an artsy day.

A quick little post to tell you about a Sunday-in-the-spring, when five sisters and their dad ventured to the Cleveland Museum of Art for a photoshoot. It was a little nippy, but so sunny and magical. I have been there several times before, but someday soon I'd like to go back and spend as long as I'd like, just browsing and browsing and browsing. . .maybe make use of a bench in the museum. . .and just soak all the beauty in. Then go to Little Italy for lunch. 

"The purpose of art is washing the dust of daily life off our souls." --Pablo Picasso 

Its truly one of my favorite places in the whole world. Right in the middle of the city; a tranquil place of Japanese cherry blossom trees, marble steps, a lake, beautifully manicured lawns, and an absolutely gorgeous building. It reminds me of something in Europe, or as Anne Shirley would say--"diamond starbursts and marble halls." Siiggh. Bit of trivia--the museum will be a hundred years old next year. Not only is it home to some of the worlds most famous paintings, BUT, part of  The Winter Solider (ahhh!!)  was filmed in the atrium.  In fact, most of the movie was made in Cleveland. . .

{specs--ruffle shirt, The Limited, jean shrug, Christopher and Banks, scarf, The World Market, skirt, Walmart, shoes, American Eagle}

"This world is but a canvas to our imagination." -- Henry David Thoreau

I didn't get as many photos as I would have liked, (another reason to go back soon . . .on a warmer day. The sunlight is deceiving, eh?) but I really liked this outfit. It made me feel arsty and sophisticated. ;) I looovvveee my white linen scarf from The World Market, and believe it or not, the maxi skirt (which is actually darker, not quite mint, IRL,) is from Walmart. Hey, if I hadn't told you. . .you've never know, right? :P Usually I'm not a green person, but everything about this skirt says "spring." Oh, and a note about the statue I'm posing with. . .not sure how well you can see the inscription, but it says--"night passing the earth to day." I thought the concept was so fascinating.   

"No great artist ever sees things as they really are. If he did, he would cease to be an artist." -- Oscar Wilde

My beautiful sisters. (L-R, top--Julia, Maria, Lidia. L-R, bottom--Anna, Julia, Maria, Lidia.) Living in an all-girl family has its unique challenges, but I wouldn't trade my sisters for the world! (though I have not-so-secretly always wanted a brother. . . in addition to the sisters. ;) ) They have grown into amazing, godly young ladies, and I'm excited to see how He continues to work in their lives. My sisters inspire me.

"Summer is a great time to visit art museums, which offer the refreshing rinse of swimming pools - only instead of cool water, you immerse yourself in art." -- Jerry Saltz

When you walk by a stranger on the street, do you notice them? Do you see an individual, or another blank face? Like C.S. Lewis said: “You do not have a soul. You are a soul. You have a body." When I look around and see the diverseness of humanity, it takes my breath away. God did a beautiful thing when He created people. People are the ultimate work of art. Today, instead of wishing you could change something--your body, your eyes, your lips, your mouth--remember, there is no one alive exactly like you. You are unique. He crafted you before time, took His pen and brushes and worked you into the canvas of HIStory. Any time we complain about ourselves we are spitting in the face of The Master Artist. You are beautiful in His sight. 

"Art is a collaboration between God and the artist, and the less the artist does the better." --Andre Gid ❤