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Art - in the eyes of the beholder

4/8/2017

12 Comments

 
by Gwendolyn M Plano
​
PictureTwitter: @davedoran192
      Several years ago, my husband and I had a four-hour layover in Phoenix and decided to spend it in a local museum. It was Larry’s first venture into the world of artisans and their masterpieces, and we discovered a lot that day. While he is drawn to photographs that are paintings; I am drawn to paintings that are dreams. He sees perfection in landscapes, detailed and proportionate; I see possibilities in impressionistic themes.

Is there a right or wrong to how we see? Is one better than another?

O’Keefe and Chagall fascinate me. I stand before their creations and am brought into a world seen but not seen. John Singer Sargent has structured his stories, giving my husband peace. And though I am in awe of his paintings, I am left searching for his dream.

We are different each of us - writers, painters, craftsmen of all trades. We see through different lenses and thus have different dreams. My masterpiece may not be yours, your masterpiece may not be mine. While I travel through art to the world I’ve yet to meet, you may seek something entirely differently.

What captivates you about a poem, a book, a painting, or a piece of pottery? What stirs your imagination and makes your heart beat? A few words that paint a world, a whimsical clay mug, an intriguing mystery?  

As for Larry and me, we respect our differences and enjoy where we meet – in paintings and writings and all artful creations that straddle the photograph and the dream. 

Henry Cheever Pratt
Thomas Hill
Robert Sheldon Duncanson

12 Comments
D.L. Finn
4/9/2017 01:20:58

I loved your posted. It reminded me of my marriage. I always found it interesting that my husband and I always loved the same song, but for completely different reasons. I love the words and lyrics, while he is listening to the music and usually the guitar. Our hearts are in the same place, but took a different journey to get there. Thanks for posting the paintings, too!

Reply
Gwen Plano
4/9/2017 10:02:51

I love how you said that, D. L...."Our hearts are in the same place, but took a different journey to get there." Thank you for visiting...and sharing your lovely wisdom. ♥

Reply
John Fioravanti
4/9/2017 07:40:09

A wonderful post, Gwen. I think I'm more like your husband when it comes to paintings. I like realistic depictions and could never see the point of impressionistic art. When I see a piece of art that I like, I can get lost in the scene and imagine what it would be like to be part of it. As you say, vive la difference!

Reply
Gwen Plano
4/9/2017 10:13:12

I love paintings of all kinds, but one of my favorites is Zamy Steynovitz, an impressionistic painter. It's it fun to glimpse how another sees? Thank you, as always, for your insight and wisdom.

Reply
Jan Sikes link
4/9/2017 08:57:51

Love this, Gwen. It is so true. We observe the exact thing through our own filters.

Reply
Gwen Plano
4/9/2017 10:14:48

It makes it fun, doesn't it...when we realize each of us sees differently through our personal lens. Thank you so much, Jan...you always have wonderful insights.

Reply
John Howell link
4/9/2017 12:31:52

I love the Impressionists. I have a Chagall print and it is one of my favorites. You can imagine O'keefe appeals to the western in me. I have an original Buck Mc Cain oil and for the life of me it doesn't go here at the beach as a few others don't go. the poor dears are in storage and I miss them.. *sigh* Art is my love.

Reply
Gwen Plano
4/9/2017 16:07:24

Art is my love as well. I surround myself with beauty, each canvas has a story that lives in me. Thank you for your visit and comments, John... always insightful... ☺

Reply
Mae Clar link
4/9/2017 14:22:52

A fantastic post, Gwen. I've been to Phoenix, although never to the museum. I was especially attracted to Sedona while in Arizona. A place that is rife with artisans of many passions, it drew me immediately. I could easily live there.

My husband and I are pretty much polar opposites , including how we view things. They say opposites attract, and in this case it's true. I loved the insight with you and your husband as well. This post made me smile :)

Reply
Gwen Plano
4/9/2017 16:11:50

Thank you, Mae. I love Sedona...and seriously considered living there. The hills, the artisans...all beautiful. It always lingers as a possibility for me... Thank you again...so glad it brought a smile. ☺

Reply
Davy D link
4/10/2017 05:14:07

Gwen, a great thought provoking post and I was gobsmacked to see I had made it onto your blog, so a huge heartfelt thank you for that. A great joy of writing poetry is the differing perspectives it brings to different people. Sometimes these are things you may not have seen when writing the piece. I always try to avoid placing the labels good and bad on a piece of art or writing as I think they can be misleading. What works for one may not for another and it is good that a painting or piece of music can evoke varying emotions or meanings.

Reply
Gwen Plano
4/10/2017 09:22:03

Thank you, Davy. Your poetry is stunning...and always thought provoking. It captures images like an oil painting, that's why it found its way to my simple blog. Blessings...

Reply



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Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way. ―Viktor E. Frankl, Man’s Search for Meaning


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