Mona

Mona has her own room.

Art student prepared to spend the day.

The most famous painting in the world, the Mona Lisa is housed behind bullet-proof glass at the Louvre in Paris. Artist Leonardo da Vinci confessed that he never finished a painting, and yet "unfinished" she is still stunning. I must confess I expected to see just a painting of a woman, but she is truly stunning; non of the reproductions have done her justice.

Of course she really didn't become famous until she was stolen in 1911. A Louvre employee thought that she needed to be returned to Italy. But a couple years later she was back in the Louvre but under stronger security. If you ever visit the Louvre, be sure to stop to see her. She is a definite "must-see".

Wordless Wednesday

Sacred Sunday

"River of Life" batik

On display at the Royal Foundation of St. Katherine's, London, UK

Revelation 22:1-2

Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life,

as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of

the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the

city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life,

bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month.

And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.

Sign Saturday

STOP! Many of us have been stopped in our tracks by the weather. I took one snow day this week. And I even managed to use some of that time to work on art. I had embellishing to do; that's the final step for a mask. I have a big assortment of beads out on my work table right now, but I use all kinds of "things" to add the final decorative touch. I have a collection of wish bones that would be a fun addition; I also have a bunch of white shells; of course they don't have to stay white. It's always fun to see what happens at the end.

Merry Christmas

Google celebrates the season with colored lights.

Wordless Wednesday

Quote of the Week

"One should either be a work of art, or wear a work of art." Oscar Wilde

Snowed-in

Well, the weather forecast was right on schedule. It reported that the rain would start early and as the day progressed the temperature would drop and then the snow would start. It's been blowing since 3pm. I plan on taking a snow day tomorrow. I have plenty of provisions and plenty to keep me busy.

I would like to spend the time embellishing masks. That's the last step to get them ready for viewing. But I will be cleaning instead; getting ready for company over the holidays. And each time I look outside, I will be thankful for a central heating.

Wordless Wednesday

Google

Google today is a Mexican mural.

Wordless Wednesday

Quote of the Week

"The creation of something new is not accomplished by the intellect, but by the play instinct acting from inner necessity. The creative mind plays with the object it loves." C. G. Jung

The Kiss

Thinking about favorite paintings brought this one to mind. Painted by Gustav Klimt in 1907-08 (oil & gold leaf), the decoration of the piece makes me dizzy. Another thing that makes me dizzy is the passion! How can so much passion be emitted from only exposed faces, hands & feet? I will have to travel to Vienna to see this one.

Jan van Eyck

Giovanni & wife by Jan van Eyck 1434

This painting has fascinated me since I first saw it as a kid. I don't remember where I saw it, in a book or art appreciation slide show, but I immediately appreciated its uniqueness. It has been called a exercise in "disguised symbolism", and that must be true but is a aspect of the painting the I have not studied. I am intrigued by the detail: the fur on the dress, coat, & dog, each different in character; the placement of the objects, the wooden shoes, the fruit, the chandelier, the mirror; how the bed & the window "frame" the couple; the couple center stage with their reflection in the convex mirror. And van Eyck's signature claiming he was there!

Yes, I saw it at the National Gallery in London. There was a crowd around it, and surprise, surprise, it is bigger than I expected; I had in mind that it was practically a miniature but it is closer to 24"x36". I would love the opportunity to see this painting over and over again. I would never tire of it. Like revisiting and old friend.