Artist Date - St. Pete Museum of Fine Art

"In every work of art, the artist himself is present."

~Christian Morgenstern

As an artist, it is easy to get caught up in projects and forget to leave your studio.  Over the years I have learned that I need to take time for "artist dates".  Trips to museums, galleries, art shows help refresh me.  They allow me to look at art similar to mine or completely different.  Some of my best inspiration comes from a medium that isn't painting.

My most recent artist date was at the St. Petersburg Museum of Fine Art.  I visited during the recent "Above the Fold" exhibit.  

The exhibit had several large scale origami pieces.  I loved looking at the intricate folds.  As you moved past the pieces, you could see how light and shadow changed the perspective.  Also looking them from a side angle changed the perspective.


I also took advantage of the permanent exhibit.  The museum has a large collection of traditional still lifes.  Although this isn't a style i have ever wanted to attempt, it was interesting to look at the paintings up close.  You can see all of the little details the artist added.  


I have to admit that I felt more at home in the abstracts room.  Looking at some of the large scale abstracts had me itching to paint even bigger than I already do.


So schedule some time today to take an artist date.  Where do you find inspiring?