reflections

Reflection in a spoon - close up photo-2.4tlrjpg

(Pic #1) A “silver spoon moment” at Le Pain Quotidien, Calabasas, California

Tune out the noise, and discover a beautiful thing

I was sitting in an extraordinarily loud section of a trendy Calabasas restaurant when I got cranky. Screaming kids, disinterested servers, and they had just closed out the breakfast menu which I had come in for. I felt a bit like the Princess and the Pea, and had to talk myself out of leaving.

(Pic #2) “Composition in Red, Blue and Yellow” (1937-42) by Piet Mondrian

Then, this wondrous thing happened: I glanced down to a table setting that would save my day. Right there, shining brightly and in primary colors, I spotted a miniature masterpiece in the reflection of my silver cialis spoon. (Pic #1) It was lovely. It sucked the frustration right out of my bones. A mini-Mondrian right there at my lunch table. (Pic #2) It made me smile, and a giddiness replaced my hotheadedness. I even showed it to my waitress. Yeah, I think she thought it was lame, but I didn’t care.

In my creativity workshops, I preach the benefits of letting moments like this happen – especially during the days we feel uncreative or stuck. Just taking the time to really “look” around us can unearth the most glorious treasures. So when it gets loud, uncomfortable, or unpleasant, just know you could be a glance away from a very sweet visual gift. Art is in fact everywhere.

(Pic #1) Ephemeral art – off the wall

I’m on a rare vacation with my husband, but I am still always on the lookout for amazing art. In one morning, I saw two great works. The first is this piece by controversial artist Damien Hirst. He’s the dude who celebrates death in his art – by showcasing dead animals in formaldehyde and sometimes live creatures in artificial environments. If PETA has a public enemies list for artists, he would probably be number one. He’s shown a severed cow’s head – with an infestation of flies – and a suspended bull’s head in a tank – which sold for 18 million dollars . (Pic #2)

(Pic #2) Butterfly installation by Damien Hirst

(Pic #3) Butterfly installation by Damien Hirst

(Pic #3) "The Golden Calf" by Damien HIrst

(Pic #2) “The Golden Calf” by Damien Hirst

The Hirst painting I saw hanging in the dining room at the Rancho Valencia Resort, is made up of hundreds of butterflies – all perfectly, flatly arranged – under glass. (Pic #3) The butterfly series, called “In and Out of Love” was recently featured at the Tate Modern in London, and received some scathing reviews. The resort says this piece is worth over 2 million.

Fleeting Beauty

The other extraordinary work I found is actually more to my taste. (Pic #1) Its floating shapes remind me of some of Georgia O’Keeffe’s work. (Pic #4) It’s not worth millions – in fact it’s never been appraised at all. It’s a spectacular piece, but by the time I finished writing this post, it was gone forever. The artists name? Well, I guess it’s “Subaru.”

(Pic #3) "Music - Pink Blue" by Georgia O'Keeffe, 1918

(Pic #4) “Music – Pink Blue” by Georgia O’Keeffe, 1918

See – this incredible collection of shapes and colors was caused by the San Diego sun reflecting off the tail and brake lights of a Subaru XV that was parked near the entrance to the hotel. (Pic #5) It was there just long enough for me to notice it, and grab a quick picture. It will never hang in a museum, or gallery for that matter, nor the dining room of a ritzy resort, but for one moment, on one Sunday morning, it emerged as a masterpiece.

(Pic #5) The art of reflection

Today’s Pic: The Art of Reflection

Transitory Art: Now You See It, Now You Don’t