The Impressionist's Mirror

Hello All,

Sorry that I didn't get to keep up with my two posts a day quota. I was out of town without the internet, but now I am back with more to share. :)

Tonight I'd like to show you a selection of works by the painter Berthe Morisot. A member of The Impressionists, Morisot completed the majority of her works in Paris between 1860 and 1890. Her works were directed at a contemporary, French female audience and reflected the restrictions of her gender and class during the period in which she lived. Some of the recurring subjects of her paintings included landscapes, scenes of domesticity, intimate scenes of women in their private spaces, and portraits of her daughter, Julie Manet. (Morisot was married to Eugene Manet, the brother of her friend and colleague Édouard Manet.)

The selection I have chosen to share with you are three paintings of women with mirrors.

I decided to share these works with you because they reflect both my search for truth and beauty as well as the construction of beauty that has become synonymous with femininity in modern culture. The outward appearance of the women in these paintings is not what makes these paintings or the women in them beautiful - although the women are certainly outwardly gorgeous as well. What makes these these paintings and the women in them beautiful is the way they are portrayed: the paintings' reflection of the women's inner beauty, the little flaws in the near perfect construction of their public selves, the reflections in the mirror.

Hopefully, you can find truth and beauty in the works of Morisot beyond the mere paint on the canvas. Without further ado, here are three beautiful works by Berthe Morisot.

"Psyche" 1876

"Lady at her Toilette" 1875

"Jeune Femme Au Miror"

(If anyone knows the date when this painting was painted, I would really appreciate that information.)

As always, I encourage you look at more works by the artists I share with you. Morisot created many more amazing paintings that are definitely worth viewing. 

Namaste and good night, 

Luna

"It takes guts to be gentle and kind."

Good Morning World,

I hope everyone had a wonderful morning already. My poor puppy is feeling sick, so my morning was filled with a little unwanted excitement.

I know that I just posted something from So You Think You Can Dance two days ago, as my first post, but as I was thinking about what to post this morning, I decided that I would like to cover a beautiful moment from this weeks episode while it was still fresh. The piece is a contemporary routine choreographed by Sonya Tayeh and performed by Marko Germar and all star Allison Holker to Jeff Buckley's "I know it's Over".

 I've included the entire video for you here - the set up, dance, and feedback - because the effect this dance has had on people is really amazing. Lady Gaga was crying. Marko was Crying. Allison was crying. Mary Murphy was crying. Marko's mom was crying. My mom was crying. (You get the idea.)

I'll try to let the piece speak for itself. I just felt that I had to share something so powerful that it could bring so many people to tears.



Also, on a barely related side note. In this same episode Caitlyn danced a foxtrot with Tadd in a gorgeous old Hollywood style dress that I would like very bad. So, just for fun, I have posted a few pictures of that dress as well. :)

Namaste and be well,

Luna

As You Are

Hello all,

I'm posting a little early tonight because I have plans to be out and about. The following is a unique song about pulling down facades and being yourself.

There have been plenty of songs out recently by big name artists about the inherent beauty we all have. However, for some reason this hidden gem has always stuck out to me when I think about songs about self love.

Many songs encouraging self love are for the underdogs who have gotten picked on throughout their lives and tend to visibly feel down. While I feel that those types of songs are extremely important, this song is extra special to me because I feel that it also encourages those with strong exteriors to be comfortable with their own weaknesses, to abandon their tough facades, let people in and be themselves. It is the type of song that could stop hatred if those doing the hurt could actually take it to heart.

 The song is "As You Are" by an adorable, quirky, smart duo called "Garfunkel and Oates".

I am a big fan of theirs, and although most of their other songs are just plan silly, I highly recommend you visit their website and check them out.

http://www.garfunkelandoates.com/

Namaste and have a good night everyone,
Luna

Desiderata

My Truth for today comes from a poem by Max Ehrmann entitled Desiderata. I first heard this lovely poem from one of my personal heroes, Kate Bornstein, when she came and visited one of my classes during college. I feel that the poem presents us with some good advice on ways to live a calm and fulfilling life in an increasingly fast paced and chaotic world. 

 I would like to point out that this poem makes a reference to "God". I want this blog to be accessible to people of all religions, philosophies, and beliefs. Therefore, I recommend that you take whatever truth from the poem you can based on what you personally believe. If you believe in a male god this will be easy for you. For those of you who do not it may help to replace the "him" in the line following "Therefore be at peace with God" with "her", "him or her", "it" or "them". If you do not believe in any deity you can think of these lines as saying "Therefore be at peace with the universe". 

I promise I will not put this disclaimer before every semi-religious thing I post in this blog. In future posts I will reference back to this post with my views on the subject. The original text of the author should be honored and as such I have posted it in its original form. However, just because we may not share all of his views does not mean there is not some truth in what he said. Thus, once again I suggest that you pull your own meaning from the words he has inscribed for us and suggest that you analyze, discuss, and reinterpret his work in the way that best helps you grow.  

Namaste and be well,

Luna

-- written by Max Ehrmann in the 1920s --

Go placidly amid the noise and the haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.

As far as possible, without surrender,
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even to the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons;
they are vexatious to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain or bitter,
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs,
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals,
and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love,
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment,
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be.
And whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life,
keep peace in your soul. 

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

Silence

I have always thought dance is a powerful and beautiful art form. I've been watching So You Think You Can Dance since season four, and this piece was one of the first dances I remember that literally left me speechless. Thus, I have chosen it as my first bit of beauty to share on my new blog.



Namaste and good night,
Luna