I never realized how very special dogwood is until seeing it here these last couple of springs -- it is not a showy, ornamental tree even though it is used as a bush in landscapes. Looks best in the woods, where it is naturally interspersed with everything else. Looks like birds in flight, or something ethereal. Just takes your breath away! I think that it is only blooming for about 3 weeks ...
The pear tree in the backyard of my duplex (actually, a triplex now that the landlord has renovated the basement) burst into bloom today. Tiny white blossoms that last until the first good rainfall. I am still waiting for the crabapples. I hope I don't miss them. There was a row of them along the road leading out of campus and I think often of them.
I wonder if the white blooming trees around here are some version of pear tree? Tiny white blossoms ... googling pear trees I found this sweet little van gogh ( http://www.vangoghmuseum.nl/vgm/index.jsp?page=4660&lang=en ) indicating how much Van Gogh was influenced by the art of Japanese printmakers!
I have been to the van Gogh museum and that was something striking that I learned about his artwork. There had been an exhibit of Japanese prints (ukiyoe) in Paris, I believe, and a number of artists were influenced by what they saw.
In my kitchen, which is essentially very country-style and European in decoration, I have hung a large print from an exhibit I saw at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts. The exhibit was about a group of French artists who painted in a style reminiscent of the Japanese art (the school of Pont-Aven, the painting is by Serusier). The painting in the picture has the same flat surface and blocks of patterns. It is my hommage to Japan in an otherwise European kind of kitchen.
It sounds like a wonderful kitchen, Barbara. Van Gogh never ceases to amaze me. I've been slow in coming to an appreciation of art, and still feel very much in the fog with much of it, but when I do "see" it - wow.
I have minimal counter space and not enough storage, but it is sunny and my boyz love it. Breaking news: I saw the crabapples and lilacs blooming today!!!!!!!!!! I brought in 3 pieces I did at home to class last week and everyone raved about it. I am less than enthusiastic, but my teacher wants me to keep it between styrofoam boards so they are kept in good condition. She thinks they will make a great tryptich. Not a brushstroke in them. Arrgh! When they are safely at home, I will send you photos of them.
Thank you for sharing their beauty!
ReplyDeleteYou're welcome, Barbara. Do you get dogwood in Montreal?
DeleteNot sure if we do. It is not something I hear mentioned. I have seen magnolias, forsythia, honeysuckle (but it is scentless!!!), various fruit trees.
ReplyDeleteI never realized how very special dogwood is until seeing it here these last couple of springs -- it is not a showy, ornamental tree even though it is used as a bush in landscapes. Looks best in the woods, where it is naturally interspersed with everything else. Looks like birds in flight, or something ethereal. Just takes your breath away! I think that it is only blooming for about 3 weeks ...
DeleteThe pear tree in the backyard of my duplex (actually, a triplex now that the landlord has renovated the basement) burst into bloom today. Tiny white blossoms that last until the first good rainfall. I am still waiting for the crabapples. I hope I don't miss them. There was a row of them along the road leading out of campus and I think often of them.
ReplyDeleteI wonder if the white blooming trees around here are some version of pear tree? Tiny white blossoms ... googling pear trees I found this sweet little van gogh ( http://www.vangoghmuseum.nl/vgm/index.jsp?page=4660&lang=en ) indicating how much Van Gogh was influenced by the art of Japanese printmakers!
ReplyDeleteI have been to the van Gogh museum and that was something striking that I learned about his artwork. There had been an exhibit of Japanese prints (ukiyoe) in Paris, I believe, and a number of artists were influenced by what they saw.
ReplyDeleteIn my kitchen, which is essentially very country-style and European in decoration, I have hung a large print from an exhibit I saw at the Montreal Museum of Fine Arts. The exhibit was about a group of French artists who painted in a style reminiscent of the Japanese art (the school of Pont-Aven, the painting is by Serusier). The painting in the picture has the same flat surface and blocks of patterns. It is my hommage to Japan in an otherwise European kind of kitchen.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds like a wonderful kitchen, Barbara. Van Gogh never ceases to amaze me. I've been slow in coming to an appreciation of art, and still feel very much in the fog with much of it, but when I do "see" it - wow.
ReplyDeleteI have minimal counter space and not enough storage, but it is sunny and my boyz love it. Breaking news: I saw the crabapples and lilacs blooming today!!!!!!!!!!
ReplyDeleteI brought in 3 pieces I did at home to class last week and everyone raved about it. I am less than enthusiastic, but my teacher wants me to keep it between styrofoam boards so they are kept in good condition. She thinks they will make a great tryptich. Not a brushstroke in them. Arrgh! When they are safely at home, I will send you photos of them.
I can't wait to see them Barbara!
ReplyDelete