Impressionist Superheros? A Perfect Match!

Saturday Morning In Front of La Salle De Justice, Rey Taira, 2009

I first saw this piece of art, Saturday Morning In Front of La Salle De Justice when a darling friend and I might add, newly published author (Geoducks are for Lovers) posted it on her Facebook page. I immediately went to google to learn a bit more about the artist and his work. I've loved A Sunday on the Island of La Grande by Georges Seurat from the first time I saw it. Though I'd like to say that was in person or through an art class but alas the first time I saw it was while watching Ferris Bueller's Day Off. What? There's no judging here people. And incase it isn't obvious, Seurat's painting can actually be found at the Art Institute of Chicago, naturally.

So, to find a piece of art that combines super heros and Impressionism? Obviously its a perfect match for my family. 

The artist, Rey Taira has an interesting story, though to be honest I found very little about him online other than one profile page written by himself. It was a lay-off from a job he didn't particularly feel passionately about that prompted him to dive into his hobbies and art full time. A childhood comic book fan eventually found himself working at DC Entertainment designing collectible action figures, props and statues, all having to do with the world of comic book characters. Not exactly my dream but its pretty amazing that a lay-off would push him down the path of his dreams. In his profile he quotes Louis Pasteur, "chance favors the prepared mind." I couldn't agree more with that sentiment. 

Sunday Evening by The Legion of Doom, Rey Taira, 2009

He also created a companion piece that is the diametric opposite, Sunday Evening By The Legion of Doom. In his notes on the piece he exhibits a great sense of humor about the pieces. In this case the original was a nod to the happiness of Saturday morning cartoons so he created this companion piece with the idea of Sunday evening dread of the Monday to come. 

And I would be remiss not to include the original inspiration for both of these pieces of art. So please enjoy comparing all three. I so want to have copies of these two Taira pieces for the boys' room or perhaps the kids playroom is the best spot. Unfortunately, I've yet to find anyone who sells them. Don't worry, I'm still searching!

A Sunday on La Grande Jatte, Georges Seurat, 1884
The Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL

Cheers, 
Ouiser

Rainy Day in Paris

Paris Street; Rainy Day, Gustave Caillebotte, 1877
The Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL

Today is our first day of summer vacation. While I had planned to pack up the littles and take them to our little neighborhood pool's opening day, at 64 degrees and rainy mother nature isn't cooperating. So instead we're off for a day of museum browsing and maybe a little lunch in the city.

Just a quick post to share one of my favorite rainy day paintings. So often I think of rainy days as being rather glum or perhaps rather the kind of day I'd like to stay in bed with a good book. Alas, with two pre-schoolers running around arguing who will be Master Yoda and who will be Darth Vader in their all day and all night Star Wars reenactments there is little chance of that for me today or any day for that matter. I should get back to today's painting pick.

A day spent walking in Paris, rainy or not is an inspirational day so when I look at  Gustave Caillebotte's painting, Paris Street; Rainy Day I don't see a gloomy day at all. I see one of excitement and new adventures. I wonder what the couple featured in the painting is looking at? Perhaps a new shop opening? A new building coming up? At the time this painting was created there was so much change going on in Paris I can only imagine how this neighborhood's residents were reacting.

As I was searching to find who owns this painting I was pleasantly surprised to learn it is The Art Institute of Chicago. If you haven't wandered through the galleries of this amazing museum you are missing out. It is an Impressionist lovers dream museum. The family and I will be in Chicago this summer and a stop at the Art Institute is on the top of my list. The painting is finishing up a traveling exhibition, that I was dying to see, Impressionism, Fashion and Modernity. And if you find yourself in New York City this Memorial Day weekend you can see it in person at the Met through May 27th. After that it'll be returning to Chicago.

Cheers,
Ouiser