Thursday, December 31, 2009

Goodbye 2009


One last quickie post for 2009 to say thank you for your support. This past year has been a great one for connection, inspiration, creation and learning thanks to you.


I just got back from my mothers (photos are of her place) and the most outstanding visit I've ever had at The Beaverbrook Art Gallery. This year marked their 50th year, so they went all out. If you're local, you have until January 4 to go see.
The Impressionist Master Works for a starter. Yipee!! Oh, oh. I foresee this not being such a short post anymore. I always hated Impressionists until I had the chance to see them in person. Those paintings have souls, I'm sure. I could feel them breathing. Monet's piece was so tender I couldn't help but feeling affection for him and concluding that he was a wonderful person. Pissaro somehow managed to make his colors change depending on the distance from the piece, and Gauguin's energy through color and brushstrokes made me want to do a celebratory jig. Color isn't the focus among the local artists, so seeing what the Impressionists did with oils in person was a pleasant jolt. It's something that can't be reproduced as I'm sure many of you have experienced.
Celebrating 40 Years New Brunswick Art Bank Anniversary Exhibition The N.B. Art Bank has an acquisitions program that recognizes artistic excellence, a loan program and an exhibition program. If your area doesn't have one yet, perhaps it would be interested in starting one since there are many benefits. Victoria Henry, the director of the Canada Council Art Bank, say that "Australia and South Africa both developed their art banks with art loan and art rental programs based on the Canadian model, and more recently Ireland, Taiwan, Singapore, Shanghai, and Korea have requested information and advice as well." This exhibit was like visiting friends, since almost half of the works were from the Moncton area. In my opinion, this is the most dynamic artist community in the province.
Creating a Legacy is an exhibit of top Contemporary Canadian artists and it was all donated by collectors or the invited artists. It was spectacular. We got a special guide of this and the Impressionist exhibit by Jerry from the Beaverbrook and he gave us a rich educational experience. Our heads were spinning with all the great tidbits of information he had to give and the great art.
If you do visit the Beaverbrook and happen to spy a guide with a distinctive burgundy jacket, and Jerry on his name tag, do say hello. He's a fountain of information and one of the Beaverbrook's greatest treasures.
And what about you? Do you like the Impressionists? How did you feel the first time you saw them in person?
Thanks again for a wonderful year and see you in 2010!

18 comments:

Jeane Myers said...

I do love the impressionists - big inspiration for me in many ways - Shayla, the happiest of new years to you and yours - I have loved getting to know you in cyberspace and hope someday we can meet in person - love from here :)

M said...

Hi Shayla,
I connect with these photos as an Atlantic province dweller. I'm glad I found your blog for the same reason. I've not been able to find many artist bloggers in Eastern Canada.

I went to the Beaverbrook Gallery several years ago when I was in town for meetings. It's a lovely space. Have a happy New Year and I look forward to following your posts in 2010.

Regina said...

Happy New Year Shayla!
I have loved getting to know you through the blogging community.
As for the Impressionists - I have been drawn toward their works for several years, but when I saw several works in person at the Chicago Arts Institute... I wept. You have described the character of the style so very well.
Blessings to you in the new year. xo

MiKa Art said...

Great informations! New Brunswick seems such a wonderful place!!

Happy new year, Shyla!

M said...

I forgot to mention my Impressionists experiences. The first time I saw the work of Monet and Van Gogh (I'm lumping him in here althought I know his work to be post impressionist)was at the MET in New York. I was 19 and I cried. This was the first work I saw in a museum that I recognized. I was also lucky enough to visit Monet's garden at Giverney. I strolled the paths and soaked up the flowers but it was sitting on a bench looking at the famous bridge over the waterlily pond that undid me one again. It seems I am brought to tears easily.

Gwen Buchanan said...

happy new year Shayla, Your photographs show that you were in a magic place for Christmas... so beautiful...
I love the impressionists too, Pissaro is a favourite.. but I haven't seen he show at the Beaverbrook... what a tease that is now.. It would definitely be a great way to start the art year..

DJ said...

Happy 2010, Shayla.
May the new year be all you need it to be...

ArtPropelled said...

Oooo I see paintings.... many paintings! I see where your inspiration comes from Shayla.
Everything of the best for 2010!

nancy neva gagliano said...

