Girl's Night Out

It was another girl's night out last night. It had been a long time since I've gone out with friends. I actually got to out at night and not be on a training walk. Rob of course took care of our girls while I was out. My cousin Miranda and I went to the Kimbell Museum to see The Impressionists Exhibit. All I can say is RUN don't walk, get yourself there before it closes. I don't know if it's because it's been since 2005 or 2006 that I last viewed an exhibit (which was at the Amon Carter featuring the work of Richard Avedon) but it was incredible.

I had the opportunity to view works of art that I had longed to see in person. It really moved me and filled my eyes with tears. There were absolutely stunning works of art by Renoir, Degas, Monet, Manet, Van Gogh, Seurat and the list goes on. I finally saw Renoir's Two Sisters in person.

I've seen various reproductions of this image on things like calendars, mousepads and other crazy crap. I always thought, "Eh, it's ok." I think I've had to change my tune on it because to view it in person was extraordinary. The vibrant colors, the softness of the faces, the gorgeous eyes, the paint strokes, and I could go on. The photo above doesn't tell you anything about what this work of art truly is. I found that true for a lot of the pieces I experienced yesterday. There is no way any type of reproduction can come anywhere close to matching the beauty of this image and many others out there.

I think I came out of the exhibit more of a Renoir fan than I ever considered myself. I enjoyed viewing many of his works they had there. Another work of art that took me by surprise was Paris Street, Rainy Day 1877 by Gustave Caillebotte. Like the Two Sisters painting I've seen various reproductions of this print. I had no freaking idea how large the painting was until I saw it yesterday. It was incredible. I felt like I was about to pass the couple walking towards me. The woman has a nice veil over face that you can't see anywhere in any reproduction made but it's amazing to see in the painting. I got lost in the painting looking at all the details. There is a painter? in the background of the painting crossing the street carrying a ladder.

Having two young children it's been difficult to make time and go view art. I wish I could say my youngest daughter was well behaved enough to go to the museum but no I can't. She is two years old and her own little independent self. I can visualize us there with her throwing a tantrum or tearing something up or trying to violate the works of art. My trip to the museum last night makes me realize how important it is for me to continue to make time to go to the various museums we have locally. I'm so lucky to live in an area where we have some fantastic museums available 5-6 days a week.

I almost wanted to start taking an oil painting class. I've never been very accomplished in the painting area of art. I had a difficult time in my watercolor painting classes in college. I felt my colors were more mud than bright, vibrant. watery, loose, flowing color that I love with so many watercolor paintings and art that I see. I guess it comes down to PRACTICE PRACTICE PRACTICE. :)

So if you want to know what I've been doing knitting wise, I would say very little. I haven't had time to myself to be able to dedicate to much of anything. When I get started knitting someone either needs something to eat, a diaper needs to be changed or they just hop in my lap and make it completely difficult to do anything knitting related. I have really missed having my own time to myself. I wake up a mom and go to bed a mom with no time for me except when I'm able to go out on my training walks. Our youngest has decided that she can't sleep on her own in her own bed so she is up with me from the time I get up until I go to bed. Sometimes she'll stay up later with Rob. We need to figure something out with her sleep schedule soon.

Sorry to drift off on that subject, I was going to discuss my knitting, wasn't I? I've been working on the Everlasting Bagstopper. I started it last year and for whatever reason stopped working on it. Then I finished the bag part at the end of June. I went to JoAnn's to buy parts for the handle and the drawstring. I decided that I really didn't like the look of a different type of handle that wasn't knit so I went through Ravelry and located a knitted handle that I liked. It is a Linen stitch handle and I found it on KittLttl's bag. I've been working on it for awhile now without a lot of progress. What I do have I like. When the project is finished, I'll be sure to take a finished picture shot.