(MDW) The Art Institute of Chicago

Dallas is where I came up with the concept/idea, however I was already in Dallas so I did not need to get on a plane and make plans to visit an Art Museum.  So in looking at our flight schedules and the loads I researched my next venture...

The Art Institute of Chicago (click for website)

The Art Institute of Chicago

On Columbus Day my son Stewart and I ventured to Chicago for the day.  We were able to get on the 6am flight, arrived at MDW, and took the Orange Line to downtown.  My son opted to visit the Museum of Science, while I ventured to the Art Institute.  It was so exciting to be on such a great adventure.

Since this concept conception in Dallas, and this visit I had a lot to think about how I wanted to blog about the experience.  In Dallas I really did not take many photos of the art.  Not true with Chicago.  I could not stop myself from blissfully hitting the button and keeping the shutter actively taking photos.  When I go to a museum, I love to be surprised.  I do not like to look at the catalog of the collection until after I have visited the museum, that way when I come across a piece, that I have only seen in books, I am filled with joy that is indescribable.  Case in point it happened this day.  In the European collection I was just walking on by and saw this painting by Paul Cezanne:

The Gulf Of Marseilles Seen From L Estaque

It seems like a simple painting, as it is just a common view of some houses and water.  I love the simplicity, use of color and the works of Cezanne.  He is one of my favorite artists of his era.  I had this as a print in my college apartments many years ago.  I think that is why I was so nostalgic about seeing the real painting, after only seeing in on a poster.

Here are some photos of the art that I saw and loved.  I hope it inspires YOU to visit the Art Institute of Chicago!!!

Click here to see: My Art Photos ~ Chicago

(DAL) It all started in Dallas....

As an avid art history junky I seek out art museums when I am visiting a city if I have the time and opportunity.  Now that I am working at Southwest Airlines it is my goal fly to each city Southwest services, and find an art museum to view works of art that are on display.  I came up with this idea when I was in Dallas last June during my Southwest Customer Service training.  While I was in Dallas each day we were in class and at night we were either studying or hanging out at the hotel.  I googled to see if there was an art museum, and found that the Dallas Museum of Art was open on Thursday nights.  I arranged for the hotel shuttle to drop me off at the museum after class.  When I arrived at the museum I was fortunate enough to arrive on a day that it was free admission.  The museum was abuzz with many activities for the public.

The first Art museum while flying SWA:  Dallas Museum of Art (click here for website)

Dallas Museum of Art

It was exciting to visit a museum so unexpectedly.  I was pleasantly surprised at the variety and the quantity of art at this museum.  The architecture of the museum is very modern and easy to walk through to observe the various collections.  I had 2 favorite collections, one was the recreation of the living room of Coco Chanel.  Picasso, Monet and Renoir were painting that hung on her walls.  Truly amazing.  I am very grateful they are now in a museum for the public to view.

My other favorite collection was a single Van Gogh in a small room that was a recreation of the entry way of a famous Dallas resident ( I cannot recall).  Sheaves of Wheat was a piece that I saw in an art book many years prior, and it was thrilling to happen on this while visiting Dallas.

If you are in Dallas, make sure you take the time to find the treasures inside this art museum, you will not be disappointed.

Here are a few photos that I took at the museum: Dallas Museum of Art