Museum Monday - Norton Simon

Sometimes I pop into my local museum, the Norton Simon, for just all of 20 minutes. As a member, I don’t feel the need to maximize my visit and try to see everything while there. In fact, it’s less overwhelming to focus on artwork or two.

I’ve started incorporating solo art dates into my week for a bit of creative inspiration. These dates don’t have to be at a museum. They could be outdoors to visit a public artwork or to photograph a work of architecture or to walk in nature. Art dates can be attending a concert or poetry/book reading or choosing to do something creative myself.

“Tiptoe Down to Art” (1950) an oil painting by Hassel Smith was recently installed on the north-side wall of the Norton Simon entry lobby.

“On the Eel” (1959) another painting by the artist is mounted across the gallery on the south facing wall. I find the blue and white of this painting more calming than the bright orange of “Tiptoe Down to Art”. Interesting title for the painting considering it’s hue!

Hassel Smith (1915-2007) was a California Bay area abstract expressionist painter, painting instructor at the California School of Fine Arts, and a lecturer at the University of California.

I’m glad the museum chose to prominently display two works of an artist “new to me” and I look forward to spending more time with both paintings.