Pretty Little Life: Claudia's Life: 18th Birthday

Everyone seems to make a big deal about turning 18.

To me it was like any other birthday, except this day happened to be filled with a little bit more sparkle.

Nothing says birthday like awaking to the words of Happy Birthday being sung to you by your mom & sister.

I made a wish & went downstairs to find my forever favorite, fresh flowers.

OOTD: Birthday Style

Dress: Eastcraeft

Necklaces: {Circle Pendent} Tiffany's, {Feather} old American Eagle necklace that I broke to make my own

I picked up this beautiful purple dress with lace at Eastcraeft, as a last minute birthday outfit.
So pretty & comfortable.
Ready to go, my mom, dad, sister Katherine, & I set out for a day of birthday fun.

After enjoying one of my favorites, baked brie & french onion soup at the Broad Arrow Tavern in Freeport, which was all equally delicious, we headed to one of my absolute favorite places, the Portland Museum of Art.

I last visited PMA a couple years ago with one of my art classes, so this happened to be a long overdue trip.

Because of a time restraint, we were unable to see Richard Estes' Realism exhibit that was only open that weekend. But what I did catch a glimpse of, it looked incredible. However, we did get to see Aaron T Stephan: To Borrow, Cut, Copy, and Steal which is part of PMA's Circa series which happened to open on my birthday & was just as incredible too.

Down below are two of my favorite pieces of his & the others that I enjoyed that day.

I stood for a moment, head tilted, staring, feeling as if I was looking out a window.

This picture just doesn't do it justice.

Frankford Station, 2012

John Moore

Oil on canvas

This piece reminded me of a video I came across a couple of years ago http://youtu.be/d6egUsZvWu4 & still amazes me to this day every time I view it.

I felt as if the colors were falling off the piece right onto the floor in front of me.

Accuser, 2007

Sean Foley

Oil and acrylic on linen

From the image above it just looks like a hand printed on a piece of paper. However, in person this piece is enormous. I even had quite a hard time fitting it all into my camera frame.

The detail in every single little line in the hand when looking at the piece up close is truly unbelievable.

Left Hand, 2007

Jenny Holzer

Oil on linen

If you're interested in more information about the meaning behind this piece check out this website, http://www.berkshirefinearts.com/01-12-2010_the-portland-museum-of-art-displays-contemporary-art.htm

28 Columns, 2014

Aaron T. Stephan

Painted polycomposite columns

The details & dimensions do not follow the preciseness of the proper Doric style, as to which this piece is inspired by. Instead, the columns appear as if they are falling, but when looking closely they are actually very stable, fixed in time & space.

In the background you can see my absolute favorite piece of the day "Untitled", also by Aaron T Stephan.

When far away the image looks like two people kissing. But when viewing it closely, it is entirely made of cut up squares of the pages of an anatomy book. The pieces are placed with such intention & lined up so perfectly that they create the very small features of a face when looking at the image more closely.

My favorite type of art is the pieces that make my eyes unsure as to where to look at. The ones that make me stare long & hard & question myself, "How is this even possible?" The ones that leave me perplexed & amazed all in one.

Well done Aaron T Stephan, you left me speechless.

After leaving the museum, my parents, & Katherine dropped me off at the Cross Insurance Arena, where I met up with my great uncle, my oldest sister Cortney, & my niece Lydia for Cirque du Soleil: Varekai.

I have been to many circus in my life as a child & many plays, but I have never attended an event like this.

I was completely amazed by the impeccable talent that was featured in this show.

Being a part of my Drama Club at school for the past two years, I've seen first hand how much detail goes into just a high school show. Having learned to appreciate this, I was blown away by every single detail that went into this show & can't even begin to imagine the planning & preparation that was required.

I would highly recommend seeing a show to anyone & everyone.

Cirque du Soleil is truly an art in itself.