Category Archives: HIstory

Thoughtful Thursday Georgia O’Keeffe

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In the realm of American art, few names resonate with as much brilliance and innovation as Georgia O’Keeffe. Her iconic works, characterized by bold colors and an unparalleled sense of abstraction, have etched her name into the chronicles of art history.

Born on November 15, 1887, in Sun Prairie, Wisconsin, O’Keeffe’s journey to artistic eminence was a gradual but determined one. After studying at the Art Institute of Chicago and the Art Students League in New York, she honed her craft, eventually forging a distinctive style that would set her apart in the male-dominated art world of the early 20th century.

O’Keeffe’s artwork is perhaps most renowned for her depictions of flowers, particularly her larger-than-life renderings of blossoms such as “Jimson Weed” and “Black Iris” (both shown below). These paintings, with their meticulous attention to detail and magnified perspectives, transcend mere representation, offering viewers a glimpse into O’Keeffe’s profound reverence for the beauty and mystery of nature.

Jimson Weed – Georgia O’Keeffe
Black Iris – Georgia O’Keeffe

Yet, O’Keeffe’s artistic repertoire extends far beyond floral motifs. Her evocative landscapes, inspired by the stark beauty of the American Southwest, capture the essence of the desert with a simplicity and depth that is truly captivating. From the majestic contours of the New Mexico terrain to the haunting allure of bleached bones against a vast sky, O’Keeffe’s landscapes invite us to contemplate the raw, elemental forces of the natural world.

In addition to her mastery of painting, O’Keeffe was also a pioneer of modernism, experimenting with abstraction in ways that challenged conventional notions of representation. Her series of abstract works, such as “Music—Pink and Blue No. 2” and “Abstraction Blue (both shown below),” showcase her innovative use of form and color to evoke emotional and psychological states, inviting viewers to explore realms beyond the confines of the tangible.

Music—Pink and Blue No. 2 – Georgia O’Keeffe
Abstraction Blue – Georgia O’Keeffe

Today, Georgia O’Keeffe’s legacy endures as a testament to the power of artistic vision and the enduring allure of the natural world. Her paintings continue to inspire and captivate audiences around the globe, reminding us of the boundless possibilities of creativity and the eternal beauty that surrounds us.

In the words of O’Keeffe herself, “I found I could say things with color and shapes that I couldn’t say any other way—things I had no words for.” Indeed, her art speaks volumes, transcending language and time to touch the hearts and minds of all who behold it.

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Thoughtful Thursday Realism Art

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The Meeting by Gustave Courbet (1854)

Realism, emerged in the mid-19th century as a reaction against the idealized and romanticized depictions prevalent in art. Rooted in a desire to represent everyday life, realism sought to capture the world as it truly appeared, without embellishment. This artistic movement revolutionized the art world, paving the way for a new era of authenticity and truthfulness in artistic expression.

At the heart of Realism is a commitment depicting the world with vivid detail and uncompromising honesty. Artists of this movement sought inspiration from the lives of ordinary people, exploring themes such as social injustice, poverty, and the harsh realities of urban life. Through their works, they sought to shed light on the human condition and provoke thought and reflection among viewers.

One of the most influential Realist artists was Gustave Courbet, often hailed as the father of the movement. His bold and unflinching portrayals of rural life and labor, as seen in works like “The Stone Breakers” and “A Burial at Ornans,” (shown below) challenged traditional artistic conventions and sparked controversy within the art world.

The Stone Breakers by Gustave Courbet (1849)
A Burial at Ornans by Gustave Courbet (1849)

Another prominent figure in Realism was Jean-François Millet, whose poignant depictions of peasant life captured the dignity and resilience of the rural poor. His iconic painting “The Gleaners” (shown below) remains a powerful symbol of solidarity and perseverance in the face of adversity.

In addition to Courbet and Millet, other notable Realist artists include Honoré Daumier, Édouard Manet, and Winslow Homer. Each of these artists brought their own unique perspective and style to the movement, contributing to its rich and diverse legacy.

Despite its origins in the 19th century, the principles of Realism continue to resonate with artists and audiences today. In an age marked by rapid technological advancement and social change, the pursuit of truth and authenticity in art remains as relevant as ever. Through their commitment to depicting the world as it truly is, Realist artists have left a lasting mark on the history of art, inspiring generations to come.

