One of the recent weekends was full of wonderful moments of happenstance. The weekend started with visiting an exhibition called Monet: The Early Years at one of the museums in San Francisco. Earlier in the month, I had mentioned it to my husband. Knowing how much I adore the Impressionist painters, he got us tickets for the event. A couple of weeks ago we were there on Saturday morning, bright and early, although not quite bright-eyed and bushy-tailed.
Towing of a Boat at Honfleur by Claude Monet
A Cart on the Snowy Road at Honfleur by Claude Monet
Green Wave by Claude Monet
A Hut at Sainte-Adresse by Claude Monet
We explored his early work through approximately sixty paintings. Exquisite play of colours, light and shadow, brush strokes and dynamics are an integral part of every painting. Although he lived in abject poverty, Monet was so passionate about this work that he continued on with his personal style of painting.
Water Lilies by Claude Monet
The museum also has two small paintings by Van Gogh. As I walked into the Gallery that had the Van Gogh pieces on display, there was this painting by Monet right across from where I was standing. As we walked around the room, we found a few more paintings by Monet and Renoir. A lovely surprise find before leaving the museum.
Purchase Fiddle The Violin Pattern
My violin bow had been at the luthier to be rehaired. They are about an hour away from our house, and also an hour away from San Francisco. The bow was ready so we decided to stop by to pick it up on our way back. We found a small coffee shop where we recharged before heading home via a beautiful road. Inspired by the all the artwork of the morning and atmosphere of the violin shop, I have a new musical pattern brewing.
On the way back, the conversation digressed toward the gardens of Versailles. We haven’t been to France yet, but we have seen a couple of beautiful stately home gardens in England. It was therefore not hard to imagine the scale and beauty of the gardens of Versailles. Our home is not a very large one, but I do like to take inspiration from large enterprises and scale them down to suit my need. The thought of doing the same with our garden stayed with me.
Next day, when my husband went to the shop, I went along to browse the plants area. I wasn’t planning on buying anything, but then I spotted this white rose. All resolve melted away and I came home with 29 plants!
Can’t say no to irises. I got these and my friend Mary sent me some more. I am a lucky girl.
Also, a few foxgloves.
The following Friday, after work, I sat down with the garden measurements to create a layout for the plants. Influenced by the larger gardens of the stately homes, I am designing a garden with a few different focal points. Our garden may not be huge, but it is certainly big enough for that. I created a circular focal point with the white rose in the centre. It is a working plan, so it will continue to grow as I get inspired by the greatness of others.
I am going to take a break for the next couple of weeks. Hopefully a few more moments of happenstance will find me.
-Soma
I am also linking up on Through My Lens, Our World Tuesday, Wednesday Around The World, Seasons, and Friday Photo Journal along with other linky parties on my Events And Links page.
34 thoughts on “Happenstance”
Karin July 19, 2017 at 11:01
I just love all of it, the white Rose is a fav.
I enjoy following you and your quilts I’ve made a few blocks from logos I didn’t get all the blocks as I hurt my back it took several months to recover I’m making a small quilt for Christmas with the blocks for my 5 year old grandson. Have a great week with all the
Cheryl Brickey May 14, 2017 at 18:59
The paintings are beautiful, Monet has always been one of my favorites. Your violin paper pieced pattern is awesome!
Monika May 14, 2017 at 02:26
Wonderful post. Very nice beautiful photos.
Greetings from Poland.
Emily Bailey May 13, 2017 at 17:36
Sounds like a beautiful day. All the art and flowers are wonderful!
Sharon May 12, 2017 at 10:27
What a joy to see those early paintings of Monet in person! I love the colorful water lillies. If you go to France, you will want to include a visit to Giverny, as Monet’s gardens are just as he painted them in his later years. So lovely. Have fun planning and planting your spring garden!
Leeanne Hopper May 10, 2017 at 00:18
Such a musical piece! very precise……………..
Julie May 10, 2017 at 00:03
Wow – what a fabulous weekend. Very envious about seeing that Monet exhibition. Have you seen the movie, A Little Chaos about the building of the gardens at Versailles. Sumptuous costumes and setting. What is the name of the rose you bought?
Marie-OR May 9, 2017 at 06:46
I adore Monet! Would love to see the exhibit. Your flowers are lovely as well. What a nice post!
Kate May 9, 2017 at 04:01
I’ve always adored his use of color. Looks like it was a beautiful exhibit. Gorgeous flowers. The nice thing about all the rain this year is that the flowers are all so beautiful this year.
Lady Fi May 9, 2017 at 01:02
What a lovely exhibition!
jesh StG May 8, 2017 at 13:06
The irises, foxgloves, and roses are exuding such beauty, and you took perfect shots of them! The snowy road is my favorite of the ones you showed from Claude Monet:) Do you know there was also a painter with the last name Manet? Only one letter difference, also painting in impressionistic style:) ) Lovely post Soma, and with so many beautiful things you shared in this post with All Seasons! Wishing you a beautiful week!
bettyl - NZ May 7, 2017 at 01:04
It’s great to be inspired by classic artists. Your flower photos are awesome and I admire you plans for the garden. I try to plan, but don’t usually end up sticking with the plan :)
Carol May 6, 2017 at 06:22
Monet exhibit must have been truly inspiring. Love your photos
Jackie May 6, 2017 at 06:03
First time here and plan to follow you!
