Rembrandt at Forty-four How many times have people sat Before the artist’s eyes? He masterfully will observe And bring their image forth. The eyes, the nose, the countenance Will all be recognized. Yet something deep within is seen Revealed by artist’s hand. But now the artist takes a look At his own face and form, And taking stock of all he sees Reveals himself to all. At midlife he is in his prime; He rests on strength of years. While all his suffering and success Weigh lightly in his gaze. The other years were different While painting out his life, Yet somehow very similar – The man we now behold. And he will show us, yet again, In future painting still How he has borne the years of time While letting art flow on. ~ CK * Note: The painting above was once thought to be a self-portrait, which is how it was titled in my portfolio of masterpiece prints and is the view from which I wrote the poem. It was later determined that the painting was done by one of the painters in Rembrandt's workshop, hence the "Anonymous" attribution below. _____________________________ Images: Upper - Portrait of Rembrandt, 1650 (National Gallery of Art) Artist: Anonymous* (from the Rembrandt Workshop) Medium: Oil on canvas Lower: Screen shot of a Google search for Rembrandt self-portraits < Previous Post Next Post > Index -

The Old General His top coat speaks of by-gone days, Of fashion long ago. Perhaps his eyes could see ahead, Or was his heart unsure? His countenance is now at ease With battles left behind. Yet will his mind find peace or rest As new frontiers awake? He lends a steady gaze to all Who dare to dream anew. They take his visage as a sign That greatness is at hand. Still, in those eyes there is some doubt, For who can know the end? So many trials are yet to come Before the dream is clear. ~ CK ________________________________ Image: Portrait of George Washington at the National Gallery of Art, Washington, D.C. Artist: Gilbert Stuart 1755-1828) Date: 1795 Medium: Oil on canvas < Previous Post Next Post > Index -

Daily Bread The word goes out to harvesters From fields head-high with grain. With scythe in hand they lay the stalks In neatly ordered rows. The birds are flushed out from the fields As workers cut and reap. The children play upon the green As boats come to the shore. The town embraces everyone From beggar man to prince. The city thrives upon those fields Where crops are gathered in. Some workers stop and find a place To take their midday meal. Their strength renewed, they carry on So all may be sustained. For no endeavor in the world Will ever be fulfilled Without the skills of laborers Who bring our daily bread. ~ CK ___________________________ Image: The Harvesters (1565) at the New York Metropolitan Museum Artist: Pieter Bruegel Medium: Oil on wood [To see a very nice 5 minute video presentation from THE MET about this painting, go to https://youtu.be/T-XAR-p790c] < Previous Post Next Post > Index -

Woman of Substance No stilted form of beauty, she, No drawing room repose Where ladies quiet and demure Showcase their ornament. She comes to light as from a storm With darkened clouds and sea; As one well-girded for the task Of making her own way. It might be at a ship’s strong bow, Or in the marketplace She makes her presence keenly felt – Her gaze is strong and sure. Indeed, whose heart do these eyes hold? Whose life these arms embrace? Whose steps are ever more secure When guided by her care? No simple ornament is she To please a young man’s eye. She is a castle in the storm, A refuge from the gale. So let the painter tell the tale For all the world to see; Her light against the darkened skies, Her strength against the wind. ~ CK ____________________________________ Image: Portrait of Harriot West at the Philadelphia Museum of Art Artist: Sir Thomas Lawrence (1769-1830) Medium: Oil on Canvas < Previous Post Next Post > Index -

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Purchasing Joy Our joy is never quite so close As when the flowers bloom. The sight, the colors in the field Make even cold hearts glad. The fragrance bids a memory To open long-shut doors; It calls forth laughter, dance, and song And weaves the days anew. Yet we can only briefly know The joy of fragrant flower. It lingers softly in the air Then turns in darkened flight. Seek now the vendor on the street Bowed down by beauty’s care, And he can sell you fresh-cut joy To bring into your home. He offers busy city folk Such beauty nature brings. His hope is but for sustenance To fill his meager days. Perhaps a flower will remain When workday is complete. Will it suffice to bring him joy? Or give his lady peace? ~ CK _______________________________ Image: The Flower Carrier (1935) San Francisco Museum of Modern Art Artist: Diego Rivera (1886-1957) Medium: Oil and tempera on masonite < Previous Post Next Post > Index -

