A few weeks ago, I went to Chicago for an AMA conference and went a day early to enjoy the sights – in particular, I wanted to visit the Chicago Art Institute to get inspi
ration and also see up close some of the great impressionists and abstract artists. It had been a while since I had visited an art gallery (crazy that I had to go to Chicago when Toronto has such a great art gallery in the AGO – that is next on my list!). Chicago has an extensive collection of impressionists, including paintings by Monet, Manet, Cezanne, Degas, Renoir. In particular, I liked the painting caled "Paris - a Rainy Day" by Gustave Caillebotte painted in 1877. I had studied this painting art history at Western but it was incredible in real life. It has an eerie quality in that you feel like you are spying on the people in the street.
Seurat was breathtaking - especially when you have the opportunity to get really close – a few inches away. "A Sunday on La Grande Jatte" was overwhelming and I had never previously realized the sheer number of colours used. The multi-coloured border on the painting was incredible – purples, orange, pinks – which beautifully set off the complementary colours in the main painting. Created in 1884, it is still very relevant. I really took away the powerful vibrancy that complementary colour combinations can deliver. I started to do that in “Northern Lights” but I think I need to push the boundaries a bit more. The exhibit is on until the end of September.
ration and also see up close some of the great impressionists and abstract artists. It had been a while since I had visited an art gallery (crazy that I had to go to Chicago when Toronto has such a great art gallery in the AGO – that is next on my list!). Chicago has an extensive collection of impressionists, including paintings by Monet, Manet, Cezanne, Degas, Renoir. In particular, I liked the painting caled "Paris - a Rainy Day" by Gustave Caillebotte painted in 1877. I had studied this painting art history at Western but it was incredible in real life. It has an eerie quality in that you feel like you are spying on the people in the street.
Seurat was breathtaking - especially when you have the opportunity to get really close – a few inches away. "A Sunday on La Grande Jatte" was overwhelming and I had never previously realized the sheer number of colours used. The multi-coloured border on the painting was incredible – purples, orange, pinks – which beautifully set off the complementary colours in the main painting. Created in 1884, it is still very relevant. I really took away the powerful vibrancy that complementary colour combinations can deliver. I started to do that in “Northern Lights” but I think I need to push the boundaries a bit more. The exhibit is on until the end of September. There was also a temporary exhibit by Karsh. Again, I had studied him at schoo
l (Photography was my major) but seeing the real photos was amazing. He has a real talent for lighting his subjects in a way that draws you into the photo. The details of expressions and the way he lit and captured fabric was incredible. I really loved the portraits of the cubist artists - Picasso, Braque, and scientists like Oppenheimer. The one of Georgia O-Keefe is beautiful. It captures the history across multiple disciplines. If yo get the chance to see this exhibit – I believe it is a traveling exhibit – I strongly recommend it.
“Modern and Contemporary Works on Paper” is showing until September. I will be in Chicago again late August as an ideator for a focus group/brainstorming session. I am going to try and find some time to see this show.
l (Photography was my major) but seeing the real photos was amazing. He has a real talent for lighting his subjects in a way that draws you into the photo. The details of expressions and the way he lit and captured fabric was incredible. I really loved the portraits of the cubist artists - Picasso, Braque, and scientists like Oppenheimer. The one of Georgia O-Keefe is beautiful. It captures the history across multiple disciplines. If yo get the chance to see this exhibit – I believe it is a traveling exhibit – I strongly recommend it.
“Modern and Contemporary Works on Paper” is showing until September. I will be in Chicago again late August as an ideator for a focus group/brainstorming session. I am going to try and find some time to see this show. 
I hear Chicago is an awesome place!
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