Blog

Hannah Wilson

Louvre – First Visit

Comments Art, Paris, See & Do

My Grandmother was in Paris a few weekends ago, and I was able to show her around Paris. We went to the Louvre, but we were all extremely exhausted from all the traveling and early mornings, so we didn’t spend a ton of time there.

We did see the brand new Islamic arts collection though! And it was really beautiful! Some things were a little boring (some of the pottery and shards of tile), but there were also some gorgeous and unique treasures like intricately carved jewelry boxes, ancient suits of armor, ornate and jeweled teapots (or “genie” lamps… I don’t know the proper names of things), and mosaics that used the most gorgeous shades of blue. There were also many rugs, architectural fragments, and carved wood doors. I think the most fascinating thing about Islamic art is all the surface decoration and patterning.

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Hannah Wilson

Live it.

Comments Diary

Normally, when I see or read things that have the message: Life life to the fullest, I simply roll my eyes and move on to something more interesting and less cliché.

However, lately I’ve been in such a carpe diem type of mood. Being in Paris probably has something to do with it. All major life changes are at first, extremely difficult, and later on, flip to the other extreme and become wonderfully fun, inspiring, fresh, and exciting.

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Hannah Wilson

Musée Gustave Moreau

Comments Art, Paris, See & Do

When my Mom was in Paris, we took an hour to check out the Gustave Moreau museum. Most people, even people who have some knowledge of art history, aren’t super familiar with this artist, but I gotta say, he’s extremely interesting!

{View of the lower studio space}

He’s considered a Symbolist painter, so many of his tableaux are a fantastical melange of biblical, mythological, medieval, and otherwise imagined references. Some of his work is more textured, expressive, and colorful, like the later work of Delacroix, while his more famous works are expertly drawn, highly ornate, and almost scintillate with detail. His mix of symbolism with extreme attention to detail bring to mind, at least in my own head, apocalyptic yet ancient, and cult-like, ritualistic themes. I picture his images taking place in an imaginary time that is futuristic, yet extremely ancient at the same time, and it’s pretty easy to become lost in them.

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Hannah Wilson

Of Fringe and Funks

Comments Uncategorized

It’s that time again: Time to cut some fringe over my forehead. I’ve been feeling so underwhelmed with my hair, but now that it’s starting to grow out quite long again, I think fringe would take it to the next level. Whenever I’ve worn my bangs down, I always feel so much cooler, more mysterious, and just prettier in general. Also, changing hairstyles always gives me a little boost in confidence.

And speaking of feeling good, I’ve been feeling pretty darn good lately, despite one speed bump that’s got me feeling sad at sporadic moments throughout the days. However, I think I’ve discovered the secret formula – no, not for Krabby Patties – but for getting out of a sadness or anxiety-induced funk. It is as follows:

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Hannah Wilson

Gardens of Versailles

Comments Paris, See & Do, Versailles

The day we visited Versailles, the gardens were absolutely beautiful. It was sunny, but the sky was covered in beautiful, full, textured clouds, and there was a fresh chill in the air. The gardens seem to extend out to infinity, and I loved imagining Marie Antoinette-type ladies wandering about in these gardens, or floating in a canoe on the canals.

I made the mistake of wearing uncomfortable shoes, yet again. I don’t know how many times I have to self-induce suffering upon myself before I actually take my own advice, and that advice is: WEAR COMFORTABLE SHOES THAT FIT PROPERLY!! Evidently I never knew what walking really was in Long Beach, because I’ve never had so many shoe/foot-related problems in my life!

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Hannah Wilson

Palace de Versailles

Comments Paris, See & Do, Versailles

One of the activities I accomplished with my mother was the enormous Palace/Chateau of Versailles. Think Marie Antoinette and her husband Louis the sometheenth. (Sorry guys, not so good with historical details!)

The interiors are ridiculously detailed and gaudy, it actually got rather sickening towards the end of the visit. But I’d say it’s still worth a visit.

Aside from the main chateau, you can also explore the gardens, two smaller palaces, and the Queen’s hamlet. We saw everything there was to see, and I have to say the smaller palaces and hamlet were much more enjoyable, simply because they were far less busy.

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