Halle Treanor's Art Page

Stained Glass Windows and the Women of Masters

January 23, 2010

For whatever reason there has always been something about art that affects me on a deep level. I remember as a kid looking through my mom’s art books, and being able to stare at a piece for a long time. The colors and shapes seemed to have a visceral affect on me – pulling, and touching parts of me, setting off a spark.

One of my longtime favorites is Marc Chagall… While nighttime dreams are unfortunately often very fleeting, Chagall was exquisite at being able to capture the experience and essence of the dream, in views that are greatly appealing and inviting to people. For years I had seen his pictures and almost literally would drool. And yet – still hadn’t seen anything in person. Dreams for me were in abstract – always to hang out in the distance “out there”, and always for someone else. I somehow had the perception that they would never happen.

In 1994 I went to visit my friend Alicia and her husband John while they were living in Paris. Alicia was working on her PhD. I spent time in Paris – literally walking from Cathedral to Museum to Cathedral to Museum. With a stop or two at the Eiffel tower, where the three of us had bread and cheese, and wine and watched fireworks shoot off the tower on Bastille Day. The art there was incredible. Stunning. The masters, the greats. It both inspired me and intimidated me at the same time. But the experience shifted me in a way… Growing up I felt that I might never leave California, might never truly get anywhere, and never see anywhere worthwhile. Even back in elementary school we studied paintings by Renoir, Van Gogh, Da Vinci. I remember the beauty of the Mona Lisa, and though as a child it appeared to be a good painting I couldn’t quite figure out why it was considered to be such a great painting. At the time, I felt a bit disappointed, thinking that I would only see those things in books, and, while pictures are great – they are pictures in a book.

Well, Alicia and John generously offered to let me stay with them. What a great offer that was. So I took them up on it, came to Paris, and they showed me around a bit. One day we went to the Louvre… Around and around, up and down stairs and through hallways of amazing pieces.

The Nike of Samothrace, the winged headless angel that rested in a vestibule above the lobby reverberated with an energy that stunned me. http://www.delange.org/Paris2/Nike.jpg Carved out of stone, yet fluttering, fluid. Amazing. Heading on, pieces that were large huge. And then – there she was.

There was always that debate of what makes great art. I had wondered about this myself for some time, and when working with a teacher, Kalyn, she pointed out that great art taps into something universal in the human being, and is why so many appreciate it. Some out of conditioning will immediately dismiss one type of art or another, however, when we work to authentically connect with our own feelings about a piece of art where the artist has been able to tap into that universality, chances are it will touch something within us.

So there she was, the Mona Lisa. Shimmering. Like the Nike of Samothrace, created in three dimensions out of inanimate materials. And yet, she absolutely had a life, a vibrance. Amazing. Beautiful. I think this experience forever changed my perception of what a piece of art work could be – not just a pretty picture, but an opportunity to put something greater than the ordinary in it. And it may or may not be related to the technique, subject matter, or medium.

After a week in Paris, I bought a Eurail pass and started gallavanting across Europe. I made it through Munich, Zurich, Rome and Nice, armed with my backpack, camera, and Fodor’s guide. Making it to Rome was another dream realized. There, the Coliseum – also in my dream to see, however, way back when it seemed utterly impossible. Then, the Sistene Chapel, the Vatican. All incredible.

Much of my trip I didn’t make any plans to see anything in particular. Europe seems so full of architecture and museums and history I think it would have been difficult to walk down a street without seeing something amazing. In Zurich, I took off without a plan, and wandered the streets – again – church after museum, after beautiful building, bridge, the Zurichsee.

I really do believe that when we let go, but stay connected, life can leave you into some wonderful places. Back in 1994 in Zurich, Switzerland, I was halfway around the world from my home, in a foreign country, alone, not paying attention to a map. I wandered into a church that looked interesting. And wouldn’t you know – I was in the Fraumünster chapel, complete with stainglass windows by Chagall. http://www.sacred-destinations.com/switzerland/zurich-fraumunster-photos/slides/chagall-window-cc-raelb

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Fine Art America

January 16, 2010

Check out my site on Fine Art America.com. This actually includes more photography than painting, but is another one of my loves…

http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/halle-treanor.html

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Welcome to Halle Treanor’s Art Blog!

January 8, 2010

Hello, and welcome to my new blog!

I have been a fan of the creative arts for as long as I can remember. No matter what else was going on in my life, if I had the chance to work on a painting, a collage, a drawing, and work it through, I would inevitably feel brighter, lighter, and more connected to myself.

One of the things that I love about art is its ability to take the viewer beyond what normally seen – to open and expand one’s perceptions, ideas, and and thoughts about what can be.

I will post new paintings and new thoughts as they come. I would love to hear your comments, questions, suggestions, etc. Most of all, I hope you enjoy your visit, and may life bring you a rich variety of gifts!

Contact: halle.treanor@yahoo.com