Thursday, July 1, 2010

The Met and Michael Klein


I am in New Jersey visiting my sister.  When our now grown children were young, we would all spend a week or two together each summer doing fun kid related vacations.  Now, my sister and I still spend the time together, but we plan painting related vacations.  We just got back from 4 days in New York City.  She wanted to take Michael Klein's "Flower Painting" workshop, at Grand Central Academy of Art, so, I took it also.

Our first day in NYC we spent at the Met.  I couldn't get over how many people of all ages were there!  How wonderful that so much of humanity is interested in art!  Inside, the museum didn't seem crowded, but when we came out there were lots of people sitting on the steps enjoying the sidewalk musicians.  I asked at the information booth what the attendance for that day was:  20,000!!


The next 3 days were spent in the workshop. This is my day 1 piece, (I was not able to finish).  Michael is a realistic artist whose approach to painting is based on a strong theoretical and scientific study of  form and nature.  My background is based on observation and color.  It was great to see another approach and to step outside of my personal comfort zone.  I find that makes me think, learn, and grow.  He talked a lot about form;  the form of each individual flower as well as the form of the overall still life.

I have not finished posting my Alaska plein air pieces, yet.  I'll get back to those soon.

10 comments:

Kelley Carey MacDonald said...

20.000! Imagine! Well looks like you're having a good time... Your painting is amazing! Look at you! Enjoy your time with your sister!

Debbi Smith Rourke said...

You always take the most wonderful trips. Life is indeed an adventure. Your unfinished painting is very beautiful - I once heard it is good to chronicle work, not just our series of works but in between stages - makes it so interesting!

Linda Popple said...

Your unfinished painting is amazing! I would like to see your sister's work, too.

I was in NYC a couple of weeks ago and loved it! The Met is a place that I could spend days enjoying. I also visited MOMA, American Folk Art Museum, and the Guggenheim. So much great art!

Karen Bruson said...

Your painting looks fabulous so far!

Dana Cooper said...

Pam, I'm so glad to see your work from your workshop. I agree with the others, even unfinished it is gorgeous!

Nancy B. Hartley said...

Pam, I love your painting, it looks so dramatic! I love the darkness, with the bright purple!

Autumn Leaves said...

Oh my! I love the beautiful lilac color against the black backdrop. Even unfinished, this is a gorgeous painting, Pam. I think it is frameable as is!

Amy Hillenbrand said...

Wow Pam you are everywhere, Alaska, NY where to next? Good for you. Can't wait to see this finished piece it looks wonderful from afar.

Pam Holnback said...

Thank you Kelley, I am enjoying my time w/ her!

Cathyann, Thanks. Great suggestion. I'll show hers tomorrow.

Debbi, Thank you. It is an adventure, yes! I don't usually put my studio pieces on here unfinished, but a workshop is a good way to show steps.


Linda, Thanks. I, too, could spend more time here. But, was thrilled that I got a quick trip!

Thank you Karen, I think it'll just stay in this unfinised stage.

Dana, Thank you! It was so inspiring to take his workshop.

Thank you Nancy, I don't usually use such a dark background. It's good for me to think about other ways to do things.

Sherry, Thanks. I, too, like the lilac color against the dark black. I should think more about dark backgrounds.

Thank you Amy, I don't usually do 2 trips in one month, but it just happened due to the workshop.

Diane Hoeptner said...

OOh, a Michael Klein workshop, how fabulous. Have fun with your sister!