una calle en espana

So this last weekend I went to Spain. One word encompasses my trip there- beauty.

THis is the first week I haven't gone somewhere for the sole purpose of observing art. THis, however, did not limit my ability to experience art. I walked down street after street of beautiful Spanish architecture. THe colors of the buildings were suttle blues, peaches, pinks, and creams. I fell in love with it. I realized that the colors of the old buildings had a positive affect on my mood. The sun created shadows on the walls and for the first time these shadows made me think "beauty." I wish I had a better word to use, but that is the one that kept popping into my head.

I realized as I came back to Oxford that light and shading affect moods. I am drawing the connection between paintings and real life. As I walked down the street yesterday, the sky was overcast and I felt "blah", for lack of a better word. Don't get me wrong- the buildings and people filling the streets were still just as beautiful, but I realized as I walked that I became more contemplative and deep in thought. I become more solumn and reflective. Today, I was walking down the same street and the sun was out shining and the sky was bright blue and I felt like everyone around me could see the smile booming from my face.

I am beginning to realize that where I am experiencing art, whether through a painting or through a walk in God's beautiful creation, I can be affected by it if I let myself. I realize that light and shading have everythign to do with how I personally amd affected by any type of creation, be it GOd's or be it man's.