Sunday, September 18, 2011

Art, Art, I Love You

Our family won a trip to Paris, and this is the very first time that we've won a price so huge that it took us by surprise! I always thought good luck happens to other people, so now I'm blessed into changing my mind. Even though I've been to Paris a couple of times, this is the first time that we went in the summer and I L-O-V-E the sun. Malaysia is summer all year long, but for a traveller, it's always best to enjoy a place without having to endure the harsh and chilly winter.





On our way to Paris, we stopped by Vienna and Budapest. I made sure my eyes are wide open to capture all the art that surrounds and breathes in corners of the city. Below: a mermaid-angel-Goddess hybrid by the riverside in Vienna.


Was lucky enough to see a graffiti artist in the midst of working his passion. He was doing a little dance to get into the feel of his work.

Street artist. So talented. I was so amazed by the ease which he exudes as he makes his artwork in the eyes of the public eye. I love the theme of his works: the majestic earth in the foreground and planets and stars revolving around. It feels out of this world. I fantasize about me painting in public. While this young man took an average of 15-20 minutes to complete one I might need a few days. I'm inspired to work more with spray paint now. I'm so surprised by the things you can do with spray paint and paper.





In Paris. Of course it's a must to snap a picture with the Eiffel Tower! Love the glamorous sunglasses!



One of my fav painter: Claude Monet. The genius who founded and led the French impressionistic art movement. I was enchanted by his paintings of the lotus pond and was amazed how his deceptively messy brushstrokes actually conveys a sense of water moving. I felt I was being taken for a pseudo boat ride as I walked along the masterpiece. I could feel the love and passion he has for his garden (in Giverny) and art, which he spent much of his time tending and painting. We were required to be very very quiet inside the art museum, and were hushed if there was slightly noisy. A very stern environment of art appreciation.




My dad who's a darling accompanied me to Musee d'Orsay even though he's not particularly interested in art and sculpture. I had to held my breath as I stood in front Van Gogh's paintings of his room in Arles and his self-portrait. He was really much too perceptive for his times. And there's fierce honesty and vulnerability in his works which I appreciate.

Pierre-August Renoir, Bal du moulin de la Galette, 1876 oil on canvas, image from and link to Musée d'Orsay. One of my favourite works from the artist. The sunlight playfully dancing and merging with the men and women in indulgent moments like this. There's a surreal lightness to the artworks, the lines are undefined, the impermanence of the moment captured. Fleeting pleasure and beauty.



Malaysia in comparison, has a very short history in art. I do hope my country is opening itself up to the awareness that art is not only for aesthetic purposes, it's a direct expression of the people's spiritual growth and identity and it demonstrates the maturity of its people in terms of self-reflection and contemplation about life and the big questions surrounding it. I look forward to the day where everywhere I go there'll be displays of artworks that invite me to contemplate and appreciate its beauty, meaning and message.



After inhaling all the painting, maybe it's time for me to exhale some of mine?



I'll be wordless and quiet in the meantime. I think it's essential for most artists to go within to look for inspiration after visually feasting on other painters' works of art. See u soon! =)

4 comments:

  1. Dear Eva..OMG!!! You won a trip to Paris???How fantastic is that???Congrats! It must have been amazing. All that art, culture, music, food...LOVE! Thanks so much for sharing your pics and thoughts with us. Oh! Van Gogh is one of my very fave. artists. Yes...I totally agree with you...he had a rawness, a vulnerabilty and passion that spilled out. Totally not appreciated in his time. And oh! yeah...the unfortunate ear incident! Very sad sad tale drenched in brilliance. Would love to go.
    thanks so much for your very kind comments at my blog last week..just learning and trying out new things in my art journal + paintings. It's all part of the growth process. Big hugs. xxx

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  2. Dear sweet Eva-you are completing your thesis??good for you lady!! Congrats! what are you studying? I hope you are still painting? I know you had a show coming up ...or did it already happen? Thank you sooo much for making the time to stop by my blog (especially with all you have going on!!) and leaving such sweet comments! You are just such a doll:) i hope you are well...creating and loving and living and ...Big hugs across the miles. xxx

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  3. Dear Eva, How are you? I am sorry that I have not commented for so long!! Congrats on winning a trip to Paris. How fantastic and thanks for sharing the experience here. It sounds absolutely amazing and inspiring, and a dream come true. Wishing you all the very best with completing your thesis!! Wini xox

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