Knights of Columbus in New Haven

Sixth Outing

“The Knights of Columbus”

December 17, 2008

The Knights of Columbus Museum was founded in New Haven in 1882. Knights of Columbus is the largest Catholic fraternal organization in the world.

I actually stopped here during my one hour lunch today. I had Donald Adams the front desk service help me around. He showed me around and gave me some history on Knights of Columbus. He did mentioned that I should come again with more time and he can arrange a tour for me. He was great and so helpful!

I fell for this beautiful Cross below. Oh my goodness! So beautiful in person.

Crosses/Crucifixes #41
Alter Crucifix
Jerusalem, mother of pearl
abalone and olivewood
Circa 2000
"The beginning and the end"
The base contains the "navity" and the top is the "crucifixion"

THIS IS A HUGE DOLL HOUSE TO MY NIECE! It's adorable.

New Haven Christmas 1882
St. Mary's Church
Hill House Avenue
Birth place of Knights of Columbus

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

Fifth Outing
“The Metropolitan Museum”
December 13, 2008

I schedule two events this day, the museum and my annual Christmas dinner with friends. I had made plans to meet with friends for dinner atfter my visit to The Metropolitan Museum. This place was beautiful and enormous. It was very busy this day too. Among the crowd here, I was able to see the Annual Christmas Tree! The beautiful ornaments of porcelain angels and the lighting around tree was so bright that it brought life to this tree. Unfortunately my feet were killing me because I just purchased new boots and I didn't think in bringing my sneakers with me, dummy me. Overall I had a wonderful experience! I was able to manage my walks through the Modern Art Galleries, the Greek and Roman Art, Medieval Art and Egyptian Art to which all exhibitions were absolutely fascinating. Here I am in the Egyptian Art Exhibition and most of this work were actually embedded in the wall. It was so awesome to see in person!

I have to take some more time for this Museum, there so much more to see. I took a couple of hours before meeting with friends but it just wasn't enough. I could not stop bragging about this place over dinner. I scolded my friends because they only live 15-20 minutes away and they hardly step into this place. My family got to see the pictures and my son was overwhelmed. He has an upcoming essay on Egypt and I am bringing him here to take photos. What a trea!

I am currently studying the Book of "Daniel" and I just had to take these pictures for my bible class. OMG, they are going to enjoy these. This stones refer to history of Daniel and King Darius and even Alexander the Great.

Relief: Two Servants Bearing Food and Drink
Made out of Limestone
Southwestern Iran, excavated at Persepolis
Archemenid period, reign of Artaxerxes III
358-338 B.C.
Harvis Brisbane Dick Fund 1934
34.158

Yale Center For Bristish Art Museum

Fourth Outing

“New Britain Museum of American Art”
December 7, 2008

This picture came out horrible! Angel, my fiance, took this picture three times and I could not get the right lighting. I hope this is visible. My trip to Yale British Center was very nice and I arrived there at 4pm. I only had an hour. This week was extremely hectic with working late and just trying to get time in for this visit. What I noticed was that this museum compared to the Yale Art Museum was a bit different. The facility had a very modern and contemporary look to it. The lighting fixtures were dim too. A bit too dark for me I have to say. However, I fell in love with the floors and concrete walls of this Museum. The front Desk receptionist was by herself and she was so kind to briefly go over the rules with me. Her name was Elisa and she went over the map, floors and where not to take pictures. I have to say it was pretty cold in the lobby too!

The Yale Bristish Center was built in 1974 by Louis Kahn, the architect. This museum has over 2000 paintings and 100 sculptures. Its not as big as Yale Art Museum but its just as pretty and cozy. I had trouble with my pictures, and I really thought I captured them all but I didn't. I hope you are able to see on this painting what I captured.


