Paris first: I’ve always thought of Paris as feminine, beautiful, and artistic.
My three-day trip to Paris started during the heatwave; thankfully, I missed the hottest days.
Most mornings started with an early walk along the Seine on my way to a museum.
One morning, I had the Tuileries Gardens almost to myself before the crowds arrived and the heat took over. It was such a pleasure.
I visited Calligrane, the wonderful paper store and gallery where you can buy exquisite paper jewelry, handmade paper, and notebooks. Papier Royal was another special stationery spot, and of course I had to visit Galeries Lafayette and Merci.
Most of my meals were at museum cafés or quick stops along the way, but the one I had the most fun with was my dinner at L’Avant Comptoir du Marché. This was not a foodie trip; it was too hot, and I was traveling for art.
Matisse
The Grand Palais was hosting Matisse 1941–1954, a retrospective of his work. I studied Matisse at school and have always loved his sense of color and playfulness. When I was younger, I was fascinated by his portraits and interiors, and now here I was traveling for art, his art (and many others).
This retrospective made me fall head over heels for his cut-outs. I saw them differently after the exhibition, and I understood the energy in Matisse’s colorful paper shapes.
I kept thinking about how he moved shapes around until he found the perfect combination. Then there was the story behind them. Knowing that he created the cut-outs because he could no longer paint made me admire his work and his spirit even more. He never stopped making art.
When I finished seeing the Matisse exhibit, I went back to the beginning and saw my favorites again. That’s one of the pleasures of visiting a museum on your own.
Hilma af Klint
Hilma af Klint’s exhibition had a completely different atmosphere. To me, the exhibit was about the power of the feminine. Her spiritual symbols, colors, and shapes seemed to quiet the room. I felt as if I had walked into a temple.
Of course, the usual people posing for selfies in front of the paintings brought me back to reality. For a few hours, though, I forgot about everything else.
Calder at the Fondation Louis Vuitton
I don’t know what impressed me more, the building or the exhibit. I love Frank Gehry’s architecture, and this structure is extraordinary. Calder’s mobiles and sculptures were made to be shown inside this building.
At first, the mobiles and sculptures seemed deceptively simple. The longer I looked, the more I noticed the relationships between the shapes and their shadows. With every step back, I saw something I hadn’t noticed before. The shadows slowly became as important as the sculptures. It was my first time seeing Calder’s circus pieces, the film, and the wire portraits.
I spent such a great day with Calder and had a late lunch at the Foundation’s restaurant, Le Frank. I highly recommend their restaurant.
Fondation Cartier
The Fondation Cartier held its Exposition Générale, part of its forty-year-old art collection.
I found myself walking through, around, and into Boltanski’s interactive artwork, so much fun.
It was such a pleasant surprise to see William Eggleston’s photographs, as I’ve always had a special place in my heart for his work. To me, he’s the father of color photography, and I admire the way he looked at the world.
I saw Sheroanwe Hakihiiwe’s charming work for the first time among other artists, and I could easily have spent the rest of the afternoon there if I hadn’t had a train to catch to London.
London because it’s powerful, exquisite, artistic, and energetic
London is almost like a second home. My mother lived there in the 1970s, and the city feels very familiar even though I am always getting lost.
Going to London was a spontaneous idea that turned into a 6-day visit that included art, several personal itineraries designed by London London, and getting lost trying to get there, wherever I was trying to get to. Somehow, I always made it.
Tate Modern
I had been looking forward to the Frida Kahlo exhibition at Tate Modern. I studied her work at school, so I was excited to visit this exhibit. I left wishing there had been more of her paintings and fewer works inspired by her.
I also enjoyed Tracy Emin’s exhibition. My favorite works were a group of tiny paintings she called “My Major Retrospective”.
Tate Britain
Tate Britain was my favorite museum in London. I spent the morning with a lovely friend from Edinburgh. Seeing Whistler’s paintings was worth my trip. My friend and I wandered through the galleries, talking about the paintings and catching up.
I saw Hurvin Anderson’s artwork for the first time and admired his tropical landscapes and barber paintings. When I finished the exhibition, I went back to enjoy my favorite ones again. I couldn’t get enough of his work.
Wallace Collection and Quentin Blake Center
The Wallace Collection made me think it would be fantastic to plan a trip to London just to see the houses and mansions turned into museums.
Illustration is becoming a big part of my life, and so I couldn’t miss the new center for illustration in the Angel area: Quentin Blake Center for Illustration.
Wandering in London
The weather in London was cooler, so I walked everywhere. Getting lost was a theme. As always, those wrong turns became some of the best parts of my day.
I walked through Marylebone, had lunch at Borough Market, finally found Winchester Palace, and made my way to the old Bankside Power Station, now a shopping center.
My short vacation reminded me how much I enjoy slowing down, looking closely, and letting curiosity show the way. I came home so inspired and happy.
I’m almost 70, and I have changed how I travel. It’s about my curiosities and taking my time to enjoy them. No excuses, and no lists.
What are your trips like?
