Learning to Paint: Richmond, Va Impressions

Commanding is the word that comes to mind as I reach the top of the staircase at The Phillips House where with long necks and tempered enthusiasm well dressed art enthusiasts are examining a collection of Renoir paintings. As if plucking long stiff legs from wet sand they move like pink pelicans I once saw in Florida. The flock spreads out in each room and then squeeze together to fit through narrow archways. Hands on chins, fingers gliding horizontally over terse lips, they mutter mutter mutter to themselves in hushed tones an incomprehensible mumble, an audio response to having…