This Week:  The Art Institute of Chicago

I love art, love paintings and am especially drawn to the work of the Impressionists. I am lucky that I have been able to see a large number of Impressionist works that have toured through Houston. In fact in one year there were four different shows with many masterworks including some from the Art Institute of Chicago. The depth and breadth of the Art Institutes' Impressionist collection is astounding. Monet, Renoir, Cezanne, Degas, Van Gogh and more. Room after room after room with work from these masters.  Every where you turn was another famous name or another iconic image.

Then there was the Monet room. Nothing moves me like seeing artwork by Monet. There is something about him that touches my heart and lifts my spirit. It is an emotional experience for me and to be in a whole room full of nothing but incredibly famous Monet's was powerful.  I sat on the bench in the room for a long time just staring at one wall, then another, then another, soaking in the room.  The longer I sat there the closer I was to tears over the experience.  Just thinking back on that day takes me right back to that bench.  What a wonderful moment for me.