Nurturing my inner... art student

It's been nearly 20 years since I graduated from college and it's hard to keep up with everyone after all that time has passed.  One day I got an email from an old friend on Facebook.  A fellow art major.  That was a few years ago.  Since then, we've kept up here and there.  Meeting up in Fredericksburg one time, then she came up here for a conference last year and this year we decided to connect in Richmond.  There are so many places to see in the very state you live in and I'm quite fond of the saying, "Live like a tourist."  So that's what we did in this lovely state's capital: Richmond.

First things first, I so enjoyed the old architecture.

Row houses. Delightful! I want one.
Only, I want it in Reston. And I want
it to be affordable. Ha! Good luck.

Where we spent most of our day: The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts.

Plain outside, colorful inside yet to come.

The two art majors had a fun day.  So, I'm taking you on a virtual field trip.  Just like in your school days.  Only I'm way more fun than your average tour guide, so you'll have a lot better time.

First stop, Europe.

I don't feel like this photo truly captures the rich colors.  Deep navy, olive, ochre.  A simple and somewhat dark palate, it had fantastic perspective.  Plus I liked the paintings on the wall within the painting.

French Impressionist Frederic Bazille.

Best part of this one: The creamy white oysters against the warm, dark background.  I'm used to him painting women set in leafy foliage in a more modern style, so it was great to see a detailed still life.

Paul Gaugin

This artist was known for his sculptures of ballerinas.  He also spent a lot of time on horses.  First he would do a miniature wax version.  I loved the texture which created deep shadows!

Edgar Degas

Moving into my favorite period, the Arts & Crafts movement. Approx. 1870s - 1920s.

I am enamored with stained glass lamps.  Organic, flowing designs made with hard, opaque materials.

Louis Comfort Tiffany

A Tiffany multi-paneled window

On to furniture I wish I had in my condo.  The beauty that is hand-fashioned originals.  (Can you just see my Le Creuset iron and enamel pots in here?  Because oh yes, I sure can!  Darn those security theft deterrent thingies!  And my lack of ability to get all Mission Impossible style and drop into the museum from the ceiling.)

Roycroft

A chair for two. I've never seen one quite like this before.

Gustav Stickley

Classic design.  Simple, useful and beautiful.  A window isn't always for looking out.

Frank Lloyd Wright

I don't remember who did this sheep, but I liked it.  Though we can appreciate the masters everyone knows, we also can just like something because we like it.  Without citing off the elements of design.  (Point, line and plane, I remember thee well.)  How did he get the fuzzy texture onto the limestone?

A sheep by someone I can't remember

Part of the fun of a museum is seeing artist's work from other mediums they are maybe not quite as known for.  Like the drawings of traditionally painters and sculptors.

Pablo Picasso

It's nearly impossible to fathom that I was standing in front of paintings, drawings and sculptures of people whom the entire world knows.  From NY to Italy.  From Paris to China.  Like THE Picasso.  It's a bit overwhelming, to be honest.

I also like finding artists who are new to me.  This one worked in such detail that he became an instant favorite.



Constantin Guys


Of course I am awestruck anew with any rendition of Christ.  No matter how many times I've seen it.

Renaissance artist that I should
have written down.

I also enjoyed the silver exhibit.  The etching on plates, the designs on silver trays and tea pots.  So detailed.

Torah bells

Okay, so now you're getting hungry.  Of course you are.  Three hours into a museum tour and I surely was.  We ate at a place that came recommended from a friend of a friend.  Can Can: A French Bistro.

Steak sandwich (they were out of the mushroom
tart I had my heart set on), mac and Gruyere
cheese and a glass of vin de pays wine.

As oddity would have it, they were having a local shop fashion show on the bar.  (It's so cool to see one local company helping another.)  We happened to be seated in a small booth right near the bar, so we were stuck.  At least we had a good view.

Non professionals doing their bit for
the community.

Once the very nice waitress was able to work her way back through the hordes of women onlookers to give us the check, we were outta there!  And on... to chocolate.

For the Love of Chocolate.  Really,
that was the shop's name.

Warning: Photos that are coming up may be more chocolate that you can handle, so you'd better sit down.  You may even want to consider working out, preventatively.



One of several windows of cocoa bliss!
The options were endless!!



I had to plan my attack.  Do the twice over before I made some serious decisions.  It was out of control!!  I tried to behave and limit myself to about a dozen pieces.  This is the treasure trove of sweets that was my delight!

Chocolate in every shape and size.
I especially like the mushrooms,
peanut and ear of corn.

And that was a nice way to wrap up our art day.  Time with famous artists and a fellow art major.  Think I'll go have another piece of that fancy chocolate.