Rembrandt

Cleveland Museum of Art

Friday was the best kind of Cleveland day there is: I had the day off, the weather was spectacular, with blue skies and a cool breeze, and there were fun things happening. I started the morning off by meeting up with my Aunt at the Cleveland Museum of Art, where she treated me to the Rembrandt exhibit, followed by a delicious lunch of tortellini, stromboli, and cannoli, Oh My!

 I don't know much about the Dutch masters, Rembrandt included. I'll come right out and admit that I paid very little attention in my art history classes and the details are fuzzy on the things I did bother to learn.Contemporary art is my thing, to be honest, and the older stuff doesn't usually capture my attention for very long. I can recognize the skill and talent that went into some of those paintings, but that's about it. I think sometimes older work is hard to appreciate because it was created in a time and place so different than the one we live in. It's a sort of cultural dissonance and it's hard to bridge that gap without delving into the history of that time itself, learning something of who the artist was and where they came from. Sometimes, though, the beauty of a piece can make it so that the context it was created in need not be understood to enjoy it, the piece stands alone. That's how the Rembrandt paintings were. And, as an added bonus, after seeing these master works, I'm interested in learning more about the artist.

 

 Admission to the Rembrandt exhibit at the Cleveland Museum of Art included a free audio tour along with it. They give you these little cell phone things that you punch numbers into to hear different facts about the paintings in the gallery.One of the most fascinating things I learned was that Rembrandt ran a studio where he taught many artists and some of the pieces these artists made were represented in this exhibit. Obviously, many of the paintings were done by Rembrandt himself but some of the paintings in the show were done in the style of Rembrandt by his students, and some are attributed to either Rembrandt or his students but it's still up for debate. It was pointed out that the value of having such an exhibition, is that seeing these paintings side-by-side may shed new light on the authenticity of some of them. Essentially, it allows them to be studied together. Certainly Rembrandt has a style. His portraits, while typically painted in muted tones, absolutely glow. They're seemingly lit from within. The paintings done by the artists studying under the master are missing that powerful quality that just make the Rembrandt images pop. It's a detail that might not be so obvious if the works were not viewed in person and at the same time.

Anyway, if you're in the Cleveland area and are looking for visual and artistic stimulation, I recommend checking out the Rembrandt exhibit. It includes both paintings and a collection of prints on loan from the Morgan Library and Museum. You won't be disappointed. But hurry, because it's only on display through May 28th.

Ann Arbor

 I took a little road trip this past Friday to Ann Arbor, Michigan, in celebration of my birthday, which was on Sunday, and just for an excuse to get out of town. A change of scenery is always refreshing. Last year I was in Paris for my birthday and, although Ann Arbor is no Paris, it's not without considerable charm. In fact, it's pretty wonderful as far as Midwestern college towns go. This was the third time I've been to Ann Arbor and I expect I'll keep going back.In fact, each subsequent visit elicits from me exclamations of intentions to move there. Everything is so lovely and vine-covered!

The drive from Cleveland to Ann Arbor is just shy of three hours, not too bad for a day trip. It's a very walkable,  artsy place and there's plenty to see and there are lots of good things to eat. My first stop was Zingerman's Delicatessen, a sandwich shop that puts all other sandwich shops to shame. If I were on death row, I'd get a Zingerman's sandwich for my last meal. Though there was a long line, it went quickly and the staff came by to feed us samples of bacon and cheese while we waited. Imagine if every line you waited in guaranteed you bacon and cheese samples! Sure, we'd all be fatter but wouldn't we also be happier? After perusing the lengthy menu and fretting over making the right decision, I finally settled on #23: delicious, hand-cut Amish chicken salad with some of that lovely applewood smoked bacon I had a sample of, with mayo, onion, and celery on challah bread. The husband got #61, a BLT made with Arkansas peppered bacon and Vermont cheddar served on farm bread that was toasted to heavenly perfection. We split a side of some mouth-watering lemon couscous and I finished the meal off with a chocolate cupcake with espresso buttercream frosting, which I inhaled too quickly to take a picture of. I can assure you it both looked and tasted amazing.

