Friday, May 29, 2009

Being a Tourist in My Own City

View of Millenium Park from
the Modern Wing - Art Institute of Chicago

I read somewhere that artists should make an artist's date at least every two weeks.  The purpose of the artist's date is to get out of the studio and fuel the soul with new inspiration.  Now I can see why.  From now on, I'm going to mark my artist date on the calendar and make sure I keep it.  Yesterday I met my brother in downtown Chicago where he works .  He took a half day so that we could just have fun viewing the new Modern Wing at the Art Institute.  

I didn't take any shots inside the Art Institute because I was so drawn in by the amazing art, that I was quite overwhelmed.  It's been way too long.  Next time.

Before we knew it the whole day flew by.  Here are pictures of Millenium Park (where I have never been).  I only live 25 miles from Chicago, but rarely go to the tourist attractions.  It was so much FUN.  




We quickly walked into the Chicago Cultural Center and climbed up the stairs.  Here's the amazing stained glass that was just overhead.  
And of course, I stopped by the Hildt Gallery on State Street to see Deborah Paris's work for the first time, where it was not over a computer monitor.  It's so much more beautiful when you see the actual paintings.  They were overwhelmingly beautiful.  The gallery owner graciously took this amazing painting closer to the natural light for me to take a picture.
An artist's date fuels the fun, inspiration and imagination.  Now back to the studio.

15 comments:

Deborah Paris said...

Hi Janelle. Thank you for the mention! I have never been to Chicago and am really hoping I can get up there soon to meet my dealer in person and spend a few days at the Art Institute. I envy you!

Kathleen Krucoff said...

Oh Janelle! I want to go on your artists date too! It's been ages since I've been to Chicago and it's time to head back. Thanks so much for the shot of the stained glass...that's my favorite. What a great thing to do. My husband and I have talked about a trip to Chicago...I know it's a MUST! Great pictures and you look so happy...nice photo of you.

Janelle Goodwin said...

Hi Deborah, I have a much better idea of what your work looks like now. Very different from my perception online. It was so inspiring! Your work is perfect in this lovely gallery. Hope you get to the Art Institute soon. It's mesmerizing!

Hi Kathleen, There is so much to see and do in Chicago - I'm sure you and your husband would have a wonderful time. Yes, I thought you would like the stained glass! There's also a stained glass exhibit at Navy Pier that I've never seen. It's supposed to have many of the old windows taken out of buildings no longer standing. Wouldn't that be great?

neetzy said...

I want to get out to Chicago! My nephew lives there now. I live close to Washington and get to take my art students to the amazing museums there frequently. I went to the National Portrait Gallery and the National Museum of American Art about 2 weeks ago. I was inspired.

I was out in my shed today working on a painting I started after I went to DC. It came easier the first time. Today I really struggled. I should have posted the work in progress before I ruined it.

susan hong-sammons said...

Hello Janelle, I didn't realize we're painting in the same area. Have you ever painted with the Chicago Plein Air Painters? We meet Saturday morning.
I love the intensity of your paintings. Even this small study said so much!

Janelle Goodwin said...

Hi Neetzy, I would love to see some of the art museums in Washington.. It's wonderful that you bring your students! Ruined a painting? Been there myself. But we just go on from there, right?

Hi Susan, Thanks so much! I know you and Karen paint together with this plein air group even in the winters. I've thought of joining you sometime because I could probably learn so much.

Karen said...

Call me next time you come in! Isn't the new wing fantastic?! I was just as taken with all the 'new' old paintings that came out of storage too.
Yes come paint with us!!

Janelle Goodwin said...

Hi Karen, It was so much fun seeing the Modern Wing! So much to see and so little time. I need to set a Saturday aside to come and paint with you now that the warmer weather is here. Yes, I'll be in contact! Thanks!

Pam Holnback said...

Janelle, Love this post. I was born in Chicago and lived in a suburb until I was 12. My family often took us to the art institute. My favorite memories are of the doll house (I remember it being so big you had to walk around it on ramps) and the Suerat. It had a lifelong impact on me!

Jala Pfaff said...

What a great time. Wish I'd been there to join you.

Unknown said...

Hey Janelle - Just found you when you subscribed to my twitter feed! I am a Chicago suburbanite transplanted to New Hampshire. I'm originally from the Orland Park area. Now I am quite literally the Chicago tourist twice a year when I take the kids home to visit with family. Isn't Milennium Park great!?

Janelle Goodwin said...

Hi Pam, I remember the Colleen Moore dollhouse too. Haven't been there in years though. It was a Cinderalla castle, right?

Hi Jala, Wouldn't it be fun to have a bloggers artists date?

Hi Nichole, The whole Twitter thing is so new to me, I just signed up today! Looking forward to talking to you more!

FCP said...

Hi Janelle. I love to go on artist's dates too and "fill the well"--a suggestion from "The Artist's Way" by Julia Cameron. I noticed that book is on your favorite's list so perhaps that is where you read it. Thanks for sharing your date--it certainly looks inspirational. Also, I love the ethereal light you have found in your recent paintings--soft and peaceful!
Faye

Janelle Goodwin said...

Hi Faye, Yes, that's right - it was from The Artist's Way. I couldn't remember which book it was. Thanks so much! And thanks so much for your kind comments!

Anonymous said...

[url=http://seghan.ru/go.php?sid=35][img]http://i066.radikal.ru/1001/38/f22daff34e6d.jpg[/img][/url]












[url=http://membres.multimania.fr/soutyen/]ny mail order cigarette [/url]
age to buy cigarettes age to buy cigarettes in pa how to order cigarettes online
[url=http://membres.multimania.fr/thorwcl/]order cigarettes uk [/url]
were to buy charter menthol cigarettes buy cigarettes through the mail order cigarettes online cheap
[url=http://membres.multimania.fr/ysleehf/]buy made in usa cigarettes cheap [/url]
cigarette companies buy tobacco farms buy usa gold cigarettes online buy cigarettes in usa
[url=http://membres.multimania.fr/enemgne/]buy picayune cigarettes [/url]
sites to buy cigarettes online cigarette orders buy cheapest cigarettes online
[url=http://membres.multimania.fr/dnnuctg/]buy cigarettes in kanas [/url]
buy tax free cigarettes online order herbal cigarettes american cigarette north carolina order form
[url=http://utenti.multimania.it/peexcal/]buy cigarettes california [/url]
buy e cigarette canada where to buy cambridge cigarettes buy cheap cigarettes australia
[url=http://utenti.multimania.it/haisjzu/]buy english ovals cigaretts [/url]
buying cigarettes with credit card order dunhill cigarettes online buy 1 get 1 free cigarettes