So I've picked her Light Swooping Through painting (which is undated) to learn and write about. At first I thought I would simply put together a kind of short essay on the painting, but now I think it would be easier and more beneficial for me to write several short entries as I am inspired to do so. This way we'll be able to see more clearly the thought process, and my verdict on the painting will not seem as finite as if I'd decided to write one well thought out essay. Above all this way is just more fun :)

Well ack, I am too tired to write any more today.

:)

This is more of a note to self than something I would advise to everyone.

The more I visit public art galleries the more I notice my consistent behaviour during my visits. For me, visiting an art gallery is like clothes shopping, or even flipping through the channels on a tv. Even when I feel in the mood for looking at art in galleries, I impatiently walk through rooms without stopping until something catches my eye. Even when I find something that appeals to me, I usually give it 30 seconds tops before moving on to something else.
As I've come to recognize my behaviour I now realise that this behaviour in art galleries is not only not right, but also simply a waste of my time, money, and energy. I ask myself: why do I visit art galleries? Do I visit them just to say I've been to this gallery or seen this work of art? By rushing the art gallery experience, how much art actually makes it to my long term memory and what do I actually learn from the experience? Viewing art in a gallery should not be like flipping through ads in a magazine. Art is not so superficial that I can treat it like eye candy, only stopping at the most visually appealing pieces. The less I know about a certain work of art, the more I should consider it.
I conclude with a few suggestions to myself:
When visiting a big gallery, don't plan on seeing everything. Look at only one or two exhibits. That way you won't feel rushed or overwhelmed by images.
It's better to see an original work of art after you have thoroughly studied it and fallen in love with it. That will make the experience at the gallery more rewarding and the work of art cannot be taken for granted.
If you are viewing works of an artist you haven't leanred about, try to learn as much about him or her as possible while you are at the gallery. After you leave, don't forget the artist: do a bit of research afterwards.
Sit down as often as possible.
Bring pad and pen, and take notes.