With a very open heart, after attending my latest Diamond Approach Retreat at the Berkeley Ridhwan School, my last day in San Francisco included a visit to the De Young Museum in Golden Gate Park. We introduced our dear friends to the wonder of JMW Turner through the brilliant exhibition ‘Painting Set Free’. It features some of the works of his later life which are still as fresh as ever – Get to see it if you possibly can! It closes on September 20th.
Turner has long been an inspiration for me and these later works especially speak with a divine freedom and passion – so remarkably even after all these years (they were painted around the middle of the 1800’s). I’m a particular fan of his Ventian works, especially the watercolours and there was a small selection of them there. In only a few lucid brush strokes and delicate colours, they so evoke the magic of that city.
The exhibition includes some of his dramatic maritime oils as well which really capture the momentous drama of a storm at sea… It was brilliant to get the feel of them face to face.
The exhibition is a perfect companion to the movie ‘Mr Turner’ since it covers the same period in his life.
It really stirred something up in me, to get back to my studio and free up the brushes!
Life and Light 
Turner’s paintings are living, it seems to me. I had the opportunity to see some recently in washington DC, hard to believe they were painted so long ago.
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That was my experience if them too, they had a very contemporary feel to them – perhaps it’s because he speaks to the real and true in us that’s timeless.😊
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They have great mood and movement ..I think when you see other artist capture something special it inspires our souls to achieve a little bit more. I always loved the impressionists…Free up …something I am working towards and hopefuly will get there. Maybe one day they will come to Perth.
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