As many of you may know I work as a Security Officer in a museum so I am Blessed to be surrounded by Beautiful Works of Art all day long. No matter which wing or section of the museum I am posted I always find artworks with limitless intrinsic value.
One of the many repetitive questions I get from museum visitors is “What is the most expensive painting/artwork in the museum?” At first I was puzzled that one could be in a gallery full of Rembrandts, Vermeers, Caravaggio’s, John Singer Sargent, Manet, Monet, Degas or any of many gifted artists and seek only to know a price tag! Well since I’ve now been working at the museum for eight years I’m used to the question and no longer offended. Still a bit puzzled but I suppose for some people it is human nature to want to know the cost. I explain to the visitors that most of the artworks are donated to the museum, there are some purchases but very few.
I am not an artist. At least not a visual artist in that respect. Many of my fellow guards are artists. I highly respect them and artists throughout all ages and eras. I admit to being a late blooming photographer and a frenetic writer! I often introduce myself as a Writer masquerading as a museum security guard!!
Being possessed of a sensitive nature I absorb what’s around me. My favorite art in the museum are paintings. I feel paintings speak to me. They tell me a story. Even landscapes and still lifes have some tale to impart to the viewer. Since my job can be monotonous and boring in between patron queries I allow the paintings to tell me their stories. Also as the Tour Guides and Docents introduce various genres of art and artists to the visiting public I’m there soaking up their wisdom like a sponge. Many times when I get home I’ll listen to art classes and studies which are readily available on YouTube. When I can I may purchase a book or catalog on a specific exhibit or artist who has taken my fancy.
Many of these artists were not appreciated, famous or in some cases able to make a decent living via their art. Most only gained fame long after their deaths. Some who became famous during their lifetimes did not necessarily have happy lives.
One of the best things about working for a museum in New York is that my ID card enables me to get into any New York City museum for FREE!! So all those trips to various museums you have read about cost me nothing except for the food and any item I purchase from the gift shops.
Are you a night owl or are you the early bird? What’s your most productive time of day? When do you do your best work?
Me, Sylvester & Weezer. My cats my night time companions.
I have chronic insomnia so I guess I’m a Night-owl. For a long time I named myself the Midnight Marauder! I have no idea whether my insomnia is due to menopause hormonal changes, job related stress or just plain aging. Many of my co-workers and friends who are in their 50s or 60s report needed less sleep or being unable to sleep through the night so maybe sleeplessness is just a by product of getting older.
I think I’m also part Vampire because I always want to sleep during the day and stay up at night! However thanks to my U.S. Army training I still wake up early which is a good thing. I’m never late for work.
I do my best writing at either dusk or dawn. The period between wake-fullness and sleep provides me the most and best inspiration. As for my photography that is a daytime activity. For safety reasons I usually don’t go walking around the city at night taking photos. However in places that are well policed with lots of people like 34th Street Penn Station or other major hubs then I will whip out my camera.
Espiritu en Fuego/A Fiery Spirit 