the idea: while my students are busy being impressionists, make a quick version of Renoir’s Dance at Bougival

When I sat down to teach my last after school class for the year in Cambridge, I thought that I would participate along with my students.  I was teaching about canvas (it originally came from the sails of sailboats in Venice in the 1600’s!), Impressionism, and missing colors.  Since I teach two classes back to back, I managed to get the quick version of Renoir’s Dance at Bougival done.

As an abstract oil painter, it’s been a long time since I tried to do a realistic painting with acrylics.  The difference is quite large.  But it was enough to impress my students, and that’s enough for me.  As I drove home with my dancers in the passenger seat next to me, I realized that Serendipity was with me again when I chose to paint it.  One of my closest friends in Boston is leaving us for Texas this Saturday to follow the love of her life.  She also happens to work with me at the MFA.

So, being the secret sap that I am, I made a little card with the painting on one side and a note on the other so that she could take both a piece of me and of the MFA with her on her next great adventure.

 

 

Love you, Em.