Martin of Tours The soldier traveled on his way Along a lonely road. The finest horse at his command, His destiny was sure. But then a beggar passed his way And time was bent askew. Compassion pulled and stretched the forms Of man and beast that day. His side sword meant for cleaving foes Became a tailor’s knife So he could half his very cloak To clothe the naked man. And there unfolded all the world With beggar clothed and warm. The Lord of all creation spoke Of Martin’s loving act. The sadness of his countenance Reveals a new insight That knows we all share poverty And thus must share our gain. The beggar did not make the saint But helped the soldier see That his compassion for the poor Would welcome life anew. Awakening the saint within The Roman soldier’s heart, The path was set for Europe’s best And all would speak his name. ~ CK __________________________________ Image: St. Martin and the Beggar at the National Gallery of Art Artist: El Greco Medium: Oil on canvas < Previous Post Next Post > Index -

Nimble Harlequins Where do they stand – these acrobats who bring the crowd delight? Is it on stage with full applause, or waiting in the wings? Perhaps they’re in a circus tent awaiting the next cue; Or simply watching, biding time amidst the revelry. The young one seems irresolute – his gaze is turned aside. The older now is in his prime, and stands assuringly. Their bodies are their livelihood – with movement they convey The follies of the noble class while prancing on the stage. They take us from our mundane world more quickly than a song; And lighter than a butterfly they dance us into joy. But for a moment they appear so nimble in their form. And turning, all our cares are gone as they take center stage. Now standing still, they take it in; they understand their role. And we, still watching, find our place within the world anew. ~ CK ____________________________ Image: "Two Harlequins" at the Stephen C. Clark Collection, New York, NY Artist: Pablo Picasso Medium: Pastel on cardboard < Previous Post Next Post > Index -

The Well Ordered Home A vase of flowers and some fruit With wine and cups to share Wait in the corner of the room While restless children sit. All curled and combed and dressed in blue The young girls sit amused. A faithful dog is at their feet, Their mother sitting near. Everything in order flows And gathers in the whole. A quiet life of comfort seen To celebrate the home. With beauty, shelter, food and drink, Companionship and love; A life – full circle and complete – Is held within our view. The image is more full indeed Than might at first appear. For death’s sure exit is proclaimed By peacock’s graceful pose. ~ CK _____________________________________ Image: "Madame Charpentier and Her Children" at The Metropolitan Museum of Art Artist: Auguste Renoir (French, 1841–1919) Date: 1878 Medium: Oil on Canvas < Previous Post Next Post > Index -

In this, one of Schubert's first and most successful artsongs, Gretchen reflects on her sudden infatuation with Faust. The piano accompaniment, with its relentless sixteenth notes in the right hand, depicts both Gretchen's accumulating madness and the perpetual motion of the spinning wheel. Features: 3-Part Treble Pages: 24 Instrumentation: Choral Voicing: 3PT TREBLE

We're your Online Platform for Music Education and Career Development. Our focus is delivering music lessons and services for musicians that want to build a strong career. Schedule a consultation to learn more about our services and lessons.

This Henri Rousseau unit study allows your kids to learn more about this French artist, and have make their own Henri Rousseau inspired artwork.

This Henri Rousseau unit study allows your kids to learn more about this French artist, and have make their own Henri Rousseau inspired artwork.

International Dot Day is held every year on or around September 15ish. We explain how you can get involved and share lots of examples of how other classes have celebrated Dot Day. ...

The Welcoming Woman How soft the glow she welcomes in When sunlight fills the sky. A hand upon the casement latch Guides daybreak in the home. She brings a pitcher to the room With water from the well To fill the family’s drinking cups As slumber fades away. The light is cast upon the world Behind her on the wall Yet in her mind she only sees One household in her care. Eternally the woman stands Between the well and sun. She quenches thirst and brings the light; She makes the world secure. In mythic constancy she shows The path to life and love. By holding joys and sorrows close, She welcomes all she sees. What other graces can be found That woman’s hand brings forth? Through all of life and all the world Her presence guides the day. ~ CK ________________________ Image: Young Woman with a Water Pitcher at The Metropolitan Museum of Art Artist: Jan Vermeer Johannes Vermeer (Dutch, 1632–1675) Date: ca. 1662 Medium: Oil on Canvas < Previous Post Next Post > Index -