Monet's Garden

Spring is in the air and along with the sunshine comes the urge to plant things. I have painted often in the past and have always found Claude Monet to be an inspiration, both as an artist and as a gardener. I am planning on planting nasturtiums and was reminded of Monet's garden. It was an oasis and I hope to grow one as well.

'Garden Path',  1902 by Claude Monet at Österreichische Galerie Belvedere

I know that probably the most recognisable works of Monet would be his waterlily paintings that he also painted in the Giverny gardens. While I love these for their calmness, and almost overwhelming nature ( the large murals) which make you feel like you are floating on a calm lake; I want to focus on his flowers. 

As a child I loved the book .

In which a garden loving young girl travels to Paris and sees Monet's garden and paintings and learns what it means to be called an Impressionist. I also went as a child to Monet's garden so I really loved this book and would love to visit again. 

me at 5 in Monet's garden

It is a short way from Paris so it is quite quick to take a train there, please go if you are visiting Paris in the spring or summer. Here are some lovely pictures taken by Cherry Blossom Girl in the garden.

Monet liked to paint controlled nature, like the waterlilies and the bridge. He was deeply involved in his garden and meticulously planned the layout and treatment of the garden to his gardeners. The garden was his source of comfort and inspiration throughout his later life as he gained cataracts, he then continued to paint the garden from memory. 

1.Monet, right, in his garden at Giverny 

The Garden in Flower, 1900

Water-Lily Pond and Weeping Willow, 1916–1919

Springtime (1872). The Walters Art Museum, Baltimore

The Rose-Way in Giverny,1920–1922, Musée Marmottan Monet
I hope you are enjoying spring, take a walk in the fresh air. Monet was one of the forerunners of painting en plein-air, or out of doors, far from the studio with its still life. He struggled to capture light as it shifts and changes and these attempts are among his greatest works. So if you are struggling to find the muse, be it writing, painting, or finding that elusive idea, take a break and walk outside. I leave you with Monet on his bench enjoying the sunshine.

via http://blogs.spectator.co.uk/books/2012/10/plein-air-pleasures-and-the-great-indoors/

all paintings can be found on wikipedia.

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