Ode to Spring

The Eternal Muse of Spring in Art:

As the Winter snow melts away and the first buds of cherry blossoms begin to bloom, we are reminded that Spring is not merely a season; it's a powerful muse that has stirred the souls of poets and artists for centuries and the transformation they represent explore themes of hope, renewal, and the passage of time. The allure of Spring, with its promise of new beginnings, has transcended cultures, especially in the masterful art of Traditional Japanese Art and the vibrant canvases of the Impressionists.

In Japan, the arrival of cherry blossoms, or 'Sakura,' is a highly anticipated event. These delicate pink flowers symbolize the fleeting nature of life, a concept deeply rooted in Buddhist philosophy. The practice of 'Hanami,' or flower viewing, brings people together under the blooming cherry trees to reflect upon the beauty and impermanence of life. This tradition has been immortalized in Japanese woodblock prints that depict scenes of daily life and the country's stunning natural beauty. The Impressionists were similarly enchanted by the transformative power of Spring. Van Gogh, with his impassioned brushwork, brought to life the vitality of Spring's awakening in his masterpiece "Almond Blossom." He found solace and hope in the blossoming trees, a subject that occupied many of his works during his time in the south of France. The almond tree's blooms against a clear blue sky are ode to Spring's ability to renew not just the earth, but the human spirit as well.

Claude Monet was so moved by the season that he designed his own garden in Giverny as a living canvas. Here, he could capture the play of light and shadow on the water lilies and the irises in his series of paintings that are a celebration of color and light, and the tranquility of nature's rebirth.

We welcomed several new students to class this week as we celebrated Spring. For this lesson the class used a combination of markers, brush pens and oil pastels to create their Spring inspired mixed media drawings.