T Stands for Radiance Rediscovered

All instructors at the Worcester Art Museum must take their students to visit the galleries at least once during the session.  There are no examples of Western calligraphy on view.  So it means going into the gallery to look at art in a different way.

My field trip is scheduled around the lesson for illuminated or decorated initials. Usually, we visit the Renaissance Court and Medieval galleries to look at motifs (leaves, flowers, etc) that could be used in our artwork.

This time around I've decided to visit a new exhibit currently on view, Radiance Rediscovered: Stained Glass by Tiffany and LaFarge (June 30, 2018 – July 7, 2019) Traditional boxed, illuminated initials with leaves, vines, and other decorations are a little bit like stained glass windows.

So come with me as I plan my lesson.

Vassily Kandinsky , Russian, 1866–1944 

Untitled, No. 629

As we enter the building, we see this installation on the side of the building. It's a good reminder that we don't have to use traditional motifs of leaves, flowers, and vines, or traditional color schemes. 

Lancaster Street Entrance

The three murals in the Lancaster lobby were created for the Samurai! exhibition in 2015. Follow the link to read the press release.

You may leave your belongings behind the Security Desk. Ladies, you may take your purse. If you wish to sketch in the galleries, only pencils or colored pencils are allowed. Non-flash photography is permitted in all the galleries except Art Since the Mid-20th Century Gallery. We're not visiting that gallery today.

You can have lunch in the The Museum Café, only open Wed. through Sat. from 11AM - 3 PM.  Oh, and no food, drink, gum, etc. is allowed in the galleries. You knew that, right?

Here we are. You should be able to click on the photographs to enlarge.

Sadly, I didn't get a good photograph of the wall describing the exhibit. You can read about it here.

Whovians know Don't Blink! 😉

This vase reminds me of the bottle Jeannie from I Dream of Jeannie lived in.

I liked the shadow this vase cast.

The colors almost make it look like liquid inside the vase.

A spot to sit and contemplate the stained glass.

And since this is Tea Day, why not pick up a lovely teacup or glass from the Museum gift shop as a memento of your visit?

Drop by hosts, Bleubeard and Elizabeth's blog to find out what the rest of the T Stands For gang is up to. If you want to play, include in your Tuesday post a beverage or container for a beverage. Don't forget to link your blog to Bleubeard and Elizabeth's page.

Color Swatch Test

A color swatch test for a commission I'm working on.

I wanted to gild a part of this illuminated initial. The patron wants colors to be purples, pinks, blues, or greens.

I have used a palette of purple, blue, and green which I like as an alternate to the traditional red, green, and blue.

The purple used isn't as dark as it shows on the scan.

A vine will be meandering down the left side of the paper from the green diamond.

I used shell gold on the vertical infinity symbol in the first test on the left. Meh.

In the middle design, the infinity symbol was gilded with 23 karat gold. I like the bit of bling.

I briefly thought of gilding the infinity symbol with 23 karat gold and painting the letter with the shell gold. But the green and gold looks too St. Patrick.

What are you working on?

How Does Your Garden Grow?

It was so light out at by 6:30 

A dusting of snow

Illuminated clouds.

Threat of heavy winds didn't keep the birds from the feeder.

The wind took arbor vitae fronds down

and a large branch

Wind chimes swayed frantically in the breeze

Fluffy snow didn't stop a visitor to the feeder.

The mailbox, sporting a Fu Manchu beard, survived the wild winds, snow, and plow. 

Too windy for the garden flag in the yard.

As my area prepares for another hefty 7 to 10 inches of snow. I know how this little guy feels. His prayer, "Jesus, make it warm!"

How was your week?

Second on the Second - Oh, No!

Robby the Robot from Forbidden Planet  was supposed to be my assistant.  He was supposed to do all the necessary things I didn't want to do (cooking, cleaning, etc.) so I had all the time in the world to create in my studio, take classes, travel.

 At first, I thought I wanted a "wife" to do the mundane tasks, but realized the poor wife would need some time off to take care of herself. As a machine, Robby would be perfect for the job. He wouldn't need time off. So, I put him on my vision board in plain sight, and if it's on a vision board it's supposed to happen!

But looks like Robby was auctioned off for a whopping $5Million without my knowledge. Deep sigh. Forlorn look. Guess I'll just have to save my pennies for the next auction.

Forbidden Planet (1956), Robby the Robot, Leslie Nielsen, Walter Pidgeon

It's your turn to play. From Elizabeth: Now it's time to share your Second on the 2nd.  The rules are quite simple and everyone is welcome to join the fun look back.  All you have to do is bring back a post that you are especially proud of, or perhaps one you shared before anyone knew your blog existed.  Any post, any genre, any artistic endeavor is acceptable.  Join hosts Bleubeard and Elizabeth to see what else is being served up the Second Time Around.

The Friday Five Good Things

Five good things that happened this week.

1. So grateful we didn't lose trees or electricity during the high winds.

2. Lights went out and came right back on. Others in town not so lucky.

3. Due to the impending snow storm, WAM cancelled evening classes on Wed. Woohoo, snow day! After last week's E-ride on icy roads, I was so happy I didn't have to drive home in the storm.

4. Himself cooked dinner so I didn't have to.

5. Got to class early so browsed through the museum gift shop. I couldn't resist the tiny, black Maneki-neko or lucky cat.

How was your week?