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The Gleaners by Francois Millet (1857)
Whistler’s Mother by James McNeill Whistler (1871)

Thoughtful Thursday Washington Monument

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Did you know that plans for the Washington Monument were underway even before George Washington became President? Back in 1783, Congress voted to create a memorial dedicated to Washington, recognizing his pivotal role as Commander in Chief during the Revolutionary War. However, due to financial constraints, Washington scrapped the plans once he assumed the presidency.

Congress again wanted to honor Washington’s legacy in 1799 after his death and proposed to build a pyramid-shaped mausoleum but that didn’t work out either. It wasn’t until 1833 that the National Monument Society was formed by concerned Washingtonians. The Society launched a design competition, led by Chief Justice John Marshall who ultimately selected the winner, architect Robert Mills, renowned for his work on notable buildings such as the US Treasury and Patent Office.

The resulting structure in the shape of an Egyptian obelisk reminiscent of ancient civilizations, was constructed in two phases, funded both privately and publicly. Upon its completion in 1884, the Washington Monument soared to a height of over 555 feet, making it the tallest building in the world at the time. Though surpassed in height by the Eiffel Tower in 1889 at 984 feet, the Monument remains an enduring symbol of Washington’s legacy.

Having had the opportunity to tour the Monument myself during a visit to Washington, DC, I can attest to its breathtaking views and awe-inspiring presence. If you ever find yourself in the DC area, be sure to include a visit to the Washington Monument on your itinerary – it’s an experience you won’t soon forget!

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The resulting structure, an Egyptian obelisk reminiscent of ancient civilizations, was constructed in two phases, funded both privately and publicly. Upon its completion in 1884, the Washington Monument soared to a height of over 555 feet, making it the tallest building in the world at the time. Though surpassed in height by the Eiffel Tower in 1889, the Monument remains an enduring symbol of Washington’s legacy.

Having had the opportunity to tour the Monument myself during a visit to Washington, DC, I can attest to its breathtaking views and awe-inspiring presence. If you ever find yourself in the DC area, be sure to include a visit to the Washington Monument on your itinerary – it’s an experience you won’t soon forget!

Thoughtful Thursday Leap Day

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Today is a very special and unique day, Leap Day!! This a day that doesn’t exist legally, so is it real? What do you do if you’re born on Leap Day, only celebrate your birthday every 4th year? I thought you’d enjoy a little history and some fun facts about this magical day:

  • People born on Leap Day are called Leaplings or Leapers and get to choose when to celebrate their birthday which is normally February 28th or March 1st for non leap years. About 5 million people around the world were born on Leap Day and the chances of this happening are 1 in 1,461.
  • Traditionally men propose to women but on Leap Day, also known as Bachelor’s Day it is acceptable for women to propose to men. It apparently started when St Brigid made a deal with St Patrick that allowed women to have the right to propose marriage to men.
  • Early calendars followed the lunar cycle. However, because it takes around 29.5 days for the moon to orbit the earth resulting in a 354 day year, this causes an 11 day gap between the calendar and seasons.
  • The Egyptians helped Julius Caesar introduce Leap Day in 46 BC by using the solar cycle. It takes around 365.242189 days for the earth to circle around the sun 1 time and this cycle more closely matched the seasons. It isn’t exact but is close enough.
  • The twin cities of Anthony, Texas and Anthony, New Mexico are the self-proclaimed Leap Year Capitals of the World.
  • Some famous people born on Leap Day include: Dinah Shore, Tony Robbins, Mark Foster, Jimmy Dorsey, Peter Scanavino, Cullin Jones, Alex Rocco, Jack Lousma and many more!
  • Some cultures say that a leap year is bad luck. The Greeks believe getting married in a leap year will only end in divorce. The Scottish believe being born on leap day will lead to a life of bad luck. Personally, I like to think of it as a magical good luck day.

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Thoughtful Thursday Hershey’s Kisses

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Growing up as a kid you knew it was going to be a good day when you were given a special treat of Hershey’s Kisses. I mean who didn’t love those small morsels of sheer deliciousness? I still love them to this day! Not necessarily for the chocolate but the wonderful memories it brings back every time I eat one.

