i think i mentioned that i got lots and lots of books for christmas. well, i did. in fact i got 21 books for christmas. some of them are for reading, some are for learning and the majority are for looking. looking and absorbing and awing.

one of the books that has me caught up is andrew wyeth’s collection of sketches and paintings called the helga pictures. wyeth is an american painter mostly known for his famous piece christina’s world, 1948. which by the way, i have the pleasure of seeing up close and personal anytime i want. oh the joys of my pratt id that allows me access into any museum this great city has to offer. anyway, wyeth is a master watercolor painter and i am completely in awe of the way he expresses himself and how he sees his world. he is my favorite mixture of fantasy portrayed by a relentless truth. in fact truth was his obsession and i am interested in his take on it. he once said:

“i have such a strong romantic fantasy about things-and that’s what i paint, but come to it through realism. If you don’t back up your dreams with truth, you have a very round-shouldered art.”

fantasy through realism. i am going to have to think on this for a while. my tendency is to separate the two, but maybe that does each a sad disservice. maybe they are connected in ways that illuminate the other and where they do touch, there lies the magic. like i said, i am going to have to think on this a while. mean while i will continue to enjoy this man and his art.

look him up when you have the chance.

you won’t be disappointed.

loves.

ps: if you want to look at an example of the helga pictures, click here. this will connect you to my other blog, which serves as a place to hold all of my visual inspirations and ideas.