Discovering the Impressionists: Paul Durand-Ruel and the New Painting

Hello Beautiful People,

The Philadelphia Art Museum recently opened Discovering the Impressionists: Paul Durand-Ruel and the New Painting exhibition. The traveling exhibit will be open through September 13, 2015.

“This summer, the Philadelphia Museum of Art presents a ground-breaking exhibition examining the early struggles and ultimate triumph of the artists who became known as the Impressionists and the role played by the visionary Parisian art dealer Paul Durand-Ruel in their success. Including masterworks by Claude Monet, Édouard Manet, Edgar Degas, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, Camille Pissarro, and Mary Cassatt, Discovering the Impressionists: Paul Durand-Ruel and the New Paintingspans the period of 1865 through 1905. The exhibition begins when Durand-Ruel inherited his family’s art gallery and invested in the work of innovative painters such as Eugène Delacroix, Gustave Courbet, and Jean-François Millet. It then focuses on the decisive moment when he encountered the new and luminous paintings of the Impressionists that evoked a changing, modern world. It continues through the 1880s, when Durand-Ruel opened markets for the artists’ work in the United States, and the early 20th century, when the artistic genius of the Impressionists finally achieved international renown. It reunites for the first time key paintings from early Impressionist exhibitions, some of which have not been seen in the United States in decades, or ever before. The Philadelphia Museum of Art will be the exhibition’s only U.S. venue.”(Philadelphia Art Museum Press Release)

 Paul Durand-Ruel embraced Impressionist artists and supported their work.

“In 1865, Paul Durand-Ruel (1831–1922) inherited a gallery founded by his parents. By the early 1870s, when he discovered the young artists who would become known as the Impressionists, he began to promote their work. His innovative strategies included acquiring the work of the artists he favored in depth; gaining exclusivity in selling their work by offering them monthly stipends; hosting monographic or solo exhibitions; and establishing branches in London, Brussels, and New York that drew him into contact with influential and daring collectors around the world. When he was eighty-eight years old, the dealer declared: “At last the Impressionist masters triumphed. My madness had been wisdom. To think that, had I passed away at sixty, I would have died debt-ridden and bankrupt, surrounded by a wealth of underrated treasures.” (Philadelphia Art Museum Press Release)

Paul Durand-Ruel, 1910 by Pierre August-Renoir

Paul Durand-Ruel, 1910 by Pierre August-Renoir

I first started to enjoy Impressionism when I took Art History classes in college. These unique-style paintings tell stories and the romanticism captured me in the moment.

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cz2e72H77vM[/youtube]

If you live in Philadelphia or traveling there, be sure to visit the Art Museum and see this exhibit, especially if you are fond of  the Impressionism style.

Ticket Information
(includes complimentary audio tour)

Adults $25
Seniors $23
Students and Youths 13–18 $20
Children ages 5–12 $12
Children 4 and under Free

Tickets are available by calling 215-235-7469 or online at philamuseum.org (a service charge of $3.50 applies).

Weekday afternoon price
The Museum offers discounted tickets for weekdays beginning at 3:00 p.m. for $20 through July 31.

In my next post I will share my favorite paintings of the exhibit.

JTwisdom signature

 

Move Your Body and Groove to the Music

Hi Beautiful People!

I love music and I enjoy dancing. I can be almost asleep; but if I hear music, I wake right up and am ready to move.

Blogger Event Salsa Night at Majestic Studios

Blogger Event Salsa Night at Majestic Studios

Dancing gets me moving and it is one of my exercise habits that keeps me in shape.

My hubby and I was invited to attend a Salsa night of dance and fun at Majestic Dance Studios.

Blogger Salsa Night

I didn’t know what to expect, however I thought it would be fun. My husband confesses that he has two left fee;t but he enthusiastically agreed to attend.

When I dance, I like my clothes to be comfortable but chic. I choose natural fiber fabrics that are breathable or fabrics that wick away moisture. I knew I would get a workout so I wanted to be prepared.

When we walked into the studio, everyone was so nice and welcoming. Alex Burodko, owner of the Majestic Studios, said that he is living the American dream and enjoying every minute of it. Mr. Burodko and the other instructors really gave us so much encouragement and confidence.

Ladies lined up on one side of the room, while the men stood on the other side. We would learn a dance step and then practice with our partner. This method made it feel easy and fun for everyone at the same time. No fear here!