Milton Hershey opened the Hershey factory in Derry, Pennsylvania in 1905. The world famous Hershey’s Kisses were made from 1907-1942. Due to the rationing of aluminum during World War II, Hershey’s stopped manufacturing them for 5 years. In 1947 Hershey’s started producing the Kisses once more and haven’t stopped since.

No one is quite sure how the name came about as there are many versions. One version is the machine that produces the Kisses makes a kiss sound. Another version is that at the time a small piece of confectionary was referred to as a kiss. Regardless of how they were named, their popularity grew and in 1921 Milton Hershey registered a trademark for the name “HERSHEY’S KISSES.”

Each little Kiss was hand wrapped in foil from 1907 – 1921. From that point on they were wrapped by machine that added the printed paper plume to the foil. Milton Hershey wanted to distinguish his chocolate from competitors so the first plumes were printed with the name Hershey’s only. It wasn’t until the 1920’s that Kisses was added to the plumes. However around 1994 Hershey’s was dropped from the plume and now it only reads Kisses. The plume became an iconic brand flag waving over the top of each little kiss.

Hershey’s Kisses today can be found in variety of flavors and different foil colors depending on the holiday. They’re also great for baking and in many dessert recipes. My personal favorite is the original milk chocolate kiss in the silver foil. What’s your favorite?

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Thoughtful Thursday – Statue of Liberty

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July 4, 1884, France gifted to the United States the Statue of Liberty for the 100th birthday of our country. What a monumental and inspirational gift she was and still is. She stands for many things but each part is represented by a different element in her design.

Lady Liberty’s torch is a symbol of enlightenment to show us the path to freedom, liberty and justice. The crown which is a halo with rays like the sun are another way for her to enlighten the world. The tablet Lady Liberty holds in her left hand is inscribed with Roman numerals which read July 4, 1776, and represent a book of law. The broken chains and shackle at her feet show she is free from servitude and oppression especially with the recent abolition of slavery in the country at that time.

Lady Liberty stands 305 feet tall, including the pedestal in New York Harbor. From 1892 to 1954 she has greeted more than 12 million immigrants and travelers that entered the United States through the Ellis Island Gateway. She is a inspiring symbol to all of us.

I hope you enjoyed this post today. Wishing you a Happy and Safe 4th of July!

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Thoughtful Thursday History of the Polaroid Camera

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Today pretty much every cell phone has a built in camera to snap a quick picture, freezing that special moment in time to cherish forever. I remember as a kid the long process of taking pictures, dropping the film off at the store and then having to wait that long, excruciating week to see how they turned out.

Then I remember the day dad brought home a Polaroid camera. It was the coolest thing ever! You could take a picture and the photo was ready in minutes, right in your hand. No long wait to get your photos developed, you knew instantly if you took a good shot. It was amazing!

The Polaroid camera was invented by Edwin H Land, an American scientist. The story goes while on vacation in 1944, Edwin had taken a picture of his 3 year old daughter. She asked him why she couldn’t see the picture he had just taken of her with his camera. So this amazing inventor came up with the camera design, film and chemistry in a single day! It did however, take three years before he was able to present his instant camera to the public for the first time.

In 1948, the Polaroid Land Model 95 camera (shown below) made it’s way to the American consumer. It was a monumental breakthrough in the history of photography. The original camera combined two rolls of film, a negative and positive plus some chemicals to create the images. Polaroid only manufactured 60 of these cameras at first and they sold out in a single day! The company completely underestimated the consumer’s demand for this new invention.

Polaroid Instant Cameras are still being made today and have improved a lot from the original 1948 version. There are 3 models including a smaller “Go Camera” which is compact and perfect for traveling.

I love photography and use my digital camera all the time but there’s something nostalgic about the Polaroid Instant Camera. So I think this year, I’ll have to put one of those on my wish list 😊

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“Photography is the beauty of life captured.” ~Tara Chisolm

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Thoughtful Thursday April Fools’ Day

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April usually marks the beginning of Spring but this Friday is April 1st also known as April Fools’ Day. It has been the day of countless practical jokes. Some funny and some not so funny especially if the joke’s on you. Here’s how it all began…

In 1563 France was called upon by the Council of Trent to change from the Julian calendar which recognized the new year beginning with the spring equinox around April 1st to the Gregorian calendar which recognized the new year beginning with January 1st.

