My Encounter With Georgia O'Keeffe
Last month, I had the good fortune to travel to a new place with an old friend. We went to Santa Fe and it was idyllic. But within that time of delicious food, a charming book store, handmade crafts, and stories from Indigenous artisans, my mind keeps returning to the same place.
The Georgia O’Keeffe museum is found near Santa Fe’s Plaza. I knew of her work and her love for the Southwest, but beyond that I knew nothing about her. Walking through the quiet rooms that hold her art the atmosphere felt charged with a creative energy, a force almost, to the degree that I wanted to sit down on the floor and start writing—as ludicrous as that sounds. I had no ideas, just the impetus to CREATE.
In the museum’s last room there are some of O’Keeffe’s clothes and other belongings as well as this portrait of her taken by a friend. I was struck by the composure of her face with just the hint of a smile. Something about the steely calm of her gaze, her surety of self, touched me deeply. I’ve felt weighed down for most of this year, as my anxiety has ratcheted up over what is happening in our country, but something in my mind, my spirit, eased. I felt a clarity, a calmness that I can’t even properly explain, but it made me want to recommit to the things I’m passionate about. How capable of doing that I am, I’m not sure. We’ll see.
The energy and emotion engendered by O’Keeffe and all the art that is everywhere in Santa Fe lasted for weeks, but did fade under the onslaught of “What fresh hell is this?” (thank you, Dorothy Parker). What did not was my determination to learn more about this fascinating woman. To that end, I turned to a book (of course!) and will be sharing my thoughts on what I learned in my next post.
Until then, let’s talk:
Have you ever felt moved by a piece of art?
Is there somewhere you go when you need to reset?
Any recommendations on Georgia O’Keeffe reading I should do?
This reminds me a lot of my visit to the National Gallery in DC and how stunned and captivated I found myself when I came upon John Singer Sargent’s gorgeous study he did for a larger painting of his. It was featured in its own little room with an inviting tufted velvet bench.
The Spanish Dancer, study for 'El Jaleo' wowed me so much that when we got home, I immediately ordered a canvas print copy for my living room. The movement, the mood, the masterful approach…I was in. I love looking at it.
Georgia O’Keefe briefly taught at the university I went to in Canyon, Texas. So it's always interesting to she her art out in the world. Not an O’Keefe book but female artists. I highly recommend Broad Strokes by Bridget Quinn.