Picasso in Vegas
A few weeks ago I went to Las Vegas with a good friend for a couple of days of rest and relaxation and a chance to explore the Bellagio Resort. What a visual feast! Vegas (Update: The Vegas Strip, I mean) is a crazy, tacky place, but I have to say the Bellagio is lovely. I especially like the Chiuhuly sculptures (including the amazing lobby ceiling), and the Conservatory Garden, which was transforming from Fall to Christmas while we were there. We also had a great time eating well, (most notably at Picasso and Olives), seeing "O", people watching, and enjoying the fountain shows.
The highlight of our trip though was a small and charming exhibit of Picasso ceramics at the Bellagio Gallery of Fine Art. Well-focused and assembled with care, including photos, a great timeline and video, it kept us happily absorbed for an afternoon. In contrast, the Modern Masters show at the Guggenheim Hermitage Museum in the Venetian was a haphazard assortment of barely related pieces, seemingly intended to impress rather than illuminate.
As always in museums, I sketched with pencil then did the ink and color afterwards. I find that when I can finish a sketch all on the same day, the results are fresher. That is not always possible when traveling, but I try!
More information on the Exhibit:
Related Topics: Food, Las Vegas, Still Life, Travel Sketching
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January 16th, 2008 at 6:23 pm
bonsoir Martha .bonne Annee ‘ love your visit in vegas ‘ okay i moved in vegas in 1976, from new-york, it was moving to farm village in kansas; but i went to the library on flamingo road, got in “the art “show etc ……been a member of the las vegas museum ,also a volunteer, and entering the art-contests, and years have passed ……working full time ….my joy was to discover “the outside a vegas ; went to red-rock many times ,the valley of fire ….the snowy mt charleston ,the lac …..each time i discover something new to paint ,take picture s…and the treats looking at the sunsets …….they are fabulous ,vegas sky is gorgous ,and the sunrises as well,but working ,painting at late hours ….i did see few sunrise s ……now vegas has evolve” yes we are lucky to have place where we can go and admire the masters ;we have countless galleries ;work-shop ;water-colors society ;on the new-year day ,I went to calico -basin ,just before red-rock ,and took many colorful pictures of the sunset ,find an old tree that i drew ,and took photos ,meet some tourists that were enjoying the beauty ,peacefullness of the red-rocks ;i will recommend to visit the venetian ,i am a member and love to visit their expos , and yes the fountains at the bellagio are “breathtaking” so i know vegas is not new-york ,but we are growing ….and i wish we could have more more “art-shows …it is so good for the soul ;let not forget “the first friday “each month the downtown become “art-gathering” it is very “nourishing ” and everyone is welcomed”and IT IS FREE” ;;;;; thank you for your support” Purple O.
December 31st, 2007 at 7:03 am
Martha–
I have really enjoyed seeing all of your art you posted this past year. You have a nice site and some nice comments to go with your art. I will see you in 2008.
December 23rd, 2007 at 9:00 am
I love your sketching style! You have inspired me to try sketching in museums again. And, I can see it’s time to think about visiting Las Vegas too!
December 22nd, 2007 at 1:31 pm
Aurore:
You are absolutely right: Las Vegas is a vibrant and wonderful city. Those of us who don’t live there often say “Vegas” when we mean “The Strip” and “Las Vegas” when we mean the city; that is incorrect though and I apologize!
The Strip is an ever changing place, so assumptions about it are not valid either. Right now it is a study in extreme contrasts. There is plenty to appreciate there; for example I have had some of the best meals of my life on the Strip.
There are also plenty of less savory things to see, but I always have fun visiting and pretend I am an anthropologist visiting another planet, observing everything with interest. There is something for everyone on the Strip, so to me it reveals a lot about humanity.
December 22nd, 2007 at 5:36 am
This is a wonderful post. Your drawings give a very good feeling of the pieces. That pressure of trying to complete them freshly within the same day seems to work well for you.
The addition of links to the other enjoyable sites brings your trip to life. The Chihuly link shows such amazing things that I now want to get to the Bellagio!
Thank you for sharing your trip with us this way. Best wishes to you for a happy, sketching holiday and a Great ’08!
Kate
December 21st, 2007 at 10:13 pm
Thank you for visiting my City of Las Vegas. I do take exception to the word “tacky” as Las Vegas is anything but “tacky?. In my position I meet people from all over the world who come to Las Vegas thinking the same thing, but leave with a much different view. Las Vegas is a forward looking city always in movement. Having lived in San Francisco, Seattle, Dallas, growing up in almost all of Los Angeles County, I have seen many beautiful and exciting cities, but have never “lived” in one as exciting and community oriented as Las Vegas.
Your drawings are excellent, as always, and your comments about The Bellagio are right on. I have not yet seen the exhibit at The Venetian so I can’t comment on that – but other shows have been very good.
As always, I look forward to your “Trumpetvine Travels” and am happy that you included Las Vegas.
December 21st, 2007 at 9:11 pm
I enjoyed your little travelogue and the charming sketches of the charming Picasso ceramics. I’ve never been to Las Vegas (under the assumption it just wasn’t my kind of place, but from your description it sounds like it could be the perfect girlfriend getaway weekend.