Selection of Papers From Hollander's

Our next stop was Hollander's, the holy grail of paper stores. I thought I would literally pass out from the excitement of seeing their huge, beautiful collection of fine and decorative papers and bookbinding supplies. My pulse quickened at the sight of it all. It took some serious self-restraint not to buy way more than I needed. I could spend hours ( in the place and I would if it weren't for my husband politely telling me that he was getting terribly bored and antsy. I guess we can't all be bookbinding/paper nerds. After spending quite some time perusing the inventory, I finally made my selections and purchased some lovely paper, including Egyptian papyrus, banana leaf, and cork skin papers. I also couldn't stop myself from buying a new, teeny-tiny bone folder (too cute to resist), which was far less expensive than the Japanese hand drill I've been drooling over. Before I became interested in book and paper arts, I never gave much thought to the tools I used in my art making. Now my heart is set aflutter at the sight of a nice glue brush. It's something that most people won't ever understand. Anyhow, I left pleased with my choices and I can't wait to start making things with my new stash of paper.

Violin Monster

 Probably the most entertaining aspect of the trip was my encounter with the Violin Monster. We happened upon him while wandering around downtown. Who wouldn't love a violin playing, street performing werewolf? He howls when you throw money in his case (hilarious!) but, apparently, it has gotten him into trouble, as of late. I think his act is wonderful and I hope he keeps up the good work. If you ever find yourself in downtown Ann Arbor, seek him out. You won't be disappointed.

 After walking around for quite some time, we were lured into the Tea Haus by our thirst and the gigantic sign promising macarons. I didn't even realize how terribly thirsty I was until a giant, sweaty glass of blood orange iced tea was set down in front of me and the macarons were fantastic, despite their slight squishyness due to the humidity. I had one green tea matcha, one strawberry black tea, and one lavender flavored macaron. Just writing this is making me want another.

 

We spent the rest of the afternoon popping into different shops and had some cider and pizza before heading home to Cleveland. I watched the sun set from the passenger side window and thought about what a good day it was. By the time we got home it was time for bed already and I slept soundly, exhaustion and happiness being the best sleep aid.

Alma Mater

I spent last weekend visiting the ol' Alma Mater, Ohio University. I finished my BFA in Photography there nine years ago (nine!) and it had been eight years since I last set foot on campus. How strange it was to be back there, things so different yet very much the same. It was as if no time had passed, only I must have grown because it all seemed so much smaller than I remembered it. I guess I've grown a lot, figuratively, since my days as an apathetic undergraduate art student. Some friends and I had been talking about taking the trip out there together for some time now, and when I heard that the College of Fine Arts was having its 75th anniversary, as well as a favorite old professor giving a lecture before his pending retirement, I knew the time was perfect to make the pilgrimage.

I made phone calls. I threatened. I told my friends that not going was not an option. And it worked because I got to spend the weekend with several of my best and closest friends. These friendships were forged while in college, so where better to gather than in the place where we first united. Conveniently, one such friend now makes her home a mere 45 minutes away from the University, and she and her husband were gracious enough to offer up their beautiful new home as a crash pad for the weekend.Thanks again, Gretchen and Adrian!

Grandpa's Cheesebarn in Ashland, OH

My trip began on Friday morning, husband along for the adventure, luggage and cooler full of snacks in tow. We drove South toward Athens, stopping along the way at the husband's request at Grandpa's Cheesebarn. And let's be honest, I wasn't exactly opposed to making the pit stop myself.  For those of you unfortunate enough to never have visited Grandpa's Cheesebarn, this place, nestled along I-71 in Ashland, OH, is a glorious haven of meat and dairy products, with samples galore. After tasting a good dozen or so delicious samples, we decided on a couple of pepper cheeses and I bought a beautiful, handmade Grandpa's Cheesebarn souvenir mug made by Deneen Pottery. I had to have it. I mean, honestly, you can't argue with good craftmanship and this mug just felt so good in my hand. I've developed a real obsession with mugs and teacups as of late and I'm cultivating quite a collection.

Anyhow, cheese (and mug) in hand, we continued our journey Southward and reached Athens around 4:00, just as the graduate studios and the Kennedy Museum of Art were opening for visitors. The Kennedy was showing a collection of faculty work and it was interesting to see some of my old professor's pieces. I also love the building the museum and grad studios are housed in. Now referred to as The Ridges, the complex of buildings used to be a mental hospital until it closed in 1993 and is now owned by the University. While some of the space is used for offices, in addition to the art museum and studio space, much of the buildings remain vacant and spooky-looking, which is precisely why I like them.

 Afterwards, we headed back North a ways to my friend's house and shortly thereafter, the whole crew arrived for a night of cooking and conversation.

The OU Crew. That's me on the left.

