“There are always flowers for those who want to see them.” — Henri Matisse

Thoughts on Today’s Quote

Ever met someone who always sees the glass half empty rather than half full?

That would be the same person who could look at a field and notice all the weeds and completely miss the beautiful flowers swaying in the breeze.

Our frame of mine determines what we see in any scenario. We can see either the dark elements or the light elements. We can even see some of each

Finding the dark elements becomes a habit over time and blocks our view of the flowers in life which can bring us joy and a sense of discovery of the greatness of life.

Who is Henri Matisse?

Born in France in December 1869, Henri studied law in 1887 and then started working as a court administrator. Following an attack of appendicitis in 1889 his mother purchased art supplies for him to use as he convalesced. He discovered he had an artistic passion and decided to become an artist.

He started off with a traditional style painting still-life and landscapes. As he developed he studied and copied other masters, allowing them to influence his own work. He explored sculpting, completing his own work, “The Slave” in 1903.

In 1905 he exhibited with a group of artists that became known as “Fauves”. They expressed emotions in their work through wild, often dissonant colours without regard for the subject’s natural colours. The group was not well received and they declined after 1906. Many of Matisse’s finest works were created between 1906 and 1917. He continued to be influence by others works and his style continued to evolve.

He met Picasso in 1904 and the two became life-long friends. Several of Picasso’s friends organized and funded Academie Matisse In Paris where Matisse taught young artists from 1907-1911.

After surgery in 1941 Matisse started using a wheelchair. With the help of aids he started creating cut paper collages called gouaches coupes. His “Blue Nude” series which he called ‘painting with scissors’ demonstrated ability to bring his eye for colour and geometry to a medium of utter simplicity.

In 1947 he published a book containing prints of his colourful collages accompanied by his thoughts on them in text. During the 1940s he worked as a graphic artist producing black and white illustrations for several books and over 100 lithographs.

In his hometown in 1952 he established a museum dedicated to his work. It’s now the third largest collection of Matisse works in France. Henri Matisse died of a heart attack in November 1954.

*I will try to find information on the author of the quotes I share. I wont always be successful.

Don’t know about you, but I find it interesting to know who the person was that anyone took the time to record or quote that person.*

About Coffee Time Meditation

I love being inspired by other people’s quotes. I thought I’d start sharing some quotes that inspire me along with my own thoughts the quote evokes within me. So, think of someone, like me, sitting quietly with the first fresh coffee of the day and mediating about the words of the quote. That would be me, or it could be you.

I invite you to share your own thoughts on the quote in the comments.

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Have a great day
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