YOUR photos are getting close to your work, and maybe if i squint, impressionism.....which i must say i love. when i first saw monet's snowy scene (title evades me at the moment) i just wanted to TOUCH. so, usually i find myself just staring deeply at each stroke up close, then step WAY back and drool.
best wishes, new blog friend!

Leslie Avon Miller said...

I am sorry to say I have not seen impressionists paintings in person...so sad to live in a very small town...Perhaps one day. Wishing you a Fresh New Year Shayla.

Megan Coyle said...

Happy New Year! I'm looking forward to seeing more of your beautiful paintings this year.

Bridgette Guerzon Mills said...

HI Shayla, just wanted to stop by and wish you a happy new year! Here's to a 2010 filled with creativity!

Four Seasons in a Life said...

The photographs are very inspirational.

Wishing you and your family all the very best for 2010,
Egmont

bindu said...

The photos are stunning! And they do remind me of some of your paintings. Happy new year!

Tracy said...

Hi, Shayla! Happy New Year! Great to be back from our trip and catching up with you here... Feeling jet-lagged and heart-fuzzy after a sweet Christmas, good to be home and back in blogland. Veyr much enjoyed your holiday posts, especially on your Mom and her glass creations. I've always had a soft spot for the Impressionists--always. I find great inspiration in their works. Wishing you much love, peace, creativity, blessings and joy in 2010, my friend :o) ((HUGS))

picciolo said...

Happy new year! Your mums place is beautiful, what wonderful skies. I love Pissaro and Monet and Sisley... you are right they are so much more wonderful in person, they seem to leap out and grab you.
: )

Unknown said...

Happy 2010 to you and your love ones Shayla, it's been an awesome journey knowing you..lots of love/M

Shayla said...

Jeane, it surprised me how modern they can look. I can see how they would inspire your work. It's been fun and inspiring getting to know you and I would Love to get together in person. Perhaps it's not as far off as I think!

Margaret, what a lovely conversation. First of all, I loved Newfoundland when I visited too. I found the artist community to be dynamic and the views of rock and sea to be both fresh, exciting and familiar at the same time. There is a certain feel to the Maritimes. How wonderful to have been to Monet's gardens as well. Art can make me cry too. I think the tears may be a common reaction of a sensitive artist. Seems like we've found our tribe.

Regina, thanks for sharing that. Art will affect me like that too. I didn't cry at this exhibit since I didn't have the chance for intimacy with that piece. The security guard took a liking to my mother and was very chatty which altered the experience but it ended up being a great thing anyway since he sent for someone who is trained in art history to give us an outstanding tour.

Mika, thank you. You live in Toronto, don't you? Ontario for sure. I have family there. Another wonderful place :)

Gwen, I found out about the show last second or I would have promoted it. Sorry about the tease. Yes, they do have a beautiful place and it feels good to reset mind and body away from the city.

DJ, thank you! I have a feeling this is going to be a great year. I hope you find the simplicity you're looking for.

Robyn, It does look like my paintings doesn't it? Good. I tried to compose the photo that way in the hopes of inspiring many paintings :)

Neva, we both do that with our photos, don't we? I've noticed some of your photos look like your work. What goes in changes how we see. What goes out changes how we see.

Leslie, small towns have such creative advantages. This museum is a two hour drive away and the first time the Impressionists' paintings toured Canada they wouldn't come to New Brunswick. So my city isn't big enough to attract that kind of show and the capital of the province can do so only once in a blue moon. Hah! Literally- the show was there during the blue moon. Maybe during the next blue moon the Impressionists will show near enough to you.

Megan, thank you. Best wishes for oodles of creativity continuing to come your way.

Bridgette, thank you and best wishes to you. Just catching up on your blog I could see that 2010 is going to be a very exciting year for you!

Egmont, thank you and best wishes to you.

Bindu, thanks. I'm looking forward to another year reading about your hikes in such beautiful places. Kindest wishes to you.

Tracy, how nice to see you back again and all "heart fuzzy." Heh, heh, that's cute. Thanks for your comments and best wishes. May you have many blessings ahead of you.

Jane, that's exactly it and how lucky you are to have greater access to them.

M. Kate, that's so sweet. You touched my heart. I've loved my journey with you too. Best wishes for you and your family as well.