The Art of Looking at Art

One thing that I grew up doing with my family is an annual event called "The Art Trip." My sister first discovered it when she was taking an art class at Dixie State College, and since then my family attended that trip several times. It is when the DSC art professor takes college students and locals from the community down to California to see some of the finest art on the West Coast. I was lucky enough to attend a few times and I remember thinking it was so cool to be in middle school and be able to hang out with college students. But since then my family has a real connection with some of the art museums in California. So it comes to no ones surprise that when my parents came and visited us for the long weekend over Labor Day that we took a trip up to LA to see a couple of them.

First my parents and Jason went to see a local boat yard and factory where they make my dad's boats, The McGregor.

Here are my parents checking out the boat and trying to decide if they like it.

The next morning we traveled up to Malibu to visit the Getty Villa. The Getty Villa is a small museum and garden area that is set up like Roman villa, complete with fountains, pools, and statues. It is so relaxing to go there and walk the grounds feeling like you own the area. We arrived right when it opened up Saturday morning so we had the place to ourselves. Here are some pictures of the outside of the Getty Villa.

The inside of the Getty Villa is no disappointment either. It is filled with Greek and Roman artifacts and art that were spectacular!

We even enjoyed the kids area where you could learn about how they use to make pottery. They had examples of what certain vases and pots were used for what occasions. They also had some fake pots that had a thick coating of gloss on the outside so you could use dry erase markers on it to make your own design. Naturally I spent more time than I should playing with them.


They had many hallways lined with pillars that really added to the atmosphere. Here is Jason peeking from behind one.

We enjoyed a fantastic lunch that overlooked Malibu beach and the ocean. Then we were off to the big brother of the Getty Villa: The Getty.

These "trees" are one of our favorite icons of the Getty. They are made out of rebar and then the plants grow up and out like a tree.

The grounds here are beautiful, as well.

Even though the outside of the Getty is amazing, what is truly fantastic are the pieces of art that are held there. We have had to travel to Europe to see a collection comparable to the one found here at the Getty. We are so lucky to have an art museum with amazing pieces so close to us.

We stare in amazement at the Van Gogh's.

We drooled over this one on Venice. It makes you feel like you are actually there!

My parents love the ocean so naturally when they were here we had to take them to the beach.

Here is Jason looking adorable as always!

Aww, my parents are so cute!

My parents left the next morning and it was so wonderful to have them come visit us here in California.