“ART” THOUGHTS – a brain exercise

I have avoided studying art history for years. It seemed to me that I had to pick one, or at best, two – theatre (drama), music, or art. So, I chose first music (voice and classical piano) and then drama (theatre history and performing arts). Art was not on the list. It was too complicated, and I did not aspire to be an artist. And I did not aspire to being a “pop” anything, So, I avoided museums and art classes in school. Musical Theatre was as close to “pop” as I got.

I spent time collecting works of friends and local artists that I liked and were “free”. I usually ended up with a painting that an artist friend did not want. And, it was free. I always liked it. I would frame the piece and hang it on the wall of wherever I happened to be living. I collected some beauties that I loved – over the years. I wanted to look at things I liked. Sometimes I would pay a small amount if a friend had a “showing”. And, then I would buy something I liked.

The problem is- ignoring art history did not “fit” my scholarly persona (MO) that I loved having all through the years. So, when I was moving to Paris, people would want to know which museums I planned to visit. None. Well, I had been to the Louvre in 1955 and seen the Mona Lisa, and Versailles and others and I did not need to go back and sit. I had belonged to the Getty in LA and was a patron of the LA Metropolitan Museum of Art, and the PR was what I wanted. I was a scholarly “snob”. Besides, I had received my BFA and master’s degree in Drama. I had taken courses toward my PhD in theatre history. And I was Phi Best Kappa with Summa Cum Laude grades without the sufficient course credit. So, I felt qualified to be a scholarly snob. I was “smart” and passing the California Bar Exam at age 63 proved it.

Now, it is with sheer humility that I admit these brain strokes (3 “vascular accidents”) have brought me to my knees. I make a lot of mistakes. Sorry. And I now am willing to admit that I don’t know anything about art, and I live in Paris, France. I am a “fake faker.” (song from “The Fantasticks.”). And my interest in acting even has taken a back seat to “health” issues. I have no problem not going to museums. Oh, I LOVE to act, having trained with Lee Strasberg himself. My “instrument” is rusty to not-working.

So, I am spending time with art. Online. Looking to see what I like. I sold most of my own artwork when I moved to Paris, so it is hanging on walls in Nice, Antibes, and Cannes. AND I LIVE IN PARIS!!!!!!! I kept favorites of Steve’s for personal reasons. But, I only have one or two of my favorites.

WHAT??????? I still don’t know anything about art, but I joined a Facebook group about Art and am saving photos of paintings I like. I “share” favorites. There is no rhyme or reason to it. Purely emotional. Or intuitive. Or uneducated. But I cannot tell you much about any of them. Too complicated. And, it does not interest me.

Truth be known, I was never interested in the personal information about performers. I did not care who was doing what or thought about anything. I just liked someone’s “work”. I watched programs based on someone’s work – writer’s or director’s or actor’s work. I still do, but now I don’t watch any violence. British mysteries. Solving puzzles. But it cannot be too dark. I went there and did that. No more. Oops. SO, just for fun, I am sharing with you some photos that I like – for some reason or other. And some memes. Working my brain. So far, so good. Honestly, I don’t know if forcing my brain to focus is good or not. But I am doing it and it is working (except for all the mistakes).

I have more that I have saved, but that’s enough for now. I regret I don’t know the artists but maybe you do. My point is to say that I am enjoying paintings anyway, and I think that is good. So be it. I have been to a couple of museums – in Nice and Antibes and Cannes and hope to go to more. There is no rhyme or reason to any of it. I just a sick of politics and a lot of people. I am busying myself with art and writing posts. And films seemed to be too dark.

Best, Jay