Today is Georgia O’Keeffe’s birthday. This painting and O’Keeffe have had a more profound impact on me personally than any other artist or work of art. I grew up in Chicago. The Art Institute was a regular part of my life, starting at a very young age. My Aunt would take me there and I would immediately find this painting. There is other art, that I love there, but this one has always been my favorite. Later in life I learned more about her relationship with Alfred Steiglitz as well as Ansel Adams. I also learned more recently that she was also an avid photographer.
Art is subjective. We each can stand in front of a work of art and have very different reactions. I won’t go into too much depth but this image has a symbolic meaning for me, part religious as well as touching the explorer in me. The sunset in the distance, the never-ending hills that beg to be explored. There is so much to discover within this painting. Every time I stand in front of it I see something different, a texture, hint of color, wisps of clouds, the definition of the nails or pegs that hold the cross together. I imagine, would I be warm or cold if I were standing by this cross? What would it smell like? What would the breeze feel like? My imagination runs wild.
El Santuario de Chimayo
Last year I traveled to Santa Fe, one of O’Keeffe’s homes and home to her museum. I wandered, learning more about her with every painting. There is a section that displays items from her home and shares more about how she lived. I began to wonder what it would have been like to be around her as she created. What it would be like to have a conversation with her. In my own way I continue to do that by enjoying her work. Soaking up everything that I can, whether it be her photography, art or written words. I celebrate the day she was born because, without it, her impact on the world and myself in perticular would be a void I can’t imagine.
So Happy, Happy, Georgia! Thank you for everything that you have left myself, and the world, to enjoy!
Until Tomorrow,
John