Thanksgiving at Philbrook

My daughter had a school assignment to view the "Studios of Paris: Willaim Boughuereau and his American Students" collection. After gulping down hot cocoa and spiced doughnuts (gotta love QuikTrip) we made our way there.

Art museums are great places to go during holidays because they are generally not as crowded and those that are there are generally more serious about art. So you can get lots of attention and lots of detail that would go missed in larger crowds.

My favorite piece is not one of Boughuereau's but one of his contemporaries, Robert Henri. My favorite piece in this collection is "The Model" which is Henri at his crossroads -- not yet giving up his traditional roots but not yet embracing impressionism. In fact, this portrait is a study of both the art world in flux as well as Henri. "The Model" has what appears to be two mirrors and yet neither capture her face, which we cannot see as she is turned from the viewer. The mood of this piece is somber, reflective, as if we've come up on the subject with her unaware. This piece drew me in and I stood there unaware myself of how close I had come to the artwork when a stuffy museum staff brisquely walked up to me and said, "Excuse me, we ask that you not get any closer to the piece than 12 inches."

It is times like this that I have an arsenal of witty comebacks but whenever my kids are in tote I try to be civil. How can one not get close to art of that magnitude and not want to touch it? My daughter, watching me closely waited until the staff member took her leave to say under breath in a sing-song voice, "You got in trouble...you got in trouble...you got in trouble.."

European Romanticism seems to be very in vogue these days -- from art collections to furniture to other influences. I heard recently that we generally embrace art that we feel fills a void in our lives -- for example, the chic modern style is generally embraced by those who may feel their lives are cluttered and boisterous. I'm not sure what this says about the current vogue with all its emphasis on old world charm and heaviness. Hmmmm.

I am still reading "Writing for Story.." and loving it, will reread a couple of times over thanksgiving break. Also, finished a writing deadline this week that will, no doubt, continue to fill my rejection box. It's the thrill of just getting something done that I work for. I am learning a lot about publishing and submissions and the art of not taking rejection personally.



I saw several books in the museum bookstore that I hope to find and read.

Books I'm reading

Sometimes I find books and sometimes books find me.

The latter is the case with two that found me this past week, both given to me by friends. I love it when someone gives me a book, it's the best present I could ever get!

"Writing for Story" by Jon Frankin is a book I cannot put down and I suspect it will keep me busy for awhile. It is a book that puts some flesh on the ethereal idea of what writing is really - lots and lots of work. It is the first book that I've read about writing that offers clear, concise idea on structure and how to get into writing. I plan to read it this week and follow its ideas.

"The Holy Man" by Susan Trott is a parable that challenges ideas on leadership and relationships. I am also reading it and re-reading it.

I hope more books like these find their way to me.