I recently moved back to Denver,from living in Southern Spain for twelve years.  I can't tell you you lucky and privileged I felt being able to live and paint in Europe, but moving back to Denver, I realized how much I'd missed in terms of not studying with some of the great landscape painters of our time.  The work of the Rocky Mountain artists is stunning, to say the least.  It sometimes takes being away to appreciate what you really have at home.

Pixie

My lost artistic opportunity was myself.  Discouraged by a harsh and demanding teacher in college, I laid down my pencil and brush for 45 years.  In my 60's a friend insisted I join her in a watercolor workshop.  I went knowing I would be a great failure, but out of loyalty to my friend.  My heart began beating the moment I squeezed the colors onto my palette.  I felt as though I was returning to the country of my birth after a long absence.  I've been painting now for six years, with joy, passion, and unexpected success.

So true.  I have had the privilege of visiting the Oberlin gallery and viewing the wonderful works there.   I have often used this experience to encourage my students to visit galleries in our local area.  I often think how many times I could have revisited the Allen gallery and have put it off for one reason or another.

How much more are we missing out on?

Mine is not the story of a lost  opportunity but rather  a "found" opportunity.  Fifty years ago, at the tendre age of 12, I remember Sister Constance Marie explaining the idea of perspective based on the the "Annunciation" by Fra Angelico.  In the day of holy pictures, we were also given small prints of the masterpieces that we studied and i kept mine for many years... Imagine my disbelief when I visited a tiny museum in the town of Cortona in Italy in Sept. 2009.  There, before my very eyes in a small, non- descript room, hung the "Annuciation" in all its splendor for my eyes only.   I pulled up the guardian's chair close enough to the painting and feasted my eyes on this unexpected treasure.  In the quiet of that moment that i never dreamed of  experiencing in my lifetime,  a memory that  will remain part of me as long as I live was born.

I don't have anything lost quite like that - I guess I'm blissfully ignorant of what I missed. I do have a few parallel stories. My favorite sculpture in the entire world is Rodin's "Bust of Camille Claudel Wearing a Bonnet." I first saw this sculpture as a child at the Tel Aviv Art Museum, and every time I go to Israel (I have family there, so I'm there a lot), I go to the museum to see it. I've gotten to know the rest of the collection pretty well, by sprinting past it to Claudel. One time, they had rearranged things and the sculpture wasn't on display. To my relief, everything was back to normal a couple years later. Recently, I finally found a plaster reproduction for sale from the Musee Rodin and it lives in my living room as well now...

I regret not being back to Chicago in a long time. I lived there when I was ten, and there was a room in the Art Institute that had, not only Sunday in the Park, but a perfect grouping of other paintings. I hear that that room has since been broken up.

I regret that my painting skills were only half-formed when I lived in Los Angeles, because I worked with wonderful models there, and I never did them justice with my work. I feel the same way about the models I work with now, in New York. I am not good enough yet, but I only have what I've developed so far, and they offer me so much more than I can give back artistically.

Daniel, say it isn't so!  I grew up about 90 miles northwest of Chicago, so trips to the Art Institute were a regular part of life.  I remember that room.  I know they've done some major renovations and expansions at the Art Institute, but I haven't been back to spend any significant time in the city, much less any of the museums, since around 2001.  

Another great museum is the art museum in Cleveland.  

My biggest lost artistic opportunity, was due to a medical condition, that doctor's felt compeled to give me heavy doses of medications. This took away my ability to persue my lifetime dream of becoming a professional artist, for more than 20 years. I grew up in Phoenix, Az., and often visited the Phx. Art museum, the Scottsdale art galleries, and sometimes museums when traveling. I took some scattered art courses and studied books on the Old Masters and magizines like yours. I am now 61 and began painting and showing my work locally and was recently accepted into a juried online exhibition. I am excited to have a chance to persue my dream again. I give alot credit to Am. artist magizine and others like it, for the great articles with artist demos, that has helped to learn and be able to do what I'm doing now. Thanks, Judi

Kisu -

I'm not sure, but that's what I heard. I'm glad you know that room! I'll have to go to the Cleveland museum sometime. Such as if I get to Cleveland!

What a brilliant opportunity.  I've never heard of a museum lending pieces of work like this.  Are you aware of any other institutions that do this?  

My favorite place is the National Gallery of Art in DC. Every time we've been there ,though, it made hungry for more. even after spending a whole day there, it felt like leaving dear friends behind. On my first visit, our kids were too young to stay more than a few hours. I was not painting at that time. We went back last year and going in each gallery was a real feast for the eyes.

Kisu, I've been to The Cleveland Meusium of Art twice in the past year since we've moved to the area and I would have to agree with you. Although it was not The National Gallery of Art, it certainly had much more than I expected.