Quick & Easy Ways to Recharge Your Creativity

On a recent weekend, I popped into The Walters Art Museum for a B-12 creativity injection.

I was welcomed by a bevy of cheerful volunteers and staff that informed me of the drop-in art event, Monument to a Memory, that was in progress.

I meandered into the sun-dappled atrium of the Sculpture Garden.

With marble floors and balustrades, ornamental terraces and Doric columns, it was like stepping into a 17^th century Italian palace. I didn’t know what to do first: photograph the beauty, pull out my portable writing implements and craft creative copy, or do a slow rendition of a whirling dervish, taking in a 360-degree panorama of this architectural marvel.

In the airy palazzo, a prominent community artist was leading the free art session. Herb Massie has touched countless lives by teaching and creating. One of his mirror-and-ceramic mosaics is part of the Walters’ permanent collection; it is a tribute to the life of Sybby Grant, a slave that lived and worked at 1 West Mount Vernon Place (the Hackerman House).

Under Herb’s tutelage, children and adults were engaged in hand-crafting their unique perspectives.

I watched as the children proudly showed Herb their progress and how he encouraged each of them.

Massie’s work can be found on Instagram at #HerbMassie and @break_and_make_mosaic.

Eager to assist the burgeoning artists-du-jour, the docents were enthusiastic and fun, providing tools and items to embellish the craftsmanship of the children and adults gathered at long tables of the interior sculpture garden. Mira, the Public Programs Educator, showed me her clay sculpture; she had a lovely story of how it had been influenced by her mom’s interpretation of the color order of rainbows.

This is a fun and FREE activity that adults and children can participate in most weekends at The Walters, from 11am – 1pm.

Next, I roamed the galleries.

Several years ago, my office was located on Mt Vernon Place. During my lunch hour or on Thursday evenings, I savored visiting my favorite collection on the 4^th floor: the 19^th century European paintings, which included Claude Monet’s Springtime (1872) and Edouard Manet’s The Café Concert (1879). I was disappointed that they are no longer on exhibit, but I understand that the museum needs to refresh their installations to continuously provide a diverse experience.

The 2^nd floor 17^th Century Dutch Cabinet Rooms are sublime. The sounds from the pop-up art session flowed in, echoing the community engagement.

The museum is accessible to wheelchairs, strollers, and it is service-dog friendly. The dexterous placement of benches invites you to sit and contemplate. Rich velvet curtains and wainscoted paneling add to the old-world charm.

I find it incredible that that Jan Lievens painted the Lute Player in 1629. Without the modern tools and conveniences that we have today, he relied on his skill and creativity, relying on rudimentary or basic materials to create timeless masterpieces.

Gazing at this oil painting plunges one into photographic realism. The careful brushstrokes reveal fine detailing and shadowing on the sleeve. The chiaroscuro effect depicts what Dutch life was like. Did I mention that Rembrandt is posing for the artist? Jan couldn’t afford to hire a model, so he asked his friend Rembrandt to strike a pose.

Across the room, I am mesmerized by Adam Bernaert’s Vanitas Still Life. The detailing is meticulous. The imagery is designed to remind us that all things are temporary, so enjoy the present.

This was painted in the mid-to-late 1600s. When I was 12 years old, I received a Kodak Pocket Instamatic that used 110 cartridge film. I took that camera everywhere and snapped my own slices of life. My photographs were not nearly as clear and did not contain the power to transport as this oil on panel.

The Walters offers a beautiful respite and an impetus to recharge your creative flow. The ornate sculpture courtyard of the palazzo area was a perfect place for me to tap out some personal creative work. That afternoon I had the most beautiful corner office in the city.

Keep this cozy sanctuary in mind to come finish homework and browse the collection. Whether you’re escaping the heat, the rain, the cold, or need to recharge from your office environment, step into this beautiful jewel box and prepare to be astonished.