Opinion: Monet! Monet! Monet! Check out "Everyday Monet"

I find many folks in the Hamptons seem to have a personal relationship with the works of Claude Monet. I remember being introduced to his work in a grade school art class by Miss Driscoll at OLPH in the early 1960’s. Even at that early age the paintings of the “Impressionist’s” dazzled my imagination and soul. I believe so many of us would love to have the genius of Monet in our lives.

The newly released book, “Everyday Monet,” by Aileen Bordman is perhaps the perfect way to achieve such a goal. The photo above of Ms. Bordman is by Ron Holt. Her book is worthy of everyone’s attention because the layout of this book is a work of art.

After reading about “Everyday Monet,” on social media I was so fascinated I actually reached out to the author to request permission to write about “Everyday Monet.” Research showed me the book is for sale almost everywhere and at the New York Metropolitan Museum of Art Gift shop. It is that critically acclaimed already. I asked Ms. Bordman how her book directly relates to the Hamptons and she replied, “”Everyday Monet, captures the beauty of nature, the joy of entertaining and everyday life at Giverny....a life that today is lived and mirrors the joy experiences at the Hamptons” I couldn’t agree more. So I pressed her to expand and she said, “If Claude Monet we’re alive today, there is no doubt he would be seen with a glass of Rosé, and easel trying to catch the light as it bounced off the beautiful bays of the Hamptons.”

So what has surprised her about the books success? “My most pleasant surprise about the book's reception has been from very young people. I see this strong resurgence in the love of all things Monet including his art and gardens, and his fans cross all ages.”

When asked about her most recent memory of being in Southampton Ms. Bordman replied, “Drinking a truly lovely glass of wine while taking in the beauty of the shore.... truly felt such joy.” I know I understand that feeling. How about you?

The color quality printing of “Everyday Monet” adds to the message of the book that goes so far beyond being just , “A Giverny-inspired gardening and lifestyle guide to your best Impressionist life.” Aileen Bordman overs insights and suggestions to bring simple Monet concepts into you own home, such as gardening in practical ways. There is even a “Monet Flowering Calendar,” that lists a collection of Monet’s flowers of each month of the year.

Ms. Bordman devotes a chapter on Monet’s concepts for arranging flowers for different locations in your home or even workplace. It is just such a pleasant journey of the mind to flip the pages look at the artwork while you read and adsorb her words and insights on the pages.

Years ago for one unique year I weekly brought my daughters to the New York Metropolitan of Art to absorb the genius of the third floor Impressionist painters. Years later my oldest daughter while studying her Jr. year of Smith College in France visited Giverny and was so inspired she even wrote to me about it. “Everyday Monet,” has as much power as did her letter home, only with so much more content.

Over the years I have been assigned many books to review. In this instance I requested to be able to pen this article because “Everyday Monet,” captured me instantly when I read about it months before it was released. Full disclosure I did not know the author before I saw an article about this book, but now I am hoping to my wife Cindi and I can attend a book signing/talk to learn even more about this effort. I believe you can go on amazon and peek at some of the pages. If you enjoy the works of Monet, I strongly recommend you at least do that.

This will be a book that never ages, just like the works of Monet. The content will be relevant for many years to come.