Reveal - There's More to Kansas Than Good Ol' Corn on the Cob!

Name That Painter! - Big Reveal

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Arriving in Wichita, Kansas for the annual Society of Decorative Painters Conference meant for me a very busy week! I had planned each day by they hour with not much elbow room to spare. So when I found that the Wichita Art Museum was FREE on Saturdays, I had to adjust my schedule accordingly. : ) Yes, I said FREE (that word has to be capitalized and sounded out s-l-o-w-l-y as to relish all the joy that comes from it). Squishing the museum in on Sat. would be difficult with trade floor take down and yadayada...yada. Oh heck I thought,                                                          "It's F-R-E-E, you must work it out!" 

The SDP Conference went by waay too fast. The trade floor was delicious and a visit and tour of the SDP Headquarters made for a grand treat!! Meeting Karl-Heinz Meschbach (a master at faux finish) who was doing a demo, was simply awesome! I have to say, if you're ever in the Wichita area, be sure to stop by the SDP Headquarters. They have a museum of their own worth noting. It is full of some of the BEST decroarting painting done by artists of OUR time. Anyway, after packing everything up on Saturday,  we arrived at the Wichita Art Museum and a hour before closing. Well, wouldn't you know it, guess who the featured artist was?? None other than my fav artist of all time!!! Norman Rockwell. His artwork influenced me waay back in my high school years of...ahemeightysomethingorother. My time was soo limited, I knew I'd miss the Rockwell display - NOOOOOO! Okay, I admit it, my FREE plan was starting to unravel at this point. Ohh the hours upon hours I could spend soaking up his amazing work. "Get ahold of yourself", is all I could think. "Afterall, I am on a mission to see something VERY special - which calls for sacrifice my dear!"

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So with tunnel vision, I quickly walked past the big giant beautiful Dale Chihuly glass chandelier, and past all the lovely and brilliant pieces by Norman (gulp-sob!), and a right turn down the hallway to the middle gallery...and Yes! There it was as expected, placed right at the main point of interest in the gallery - "on the line" in the center of observation. Ohhh our artist would be so proud!!! I walked right up and positioned myself in front of the painting then somewhat caught off guard.... melted. Tears came to my eyes as I witnessed her work first-hand (somewhat awkward in the middle of a museum I should day). The tender feelings between the mother and child radiated right off the canvas directly to my heart. Like the brush strokes could talk... I quietly wiped my eyes and enjoyed the beautiful moment Mary Cassatt captured on canvas. The soft brush strokes and comfy colors invited reflection. My babies now grown, came to mind. In my busy hub-bub world that rushes like the wind at times, sweet moments with family are a precious treasure. 

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Thank you Mary Cassatt for your 
remarkable artwork 
which speaks of the true and simple treasures found around us!

Mary Stevensen Cassatt
Born May 22, 1844
Allegheny City, Pennsylvania USA
Died June 14th 1926 (age 82)
Chateau de Beaufresne, near Paris.

Contest Winner!
Molliann of Clovis, CA
Congratulations Molliann!