Get Inspired

One of the many outstanding reasons we love living in our community is it's easy access to NYC and it's incredible art and cultural events. Yesterday, I took NJ Transit to Penn Station, NY, took the D train up to 205th Street and walked 8 blocks to visit The New York Botanical Gardens.

I have spent my entire life living in and around Manhattan and had never been to this inspiring, magical landmark. I was completely bowled over by its size and dramatic appearance. It is obviously well endowed because you can't help but be impressed by it's immaculate and impeccable facilities.

I was inspried to go by an advertisiement for the Claude Monet exhibition which will be ending  on October 21st. I have 4 simple words for anyone who reads this blog, "DO NOT MISS IT!" 

Whether young or old, male or female, you will be incredibly mezmerized. Beyond the grounds and the other many interesting exhibits in the park, the Monet exhibit is out of this world. Essentially, they have seasonally recreated the landscape surrounding his home in Giverny, France which was the single most important inspiration for his artistry.

He is known as the iconic artist who championed the Impressionist style of painting that literally changed the art world forever. As you walk through the colorful and lush landscapes inside the Enid A. Haupt Conservatory you have the opportunity to view his very own inspiration for creating/popularizing the impressionist style of painting. He often said that if he weren't an artist he would most definitely been a botanist. He worked tirelessly in his gardens to ensure robust colors, wide varieties of perennials and annuals and for them to be vivid for as much of the year as possible.

Outside in the Conservatory Courtyayrd Pools they have grown his most famous subject- Water Lillies. For tickets ($25 per person) go to http://www.nybg.org/visit/tickets.php. I hope you have the chance to walk in his shoes.