| The Art, Life & Times of The French Impressionists |
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| Monet's Garden in all its beauty - through the artists eyes and on to canvas |
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John Kohlenberger is facilitating a class detailing the life, times and paintings of The French Impressionists, through early December 2010. This class is offered at the Prescott Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI), at Yavapai College.
Part 1 began September 10th, 2010.
Part 2 Begins October 29th.
John began practicing art, on his own, before age 11. Since then, his background has included over 10 years as a practicing artist, art show promoter and art association president, selling his works in many of the shopping centers and malls of Southern California. While a practicing artist, John was drawn to read the book "The World View of Paul Cezanne" by Jane Roberts, giving him a "behind the scenes view" of what some artists perceive - beyond their paintings and into the worlds of "spirit" ... or is it into metaphysics?
Most of this experience occurred before John met his present wife, Martine, who was born in Paris, France. She is also a painter and admirer of Manet and Monet. John not only fell in love with Martine, but on a visit to Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA) to see "Monet's Waterlilies" (one of many) in person, he also fell in love with the French Impressionists and their works. This love has drawn John and Martine to the Louvre Museum in Paris and the Musee d'Orsey where many of the impressionists works are on display. This museum (where Monet painted some of his "steamy" train station scenes - when it was still a train station) is a part of the Louvre, but located across the river. John has since been to other parts of France, several times, where some of these artists lived and painted, so he will give some personal color to the content of this class.
On the spiritual side of art and the Impressionist movement, Paul Cezanne is reported to have noticed energy "waves" linking various objects. Thus, he tried to suggest this in some of his paintings. This is why he sometimes portrayed the edges of things as fading rather than making them deffinite. He also noticed that not only did nature change from the scene he had painted, but even his memory of that time and place also changed, as if all in this world is composed of living energy.
This is a two part class, held once a week, consisting of two one hour sessions each Friday afternoon, with a break in between, lasting 6 weeks for each part. No prerequisites other than a curious mind ready to enjoy and understand art, the artists, their culture and life a little better.
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FROM MANET TO VAN GOGH
Yes, this class actually starts with Manet!
Starting with the influences of Greek art in France, in the 1700s, this series takes you through the history, politics and turbulent times that the French Impressionusts lived. You will also meet the artists and their paintings plus the people and locations where they painted.
This is a Friday afternoon discussion class where we view a 1/2 hour video and discuss it for about 20 minutes. Then we take a break and take in one more 1/2 hour lesson, followed by a discussion.
Discussions of the subject matter presented are lead by Artist, French Language Student and French Traveler, John M. Kohlenberger.
Part 1 began September 13th, but the5re is still time to sign up (for as little as $25) for Part 2, which begins October 29th, 2010.
P.S. Some of the metaphysical leanings of Paul Cezzane's and Vincent Van Gogh's minds will be brought out at the appropriate time.
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| Based on a DVD Lecture series, John brings personal experiences as an artist to highlight various facets of this course. |
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ART begs you to notice it!
Why? Because art is God's way of saying hello.
So pay attention to poetry. Pay attention
to music. Pay attention to paintings and sculptures and
photo exhibits and ballets and plays.
Don't let all this go unnoticed.
Your world is shouting out to you, revealing
something intrinsically glorious about itself ... and you.
Listen carefully. Love art and the arts of life, the way art loves Life, gives life and is life!
- Inspired by Neale Donald Walsch
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