 |
| Sammy-A Connoisseur of Comfort / oil on linen panel / 12x16 |
While we were in Amsterdam, the Rijksmuseum had a Georges Breitner exhibit of 20 paintings and sketches in his Girl in a Kimono series. They are all thought to be of one model, Geesje Kwak and were painted between 1983 and 1896. Interestingly, Breitner and Van Gogh met and spent some time sketching together outdoors. But apparently Breitner never liked Van Gogh's work stating, "I can't help it, but to me it seems like art for Eskimos, I cannot enjoy it. I honestly find it coarse and distasteful, without any distinction..."
Next, we headed to the Albert Cuyp Market - a huge, teeming outdoor market with over 300 vendors lining both sides of one long street and selling every kind of food imaginable as well as flowers and clothing.
Next stop - Rome!
A huge welcome home Susan! Love all your photos! So happy for you! I so love this little cat portrait! Hope all well on your end! Happy Memorial Day buddy! Michael
ReplyDeleteSo nice to hear from you, my friend! Hope your shoulder is well healed and longing to see you back at the easel!
DeleteYou have a superb talent, Susan, for capturing the personalities and body language of the animals you portray. Sammy looks so content in his comfort!
ReplyDeleteAmsterdam is such a wonderful city. So eclectic and interesting, and we found the people to be very gracious and kind. So happy you and your family had a great time! Nice photos!
What a nice comment! Thank you, Carol. Amsterdam intrigues me - my daughter loves it there and I have a feeling it has a lot to do with the people - they were wonderful!
DeleteHi my friend.
ReplyDeleteSusan, this painting is amazing, i love it. thank you for the photos. All the best to you Susan.
Vic.
His level of comfort absolutely inspired me! Thanks, Vic!
DeleteLOVE this painting of Sammy! I can feel him....excellent work and that market looks so interesting..love the colorful flowers!!
ReplyDeleteThe flowers were amazing - so many colors and shapes. I regret not being able to make it to the flower fields - but we only had so much time. I guess I will have to travel there again some day! I am so glad you like Sammy - he was a great subject!
DeleteBonjour ma très chère Susan,
ReplyDeleteJe suis sincèrement désolée pour mon absence !... Je ne suis toujours pas revenue de façon régulière sur les blogs... Je me laisse emporter par le plaisir de profiter des joies de la nature en cette saison...
Je passa aussi beaucoup de temps à l'atelier et comme tu le sais je travaille lentement... peut-être trop !!
Je viens de prendre énormément de plaisir à visiter ton petit univers. j'ai repris à zéro ton périple... J'imagine que tu as dû être enthousiasmée par ce magnifique voyage en Europe. Merci aussi de partager avec nous ces belles photos. Je suis certaine que ce voyage sera une belle source d'inspiration dans tes futures peintures.
J'ai reconnu de nombreuses oeuvres que j'ai eu aussi la chance d'apprécier autrefois... J'avais tant aimé me rendre à diverses expositions à Amsterdam et ses environs.
J'ai admiré aussi ton travail. Et quel bonheur !
Ta dernière oeuvre avec Sammy est sublime. Elle ruisselle de sérénité. J'ai envie de venir tout doucement caresser ce magnifique matou. Un travail extraordinaire.
Je t'embrasse affectueusement,
Gros bisous ♡
Many, many thanks, MartineAlison, you are always so thoughtful and kind in your comments and your words are greatly appreciated. I can see how you would be distracted by the great beauty of nature that surrounds you - your photos are always such a joy to view!
DeleteSammy the cat is wonderful! I love the kimono girl series! Your impression of the Albert Cuyp is wonderful to see!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Judy - the Kimono series was a marvel. I had seen many photos of Girl in a Red Kimono but it was a treat to see if for real.
DeleteDag Susan, ik vind deze kat ook geweldig, ze geniet zo van een welverdiende rustpauze...
ReplyDeletegroetjes van Simonne
Thank you! He is quite a character and a good hunter in her garden!
DeleteThat cat is so gorgeous! You've really captured that 'couldn't care less' attitude of a cat! Perfect! I love markets too... but not so much in this country. The ones abroad are always so much more interesting!!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sandra, he was just begging to be painted after assuming that languid pose! I loved the Albert Cuyp Market - I had never really experienced anything quite like it!
DeleteHi Susan,
ReplyDeleteSammy is WONDERFUL! I can hear him breathing and purring, and have a very strong urge to scratch that little, round tummy!
And thank you for sharing those photos of the Cuyp market - what a fantastic place ... all that visual stimulation :)
Kathryn