4th of July = Fireworks. . . or not?? Art & Life (Whistler)

To celebrate the fireworks that we may NOT be seeing this 4th of July due to COVID-19 restrictions, I’m sharing an oil painting of a fireworks display on a foggy night in London by a well-known American artist, Whistler. I enjoy this painting because it reminds me the night sky just as the fireworks are dissolving into the atmosphere.

Pandemic Delight: Patio Dining in Art & Life (Renoir)

Local suburbs are helping restaurants stay afloat during the pandemic by allowing them to carve out patios on sidewalks and streets to increase seating capacity. I love dining in outdoor cafes; it makes me feel very “European” even if I am in a local café. Renoir’s Luncheon of the Boating Party is one such place!

Art for Father’s Day 2020: Honoring Our Father (Michelangelo, Sistine Ceiling, Italy)

Who better to honor on Father’s Day, then our heavenly Father, Father of us all. And what better image than Michelangelo’s creation of Adam (also father of us all) on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel, Vatican City, Rome, Italy.

Art for Flag Day: The American Flag (Jasper Johns)

This painting is to recognize Flag Day and honor our USA flag. The American flag was one of Jasper John’s signature emblems; He created the painting to elicit a closer look at our flag because he felt that the flag was a common object that was “seen and not looked at, not examined.”

Four Freedoms: Norman Rockwell

Rockwell’s “Four Freedoms” are as relevant today as they were 80 years ago. The desire for Freedom is born in each of us. This blog shares the 4 original artworks that have become icons .

Golden Rule: Do Unto Others. . . in Art & Life (Rockwell)

Pondering famous art pertinent to the horrendous current events of racism and violence this past week with the death of George Floyd at the hands of the police in Minnesota, this verse and artwork came to mind. If we all applied the Golden Rule to our lives, the world would be a much different place.

Leaning Tower of Pisa (Art & Travel to Italy)

After time in Spain and France on this [cancelled] trip was Italy. Having been to Pisa before, I sought a new experience. This time, arriving by sea and not by land, I wanted to pretend to be a medieval seafarer and view the baptistery roof as medieval travelers once did!