Although my time was short, and to add I was not feeling well this day too. I manage to stick this out for an hour. With body aches, I was still able to get drawn into this beautiful painting above. This painting took a hold of my heart. It complete captured my attention when I saw this little girl leaning over who I think is her father that just died. A solider who was at war and lost his life. All she could do is lean on him with sadness and to the obvious she looked tired of crying so much. The way she held on to his clothes as if its the only thing she will have to remember him. This painting is an oil on canvas. I love the faded white and the coat bright contrast colors. To my eyesight, the soft white on this painting show signs of pale, death. The bright colors on the clothing shows sign of hope, life that this child is holding to. I noticed the soldier (this child father) legs how stretched out they were, as if he was holding on to pain and/or his last breath. I also noticed his face turned to the right so that his little girl would not see him leave this earth. This artist must be drawn to our soldiers that go to war.
To my surprise, after researching the above, I was completey off! This so awesome to be able to write your own feelings and then come back to compare. This painting is reallly a little French girl accidently wounded by a stray shot. She rests on an ancient knights tomb, draped in a French military uniform while the battle rages through the window. This artist work was on a mannerist and realistic style . He also focused on detail, composition and clarity. Wow, I am emotionally driven.

New Britain Museum of American Art

Third Outing
“New Britain Museum of American Art”
November 20, 2008

I arrived at the Museum at 6:52 p.m. My fiance took this picture of me! He actually went up the stairs and took it facing down. When I looked at this picture it completely left me in awe! However the feeling you get in person is completely different, out of this world. I walked into the Museum and was right away greeted by the front visitor/guest services team. Melanie and Jenna were extremely helpful. I was charged for the price of one, because they were closing within the hour. I received my sticker that said "Where Art Meets Life" and I began my tour. This Museum has over 5,000 works of art dating from the 18th century to the present day. I did not know that every year they offer a "Docent Tours at The Metropolitan Museum of Art NYC Holiday Lights Riding" tour on Christmas Eve! This is great to know, for next year. This work above was created by the artist Lisa Hoke. This art is called the "The Gravity of Color". She is from New York City and has been commissioned to create a new installation for the NBMAA at the top of the LeWitt Staircase leading from the first to second floor of the Museum. She created this art with clear plastic cups coated with vibrantly colored paints. Just looking at the colors lifts your spirits up. This woman has talent. I am so mad at myself for not coming sooner, having family around the block. I can't wait to take my kids! You must see this in person!

Frank C. Bensing (1893-1983)
"Lydia's Just A Mite Taller"

This artist above was very successful in diversement for large companies like Coca-Cola and General Electric. This artist was blind on one eye. Looking at this painting I can't believe that he was blind yet did such remarkable job. The fine detals, body sketches, nose, eyes, this takes TWO EYES to do this. I can imagine the strain on this artist eye. The colors used here are so natural, so home. I have seen paintings, adverstisement similar to the above and always wondered who this painter was, amazing.

I also skimmed throught the handbags exihibit. These handbags were so beautiful! Designed by diamonds, emeralds, beads and so much more. There were from casual diamond bags to evening handbags. I was not allowed to take pictures. They had two security guards there too, keeping an eye on divas like myself, i'm being silly. I did enjoy this area alot.

Richard Munsell (1903-1963)
Rhoda , Oil/Canvas
"Melancholly Teenager"

The entire museum again was so full of many interesting paintings and it was so hard to choose which i liked the most. I admit this is my second choice of favorites. Richard's work were mainly portrait, figure and landscape. Its suggested that this teenager on this painting that someone may have taken advantage of her or about to encounter sexual act. On this painting I see a woman who is torn between life and self-esteem. She looks so tired of life and the acts around her. I see anger, confusion as well. I work with young teens today and some have been abused. I see my kids in this painting, I admit I got a little emotional. This painting tells so much!

Blume, Peter (1906-1992) Boulders of Avila, (1976)

Peter Blume was an artist that came from Russia in 1921. His work evolved toward realistic subject depiction, with surrealistic overtones. He designed murals on government buildings as well. He belonged to many memberships like American Academy of Arts and National Institute of Arts and letters. This painting was a study of the Boulders of Avila. This artist came from Russia as an immigrant to New York City. Just like everyone else trying to fit in, civilization! This painting shows me his way of fitting in America. Also what immediately caught my eyes was the solitude, a lonely man separating himself from the world. I have to say that the dimensions of the rocks truly are outstanding. The color selected to blend in these rocks, made them so real. I said myself what a place in this artist mind, somewhere I would like to be right now. To get away and relax, to also be accepted in this society. To the artist his getaway is his work, his mind full of art/creativity. To those who see his work is finding hope, peace, tranquility.