Monday - Rodin and Croque Monsieur

The Gates of Hell by Rodin. Designed for a Church front door. Many of his famous pieces came from the initial development of this project.
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For breakfast, I had what Michelle normally has, which isn't incredibly different from my own. She has a cup of English tea and a crumpet with some jam. I selected Apricot Jam, which was to become a pattern anytime I was given a choice. I became a fan of the crumpet, which apparently is very akin to the English muffin, American style, only you don't cut it in half. Yummers!

First off, we went to the Royal Academy of Art to see the Rodin Exhibit. And, as an artist, it affected me very significantly.

And, as an artist, it affected me very significantly.

There is a "Horse Walking" sign in order to cross this rather busy road and turn-about. It made me laugh!
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Artspeak: I had studied Rodin before, of course, but am currently in a different place within my own art (sketching figures in various exaggerated poses) so to see HIS figures in poses, very real poses, and yet with certain elements of exaggeration, it struck me that he might just be JUST the artist to study to expand my own sense of what it is that I needed to express in my own art. Rodin is my NEW fave!

This said, I sat down and drew from many of the sculptures.

Michelle had mentioned her admiration of the feet and hands of the sculptures. Rodin is known for rather unusually sized feet and hands. It certainly gives his characters weight!

Sketch - Icarus & Phaeton
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There were some amazing drawings and sketches and paintings of Rodin's that were way in the back of the exhibit. It was funny to see those as Rodin is known for his sculptures.

This was a temporary exhibit and had been collected from all over, the Victoria & Albert Museum, the Musee Rodin (in Paris), and private collectors. What a job that must be, to put together an exhibit like that!

After this very giddy and wonderful experience, we came out of the museum. It was dark already and we were very hungry, so we stopped by a place (little well-known NICE chain, the name of which I cannot remember, but they have a red canopy and are very well known). This is where I had my first Croque Monsieur. That is a ham and cheese sandwich. They served it with a French mustard, which is spicy but doesn't melt your gums. I wonder if it's Dijon. It was exceptionally tasty. And more English tea.

Sketch - Achilles & Chiron
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After, we wandered around Hyde Park. Around, not around-in. Hyde Park is closed in the dark. As it was very dark outside, Michelle was still able to point out hotels and some Embassies and Ambassadorial Residences. She also pointed out a horse path. And we even saw that the normal green light to cross the street had a horse option as well. With good reason. It was a VERY busy street.

Eventually we hit some more shops and we stopped into one or two. There were some truly gorgeous little independent designers shops that had very clever party tops and unusual skirts and garments. I noticed the 20s and 30s coming back in one particular store's fashion.