Over the past three days we have been to FIVE art museums.  No one is most shocked than the Alyssa-of-the-past.  I’ve never considered myself a connoisseur of art.  The first time I went to New York City (Dec 2009), I went to the Metropolitan Museum of Art.  With my sister-in-law Vanessa, we had 2 hours to see as much as we could – which meant we made it through the Greeks, the “big” paintings, and the Egyptian Pyramid (and it was great, because the museum was mostly empty due to a giant snow storm outside).  It was cool to say I’d seen them (always interesting to see things up close that are worth that much money, or in the case of some, priceless).  I went to the Met again with my friends Charlie, Vici and Meenu on a trip the following spring (March 2010), and AGAIN the year after that with my Mom (March 2011).  3 times in 2 years.  And truthfully, I really didn’t care.  I knew I was suppose to care.  Apparently this place was a big deal.

Then in June 2011 I went to New York with some of my students, and my AMAZING friend Luke (who is the creator of this absolutely OUTSTANDING blog!)  We went to the Museum of Modern Art one day (while my students were off in class) and as we started wandering, Luke started telling me things.  About the paintings, or the artists, or the time periods.  He knew tons about art.  And on this day, in this museum, I started to LOVE art.  (so big THANKS to Luke for that too!)  There was this one moment at MoMA where I was sitting on a bench (to rest my weary feet) and realized that everyone else was facing the other direction.  When I turned around I saw a painting the entire length of the room.  It was HUGE.  And one of the most beautiful pieces I had ever seen.  It was one of Monet’s water lilies.  This of course, was right after looking (intensely) as the crazy brush strokes of Van Gogh’s Starry Night.  Just amazing.

All this to say, that I am learning to love art – and what better place to nourish that Passion then here, in Paris.  Each place is so unique, so I’ll share my favourite pieces (and Ray’s) over a series of posts to follow.  If you have a favourite artist or piece, please leave a comment at tell me what it is!  or why you love it!  Help indulge my new found love of ART!