Our Nation's capital hosts my favorite gallery, The National Gallery Of Art.  It has art from my favorite periods including the neo-classical, impressionism and post impressionists.  Let's take a quick tour!

    This wild look at a rampaging ocean was painted by Thomas Moran.  For all you aspiring seascape artists, check out how the movement of the water is captured in this masterpiece.

This painting of the maritime subject matter was painted in the 18-1900's.  This genre has always provoked feelings of adventure, travel and discovery.  Back then that was the way people traveled.

    I like the composition and lighting of this painting.  It is striking, bold and well thought out.  This is something I would choose to paint!

    Here is seascape from the old masters era.  This is typical of what they painted back then.   Muted skies, calm but dark waters, and rocky coastlines.  Imagine if these artist went to Hawaii how their paintings would change.

      Albert Beirdstadt was one of my first artists I studied.  His use of light and atmospheric perspective made him a master illusionist of distance and space.  I recommend all landscape artist pay attention to his work.  Look at the size of painting!

    William Merrit Chase was a leading portrait artist in his time. He came slightly before John Singer Sargent, who in my opinion is the best impressionist portrait painter of all time.  He fused a style between reality and interpretation that is still the benchmark today for portrait painting.

    Salvador Dali, the leading surrealist, created his version of the last supper.  Notice his interpretation has a slightly modern flair.  It is more traditional than his later works.

Students, check out all the museums you can.  These places are great for lessons of the past.