:40:00.000-08:00

Cindy Sherman – Tuesday 19 January 1954 Glen Ridge, New Jersey to still living as of this post

American Photographer

Has not titled her works

I believe that if a work is worthy of being produced, then it is worthy of being named. So in that spirit I propose the following titles for the Cindy Sherman photographs above – Left: Comic Trinity, Center: The Innocent, Right: La Diva.

It is Cindy Sherman’s Untitled Film Still series that I really like and here’s another photo from the series – Untitled Film Still #58 – which I would title The Ingénue.

Last Monday's Artist - André Derain
Next Monday's Artist - Vincent Willem van Gogh

Images:
Left: Untitled, 2004 from the website metropicturesgallery.com
Center: Untitled Film Still #21, 1978 from the website arthistoryarchive.com
Right: Untitled, 2008 from the website metropicturesgallery.com
Below: "Monday Morning Museum" logo created by Adrean Darce Brent

Performance Poor Patriots Jerked Around By Jets

2011-01-16T18:03:00.000-08:00

What is it about the post-season that destroys the New England Patriots? For the second post-season in a row, the Pats fail to advance after being in one playoff game. Granted this year’s loss was not as horrendous as the one to the Baltimore Ravens, but come on, the team with the best record in the NFL doesn’t make it out of the Divisional round – why? Plus losing to the New York Jets – ugh!! The sign that this was not going to be New England’s day came early when Brady had a pass intercepted in the first quarter – breaking his streak of three hundred forty passes without an interception. Although the Patriots end the first quarter with the lead, it was the only time they did.

This Sunday at Sonny’s had started out so promising. Met a fellow Sonny’s patron, Jason, on the bus, but he had to spend the day at UCLA (to think I felt sorry for him!) and arrived around 9:30 a.m. at the bar. Since the game did not start until 1:30 p.m., I was going to spend the morning doing some work on my computer. But first I had to get the new Wi-Fi password for Sonny’s from Grant, the new owner. No more Red Sox reference password. Jenny was working, but I didn’t see Andrew. While Sonny’s filled up with Pats fans, I managed to do some long overdue editing. Glad to see Stacie later in the morning – she’s doing well and looks so happy. Her Math teacher from high school is visiting from Rhode Island, so she and some friends are hanging out on the other side of Sonny’s. Before it became impossible to easily move around, I talked to Rich at the bar where, lucky for him, someone had saved him a place. The consensus on the game was that it would be a closer game than the Pats 45 to 3 rout of the Jets over a month ago, but that New England would win. If only it turned out that way.

Meanwhile, back at the booth, I was joined by two women and two men. One of the women was named Brittany, who works for the NFL, and I never got the other woman’s name. And the two men were both named Steve. Neither man had been to Sonny’s before and they were happy to be at the booth. During the first half of the unhappy game, learned that the CPA Steve from New Hampshire was visiting graphic character (Zen) creator Steve from Pasadena. Also while the Jets were taking the lead (never to relinquish it), a man I hadn’t seen in a long time, Roman, was here. What a surprise! Couldn’t really talk over the noise of the crowd and the table between us. Gather he is now living in Long Beach. Anyway, gave him the e-mail address and the site addresses for the blogs, but forgot to ask if he was on Facebook. Oh well, it was nice to see Roman again. Gave a wave to Steve B. (yes, another Steve) who came to watch the game before his evening shift. And we come to halftime, with the Jets leading the Pats by a score of 14 to 3.

Hope comes alive in the third quarter when the Patriots score a touchdown and complete a two-point conversion! However, between the sacks of Brady in particular and New England’s lackluster defense in general, hope dies in Sonny’s. The end of the New England Patriots was not the expectation of the day and its reality was numbing. Although the Pats score again in the fourth quarter, the hope is buried when the Jets score as well. Before the end of the game, the two Steves and a little later the two women leave the booth and Sonny’s disappointed. As usual, I stayed to the very end. The final score is the New York Jets 28, the New England Patriots 21. Despite the one touchdown difference, the game was never as close as the score indicates. It was the Jets all the way. Slowly pack away my computer and the peripherals and depart Sonny’s in disbelief. As I go out the door, I say good-bye to Jenny and I realize (barring anything special) I probably won’t back at Sonny’s until April – when another New England sports team begins its season. Next time - “Play Ball!”

AFC Divisional Playoff Game – Sunday 16 January 2011 – Patriots lost – Home

New England Patriots: 3 0 8 10 - 21
New York Jets: 0 14 0 14 - 28

Total game points equal 49. Patriots 42.86% of the points. Jets 57.14% of the points.

The New England Patriots 2010-2011 season has ended.

New England Patriots logo is from the website wikipedia.org

King’s Day At “A Window Between Worlds”

2011-01-15T16:31:00.000-08:00

Today would have been Martin Luther King, Jr.’s eighty-second birthday and although the tradition has developed to do a work of service on the day of official celebration (this year Monday 17 January 2011), I was able to do service on his actual birthday by attending the Volunteer Day at A Window Between Worlds.

