The Mona Lisa: Stuff You Should Know

The Mona Lisa is one of the most famous paintings in the world. She was created by the master, Leonardo Da Vinci. I say this painting in person in 2017 when I visited Paris. She was a beautiful lady with a true representation of Da Vinci’s style. However, you can’t help but wonder several things while staring at Mona Lisa. 

Questions like who was she and why is this painting more famous than the others? Thankful the guys at Stuff You Should Know decide to answer those questions.

Snippety Snap: Just Like That!


Last Supper, the Last Stop

Leonardo Di Vinci is probably one of the most famous artist that emerged out of the Italian Renaissance. He was fascinated by a variety of academic subjects outside of his artistic pursuit. He traveled all over Italy completing work for some of the most powerful families at the time. People can recognize his unique style on sight. Some can name and describe several of his most famous masterpieces. I personally love his unique style towards painting and pursuing several subjects of study. So when I landed in the city of Milan this summer, I was determined to see one of his most famous pieces of work. This master piece was the Last Supper in the Convent of Santa Maria. 

Sforesco Castle: Collection of Collectibles

Milan is a beautiful city. It is full of history. A history you can see and feel in every corner. If one doesn’t have time to wander every nook and cranny then might I suggest a sight that is filled to the brim with a collection of collectibles. The Sforesco Castle in Milan was built in the 15th century and rebuilt in 1891.  It now is a popular sightseeing spot for tourist today. The grand size of this sight allows it to be a perfect sight to collect various artifacts from Italian Renaissance that Italy was famous for. They have a large collection of statues, ceramics, murals, and so much more. 

Uffizi Gallery: Italian Art Paradise

Art is created and displayed all over the world. It is studied in school and celebrated by many. However, it seems like some of the world’s greatest masters come from the Italian Renaissance era. Masters like Leonardo Da Vinci and Micheal Angelo. People study these works, and almost every person on Earth can recognize the styles that were created on sight. Seeing these pieces in person are on people’s bucket list. So when one is in Italy, how can one see many master pieces that rose from this great Italian period? Well, I may have found paradise. A paradise that contains pieces from the Medici Archives, artwork from the greatest religious churches, and pieces created by the greatest artist of their era. Where is this paradise? Let me introduce you to the Uffizi Gallery in Florence, Italy. 

Jumpstarting Creativity: What, Why, and How

If I say the word creativity what do you think it means? How does it apply to your life? Do you think that you have creativity? The dictionary says that creativity says “the use of the imagination or original ideas, especially in the production of an artistic work”. I have worked in teaching, marketing, and other such profession that could be considered creative. I love books, drawing, and writing which are creative hobbies. However, I can not tap into my creative talents 24/7. I am only human. With my activities and some of my past jobs involving the need for creativity, I recognized the need for the immediate generation of creativity when you need it. So I had thought to myself, there had to be some way to trigger this power. I think I may have found the answer during my commute while I listened to the TED Radio Hour. They had an episode called Jumpstarting Creativity where people like Tim Harford spoke on how to rekindle and harness it.

A Gondola Ride Through Venice

When one is visiting the city of Venice, a gondola ride is expected. A gondola ride through the Grand Canal. You would pass by every iconic building that rose to it’s grandiose style in the Italian Renaissance.  These waterways are some of the most famous in the world. Hollywood and dreamers believe that Venice is the hidden jewel in Italy that one should visit before their demise. Do I agree with them? Well the only way I was going to solve this question would be to go on my own gondola ride through the water ways of Venice during my stay in the city of masks.

Murano: Island of Glass

Venice has the reputation of being a tourist run city especially in the summer. It seems like every year there is a new news report stating the ongoing battle between Venice and the tourism industry. So when I descended into the city of Venice, I was not surprised to see the throngs of tourist. But where were the locals? It seemed like each cobbled street led to more signs of the tourist industry in Venice. It was starting to feel like the Venetian hotel in Vegas, but a hop, skip, and boat ride away I found my piece of local paradise.

Monet: The Late Years

Monet was an artist that came out of the Impressionist era of the art world. One of his most famous paintings being the water lilies from his garden. However, it wasn’t until his later years that his passion for painting manifest with pure dream worthy quality. This passion helped him push forward after World War I, and losing his first son along with his wife. After World War I, the world was celebrating it’s new found peace at the same time mourning the loss of family and friends. Monet was like many and fell into depression and left the world of art for a few years. However, he soon found the inspiration to paint again after his friends encouraged him to pick up the paint brush and use his sadness to paint. 

He created his dream gardens at his home in Giverny. He painted in the dream like quality finished and unfinished brush strokes. He wanted to take viewers into his garden and surround in this paradise he created for himself. Monet was a mad man. He filled 2 studios full of paintings of his paradise and he shared it with the world. He didn’t let his growing age stop him. He didn’t let his medical difficulties stop him. He never let blindness impede upon his dream. He started to play with the styles that manifested with artist like Picasso but stuck to the dream like quality. 

Dior: Paris to the World

In the world of fashion, haute couture is the highlight of every season. If you are not familiar with haute couture, here is a quick definition creation of exclusive custom-fitted clothing. There are many fashion houses that offer these masterpieces but very few have the reputation of making some of the most cutting edge piece along with the history to back them up. It just so happens that the Dallas Museum of Art hosted a special exhibit featuring some of the fashion house Dior’s greatest creations along with piece of the house’s historical archive. So let’s dive in to the world of haute couture and discover Dior: Paris to the World.