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Thursday, November 20, 2008

Georgia on my mind

My lady Georgia, that's what my high school art teacher called her. She's the one who got me hooked on Georgia. Georgia O'Keefe. My all time favorite, wish I could have met her, artist. She's the one this blog is named after.

The painting From the faraway nearby can be seen here. My favorite vacation spot, so far, is New Mexico and one of my favorite vacations was a first anniversary trip there. We rented a (rustic) cabin in Red River for a week or so and did day trips all around the northern part of the state. We did things like rent a jeep and go 4-wheelin', visited Bandelier National Monument, I read lots sitting on the porch swing while Everett went fishing. Then I bought a Georgia O'Keefe guidebook of sorts and we travelled all around her "stomping grounds" in northern New Mexico. We had the best indian tacos in a little hole in the wall on a deserted stretch of highway near Abiquiu. And we went to the Lawrence ranch (D.H.) where she spent lots of time when she was in the area. I laid under the tree she used as her muse for this painting, The Lawrence TreeThere's a bench under the tree which, they say, she laid on to gain her perspective. I laid on it and took this pictureAs an art teacher "wannabe" this was an experience that I carry with me and look forward to sharing with my students some day. What can we do to get an unusual perspective on something we see every day? How does it change how we see something when we look at it froma different view? Hey, these things could have a kind of profound impact on other daily activities too. Hmmmmmm, I need to ponder that some more. I've been feeling pretty intolerant and angry lately, just ask my co-workers :)

Oh, and I almost forgot, her birthday was November 15. She would have been 111 this year :)

1 comments:

Beverly said...

Oh Beth, thanks for the wonderful art lesson. I have a photo of Georgia that I just love. She's wearing some zennish black and white robe, reclining in her chair, a cow skull in the background, I believe, commanding attention while looking at home in herself. Very comfortable with the aging process.

That painting and your photo of the tree...they're both wonderful. I love New Mexico, too. The state has a wonderful sacred quality that just oozes out of th places one sees. I find it amazing to be in those same sacred spots as the artist who painted the tree, the novelist who wrote the books and poems...Thanks also for the explanation of your blog title. I had no idea it was the title of one of her paintings.