8 x 16, oilabout this painting...During a visit to NYC's Metropolitan Museum of Art, the woman in the painting above walked into the gallery of American Painters and stood in front of Paxton's "Tea Leaves"--I couldn't believe my luck; she was poised and graceful; the perfect "model" in her long dress and hat. Camera in hand, I tried to be as unobtrusive as possible as I watched her walk about the room. I noticed that her dress was just about a size too large as it kept slipping off her shoulder, revealing the strap of the camisole underneath. I couldn't help but be aware of the irony that just a few feet away hangs another painting involving a painted over loose strap : namely Sargeant's Madame X, a painting that created much angst, outrage and controversy in its day. Lost in my thoughts of how that scandal would forever change the artist's career and his model's life, I was suddenly jolted back to reality by the realization that my "model" was now standing right in front of me. She startled me by saying "Excuse me, but I just couldn't leave without first telling you that you look as though you could have stepped out of any one of these paintings" What?... ME? What about you? Smiling, she simply turned and floated out of the room.
“I do not judge, I only chronicle”...John Singer Sargeant
~The painting above, along with about 20 more of my paintings will be part of a three-woman art exhibit entitled "Petals and Poses" beginning this Friday at The Capitol Arts Galleries. Also included will be original oil paintings by artist Rhonda Hartis Smith, and jewelry by Susan Lackey. So, if you are "in the neighborhood" please stop by our opening night reception between 5-7 PM on the 17th and say hello~
Also, just outside our gallery, the summer-concert-in-the-park series will continue, so it promises to be an enchanting evening filled with art and music~ just the sort of summer night that I long for all winter.
(After Friday, our show continues through August 5th, with gallery hours from 9-5 M-F)
8 comments:
LOL! Love your story. What were you wearing?
Your painting is a wonderful capture of that moment. I like the dress on her and her hat.
Have a good time at the art exhibit. Wise I lived closer, I'd definitely attend.
Paz
WONDERFUL...
I know you both will have a fabulously successful show!!
Wish I could be there!
Thanks, Paz. I don't remember what I was wearing, and being the one behind the camera, I'm usually not in the photos anyway, but it was pretty funny,and most unexpected that she would say that. I'm just thrilled that she didn't threaten to take my camera away as a security guard up in the sculpture garden had already threatened that day. Eek, who knew no photos would be allowed outside?
Faye
What a fantastic story! and how ironic! I love the painting and good luck with your show! I am sure it will go well.
Great story and painting to go along with it! Great composition...really like the vertical elements you have going on here and her dress give her a otherworldly look as if she just stepped out of a gone-by era. Do people really dress like that now??? How lucky you were to catch her.
Good luck on your upcoming exhibit! Wish I could attend.
Wonderful painting, Faye - great composition.
Congratulations on your upcoming show!
Congratulations on your upcoming show. What a lovely story and beautiful painting. Well done.
Hi,
She seems an XIX century character.
It must have been a great experience and an almost unique opportunity.
Your painting is very pleasant, namely the chosen palette.
Kind regards,
José
P.S. did you check if there was any female character missing from any of the paintings at the Met ?
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