Emily Cat 176

On Friday l went to The Johnson Collection.  This is a private museum. It was an interesting collection all about regency gentlemen, like a taste of the Bridgerton world. Mr Johnson was an avid collector of items large and small from the 1700/18000 time period.  Every  day items that we were free to look at closely. This is an exhibition of a world of money and leisure.  While concentrating mainly on English items he also bought items from India and Venice from the same time period.  Lots of silver                                                           And china; lots of china.  This was like no other museum I've ever been to.  The Johnson Collection also has lectures and events. They are open from Wednesday to Sunday.  If you're interested have a look at their website.  johstoncollection.org

 If only l could paint like The French Impressionists.  Thank you to Boston's Fine Arts Museum for allowing these paintings to come to Australia.  I took some short videos inside the gallery because it looked like a salon in the late 1800s. I've also taken photos of some of the paintings.  Please look at the whole video to see what a wonderful exhibition it is. If any of you are coming to Melbourne this Winter it is well worth seeing. I have never been disappointed by The Winter Masterpiece Exhibition that's held every year.  How lucky are we here in Melbourne to have such a wonderful arts scene.  It may be cold but there's still so much to see.

I'm talking about galleries in Prahran, an inner city suburb in Melbourne. You can get there on the tram or via the Sandringham train. I counted 12 galleries in the suburb. I'm also talking about a few other galleries and bits and pieces. Melbourne is a city that loves the arts. All through the suburbs we have galleries, arts centres halls and even churches that are used for the arts. Love it!   singulart.com johnstoncollections.org

 I'm talking about our galleries today. Do you like going to galleries, do you yourself paint? There are over 100 galleries throughout the suburbs of Melbourne ( l'm not going to list all of them!). Of course there are some very well known exhibitions each year. The National Gallery of Victoria hosts The Winter Masterpiece Exhibition. This year it is the French Masters and l have my ticket booked. I also saw the excellent exhibition by Yayoi Kusama recently. If you want to see Australian art The Ian Potter Museum is the place to go. My painting class is this afternoon, but, l stick to paint by numbers; that's the extent of my talent. What are the galleries like where you live?

Digital art at its' best.  If you're visiting Melbourne this year can l suggest you visit The Lume.

See and listen to my visit to The Lume. This gallery is a space all of its' own. If you ever visit Melbourne l would recommend a visit to The Lume.

This week l travelled to Mornington to see the 2023 Archibald Exhibition. It was held in the Mornington Peninsula Regional Gallery. It was my first visit to this gallery and l was very impressed. It's a good space, has excellent customer service and it is set in natural surroundings. Definitely not my last visit. For those of you who don't know The Archibald Prize is the premier portrait competition in Australia. It is run annually and the main prize is awarded by the trustees of the Art Gallery of NSW. The main prize is $100,000 and then there is a packers prize which is judged by those who pack the artwork. There is always some slight rancor about the winner and l have to admit that l didn't agree with this years' winner. Having said that, l wouldn't know how to judge the paintings and am in awe at the artist talent of these painters. Each portrait is of a well known person in the arts, community etc. Some of them looked like photos they were that good. Imagine ha...

It took 2 buses and 2 trains to get there. If you look at my photo in front of the world famous waterfall window that fronts the National Gallery of Victoria it shows my frustration at the travel time. Was it all worth it? Oh yes, it was worth it. Pierre Bonnard (1867-1947) was a French painter, illustrator and photographer. Walking around the exhibition shows the range of skill he had in all these disciplines. I loved his painting of Paris streetscapes in the late 1800's. He painted a series of home life under the lamp, showing what happens under the glow of a pre electricity life. Bonnard lived for many years in Paris and painted the life there. Being a ballet lover l could not resist this painting. He also painted a lot of everyday still lives. Notice his use of bright colours. He also used Japanese blockwork techniques in his earlier work. I was smiling by the time l got out. Bonnard worked with theatre groups to produce flyers, was an early user of photography, did lithographs...

  What a good day. Yesterday l toured McClelland Gallery with friends and even had a good lunch.  These photos were taken in the outdoor gallery. Very interesting. I spent the time wondering how the ideas came to the sculptors and creators of these pieces. David Wilson - Around the Mirror John Kelly - Alien Untitled but we think it is Joan Sutherland So many different pieces and materials used. Pieces large and small. This is just a few of the 96 sculptures that are spread throughout the park. McClelland Gallery is a not for profit organisation that is opened Wednesday to Saturday with music every 3 weeks. All set in natural bushland. A good day was made better by talking to a local artist and illustrator, Zoe Kellin. I am not sharing any pictures of her work as l did not ask for permission to do so, but l really do suggest you check her work on Facebook and Instagram. Striking designs and so much vibrant colour.  mcclelland.org.au zoe kellin creations - facebook and inst...