Wow, how lucky are you to see that. To feel the impressions of those impressionists, and hear their brushwork sing to you.
In 2005, I went to the MOMA? in New York. I cried when I saw Van Gogh's Starry Night. Just stood in front of it and wept for five minutes, 2 feet from the artwork.
Madonna was there that day, and everyone lined up for hours to get a seat in the cafe near her, just to watch a star push around her lettuce.
I preferred Van Gogh's blurry stars, with yellow halos. I preferred the smooth lines of Picasso's sculptural bodies to Madonna's, I preferred the beauty of Monet's Waterlilies looming large in the foyer, than Mads' floral hair and place.
All I know is that art was powerful enough to make me weep, and that I couldn't halt my outburst of emotions anymore than I could will myself to stop breathing.
Art could make me weep too, Therese. I'd be with you in the gallery, more moved by the brush strokes than any celebrity nearby. The sensitivity and beauty captivates.
I'm glad I’m not the only one, Jeanette. In those moments of uncontrollable weeping, I was alone with the one artwork, and that Starry Night was communing with me alone. Speaking across the decades. Forcing me to a joyous sadnes, a morose gladness in the heart of me.
I'm constantly heartened to remind myself of all the artists who lived long lives, usually longer than the average life span of whatever country they were from, because I believe their creativity extended their longevity and kept them vital.
Matisse is a great example. He had stomach cancer during WWII - and incredibly recovered. When he was too frail to paint, he turned to his paper cutouts. He ended up living until he was, I believe, 87. I'm convinced his zest to create extended his life.
That's it - I'm off to the Impressionists exhibition at the NGV tomorrow! Your words are a nudge, a reminder ...I read The Brain that Changes Itself and even met the author at a conference on Neuroscience. Our brains are amazing!
Thank you Jeanette for your article - I deeply appreciate having creativity be a part of my daily life. It keeps me remain connected to my soul & to the joyful / playful part of my being as there are no rules! Keep inspiring others!
I love what you’ve written! This is exactly what I try to express in my Substack - you do it so much better; I’m not a writer but an artist & educator. Art enhances our lives so much and anyone can access it.
Jeanette - this post is so inspiring! I’m going to carry it with me throughout my day and infuse this sensibility into everything I do whether it is ostensibly “creative” or not. You are proposing a way of being in our bodies. An orientation to our lives. A flame to be lit from within. Thank you.❤️
The Impressionists exhibition is really beautiful!
Wow, how lucky are you to see that. To feel the impressions of those impressionists, and hear their brushwork sing to you.
In 2005, I went to the MOMA? in New York. I cried when I saw Van Gogh's Starry Night. Just stood in front of it and wept for five minutes, 2 feet from the artwork.
Madonna was there that day, and everyone lined up for hours to get a seat in the cafe near her, just to watch a star push around her lettuce.
I preferred Van Gogh's blurry stars, with yellow halos. I preferred the smooth lines of Picasso's sculptural bodies to Madonna's, I preferred the beauty of Monet's Waterlilies looming large in the foyer, than Mads' floral hair and place.
All I know is that art was powerful enough to make me weep, and that I couldn't halt my outburst of emotions anymore than I could will myself to stop breathing.
Art could make me weep too, Therese. I'd be with you in the gallery, more moved by the brush strokes than any celebrity nearby. The sensitivity and beauty captivates.
I'm glad I’m not the only one, Jeanette. In those moments of uncontrollable weeping, I was alone with the one artwork, and that Starry Night was communing with me alone. Speaking across the decades. Forcing me to a joyous sadnes, a morose gladness in the heart of me.
I'm constantly heartened to remind myself of all the artists who lived long lives, usually longer than the average life span of whatever country they were from, because I believe their creativity extended their longevity and kept them vital.
Matisse is a great example. He had stomach cancer during WWII - and incredibly recovered. When he was too frail to paint, he turned to his paper cutouts. He ended up living until he was, I believe, 87. I'm convinced his zest to create extended his life.
Yes that makes sense to me too. Life begets life!
That's it - I'm off to the Impressionists exhibition at the NGV tomorrow! Your words are a nudge, a reminder ...I read The Brain that Changes Itself and even met the author at a conference on Neuroscience. Our brains are amazing!
It's obvious, but we rarely acknowledge how marvellous our creative brains are.
Thank you Jeanette for your article - I deeply appreciate having creativity be a part of my daily life. It keeps me remain connected to my soul & to the joyful / playful part of my being as there are no rules! Keep inspiring others!
Yes, I feel that soul connection too, Nathalie. And to play.
We need play at every age. Fun doesn't get to get old, remember?
Fun is always fresh and young. Fun creativity has no age at all.
I love what you’ve written! This is exactly what I try to express in my Substack - you do it so much better; I’m not a writer but an artist & educator. Art enhances our lives so much and anyone can access it.
Thank you Alexa. Yes, I thank public galleries for that.
Jeanette - this post is so inspiring! I’m going to carry it with me throughout my day and infuse this sensibility into everything I do whether it is ostensibly “creative” or not. You are proposing a way of being in our bodies. An orientation to our lives. A flame to be lit from within. Thank you.❤️
Yes! We don't need to get stuck on narrow definitions of "creative." Being lit from within is the goal.
My wife and I love going to see art, sometimes I'll write about it. Your artists group sounds very inspiring and invigorating.
It is that, Paul! And when we go to galleries, it's another layer of interest because we're participating as well as seeing art.