Starry, Starry Night

Clark and I got to go on a date this last Thursday night with some of his family to the Houston Museum of Fine Arts. They had a special exhibit on loan from the Met in NYC of French Impressionist (and some works of art from periods before and after). My favorite classes I took in college were my art history classes. It's one of the few things in my life, as far as hobbies go, that I have a true passion for. Unfortunately I have a horrendous memory. When I look back at my college notebooks full of detailed notes, sketches and photocopies of works of art and architecture that I once knew, I am amazed at the capacity for my brain to hold so much information...that capacity has since been replaced by a million useless facts and random knowledge about things like how to make my hair look less greasy without actually taking a shower. 'sigh'
I love visiting galleries, it is a rare treat. Upon entering the doors I am easily lost in stories and a euphoric sense of understanding and stretching of my mind, feelings and imagination. It's like a different plane of understanding for things and people that I don't feel anywhere else. It is truly unique and I was grateful for the opportunity.
I can truly appreciate a wide array of techniques and periods of art history but I have a very definite set of favorites that inspire and articulate my inner self.

The glory of a work of art deepens as you learn more about the artist or the story behind the piece; like the love that grows for an individual the more you know about them.
My favorite artist has always been Van Gogh; perhaps because I have learned a great deal about him but more so because his work makes me feel. His 3D effects made from layers and layers of thick paint draw me in and make me feel involved. I think he had incredible talent...a talent so intense and life involving that it literally added to his madness. He was a fascinating person, you should read about him sometime and the unique and close relationship he had with a loving brother. This particular exhibit only had one work by Van Gogh--this one on the right called "Cypresses". The painting above also took my breath away. It's entitled "Joan of Arc" by an artist named Jules Bastien Lepage who I had never heard of before. The woman in the painting looked like photograph and the light captured in this piece was unbelievable.
My favorite works by Van Gogh are of course, "Starry Night", this one to the left called "Mulberry Tree" and a sketch that I can't remember the name of at the moment (surprise surprise). My brother brought me back this print of this sketch from the Van Gogh museum in Amsterdam, I believe. It makes me feel serene and simple.
Some day I would like to go to a museum by myself and spend all day long there walking around, sitting and staring, eat lunch then do it some more. I feel enriched.

(This is not the same print I have, but it is similar.)