“I perhaps owe having become a painter to flowers.”

– Claude Monet

I like the thought that Monet felt flowers inspired him to become a painter. When I lived in London I used to go to the National Gallery and sit in the room with his large water lily paintings. It was a difficult time in my life and the paintings helped me sort myself out and put my life in perspective. They are magical and calming, the experience of sitting in their pure beauty soothed my soul. Seeing a photo of a painting doesn’t really give you the same experience as looking at the real thing. There is so much more texture, layers of color and depth that a camera can’t capture. They are so large you can get lost in them. I did sense that Monet loved the beauty and color in flowers. I could connect with that because I feel so drawn to flowers! When I first went to Paris I knew I had to go to Giverny and see Monet’s garden there. It is still quite breath taking. I would love to have seen the gardens when Monet and his family lived there. If you go to Paris it is not too far for a day trip to Monet’s home and garden. There is also an interesting American Art Museum in Giverny that is worth a visit. For a wonderful interview and story about Monet and his life and garden in Giverny I suggest this NPR online article about Monet The Gardener: Life, And Art, Grow At Giverny