Monet eat your heart out

27 November 2018

In the Hawkes Bay every two years the Russell family open their garden to the public for a sculpture exhibition among their abundant wild flowers. The proceeds go to Cranford hospice.

The advertisement in the local Wellington paper caught my eye so I decided plan a long weekend in Havelock North with Sally.

The timing was appropriate as I had just finished watching the DVDs on “Painting the Modern Garden – Monet to Matisse”and “Vincent van Gogh-a new way of seeing”. I also watched “Michelangelo-Love and death” but I wasn’t on the lookout for any “Davids” at the exhibition.

Seeing the pictures of the wild flowers was the main impetus  for me attending -sorry all you wonderful artists.

I really enjoy impressionist paintings and its just not the flowers but their observation of light. And photography is all about light.

Hence the irreverent title. I wonder if the painters of yesteryear would have enjoyed the expanse of the wild flowers and the expanse of the human mind with the creativity shown in the artwork.

It was such a wonderful day with the music , variety of food and especially the ice cream -lick on that Pissaro. But it was the people there that made it. Everyone was so relaxed and enjoying the day. It was so peaceful as well  and that was unusual considering the amount of visitors. It helps to have the space though. A  tune was humming in my head all morning-” If you’re going to San Francisco don’t forget to wear flowers in your hair”.

Subtitute San Fran for Hawkes Bay  but somehow that doesnt work- maybe  Round Pond Garden?

Didn’t remember seeing any selfie sticks as well but this isn’t the Lourve.

So what would have Monet done if he were there? Would he have painted something like on the Home page, and I’m not talking about the Bumble Bee shots. He  wasn’t into Action Impressionalism. Or would he have said “Piss off everyone  I’m trying to paint… but hand me a sauage”.

The observant may notice that a new camera system was used . Well artists have different brushes, photographers have different cameras……

More on the GAS in another blog.

ps  I regard myself  as  an old fart but GAS refers to Gear Acquisition Syndrome. My sphincters are loosening but we won’t go there……

1.    10 November 2018    Panasonic G9    iso200    70mm    f11    1/100sec    Leica DG 50-200 f2.8

2.    iso200    92mm    f16    1/30sec    Leica 50-200 f2.8

3.    iso 200    50mm    f9.0    1/250sec    Leica 50-200 f2.8

4.    iso 200    12mm    f5.6    1/250sec    Leica DG 12-60mm f2.8

5.    iso 200    22mm    f4.0    1/200sec

6.    iso200    200mm    f4.0    1/640sec

7.    iso640    200mm    f5.6    1/1000sec

8.  iso 640    138mm    f5.6    1/1000sec   

9.    iso 640    162mm    f5.6    1/1000sec

10.    iso 640    175mm    f5.6    1/1000sec