I was the first of the volunteers to arrive and the Volunteer Coordinator, Lonnie, did remember me from the last time I volunteered, several months ago. Today’s main project was the making of Sculpey balls, hands, and rocks. This AWBW art activity was a new for me. However, my task was to clean already made Sculpey balls so that they could be reused. Working with the clay balls was a bit trying because they resisted becoming completely clean. While the volunteers at the other end of the table were making hands and rocks, four people at my end of the table were making the Sculpey balls. They were Amanda, a new intern at AWBW (she started yesterday), who is studying psychology at Cal Poly Pomona; Kris, an AWBW board member; Mike, Kris’ fiancée and the lone male of the day; and Jean, a volunteer from the last time I was at AWBW. While I cleaned away, the four of them broke off and shaped pieces of clay of various colors (red, orange, green, blue, yellow, purple, brown, black, white) into approximately half inch balls. The balls were arranged in clear plastic trays in rainbow order plus the neutral of five balls for each color. The goal set by Lonnie of five trays was exceeded by one! Part way through the morning, Kris and Mike went upstairs to work on the other volunteer projects with a friend of theirs who was already there.

Met Kris and Mike’s friend Dustin (who, despite the name, is a woman) outside during our pizza lunch. She commented on my Red Sox cap and said she dumped a former boyfriend who was a Yankees fan. Good for her! Chatted with the three of them while enjoying bar-b-que chicken pizza and diet coke. Seem like fun people. Mike is from Massachusetts, though he left when he was two years old; Kris commutes from Arcadia to Beverly Hills for work; and Dustin is an actress. Another of their friends is doing marketing for the Golden Globes. And to keep the industry theme going, I talked with two other women, one of whom is named Barbara, about films and actors we like. I mentioned the screeners I’ll get for the Spirit Awards, but drew a blank on titles other than “The Kids Are All Right” and “Winter’s Bone”. Oh well…

After lunch I finished the cleaning of the clay balls and then went upstairs to cut up magazines. There were a couple of other people cutting up magazines and the others were painting small envelopes. Kris and Mike recounted how they met and how they got engaged on airplanes. Mike’s pick-up line was “Are you coming or going?” They’re planning on getting married at the end of June. The other people upstairs were Dustin and Barbara (women I talked to during lunch), Fran, who was at AWBW last time I volunteered, and a couple of other women whose names I didn’t get. A small, but lively group. Managed to get halfway through the magazine before Lonnie came to tell us it was time to begin cleaning up. Another Volunteer Day that passed very quickly. Lonnie had placed the leftover pizza in plastic bags for the volunteers to take home and someone else had dropped off a bag of lemons. So I took a bag of pizza and a few lemons on my way out. Pizza for dinner, but not sure about the lemons – perhaps some tea with lemon. An unexpected treat for the day.

Happy Birthday Martin!!!

Image is of AWBW’s website header from the website awbw.org

Reel Rewind: “Mademoiselle Chambon”

2011-01-11T17:33:00.000-08:00

Sounds within the silence. Stirrings within the stillness. Wonderings within the winds. The story of Jean and Véronique unfolds slowly in “Mademoiselle Chambon” with the accompaniment of Franz Von Vecsey’s composition “La Valse Triste” and Edward Elgar’s violin and piano piece, “Salut D’amour”. Their story is one of romantic feelings born with music, a touch and kisses. In films (and I suppose as in life), most beginnings of romance demonstrate some level of passion between the people involved. It is rare to see such quietness in a new romance and it is presented to great effect in the film - Véronique sitting still in her apartment and Jean at his kitchen table at 3:00 a.m. There is no outward intensity when they are together and I don’t feel that passion is happening beneath the surface, though that may have been the director’s intent. It seems that neither one knows where to go with whatever feelings they have.

The one tangible evidence that there are feelings is the note Jean slips under Véronique’s door in which he writes - “Je pense à vous”, (“I think of you”). In addition, the music creates a soothing atmosphere – nothing that would evoke the manifestation of emotions, just reflection in the silent scenes, of which there are many. Even the eventual lovemaking is quiet. Only Jean’s one-sided argument with his wife Anne-Marie over his father’s eightieth birthday party and his fight with a co-worker mar the idyllic atmosphere of “Mademoiselle Chambon”. The music of the film is what binds these two different people. Jean is a builder with a wife, son and simple life in Provence, while Véronique is a teacher whose home is Paris and apparently has a less-than-fulfilling family life. One wonders if Véronique was going to be a concert violinist and what happened to turn her towards teaching.

The slow pace of “Mademoiselle Chambon” does contribute to the overall ambience being projected of life in the countryside, but it is too slow and the non-Jean and non-Véronique short scenes without dialogue really don’t add anything to the viewer’s understanding or help move the story along. Jean and Véronique are nice people and the start of their romance is sweet, but the viewer (at least this one) becomes impatient for the development of the relationship. And not until the end of the film is the resolution revealed. It is ironic that the title of the film is “Mademoiselle Chambon”, as she is the lesser known of the two main characters and questions remain regarding her history. Perhaps more is presented in the novel. The film seems to be Jean’s story. As much as the music and movie mesh together, it is fitting that the song, “Quel Joli Temps (Septembre)”, closes out the film over the end credits. Anyway, if you do see this film, be sure to be well-rested and fully awake. For me, “Mademoiselle Chambon” is un peu sucré et un peu triste (a little sweet and a little sad).

