Mr. Hockney departs

 According to this very blog, which is never wrong, I ran into David Hockney in the elevator at the deYoung Museum in 2013. It was an honor just to be in his presence. He died last week at age 88 ~ a man who loved color and life. RIP to another GREAT talent.

a little Monet, please

 Yesterday Chef Sarah and I went to the deYoung to see Monet and Venice, a sweet little exhibit that brought back lots of memories of my trip to Venice. I recommend this and it wasn't too crazy/busy so we could really enjoy the paintings. The Red House (bottom photo) might be my favorite. Good early lunch in the cafe along with easy parking made this a lovely, special day. Thank you, Sarah Ann.

The Art of Manga

 I appreciate that the deYoung is hoping to attract younger museum goers with this exhibit, but it is not MY kind of art. Still, a fine day with Steve and Barbara from Marin and I acted like a docent (with not much knowledge) and showed them around and then we had overpriced coffee and a sweet in the cafe and talked of many things. These are indeed trying times for those of us who loathe Trump. Sigh.

I Want To Hold Your Hand

 Although I wasn't exactly overwhelmed with the Paul McCartney photography and history exhibit yesterday, it was good to be back at the deYoung to visit some of my old favorites (center photo) and just to get into my museum zone again. My little home is so comfy that I sometimes need to push myself up and out and yesterday was such a day and with good results. The fog here is to be reckoned with once again. Sigh. Getting ready for fogworks again tomorrow.

Tamara de Lempicka

 Chef Sarah had the audacity to call this the Limp Dick exhibit and on that note we had a lovely time yesterday at the deYoung. This artist was born in 1900 and this is her first FULL exhibit as she was "out of favor" at the time of her death. The delightful Sam accompanied us and that was special. They picked me up and then I took Waymo home from the museum ~ solo ~ and that was just fine and I didn't worry for a moment in my driverless car.  Happy New Year!

Irving Penn at the DY

 Amy and I had such a fine time at the Irving Penn exhibit and I urge you to see this photographer's exquisite work. From the top: the Mermaid Dress, Colette and Picasso. He had such a way with light and angles and, especially, people. The deYoung does an excellent job curating Mr. Penn's work and there was a lot of history to absorb too. Terrific!

Friday fun ~ more art, good friends and food

 Amy and I visited the deYoung yesterday to be overwhelmed with the OPEN exhibit of more than 800 pieces of art from local artists. Not the famous names, but impressive proof of all the talent in the Bay Area. Too much for one visit, to be honest. Well done, deYoung! Then we took the Ferris Wheel (middle photo) and that was delightful. Doug and Barb invited me to dinner and aren't these carrots gorgeous? Delicious pork and wonderful conversation. Lucky me. I am feeling grateful as I stare at the fireplace this morning. 

Kahinde Wiley

 Amy and I hit the deYoung yesterday to see this artist, Kahinde Wiley, in almost dark rooms and apologies for bad photos. When you check him out online you will, I hope, plan a visit yourself to see his amazing work. Some of my artist friends are a tad critical of him ("it's like wallpaper") but we were impressed. Then I bugged Joe in the book store and had coffee with Pamela and yes, it was a full day of art and people. 

Ansel Adams comes home

 I have some nerve taking crooked photos of The Master's work. There is a BIG exhibit just opening at the deYoung and yesterday Heidi and I went with many others to appreciate Ansel Adams and other photographers. He was born and raised in San Francisco, out at Sea Cliff, which was mostly sand dunes back then. These nature photographers helped create and save the National Parks across America and their love of the great outdoors benefitted us all. 

you should find Faith soon

 Warning ~ the Egyptian Pharaohs are returning to the deYoung August 20th, and so plan now to see the amazing Faith Ringgold before then. I could study Tar Beach (middle photo) for weeks. The family on a hot summer night in NYC on their roof top. Ms. Ringgold is 90 now and her life and times are told in such a bold and creative manner in this glorious exhibit. Through November 27th. 

beyond words, but I'll try

 This small and powerful exhibit is on tour from the Smithsonian National Portrait Gallery. Don't miss the video when you visit. I think my favorite part was reading about the two black artists and how they worked and what they felt as they painted these two iconic leaders. The two reference photographs (top) are fascinating too. At the deYoung ~ go.

Patrick Kelly at the deYoung

 I need to report on this exhibit before it closes next month. Patrick Kelly was the first American and first Black designer voted into the prestigious French fashion association. Bold, whimsical and fun fashion in the 1980's. A remarkable designer who died way too young. 

Alice Neel at the deYoung

 What a fabulous exhibit. I will return. The bottom photo is one of Alice Neel's sons, ruined by the corporate world, she said. Yesterday I met Terri for a good long museum day. Terri had been to see Alice's work at the Whitney, back in the 70's, and she added a lot of insight for me. Alice Neel (1900-1984) lived and painted in New York most of her life, so it is a treat to have her work here in SF. 

Pamela, Judy and me

 Yesterday Pamela and I met at the deYoung to see the Judy Chicago exhibit ~ honestly the place was almost deserted and we had a fine time with coffee (show your Vax card and ID!) in the cafe afterwards. We were bummed to start the exhibit with the Death business (the artist, her mother and our earth) but then Judy covered almost everything else. The Holocaust stained glass window in the top photo was my favorite and yes, I am so glad we did this. Ms. Chicago works with glass, pottery, watercolors, oil, tapestry, embroidery and photography. So much talent. Yes, I recommend it!

welcome to SF, Judy!

 We are so looking forward to our Hero Judy Chicago whose exhibition opens Saturday at the deYoung. Last night I watched an interview with her and the curator who is responsible for this miracle. An amazing artist and such an inspirational woman. Yes, I have deYoung tickets already. Can't wait...

the grandsons did good

This exhibit of two of the most innovative modern artists is a collaboration by the grandsons of Alexander Calder and Pablo Picasso who met a few times in the 1930's and admired each others work. I enjoyed this so much and was struck my the many similarities of ideas, forms and concepts. It is an inspiring exhibit and I urge you to see it before the May 23rd closing date. De young ~ first floor. Excellent.
 

"Open" exhibit at the deYoung

After seeing Frida (again) on Friday, Ginger and I went to the new, huge exhibit of Bay Area artists ~ 877 pieces to celebrate the 125th anniversary of the Fine Arts Museums here. These are all from "amateur" local artists, but only a few works looked like they were. I vowed to return a few more times because there is just really too much to see in one visit. Overwhelmed, in a good way.

Cobb County, Georgia

 Neighbor Nicole wrote and asked me to write more get-out-the-vote postcards and so I selected Georgia because I was there last year. And because Eddie and I do not agree politically. At all. Sister District provided a much easier and better script to follow this time around, leaving room for butterfly and flower stickers on the fifty postcards. I can't use Ms. and when I asked why Nicole said, "It's the deep South" and so Miss it is. Or Mr., of course. 

The Frida exhibit was a delight. I will return in October. Nice seeing old friends at the DY, too.

Appearances Can Be Deceiving

That is the name of this exhibit at the deYoung which features Frida Kahlo's personal items from her lifelong home, La Casa Azul, in Mexico City. I was planning to go to Mexico City this year, but I will certainly settle for a museum visit tomorrow. I need to do a bit of reading to prepare myself. Now we must reserve online and there will be fewer people in the galleries. This does not bother me one bit.

now this is very good news

 The deYoung reopens next week and I already reserved to see Frida on Thursday, the 24th. They will take precautions, of course, and I am so ready to see some art. The Legion will reopen in October. A-OK.