Appreciating Art

Not everyone knows that I love art. I trace my interest in the arts to my childhood, where I would spend my free time drawing sketches and playing with colors using my cheap, block water color set. Back then, the subject of my sketches was women's fashion, dresses in different length, patterns, and colors. I would spend time perfecting my model's décolletage, drawing a slender neck that is connected to an angular face and long shoulders, with body shaped almost triangular. The face was devoid of parts, no eyes, no lips, no nose, for I focused on how the dress will look like, the patterns I would draw, and the color I would use. The focus was always on the look of the dress, and not on the person wearing it. 

I would spend another hour or so painting my sketches. This was the challenging part, especially when you use those cheap water color sets. Those who grew up with me in my hometown and country would know these things. They are the ones that come in rectangular yellow plastic cases, where you have to dip its tiny brush in water several times to get the pigment out of each color block. Most of the times, you'll get blotchy patches and the paper will be almost be dripping before you can actually see the color. It was funny and frustrating, but hey, that's the best thing my parents can afford for me back then. So I just had to make the best out of it. 

I kept drawing and painting, with my subjects evolving to nature. I would paint trees, mountains, and skies. I would also draw flowers. No matter what they were, I would always want them in different colors. There was also a time that I would trace drawings. I would find a picture, for example, and try to copy exactly the picture just by drawing. I would be signing my work after, feeling proud of myself for such accomplishment. 

Years passed by and my interest changed. I would no longer draw or paint, but I would still appreciate paintings and sketches whenever I see one. And this is the reason why I like going to art museums. I would look at paintings for hours, the brush strokes, and distinctive marks that each artist make on their piece. I would read the description of each painting and try to imagine what was it like for the artist when s/he is making the art. Each piece has a story that is also worth discovering.

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New York City has many museums for art lovers like me. The Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) is one of these museums and I had the chance to visit the museum just recently. (Tip: You can actually visit the museum for free, every Friday, from 4PM to 8PM. This is sponsored by Uniqlo, so if you want to save money, then take advantage of this freebie.) 

The MoMA has five floors of modern art from various artists around the world. You'll find here works of Picasso, van Gogh, Mattisse, and other great artists. I am no expert in art here, just a simple person who happens to like or love art and got to know these artists by reading. You can learn more about their works by doing your own research. Or, if you can, visit the museum. 

Visiting MoMA is worth your trip. A day would not be enough to cover the entire floors, so you might consider coming again, say on another Friday (when entrance is free!)

Here are some of the pictures of my visit to MoMA. Enjoy.