The days have been pleasant between Christmas and New Year. But summer here can have days where you lock up the house and dare not go outside unless you really have to. They say that ‘good things come to those who wait’ Coen bought me ‘Medieval Tapestries in the Metropolitan Museum of Art’ for a Christmas present. 688 pages of my favorite period of tapestry. I first saw this book the year that it was published in 1993 when I was studying the history of tapestry. Sadly at the time Australia was in recession and like many others who work in the restaurant industry I had lost my job. Even though I had book lust at the time I simply could not justify spending so much money on a book. How wonderful that it is still in print and thanks to Coen I now have my own copy to inspire me.
Earlier this year I bought Hilary Spurling’s two part biography on Matisse. The first book ‘The Unknown Matisse: A Life of Henri Matisse: The Early Years, 1869-1908’ and the second volume ‘Matisse the Master: A Life of Henri Matisse: The Conquest of Colour: 1909-1954’ Although it took me ages to get through reading them, I was totally enthralled by the research and detail of the account of his extraordinary life. For me it had been know the art but little about the artist. I have recommended the books to anyone who has an interest in Matisse. There is a review of the second volume here. There is so much information in these books that I plan to re read them over the summer.
Weaving tapestries during the heat of summer does not do much for me it can be too dam hot! Oddly enough I usually knit socks. This year I have a small knitting project so at the beginning of the cooler weather I should have something new to wear.
Happy New Year and I hope that you all spend it doing something that you love!
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