John Singer Sargent Watercolors

The first time I ventured to the Brooklyn Museum it was with interior designer Tommy Smythe last spring.  I wonder if I can convince him to return so we can view the new John Singer Sargent Watercolors exhibition that opens Friday and runs through July 28, 2013. This "landmark exhibition" features of 93 works and "unites for the first time the John Singer Sargent watercolors acquired by the Brooklyn Museum and the Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, in the early twentieth century." You might want to make a day of it in Brooklyn and also visit the Brooklyn Botanic Garden during the Cherry Blossom Season which is almost upon us.  The Cherry Blossom Festival is April 27-28, 2013. Are you in Tommy???

John Singer Sargent, Santa Maria della Salute, 1904

 John Singer Sargent, Villa di Marlia, Lucca: A Fountain, 1910

John Singer Sargent, In a Medici Villa, 1906

John Singer Sargent, White Ships, 1908

 John Singer Sargent, Corfu: Lights and Shadows, 1909

Keith Haring at the Brooklyn Museum

When Canadian interior designer Tommy Smythe was last in town, he invited me along to the Brooklyn Museum to see the Keith Haring: 1978–1982 exhibit.  It was a bit of the blind leading the blind getting there but luckily we made it. I was familiar with Keith Haring's work but this show introduced me to so many more facets of his art.  It was fascinating to watch the videos of him painting in what can only be described as a methodical trance.  The pieces above was created from one long continuous length of paper and I love how you can see the drip marks from the paint. The exhibit also showcases his notebooks, photographs, and subway drawings, as well as his friendship with artists Jean-Michel Basquiat and Kenny Scharf.  Keith Haring died on February 16, 1990 from complications from AIDS at the age of 31.  A sad tragedy that we are lucky doesn't happen as often these days.  Keith Haring: 1978–1982 is lovely tribute his legacy and definitely worth the trek to Brooklyn. 

Keith Haring subway drawing above a work by Jean-Michel Basquiat.

Interior designer Tommy Smythe taking a photo. 

Photos by Heather Clawson for Habitually Chic