Ellsworth Kelly's Plant Drawings @ the MET

The American painter/sculpture Ellsworth Kelly is probably best known for his abstract paintings generally portraying one bright color image of an irregular shape.  The plant drawings & paintings on exhibition display a close observation of the structure of plants in a deceptively simple form.  The figurative drawings give a very elegant rendition of the inherent beauty of natural plants and flowers.  Matisse had a major impact on Kelly's work as reflected in some of his line drawings.  The beauty of the drawings are in the details; particularily in the thistles, corn and blades of grass.  There is also some whimsy with Kelly's use of color in yellow tulips & green sunflower.  Kelly said that what gave him the most pleasure in life was seeing the world and translating his vision for others to see.  This serene and lovely exhibit is a refreshing look at a different style of Kelly's work which was new to me and a quiet respite within the multitudes of shows @ the MET.