Tea Gallery: Anne Redpath, 1895–1965

I came across this picture on Tumblr, and had to include this in my Tea Gallery.  The chair reminds me of the one I had in my library, which was so perfectly comfy for a reading tea break, but was also ripped to shreds by Zenobia.  Now I have a chaise lounge that gives a different feeling to the room.  I like it, but at times I miss the cozy chair.  At least Zenobia hasn't destroyed it.  Yet.

Tea Gallery: Alice Reading Beside a Cup of Tea by Roger de la Fresnaye

Tea and Books, Books and Tea!  Always an ideal pairing.  Also, Alice's Tea Cup.  I'm done here.

Tea Gallery: Sunday Morning, Woman Reading by Isabel Codrington

To me, the only thing better than a tea gallery is a bookish gallery.  Here's a bit of both.

Now that teapot is huge!  I'm hoping my eyesight is overlooking a samovar aspect to it, otherwise I predict a messy table.  No wonder she's holding up her book.  Also, if I were painted reading on a Sunday morning, the surroundings would be far less elegant.  Still, it'd be a fun picture to do a modern interpretation of - doubt I could find that particular floral arrangement.

Tea Gallery: Tattoos?

I would never get a tattoo.  This I know for a certainty.  I used to put those temporary ones on in the late 90s, and within a day or so I'd get sick of looking at it.  One of them - a flower on my ankle, lasted so long that when I started a new job, it was assumed that this was an actual tattoo.  I guess I wasn't much for exfoliation back then!

My opinions on tats notwithstanding, it is still an art form, so I had to share this Buzzfeed article (Buzzfeed is one of my guilty pleasures, by the way.  It's like a mug of PG tips tea with milk and sugar - quick, tasty and effective, but maybe not the finest of tea-taking.)  Enjoy!

Tea Gallery: Trust Me, John Everett Millais, 1862

Looks like someone's having a tense moment among the tea things.

Tea Gallery: Tea & Sonnets by Michael Shane Neal

If I'm being honest (and I do try), this looks more like a coffee pot to me - it's too tall to be a proper teapot. Perhaps it's just the angle.  Otherwise, I have no criticism for this picture.  Tea pairs perfectly with poetry!  Both are timeless...as is this portrait!

Tea Gallery: Teatotalism by Edward Bird

Proving once again that tea and cats are eternally linked.  Possibly because of the spinster implications?   Well, the lady (?) in this painting looks like she's abstained from more than just liquor.  And she probably won't have anyone showing her a night out on the town, not with that freaky kitty warning any suitors away.  At least she's got milk in her tea, and a slight flush on her cheeks - perhaps she's just warming up after a bit of fun in the snow?  I have almost no information behind this painting, so the story behind it is anyone's guess.  

Tea Gallery: Madame Ranson au Chat, Maurice Denis

This has all the makings of a Tea Gallery favorite: its very coloring is tea-like (black tea, no milk), and there's an affectionate kitty cat that bears a slight resemblance to Moofer giving his or her human a little nudge.  Madame's hair borders on O'Brien from Downton Abbey, though the sleeves of her dress make her seem like she might enjoy appearing on posters for Henri Toulouse-Lautrec.  I'm sure I'm stepping on all kinds of toes on that, but the styles do blend somewhat to the only slightly trained eye.

I am trying to increase my knowledge of Art History, beyond the Pre-Raphaelites, Impressionists and Dutch Masters.  I wouldn't put myself in the category of Expert for these either.  Anyway, I read up on these things and visit museums for my own pleasure, so I can move at my own pace.  It's the most serene type of learning.

Why yes, Madame, I will have another.

Tea Gallery: Tea House, Hu Yongkai

Through the magic of Pinterest, I am discovering new artists almost daily.  And I keep finding 'tea artists' like Hu Yongkai.  This particular work, 'Tea House', is one I can truly identify with.  Do I even need to say why? 

Tea Gallery: Fred Calleri

What's got her riveted?  Or is she pouring tea for an imaginary friend?  Maybe her cold meds are throwing off her aim (reddish nose.) I'm not sure, but from the little I've seen, I'd like to get to know more of Fred Calleri's work.