little black journal

Shane and I took advantage of the Seattle Art Museum’s extended hours on Thursday night and spent some time wandering through their new Impressionist exhibit.  The title of the exhibit is “Inspiring Impressionism” and it explores the links between the Impressionists and the significant European artists that preceded them.  After perusing the galleries, Degas’ “Visitors to A Museum” (shown below) was the one painting I was drawn back to.  This is what I love about the Impressionists – Degas wasn’t afraid to leave things rough around the edges, slightly unfinished, sketchy.  The hem of the woman’s dress isn’t delineated by a hard line – it’s left as a blurry streak between light and dark.  I wish I could paint with such freedom.  I have such a strong tendency to paint/draw with solid, crisp blocks of color – everything has a definite edge.  Degas imparted an underlying sense of emotion into all of his work.  I look at pieces like the one below and can just imagine him painting with his quick, free brushstrokes.  Striking.