April/May Artist Reveal #6 - There's More in Kansas than Good Ol' Corn on the Cob!

Arriving in Wichita Kansas for the annual Society of Decorative Painters Conference meant for me a very busy week! I had planned each day by the hour with not much elbow room to spare. So when I found that the Wichita Art Museum was FREE on Saturdays I had to adjust my schedule accordingly : ) Yes, I said FREE (that word has to be capitalized and sounded out s-l-o-w-l-y as to relish all the joy that comes from it). Squishing the museum in on Sat. would be difficult with trade floor take down and yadayada...yada. Oh heck I thought, "it's F-R-E-E, you must work it out!"

The SDP Conf. went by waay tooo fast. The trade floor was delicious and a visit and tour of the SDP Headquarters made for a grand treat!!! Meeting Karl-Heinz Meschbach (a master at faux finish) who was doing a demo, was simply awesome! I have to say if you're ever in the Wichita area, be sure to stop by the SDP Headquarters, they have a museum of their own worth noting. It is full of some of the BEST Decorative Painting done by artists of OUR time. Anyway, after packing everything up on Saturday, we arrived at the Wichita Art Museum an hour before it's closure.

Well, wouldn't you know it, guess who the featured artist was?? None other than my fav artist of all time!!!..... Norman Rockwell. His artwork influenced me waay back in my high school years of Ahemeightysomethingorother.... My time was soo limited I knew I'd miss the Rockwell display - nooo! Okay, I admit it, my FREE plan was starting to unravel at this point. Ohhh the hours upon hours I could spend soaking up his amazing work. "Get ahold of yourself ", is all I could think. "Afterall, I am on a mission to see something VERY special - which calls for sacrifice my dear!" So with tunnel vision I quickly walked past the big giant beautiful Dale Chihuly glass chandelier, and past all the lovely and brilliant pieces by Norman (gulp-sob!), and a right turn down the hallway to the middle gallery..... and Yes! There it was as expected, placed right at the main point of interest in the gallery - "on the line" in the center of observation. Ohhh our artist would be so proud!

I walked right up and positioned myself in front of the painting then somewhat caught off guard......melted. Tears came to my eyes as I witnessed her work first hand (somewhat awkward in the middle of a museum I should say). The tender feelings between the mother and child radiated right off the canvas directly to my heart. Like the brush strokes could talk... I quietly wiped my eyes and enjoyed the beautiful moment Mary Cassatt captured on canvas. The soft brush strokes and comfy colors invited reflection. My babies now grown, came to mind. In my busy hub-bub world that rushes like the wind at times, sweet moments with family are a precious treasure. Thank you Mary Cassatt for your remarkable artwork which speaks of the true and simple treasures found around us!

Mary Stevensen Cassatt

Born May 22, 1844

Allegheny City, Pennsylvania, United States

Died June 14, 1926 (aged 82)

Château de Beaufresne, near Paris, France

Contest Winner!

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Molliann of Clovis, CA
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April/May Artist Clue #5 - A Past Renews the Present

The delay in this post is a result of the time needed to attain special permission to post the museum photos. I am grateful to announce that permission has been granted! Before I get into the museum visit I want to give you a few more clues about this artist.... Name substitutions have been added to the letter below to protect her identity.

I had mentioned the ohhh sooo elusive Salon in Paris earlier. Well, as it turns out the Salon finally gave her a break which is revealed in the following letter written by her close brother Aleck.... "I received a letter from (my sister) the other day. She is in high spirits as her picture has been accepted for the annual exhibition in Paris. This you must understand is a great honor for a young artist and not only has it been accepted but it has been hung on the "line." I don't know exactly what that means myself but suppose it means it has been hung in a favorable position. (Her) art name is "Stevenson" under which name I suppose she expects to become famous, poor child."

Hung on the "line" actually meant that the artwork was a favored piece of the show and hung at eye level instead of way up yonder in the uppermost reaches of the Salon. The Salon hung the artwork in rows upon rows from floor to ceiling on each wall. Her brother it seems, had a hard time visualizing a famous artist in his sister. How fortunate we are that she didn't let the thoughts of others direct her dreams. Isn't it fascinating to see a story unfold in the life of another? Viewing history is a wonderful perspective to have, especially when applied to our own lives in the present.

This artist admired several artists of her time, Degas being one of them. She would stop by galleries and press her nose against the window carefully eyeing the works within. It must have been a truly exciting day when Edward Degas actually stopped by her studio to pay her a visit. In a letter she writes..."I had already recognized who were my true masters. I admired Manet, Courbet, and Degas. I hated conventional art. I began to live." Courbet died that same year, and imminent death was close for Manet. So in Degas she gleaned inspiration and mentorship. In their visit, Degas invited her to show with the Impressionists. She wrote, "I accepted with joy."

There are hints of romance between the two, coupled with much drama. Remember we are talking about two VERY headstrong and driven people.....WOW! It would make for such a great movie! All-in-all though they had a great deal of respect for each others artwork. She later went on to become famous for her many paintings depicting mothers and children. Many of which - you will see - are recognizable today. Interestingly, she fulfilled some of her own maternal longings through these works. Later she stated that her greatest regret was in not having children of her own. Fueled by passion for art, her time for that sadly passed by much too quickly. After having visited one of her pieces in person, I can say that her maternal instincts are infused in the canvas, and quietly communicate her tender feelings of love between a mother and child. I could cry...and I did. Stay tuned... my museum visit and report are NEXT!