As a birthday gift, my one of my first ‘Home Ed Creatives’ – my son whom I Home Educated till two years ago, bought me a ticket to have a day out in London! I took the opportunity to visit The Courtald & The National Gallery. It was my first visit to the former and whilst I had visited The National Gallery many times, this was the first time on my own; accompanied only by my sketch book.
I did some research online prior to my visit. Whilst one can turn up on the day itself, both places encourage booking a time slot for one’s visit to avoid queues or not being allowed in. So I went prepared with a plan of paintings I wanted to see.
As a female Creative I am always interested to know of other Women Artists. Majority of the children in my classes are girls, so I strive to highlight female Artists. The Courtald currently has an exhibit till 29th January on Helen Saunders – Modernist Rebel. Looking at a sample of her Art work and learning about her background was so inspiring. Circumstances (World War 1) and a variety of reasons led her to obscurity. There were so many aspects of her life and art work to take in at one go. Resisting the urge to just snap photographs, I stood and sketched some of her Art pieces. I hope to revisit the sketches and add some colour to them soon.
My first ‘port of call’ at the National Gallery was the special exhibit on Manet & Eva Gonzalès which has just ended. I had attended two Online Events related to this special exhibit. Having sketched and heard from various experts on various aspects connected to the painting of artist Eva Gonzales by Edouard Manet, I wanted to see it for myself. Being present to see the paint strokes, texture and appreciate the size of painting gave me a deeper appreciation of it.
My second port of call was literally two port of calls! There were two paintings by J M W Turner on the harbours of Dieppe and Cologne. It was a special Turner on Tour exhibit and no photography was permitted. I had the pleasure of sketching both pieces. Sketching them gave me a deeper appreciation of the details, noticing things I would have not otherwise seen.
I spent the rest of the enjoying the painting of various Impressionist Artists – Berthe Morisot, Vincent Van Gogh, Georges Seurat…. Various artists which I have looked at during virtual tours using the App Google Arts & Culture with Home Ed Creatives. Viewing it in person inspired me even further. It felt like I was standing on shoulders of Giants.
Home Ed Creatives 