JT and hubby practicing

JT and hubby going over the dance steps

When my hubby and I practiced our moves, his eyes lit up with glee because he was actually dancing.

JT and hubby learning Bachata

The instructors, Joe Elvis Alway-Baker, Angie Brooks and Alex Burodko were great at showing my hubby and I how to move in time with each other. The instructors took time to show us how to feel confident on the dance floor and that dancing is not just for the professionals.

JT and Hubby talking with

Were we treated to two performances that were awesome.

Beautiful  dancing by Josef Scherer and Loraine Ebel.

1st Performance

The second performance was high-spirited full of energy by Alex Borudko and Angie Brooks.

Instructors Alex Burodko and Angie Brooks

This was a great night out with the hubby. It was different because it going out on a date and dancing. I know we will be back to learn more dance moves.

Thank you Majestic Dance Studios for a night of fun and I can show some cool moves on the dance floor.

Rose

“Thank You” Rose given to me for attending the Salsa Night.

Join Majestic Studio For Salsa Date Night!

Saturday, June 27th at 7:30-9:00pm

Join Us for Salsa Date Night at Majestic Dance Studio! Grab a partner and come learn the basics of Salsa and other Latin Dances you can do anywhere!
No prior dance experience is needed.
Join Majestic Dance Studio for a Fun, relaxed Date Night Dance Lesson and Dance Party!!!

Pre-Registration with a payment is required to reserve your spot.

*Disclosure:Bubbling with Elegance and Grace was invited to the Majestic Dance Studio Salsa night and received a complimentary one private lesson give card.
My opinions are honest and solely my own.

JTwisdom

 

My Everyday Style Tips

Some people only bother to take care of their appearance for a special occasion. However, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with trying to look good every day. In fact, you should! You might not think that it makes a difference, but the way you look gives people an idea of you, who you are and what you like. If you walk around in scruffy clothes looking worse for wear 90% of the time, it won’t make a difference when you do get dressed up! I understand that getting dressed up every day can take too much time, so use these style tips to help:

Always Accessorize
Accessorizing is a must, whatever the occasion. Even if you’re just going to the shop, I want you to make the effort to accessorize. Sometimes, all you need is a good watch and a pair of plain studs. It all depends on where you’re going and the kind of look you’re trying to create. Somebody who wanted to look boho for the day would layer up lots of jewelry, whereas somebody who wanted to look more polished would be more selective.

JT Jewelry

JT Jewelry

Make Sure You’re Clean and Crease Free
Your clothes should always be clean and free from creases if you want to make a good impression. Even for everyday wear, this is important. Don’t wear something and hope that the creases will just fall out or nobody will notice the stain – you never know who you might meet! What do you want your clothes to say about you?

Wear Dark Colors to Project Authority
Darker colors look more authoritative than lighter colors, so even if you’re just going casual, wear dark. You’ll feel much more hip and people will likely treat you that way too! Wear dark all the way from your designer t-shirt to your Ecco shoes. There’s a reason people love wearing black!

Include Different Textures for Depth
One of the worst things you can do when dressing is fail to use enough texture. Wearing clothes of all the same or similar textures can drown you and stop you from looking your best. Include different textures to add depth to your outfit and look more interesting. You don’t want to look like a charity shop threw up on you, so be clever in the way you do it. Tutorials are online if you’re not sure where to begin.

Layer Carefully
Layer up your clothing so you can easily take pieces off and put them on if the weather changes. Not only is layering great for different kinds of weather, you’ll also look more fashionable. Think Mary Kate and Ashley Olsen as you put your outfits together, but a little less homeless.

Make Sure You’re Comfortable
Finally, you should be comfortable in your everyday clothes. You want to look good, but you don’t want to hurt yourself. If you’re uncomfortable it’ll show all over your face. Wear training shoes with dressy clothes if you have to and make it work.

I hope you enjoyed these tips!

Top Ways To Spice Up Your Jacket

Hi Beautiful People!

Sometimes when you buy a jacket, it doesn’t look as good as you think it did in the store. It happens. Buyers remorse gets us all at least once. Sometimes the problem is that the jacket is just too plain. If you think that your jackets might have that problem, there are ways to spice them up a little. Here’s how to turn that plain jacket into a fashion miracle.