Film Facts: Director/Writer: Stéphane Brizé, Writer: Florence Vignon, Novelist: Eric Holder, Cinematographer: Antoine Héberlé, Editor: Anne Klotz, Musician: Ange Ghinozzi, Producers: Jean-Louis Livi, Amélie Melkonian, Milena Poyloi, Gilles Sacuto, Production Companies: TS Productions, F Comme Film, arte France Cinéma, Canal+, TPS Star, Centre National de la Cinématographie (CNC), Rézo Films, Sofica Soficinéma 4, Région Provence Côte d’Azur, Procirep, Angoa-Agicoa, Porgramme MEDIA de la Communauté Européenne

Film Type: Drama, Romance, Cast: Vincent Lindon (Jean), Sandrine Kiberlain (Véronique Chambon), Aure Atika (Anne-Marie), Jean-Marc Thibault (Le père de Jean), Arthur Le Houérou (Jérémy), Bruno Lochet (Collégue de Jean 1), Abdellah Moundy (Collégue de Jean 2), Michelle Goddet (La directrice de l’école), Anne Houdy (La commerciale des pompes funèbres), Geneviève Mnich (La mere de Véronique), Florence Hautier (Soeur de Jean 1), Jocelyne Monier (Soeur de Jean 2), Jean-François Malet (Le beau-frère), Maxence Lavergne (Elève classe de Jérémy), Philomène Pagnier (Elève classe de Jérémy), Length: 101’, Language: French, Country: France, Year: 2009
Official Website
France release date Wednesday 14 October 2009
United States release date Friday 28 May 2010
Film Trailer

Images:
Left: Sandrine Kiberlain (Véronique Chambon) and Vincent Lindon (Jean) from the website thecia.com.au
Center: Graphic interpretation of “Mademoiselle Chambon” created by Adrean Darce Brent
Right: “Mademoiselle Chambon” poster from the website critic.de
Below: "Reel Rewind" logo created by Adrean Darce Brent

Monday Morning Museum: André Derain

2011-01-10T10:14:00.000-08:00

André Derain – Thursday 10 June 1880 Chatou, France to Wednesday 8 September 1954 Garches, France

French Fauvist Painter and Sculptor

Although I am not all that familiar with the works of Derain, I do like this painting - Still Life, 1913

Last Monday's Artist - Pierre-Auguste Renoir
Next Monday's Artist - Cindy Sherman

Images:
Left: Landscape With a Boat at the Bank, 1915 from the website tendreams.org
Center: The Palace of Westminster, 1906-07 from the website metmusuem.org
Right: Portrait of Madame Guillaume, 1928 from the website tendreams.org
Below: "Monday Morning Museum" logo created by Adrean Darce Brent

Silence. . .Forever

2011-01-10T08:00:00.000-08:00

Top row: Christina Taylor Green, 9 - Dorothy Morris, 76 - John McCarthy Roll, 63

Bottom row: Phyllis Schneck, 79 - Dorwin Stoddard, 76 - Gabriel Zimmerman, 30

Photo from the website nydailynews.com

Tragedy In Tucson

2011-01-08T20:15:00.000-08:00

Today an attempted political assassination took place in the United States. The target of this terror, Democratic House Representative Gabrielle Giffords of Arizona, is in critical condition after being shot in the head by a twenty-two year old male. As of this writing, six people have died as a result of this despicable act.

Christina Taylor Green, 9 years old – Student Council Representative

Gabriel Zimmerman, 30 years old – Director of Community Outreach

John McCarthy Roll, 63 years old – U. S. District Judge

Dorothy Morris, 76 years old – Constituent

Dorwin Stoddard, 76 years old - Pastor

Phyllis Schneck, 79 years old – Constituent

In addition to Representative Gabrielle Giffords, thirteen others are injured, including Giffords’ staff members Ron Barber and Pam Simon.

The political divide in the United States has now taken lives and unless leadership renounces the trend of apartness, Tucson may only be the beginning of further tragedies. The country is at the precipice. Which direction people, which direction?

Gabrielle Giffords photo from the website bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com

Monday Morning Museum: Pierre-Auguste Renoir

2011-01-03T10:04:00.000-08:00

Pierre-Auguste Renoir – Thursday 25 February 1841 Limoges, France to Wednesday 3 December 1919 Cagnes, France

French Impressionist Painter

Father of film director Jean Renoir

Here is one of my favorite Renoir paintings - Le Dejeuner Des Canotiers, 1880-81 - which to me evokes the joy of French life.

Next Monday's Artist - André Derain

Images:
Left: Portrait of Charles and Georges Durand-Ruel, 1882 from the website upload.wikimedia.org
Center: Two Young Girls At The Piano, 1892 from the website metmuseum.org
Right: The White Pierrot, 1901-02 from the website dia.org
Below: "Monday Morning Museum" logo created by Adrean Darce Brent