Globalisation

I am aware that we are all happy we can travel more, we can have access to information, we know what happens around the world, or so we think, and we have choices in terms of food, jobs, recreational options, etc.

Being slightly contemplative of my very fortunate last few months, I have traveled several times to some beautiful locations, mainly for practical reasons, never the less I have enjoyed my experiences, minus the days I have lost in transit:) I have seen museums and galleries, I have seen the coast line in several countries, I have enjoyed the sunny days and stormy ones respectively. I have made 20 plane journeys and several long car ones. I have adopted a 4 day old kitten, that has now grown into a lovely cat (now in possession of a French Pet Passport). I have seen the sea batter the shore in winter, I have been on the island where the Iron Mask man was in prison. I planted trees  on my 40th year of life, and have created some great artwork.

The truth is, no matter what we do in life, we have good and bad days. Sometimes I forget that:) Note to myself: 'Let shitty days pass, to allow good days come along and make sure I appreciate them'.

Having more spare time, has allowed me to look into the things that make me happy. I have always been a woman with a plan:) I know that certain sayings, quotes, inspirational words from equally inspirational people, help me keep positive. Having more access to what people say and do, is meant to be a positive aspect of life. I have kept a note of all these inspirational quotes that I have come across in the last year. Some contradict each other, some have a 'get up and go' feel, some others are slower reassurances that life can sometimes be tough, but there is light at the end of the tunnel. I have sourced most of my quotes from Facebook posts, Google search and various mindfulness sources. I did not have to look far. I keep saving anything that came my way.


Who are these quotes addressed to? and do people use them to feel better about their lives and about themselves?

In the busy grand world we are living in, over 7 billion people, are all trying to keep sane, function, survive and live a 'happy' life. We all need plans, strategies and recipes on how to reach the level of happiness that we think fit for ourselves. I personally feel bombarded by globalization, by the internet, by networks, adverts, etc. You never know enough, you never know the truth about anything, however the information seems to constantly be there....
These are some of my artistic responses to a choice of inspirational quotes.

Day out in Nice

Nice. Sunny, beautiful, sea, Mediterranean breeze. Even winter days are lovely for a town exploration. I have been to Nice many times, and have visited many of the sites: Modern and Contemporary Art Museum, Villa Arson, Variety Cinema, Les Jardins Albert 1ere, Promenade des Anglais, Negresco, it is all so pretty and lovable. Oh, Socca, lovely flat bread made from chickpea flour.
However, a few days ago, I decided to go to a couple of museums which have been on my list for a while; slightly out of the beaten track, so they needed a special relaxing day to venture out of the town centre.

Matisse Museum (http://www.musee-matisse-nice.org/)
Good value: €10 per visit or €20 for a week pass to 6 museum in Nice town.

Set in a beautiful red painted Genovese building, amongst an olive tree orchard, and roman ruins, Matisse Museum stands in a wonderful neighborhood of 19th century luxury hotels and villas.

A couple of finished, but mostly unfinished paintings which are really lovely to see in person, exploring Matisse's freshness in drawing and his flexibility in changing designs in order to get a good composition. Some lovely sketches that are linked with the Chapelle du Rosaire in Vence (http://www.vence.fr/la-chapelle-du-rosaire-chef-d?lang=fr) and a few of his sculptures. Matisse is one of my old Master heroes, so honest and unpretentious. Virtuous in skills as some of his early paintings show in the first rooms of this museum, however, he did not take much time to loosen up and find his style after a formal education. His work is simply honest, colourful, beautiful, even when clumsy lines are used. He loves what he does and he does not seem to bothered about what other people think. He did everything because he enjoyed it. The large armchair (too fragile to touch in the museum) shows the mixture of Matisse's bohemian personality and his very strict commitment to his artwork which he did from his ill bed until his death.

Best display however, was the design for a swimming pool which was only in the stage of drawing, spread around the walls of Matisse's room in the Hotel Regina in Nice. However, the design has been turned into ceramic tiles and the display is incredible. Simple and beautiful. Made from blue and light brown tiles, what a shame the room was not filled with water.....

Worth a visit, and a day out as I am assuming the olive tree orchard is great for picnics in the summer. The museum does not have the most desirable artworks  that I have seen in other Matisse exhibitions, however, the general feel is great. Piece of advice: don't try to take photographs as the museum attendants seem quite adamant that photographs should not been taken, although the museum does not provide any commercial purchase opportunities: cards or books.....Sorry for ingnoring the bad tempered French:):):)