Aethelred Eldridge in Action

 Saturday morning, I was up bright and early, and I roused the troops with a freshly brewed pot of coffee. We were out the door by a little after 10:00am in order to get to campus for what was the main event of the whole trip: a lecture from a retiring professor we had all loved, Aethelred Eldridge. Anyone who attended Ohio University's fine art program in the past 50+ years knows about Eldridge. An infamous avant-garde, his lectures are more like performance pieces than anything else, a verbal stream of consciousness that any beat poet from the day would abide, follow? And as much as he was loved, we feared him, too. Maybe feared is too harsh a word, the feeling is something more like awe. None of us knew quite how to deal with this seemingly mad genius. Eldridge's classes did not disappoint and this time around was no exception.The lecture was everything I hoped it would be. How strange it was, to sit in that lecture hall, experiencing my past again.

The iconic work of Aethelred Eldridge, as seen on the archway below Seigfred Hall.

Seigfred Hall, Ohio University's Visual Art Building

 After the lecture, we spent the day wandering uptown, visiting old haunts, bumping into old classmates. Burritos and margaritas were had at Casa and white Russians were drank at Tony's. It was good, very good. It was like being home again. And, despite the cold rain, the day was a fun-filled success.

Weekend done, and belly full of brunch, the husband and I headed home to Cleveland Sunday afternoon, driving most of the way without conversation, each of lost in our own thoughts. I was reflecting back on the weekend, on the cathartic revisiting of my past. I'm not one to dwell on times gone by, regret is a pointless emotion, but a little nostalgia can be good for the soul. And looking back on the things that made me who I am gives me energy and guidance for the steps ahead...

Holy Toledo!

I was lucky enough to have a three day weekend during this unseasonably warm March weather and I took full advantage. My windows are open and the front porch has been heavily in use over the past few days.

While Friday was dedicated to running errands and cleaning the house, and Sunday was spent relaxing, reading, and dinner with friends, Saturday the husband and I took a road trip to Toledo to visit the art museum. It was a perfect day for a drive and our route took us through some areas that were great for viewing wildlife and beautiful scenery.

I'd been to Toledo once, back in 1999 for a special exhibit of the artist Sandy Skoglund. My high school art teacher told my class about the show and I was so taken with the artist's colorful installation pieces, that I pestered my dad to drive myself and a friend to the museum until he relented. That show was spectacular and my visit to the museum this past weekend was just as good. Not only does the Toledo Museum of Art have an impressive permanent collection, their current display was one of the best exhibits I've seen in a long time. The exhibit, called Small Worlds, showcases five contemporary artists working in small scale. The featured artists are: Gregory Euclide, Joe Fig, Charles Kanwischer, Lori Nix, and Tabaimo.

The two bodies of work that stood out the most for me are Lori Nix's post-apocalyptic scenes of abandoned buildings, which aren't real structures at all but sets that she fabricated herself and photographed, and Joe Fig's dollhouse-like models of famous artist's studios, rendered down to the tiniest detail. My litmus test for whether or not I think a work of art is good, is if I'm jealous of the piece, and I was definitely jealous that I hadn't created such brilliant things as, not only Lori Nix and Joe Fig, but all of the artists in the exhibit. 
 
The exhibition runs through March 25th, so if you're in the Toledo area before then, I highly recommend checking it out.  

It was great to have a few days off and to get out of the house. It's always really inspiring to see some art. It makes me start thinking about what I might want to make next. I have too little time for creativity these days, so it's nice to do something that reminds me about that part of myself and prompts me to get working.

Recuperation Through Reading

It has been almost two and a half months since my surgery and I feel great! The relief was instantaneous. In fact, as soon as I woke up from the anesthesia, I knew the surgery was a success. It was difficult to make the decision to go under the knife but it was one of the best decisions I've ever made. I feel like I've been given my life back. Health is something that most people take for granted and not much thought is given to it until there's something wrong. In a way I am grateful for what I've gone through with my back injury because it made me appreciate just being able to go about my day without any pain.

My recuperation went pretty well, although it was difficult to do much because I wasn't really allowed to sit for more than a few minutes at a time; I had to either lie down or stand. I went for walks every day as part of my rehabilitation but sitting was kept to a bare minimum in order to keep pressure off the spine. I also wasn't allowed to drive for three weeks. Thus, I spent a lot of time lying around with my canine companion, Baxter.

Although it was good to have the time to take it easy and let myself heal, the downside was that I wasn't able to do much in the way of art projects. However, I did what any self-respecting lover of books would do: I caught up on my reading. The following are my top three recommendations out of all the books I read while recuperating.

The World According to Garp by John Irving
I am ashamed to admit that The World According to Garp was my first foray into the world of John Irving. At a pre-surgery dinner with my well-read aunt, the talk turned to books, as it often does, and my aunt's jaw dropped when John Irving came up and I admitted I hadn't read any of his work. She insisted I read Garp and her recommendations are always spot on.