This Tommy Hilfiger jacket is one of my favorites, it’s all in the details. The princess seams flatter my figure and can make a pretty dress look edgy.

JT with Vinny

JT with Vinny

Badges
Nice and simple. Removable too. If you find, your jacket needs a little more color or texture, line the outer lapels with a few badges. If you want the badges to represent your outlook or tastes, check eBay for the appropriate badges. If you’re a big fan of a certain band, why not make it known with a badge? A few too many badges can ruin the look though. Be sure to not overdo it. If you do decide to go a little overboard, there’s a tipping point where having a lot of badges has a real punk rock vibe.

Studs
On the subject of punk rock, what’s more, punk rock than studs? While you should be careful where you’re placing them, they’ll add a more defined texture to a jacket. Sticking them on one shoulder or both will instantly bring a little flavor. Just don’t overdo it, or it won’t be a very comfortable or light jacket for much longer.

Patches
When in doubt, patches can add a little color to your jacket. If you’re not too keen on the solid color of your jacket, injecting a little vibrancy can work wonders. Custom patches too are a good idea. It works on the same principle as the badges. If you want to show your outlook or tastes, patches can show that. Patches need a little more space than badges. While you can get some small patches lined on a front pocket, for more detailed designs you can them to be elsewhere. The larger patches will go directly on the back. Medium patches can go on the shoulders. Either on the top of them or at the sides.

The Worn Look
If none of the other options are right for your jacket, it might be just that it looks too new. You could wear it every day for a year to give it the worn look. A quicker way to manufacture that look artificially. Usually, different kinds of washes can give the worn look. Washed denim, for example, is pretty popular. Even to the point where they’ll sell clothes in stores that already have the look.

Leather is a little different. You want to be careful you’re not distressing it too much. The leather may crack and peel. While you do want a little bit of decay on the leather, you don’t want it falling apart. Be very careful.

If you’ve tried some of these methods on your jacket, and it still isn’t looking good? You might just have to admit the jacket might not be right for you.

JTwisdom

RECIPE: St. Louis Style Peanuts and Jellybeans

Hello Beautiful People!

I have another recipe from my childhood in St. Louis. When I was a little child, my mother would would take me to Rinderers’ (a drug store that was formally in the Lou) or Woolworth’s (a five-and-dime store) for carmel popcorn or peanuts and jellybeans.  At Rinderers’, my mother would order a half a pound of Spanish peanuts and jellybeans (I remember taking the hulls off). The man behind the counter would scoop the delicious combination in a paper bag.  Mirrors were everywhere in that place, I felt I had to behave, however seeing those Spanish peanuts and jellybeans was worth it.
My mother never made peanuts and jellybeans. However when I was having lunch with my hubby, he told me that he never had the combination of the two. I started thinking of a recipe where I could share with him one of my favorite foodie experience as a child.

Peanuts and Jellybeans

Peanuts and Jellybeans

First, my hubby placed two cups of roasted peanuts (please check ingredients for msg and artificial preservatives) on a small baking sheet in our convection for ten minutes.
We didn’t have any Spanish nuts, so we used a roasted peanut instead. The smell reminded me of being a little child smell those delectable smells in the store, gosh the good memories.

Warming roasted peanuts

Warming roasted peanuts

After the peanuts are warmed, my hubby removed the peanuts from the oven and placed them in a brown paper bag.

Warm roasted peanuts

Warm roasted peanuts

While the peanuts are still warm, we added a 9 oz. bag of jelly beans to the bag and gently shook them together, mixing them together.

Jellybeans

Jellybeans

I asked my hubby to be the first to try it and he thought it was very tasty. He said that the combination of the peanuts warmed the jellybeans and the two melded together to form a sweet but salty, warm and gooey but crunchy treat. He couldn’t stop at just a couple. He kept reaching in the bag for more.

My hubby and I count calories, so we had only seven jellybeans with a handful of peanuts; and then put the rest in an air-tight container.
Always remember you can have a treat and maintain your fitness goals, the key is balance.

When talking with my hubby about the treat, he said that he had never had tried the combo before. Since he didn’t grow up in Saint Louis, it made me wonder if it was only a local treat? Do I have some foodies out there who shared in this experience?

Please let me know if you have tried this confectionary treat or if you tried my recipe.
Leave me a comment below, sharing your experience.

JTwisdom

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