John Marin Watercolor Show at the Metropolitan Museum of Art

by Miriam Schulman, @schulmanArt

Yesterday my mother insisted that I meet her at the Metropolitan Museum of Art for lunch and to see a new fashion show. I have been suffering a bit from inertia lately, overtired from trying to watch the Olympics that are broadcast hours after we know who wins, and trying to squeeze the days of of my summer. My mom just rejoined the Met and they had given her a 20% off coupon at the members dining room. Never one to give up a coupon, we had lunch on the fourth floor of the museum which overlooks Central Park.

On the way back down to the galleries we step off the elevators and stood smack in front of a fabulous watercolor exhibition featuring about 30 paintings by watercolorist John Marin. You didn't know about this exhibition? Well neither did I and when looking at the Met website for photos for this blog I couldn't find this exhibition listed on their website either. The exhibition runs through August 26, 2012 and is a must see for watercolor enthusiasts like myself.

All of the paintings featured are landscapes whether they feature the rural forests and rocky coasts of Maine or the modern views of Weehawkin and Manhattan as viewed from across the Hudson river. You will love his energetic brushwork, use of color, and interesting viewpoints.

Notice the dominant colors of gold and greenish gray in the watercolor? These modern color are inspired by the ocean and setting sun