A Good Day For Art

Yesterday was a terrific art day for me. To begin, I switched up my schedule at work this week so that I could go to the SF MOMA and check out Calder to Warhol: Introducing the Fisher Collection for FREE (first Tuesday of the month).

The Fisher Collection is a vast and comprehensive study of 20th Century art - it was like walking through a modern art history book. And yet, it felt a little Been There, Done That. I think it was because I am so familiar with the artists and their work. Very little grabbed my attention or inspired me. But it is a very impressive collection and worth a visit if for no other reason then to see the art live and in person.

Alright. I wasn't completely unmoved. I adore everything by Calder. And the Richard Serra sculptures were amazing up close and personal. How does he do that? And there were plenty of other artists represented whose work I enjoy.

I was especially taken with a video installation by South African artist William Kentridge called "Preparing the Flute". It was beautiful and mesmerizing. I visited the installation space twice.

It is difficult for me to comprehend that this is someone's private collection. How do you display and enjoy all of this art except for in the museum environment? Take Ellsworth Kelly, for example. Where else could his paintings be hung besides on a big, white wall?

I am definitely glad that I saw the collection, though. For some reason it made me feel even more inspired to do my own thing, go my own way. That's what these artists did, right? They pushed boundaries, tried out new ideas, went against the grain. And now what they do seems so normal and accepted. But only because they are so well known.

From the museum I crossed the bridge to Oakland and got right to work in my studio. I made a new bicycle wheel flower sculpture all from scrap on hand. I love it! I also made a rebar stake flower and cleaned up the base of Floral Family in preparation for today's installation of it on the San Rafael Library grounds.

I put in a good 9 hours in the shop and it felt great! Throughout the day I heard from three different people in regards to three different projects that were still up in the air. In all three cases I learned that things are progressing forward quite nicely. I love it when a plan comes together, as they say.

I worked 9 hours yesterday and 12 hours on Monday. Plus, I put in a good 7 hours last Saturday. I'm beat but feel good about my productivity. This morning I'm going to rest and relax before my 2pm meeting regarding the installing of my Recycled Materials Garden sculptures at in the garden at Falkirk Cultural Center in San Rafael. I sure hope they like my work!

Partial List of Bay Area Museum FREE Days of the Day:

Asian Art Museum - first Sunday
Oakland Museum - second Sunday
San Francisco Museum of Modern Art - first Tuesday
deYoung - first Tuesday
Legion of Honor - first Tuesday
Yerba Buena Center Galleries - first Tuesday
Museum of Craft and Folk Art - every Tuesday
Exploratorium - first Wednesday
Bay Area Discovery Museum - first Wednesday
Berkeley Art Museum - first Thursday
Cantor Arts Center - always FREE

Every day is a good day for art!