Travels in the 2nd half

  The Whitney Museum of American Art in NYC always produces wonderful temporary exhibits. It also has its own excellent collection of works produced by American artists in the 20th and 21 centuries. They recently revamped their 7th floor display of highlights from that collection, and their current show makes me very happy. “Untitled” (America) (ongoing) Drawn from the Whitney’s permanent collection, this show features works that highlight key ideas in American art from 1900 through the 1980’s. What I really like about this collection is that it includes so many artists whose work I love. Paintings by Georgia O’Keeffe, Joseph Stella, Edward Ruscha, and many others are on display. Summer Days by Georgia O'Keeffe Dempsey and Firpo by George Bellows Pittsburgh by Elsie Driggs The Brooklyn Bridge: Variations on an Old Theme by Joseph Stella The Subway by George Tooker Day Clean by Eldzier Cortor Large Trademark with Eight Spotlights by Edward Ruscha  Best of all, in my opinion, “...

   I love art museums. Sometimes the art that I see inspires me to write. Here are some stories that were inspired by three paintings created by Edward Hopper that I found at Yale Art Gallery.   Inspired by Sunlight in a Cafeteria She loved her table. In a corner by the window, she had lunch here every day. At noon, the sun came in at the perfect angle, and it kept her warm all winter long. It was a place to escape. She could sit, without being cat-called by construction workers. She was away from the men in the office, who could be too free with there words and their hands. No papers to file or letters to type. Just tume to sit and think. She thought about her dad, who was living back in Indiana. He was alone on the farm since her mother died last year. He wrote a letter every week, “checking in.” But the subtext was always “when are you moving back home?” He couldn’t accept that the city was now her home. A place where she could be herself...

Sometimes, when I am walking through a museum I am inspired by a piece that I observe. Last month I visited the Whitney Museum here in New York City and found inspiration by two pieces that found there. Perspective - inspired by Untitled by Laura Owens Perspective is a funny thing  Look closely at an object, and it is meaningless A piece of information cut off Floating in space Other objects float nearby Holding more information to observe each is totally incomprehensible On its own But step back Adjust your viewpoint And it all come together Then turn around find another place to stand and its meaning completely changes Sunday Morning - inspired by Early Sunday Morning by Edward Hopper It was early. He knew it because the sun was just coming up over the East River. But for him, it was late. His gig had ended at three, and then the band went to an after-hours to wind down. Now, here he was, making his way home while greeting the dawn. As tire...