Historians believe that the people were either slow to get the news of the change or simply didn’t care that the start of the new year was moved to January 1st and they continued to celebrate the new year from the last week of March through April 1st. As a result the jokes were called April fools. Some pranks even went so far as to have a paper fish placed on their backs symbolizing an easily caught fish and a gullible person. Wouldn’t want to be that person, definitely an incentive to stay up to date on changes 😂

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“April showers bring May flowers.” ~Unknown

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Thoughtful Thursday History of Labor Day

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In the late 1800’s, during the industrial revolution, workers were subject to some pretty fierce working conditions. The average adult worked everyday of the week for about 12 hours which gave them just enough for a mediocre life. Children as young as 5 and 6 years old also worked in the mills and factories but for a fraction of what the adults made.

The environment in the workplace was normally not safe nor did workers have sanitary conditions. Labor unions became more popular and more vocal as a result, and they organized workers to carry out strikes and protests. Some of these rallies became violent and sadly even led to death for some.

The first Labor Day parade was held on September 5, 1882. There were approximately 10,000 workers who marched from City Hall to Union Square in New York City. It caught the attention of industrial centers all over the United States and as a result, many states passed legislation recognizing the first Monday in September as the “Workingmen’s Holiday.” However, Congress did not legalize it as a holiday for another 12 years which was under President Grover Cleveland.

So take this coming Monday off and celebrate. Celebrate for you and for all those in your community who work so hard for the rest of us. Also, remember those who voiced their concerns over years to improve working conditions for everyone.

I hope you enjoyed this little history snippet. Have a Happy and Safe Labor Day!

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“Success will always come down to this: Focus and effort, and we control both.” ~ Dwayne Johnson

Sources:

https://www.history.com/topics/holidays/labor-day-1

https://www.employmentlawhandbook.com/resources/the-history-of-labor-day-in-the-united-states/

Thoughtful Thursday – Happy July 4th!

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Independence Day is this Sunday, July 4th. Many will kick off the day being outside enjoying fresh air, sunshine and having a good old fashioned barbecue with delicious apple pie for dessert. At night, the skies are filled with stunning and spectacular fireworks. But how did all of this get started?

Lets go back in time a bit to July 2, 1776. On this day the Second Continental Congress declared Independence from Britain but no one signed the Declaration of Independence which was primarily written by Thomas Jefferson.

July 3, 1776, John Adams one of the founding fathers and members of Congress wrote a letter to his wife Abigail which in part read:

“The Second Day of July 1776, will be the most memorable Epocha, in the History of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more. You will think me transported with Enthusiasm but I am not. I am well aware of the Toil and Blood and Treasure, that it will cost Us to maintain this Declaration, and support and defend these States. Yet through all the Gloom I can see the Rays of ravishing Light and Glory. I can see that the End is more than worth all the Means. And that Posterity will tryumph in that Days Transaction, even altho We should rue it, which I trust in God We shall not.”

Congress made a total of 86 changes to the original declaration and the final draft was completed and signed on July 4, 1776. This marked the beginning of the war for freedom and it lasted 7 long years until 1783.

Although we were at war, it was reported by the Pennsylvania Evening Post that July 4, 1777 was celebrated with demonstrations of joy and festivity. Armed ships fired a 13 gun salute in honor of the 13 colonies. Festivities included an elegant dinner, military demonstration, band performances and fireworks. These celebrations continued annually thereafter.

Hope you enjoy your holiday and have the opportunity to see a beautiful firework display. Wishing you a Happy and Safe 4th of July!

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“Our greatest happiness does not depend on the condition of life in which chance has places us, but is always the result of a good conscience, good health, occupation and freedom in all just pursuits.” ~Thomas Jefferson

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Sources:

https://www.history.com/news/july-4-fireworks-independence-day-john-adams

https://www.nps.gov/subjects/nationalmall4th/history-of-independence-day.htm