Boston: MFA, John Singer Sargent Watercolors

Violet Sleeping, ca. 1907-1908, Brooklyn MuseumIt's always such a treat to visit the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston. Remember this?

For me, it's a way to decompress, find inspiration and reflect on my work as a photographer. There's always so much to learn. With the MFA's newest exhibition of Johh Singer Sargent's Watercolors, it's the first time that his most significant collections of watercolors from both the MFA and the Brooklyn Museum have been exhibited together.

I invited some of my favorite ladies in Boston, Elizabeth S who I love to see at Neiman Marcus events, Elizabeth H who I recently dined with, Ana and Alaina who I often have tea with, to join me at the MFA. We were honored to get an inside look of Sargent's Watercolors from the MFA's own Croll Senior Curator of American Paintings, Art of the Americas, Erica Hirshler.

When I studied Art and Art History back at the University of Toronto, John Singer Sargent was always one of those painters who we looked to for his work in oils and always for his ability to capture LIGHT. I had never had the opportunity to view his watercolors in person, until now and they are beyond exquisite.

My favorite piece  "In Switzerland" dated to 1905 is of Sargent's friend Lawrence Harrison whose lanky frame barely fits the bed. The fore-shortened view adds to the interest of the painting, highlighting the shoes dangling off the bed frame.

Sargent's watercolors can be looked at as fragmented moments captured in time; little snapshots, all of which speak volumes of an artist ahead of his period. It's incredible to think that his works were created on moving gondolas, along the hillsides of the Alps, situated in middle eastern bedouin camps, even such challenging locales as the Carrara marble quarries in Lucca.

If only Sargent could have used Instagram....

Croll Senior Curator of American Paintings, Art of the Americas, Erica Hirshler, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

Simplon Pass: Reading, about 1911, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

Simplon Pass: Reading, about 1911, Museum of Fine Arts, BostonSimplon Pass: The Green Parasol, about 1911, Museum of Fine Arts, Boston

Gondoliers' Siesta, 1902-1903, Museum of Fine Arts, BostonBedouins, 1905-1906, Brooklyn Museum

Thank you to the Museum of Fine Arts for having us!

The Sargent Watercolor exhibit at the MFA is on now until January 20 2014, for tickets visit the MFA website.

Savannah: Tybee Island

Tybee Island, Savannah Georgia, 2013

All photographs processed with VSCO Film 4

Boston: Red Sox Parade

The Red Sox 2013 World Series champions paraded their way through Boston today, via the city's famous site-seeing World War II amphibious vehicles, the Duck Boats.

The whole city lined the streets for a glimpse of the Red Sox team and crew...

Remember this time I was at Fenway Park?

Savannah: Alex Raskin Antiques

In gorgeous, historic Savannah, every square is surrounded by regal, magnificent homes, rich in architecture and the promise of great stories to tell.

Happening upon what looked like a run-down, deserted and "haunted" house on the corner of Monterery Square, with a sign that said "Antiques", my curiosity was instantly piqued. The door was locked, but there was a note on the door with a number to call for it to be opened. The note also stated that the home was large so it would take some time.

There was no response.

The next day however, the door was unlocked. As I pushed it open, it creaked just like a horror movie door.

But very much not like a horror movie, was the sight of an enormous front room filled to the brim with heavy pieces of antique furniture and sculptures. A perfect antique shop. With all the mystery of a haunted mansion gone, it was easier to walk in, and browse amongst the vintage furnishings.

The shop-keeper invited me to explore the other floors (3 more!), so I set off upstairs. At the top of which was a door with an instruction to "shut the door behind you"....

Join me within the walls of the historic Noble Hardee Mansion of Monterey Square...

Alex Raskin Antiques, 441 Bull St  Savannah, GA 31401

Insta Faves!

Do you realize that if you fall into a black hole, you will see the entire future of the Universe unfold in front of you in a matter of moments and you will emerge into another space-time created by the singularity of the black hole you just fell into?
Neil deGrasse Tyson
Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/keywords/black_hole.html#tzmlpPdsww80OKZ2.99

"Do you realize that if you fall into a black hole, you will see the entire future of the universe unfold in front of you in a matter of moments, and you will emerge into another space-time created by the singularity of the black hole you just fell into?" - Neil deGrasse Tyson

Do you realize that if you fall into a black hole, you will see the entire future of the Universe unfold in front of you in a matter of moments and you will emerge into another space-time created by the singularity of the black hole you just fell into?

Neil deGrasse Tyson

Read more at http://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/quotes/n/neildegras531142.html#cXa2lKrZe5ze3Bd3.99"\\

Instagram and its endless possibilities are what make it so addictive. I love that feeling of discovering a new Instagram account.  Instantly clicking that "follow" button knowing that I'll have that person's imagery on my feed next time.

Here are a few Instagram accounts that I have fallen in love with. They're inspiring and always take me on a journey to another world.

jillybotting

houseofelle

murrjohnson

rubbleandrock

BKHPhoto

dearleila

goodlivingisglam

bythebrush

nicholasjared

callicles

solojulia

cucinadigitale

marte_marie_forsberg

camillebecerra

thiswildidea

benjaminhole

lavinnnnia

alleedesroses

Who are some of your favorites Instagrammers?