Love Monet! have been to his gardens in France as well as Versailles, definitely worth the trip!!
White roses are my favourite next to bright gerberas!!! When we had a garden I aspired to an all-white section.
Kaja May 5, 2017 at 23:53
Your garden plans sound very promising and I love your purchases (though I can’t imagine having to buy foxgloves – I have them like weeds here, have to thin them out every year). Enjoy your blogging break.
rosa May 5, 2017 at 14:14
So luscious Monet and your blocks and photos .Hope you have a lot of fun in your break times.!!
jesh StG May 5, 2017 at 11:32
I think I have seen your second capture of Monet before. Your quilt piece of the violin is so beautiful!! – I love it:) The lovely foxgloves – pleasant memories of the house in the forest in Holland we rented. They came to my height.! Good luck with your gardening!
Shauna May 5, 2017 at 08:49
I wish I had a green thumb, but plants run when they see me in the garden area. It sounds like your garden will be very lovely.
Nancy @ Grace and Peace Quilting May 5, 2017 at 04:16
Lovely photos of Monet and flowers. Your violin patter is so detailed. Interesting!
Tamar Strauss-Benjamin May 5, 2017 at 04:02
Beautiful!
Kim Sharman May 5, 2017 at 02:48
Do I suppose a trip by you to France sometime in the future. I can only but dream of wandering through the garden of Versailles and then Monet’s Garden at Giverny. Wouldn’t that be a dream come true. So excited by the beautiful plants you bought. Your garden is going to be wonderful. I look forward to seeing it grow through the lens of your magical camera. A stunning violin pattern, Soma. What an amazing weekend filled with delightful happenstance. Thank you for sharing the joy of it.
Rachel May 5, 2017 at 01:20
Monet would have to be one of my favourite artists I wish I could have visited the museum too! I would have been so inspiring to see. Did it inspire you with your gardening.
Janine @ Rainbow Hare May 5, 2017 at 01:12
How wonderful that you saw those paintings in real life. I’ve never seen an original Monet but I have been to Florence and the paintings and frescos there were indescribably alive and all the reproductions and prints of them have seemed very flat and dull to me ever since. I’m looking forward to seeing your garden grow. I wish you a happenstanceful break :)
Karen May 4, 2017 at 23:29
I’ve been looking for a fiddle pattern for a year now. I think your violin would work. I’ve been to Paris and the Rodin Gardin and the Louvre and The Orangerie (Monet museum. They are all wonderful. Monet is my favorite painter and I can look at his paintings for hours and I did!
Mary May 4, 2017 at 20:03
That exhibition must have been amazing! I’m so glad that you were able to see it. Your garden is going to be stunning. The iris and foxglove look so pretty and will be such a great addition to the white rose.
I can’t wait to see your next musical piece. I think that your first pieces were what made me start following you. Right? The precision is breathtaking. You do them so beautifully – a labor of love.
Rebecca Grace May 4, 2017 at 18:51
Your flowers are beautiful, and that violin block is just magnificent! I can’t believe you managed to paper piece with that level of detail, right down to the F holes!
Beth @ Cooking Up Quilts May 4, 2017 at 15:59
A museum full of inspiration…it’s no wonder you couldn’t resist the flowers and brought home so many. :) I’m sure your garden will be beautiful. I’m not much of a gardener, but I do love the few plants I manage to keep alive.
Joan W May 4, 2017 at 13:59
I was out in San Francisco this spring and the Monet show there one day after I left!!!! I’m jealous.
Kim May 4, 2017 at 13:05
The Monet exhibit must have been marvellous to see. We were fortunate to visit his garden outside of Paris a couple of years ago, absolutely stunning! I highly recommend a visit!
Dixie May 4, 2017 at 11:49
What an adventure. Monet’ art is so fabulous. Thank you for sharing your visit. Wonderful to see some new to me Monet paintings.
The flowers you picked out for your garden are lovely. Can’t wait to see the garden. The white rose is absolutely gorgeous.
Also love your violin pattern!
Patty May 4, 2017 at 10:19
love the violin pattern – wow!
Susie May 4, 2017 at 09:05
Such eye candy.!! This is a lovely collection of so many favorites… music, paper piecing, flowers, Claude Monet… What fun you must have had at the museum !!!
Susan May 4, 2017 at 08:06
What a wonderful trip Soma! I need to get up there to see this, plus the Matisse/Diebenkorn at SFMOMA. Beautiful flowers you picked out – they will make for a lovely garden!
krislovesfabric May 4, 2017 at 05:14
It looks like you are making very good use of your rain :) My sister is a great flower gardener…me, notsomuch but I enjoy seeing what I can get to grow. I have a small patch of heirloom poppies she gifted me from an old farmhouse property she used to live on and I jealously try to keep them blooming each year. I found a yellow version of butterfly weed at the nursery yesterday that I have high hopes for this year. Enjoy your break!!