Garp was a good read for so many reasons. First of all, the characters are idiosyncratic and endearing. Their situations are strange and they sometimes act in a humorous and unbelievable manner. But the characters are so human despite all this, the story is believable.  Secondly, since the title character is a writer, Irving manages to successfully weave the character's own short fiction into the narrative, making the book all the more rich with literary layering of story within story.

I devoured this one in just a few short days and I think it goes on the list of all-time favorites for me. I'm sure to delve into some more John Irving in the near future.

The Roald Dahl Omnibus by Roald Dahl

Most folks are familiar with Roald Dahl because of his many popular children's books including The Witches, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and Matilda. Probably my fondest library memories (and what I would pinpoint as the major reason for my becoming a librarian) are of my trips to the library with my grandma during summer vacation. On one such trip I chose a copy of Matilda and spent the rest of the afternoon sprawled on Grandma's couch, reading the book from cover to cover. I had always loved to read but this was the first time I felt myself disappear completely into a fine work of fiction.

When I cracked open The Roald Dahl Omnibus, I expected to find a collection of stories for children, but was pleasantly surprised to find that it was instead a collection of short fiction geared toward adults. These stories were nothing like any short fiction I've read before. They were delightfully old-fashioned and the characters were quirky. Dahl showcases his talent for developing characters who, on the surface seem ordinary, but as the plot unfolds, it is reveled that they are anything but. Even better are the often dark and humorous twists that come about it each of these tales. 

The Terror by Dan Simmons
I've been meaning to read this particular book for over four years. I bought it while on vacation in Portland, Oregon at Powell's Books. I'm picky about what I read, in that I won't enjoy something unless I'm really in the mood to read it right then. I knew if I cracked open this massive tome before I was ready, I wouldn't appreciate it. But, since I was laid up for a while, the time seemed perfect to dig into this 766 page behemoth.

The Terror is a tale of two British ships that set sail on an expedition to discover the Northwest Passage. The voyage stretches on for years longer than expected and the stress and strain take their toll. The combination of treacherous weather conditions and dwindling supplies would be more than enough hardship for one adventure of the arctic seas, but add a massive, unpredictable snow beast and you've got yourself a real page turner. 

Those six weeks of reading and worrying about nothing other than taking care of myself were pretty glorious but, as they say, all good things must come to an end. I had to go back to work a few weeks ago. It's nice to be earning a steady paycheck again but I go home at the end of the day exhausted and able only to lie on the couch and watch Jeopardy. How easy it was to stay safely at home and be leisurely! Anyway, when I get my strength and stamina back I will embark on some new projects.  I have started to draw on my days off and I've got all sorts of little projects floating around in my head, so I hope that, as I get used to working forty hours a week again, my body will adjust and I'll have the energy to execute some of these projects soon.

Lack of Activity

Why the long silence? There are a number of reasons but the most obvious answer is that I haven't been creating anything, which makes me feel a little ashamed of myself. I feel like a total hack. How can one be an artist without making anything? But I at least have some good excuses.

Back in June I was made a full-time employee at the library. While this move proved good for paying bills, it obviously cut into my free time. Where I used to relish in day-long creative journeys, I now spend time answering questions at the reference desk. Arts and crafts are relegated to after work hours and the rare weekend off. And to be honest, all I want to do when I get home from work is nothing.

In addition to working forty hours a week, I've been doing battle with a number of health problems, most notably, the herniated disk in my lower back. The condition is not only incredibly painful but can be quite debilitating, as well. Some days I can hardly walk or even stand. The side effect of chronic pain and the inability to do all the activities I want to do is depression. I'm prone to feeling down as it is. Adding this to the mix only makes a positive frame of mind that much harder to maintain. It's exhausting just to go about my normal routine.When I'm not at work these days, I'm usually sprawled on the couch, watching television and eating junk food with the dog.

Since my back has not improved with months of non-surgical treatment, I've decided to go under the knife. Tuesday is the day and, to be honest, I'm looking forward to it. I am, of course, a little nervous, but I've been in pain every single day for the last five months and I'm excited to finally start feeling better. I guess I've always taken my good health for granted but not anymore. If anything, I've developed a new found appreciation for it. I'm inclined to take up tap dancing or something once I'm healed just to express the joy I feel at being able to move freely and without pain.

I'll be out of commission for about six weeks following my surgery but I'm hoping to find some creative project I can work on while bed ridden. And after that, I hope to return to my normal, productive self. In the meantime, I'm focusing on getting well.