A Little Museum

This weekend I met a friend in Pasadena.  Our main intention for going was a visit to the Pasadena Museum of California Art, but we took advantage of being in Old Town to do some shopping as well.

The day started with a trip to DSW, the mother ship a huge shoe store.
I had received a gift card last month and wanted to put it towards a new pair of shoes.  Instead, I came home with three new pairs of shoes.  (sigh)  In my defense, I haven’t done anything but work or sleep since August, so I think I probably deserved them.

We also stopped into Dick Blick, who was having a sale, for art supplies. 
I never go into that store with a plan so I leave with impulse buys, but when I get home remember all the things I should have put on a list. 

Also in Pasadena is the Norton Simon Museum.  I visit there regularly, and one of the many highlights is Sam Francis’ Basel Mural I.
Abstract art isn’t always my cup of tea, but the technique, detail, and the sheer size of this work make it one that I enjoy visiting. 

When the Pasadena Museum of California Art opened its Sam Francis exhibit in August, seeing it was on my to-do list.  It took two months to get there, but I finally made it there this weekend.

Up until yesterday, I had not visited the museum which only opened about a decade ago.  It was founded, and aptly named, to highlight California art. 

There are three collections being highlighted at this time, but the Francis exhibit is by far the largest and most impressive of the three.  It is very comprehensive, documenting his art career from the beginning.  It was interesting watching his style change from his start, which was very realistic, to his abstract pieces, which he is most known for.   Unfortunately, photos weren’t really allowed in the exhibit.  So I just sneakily caught a few.  Abstract art is always controversial.  “Well, I could do that,” is often heard when viewing abstract art.  I’ve been known to say that myself a time or two.  But his work is really quite technique driven.  The best part of a museum is to get up close to the work and really see it.  There is a lot to see in Francis’ work.

The parking lot, which sits under the main floor of the museum, is a kick.  It was fun walking around and looking at the art down there too.

PMCA is quite a small space for a museum, but it was a very nice visit.  We were able to take our time and see everything in a couple of hours.  The exhibitions are constantly changing, so I am looking forward to see what comes next.