We come the closest to the essence of an artist in his or her notebooks and sketchbooks, where written comments and personal notes provide an intimate insight into the magical mind of a working artist.

Eugene Delacroix

From the moment I awoke this morning, I knew I wanted to devote the quality portion of this day to visiting the Dallas Museum of Art.  They have recently opened a new drawing and watercolor exhibit: “Mind’s Eye: Masterworks on Paper from David to Cezanne.” Today I was most awestruck by the works of Jacques Louis David and Eugene Delacroix, although I know that subsequent visits will deepen my interest in the other artists represented as well.  As I stood in the first chamber, prior to seeing any of the works, reading the preliminary posted paragraphs on the walls, I felt the way many Medieval folk must have felt upon entering the narthex of…