Saturday, December 31, 2011

Mona




Mona has her own room.





Art student prepared to spend the day.


The most famous painting in the world, the Mona Lisa is housed behind bullet-proof glass at the Louvre in Paris. Artist Leonardo da Vinci confessed that he never finished a painting, and yet "unfinished" she is still stunning. I must confess I expected to see just a painting of a woman, but she is truly stunning; non of the reproductions have done her justice.


Of course she really didn't become famous until she was stolen in 1911. A Louvre employee thought that she needed to be returned to Italy. But a couple years later she was back in the Louvre but under stronger security. If you ever visit the Louvre, be sure to stop to see her. She is a definite "must-see".

Monday, December 26, 2011

Sacred Sunday



"River of Life" batik

On display at the Royal Foundation of St. Katherine's, London, UK


Revelation 22:1-2

Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life,

as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of

the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the

city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life,

bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month.

And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.

Saturday, December 24, 2011

Sign Saturday




STOP! Many of us have been stopped in our tracks by the weather. I took one snow day this week. And I even managed to use some of that time to work on art. I had embellishing to do; that's the final step for a mask. I have a big assortment of beads out on my work table right now, but I use all kinds of "things" to add the final decorative touch. I have a collection of wish bones that would be a fun addition; I also have a bunch of white shells; of course they don't have to stay white. It's always fun to see what happens at the end.

Friday, December 23, 2011

Merry Christmas

Google celebrates the season with colored lights.

Tuesday, December 20, 2011

Quote of the Week

"One should either be a work of art, or wear a work of art." Oscar Wilde

Monday, December 19, 2011

Snowed-in



Well, the weather forecast was right on schedule. It reported that the rain would start early and as the day progressed the temperature would drop and then the snow would start. It's been blowing since 3pm. I plan on taking a snow day tomorrow. I have plenty of provisions and plenty to keep me busy.


I would like to spend the time embellishing masks. That's the last step to get them ready for viewing. But I will be cleaning instead; getting ready for company over the holidays. And each time I look outside, I will be thankful for a central heating.

Wednesday, December 14, 2011

Thursday, December 8, 2011

Google

Google today is a Mexican mural.

Tuesday, December 6, 2011

Quote of the Week

"The creation of something new is not accomplished by the intellect, but by the play instinct acting from inner necessity. The creative mind plays with the object it loves." C. G. Jung

Monday, December 5, 2011

The Kiss



Thinking about favorite paintings brought this one to mind. Painted by Gustav Klimt in 1907-08 (oil & gold leaf), the decoration of the piece makes me dizzy. Another thing that makes me dizzy is the passion! How can so much passion be emitted from only exposed faces, hands & feet? I will have to travel to Vienna to see this one.

Thursday, December 1, 2011

Jan van Eyck



Giovanni & wife by Jan van Eyck 1434


This painting has fascinated me since I first saw it as a kid. I don't remember where I saw it, in a book or art appreciation slide show, but I immediately appreciated its uniqueness. It has been called a exercise in "disguised symbolism", and that must be true but is a aspect of the painting the I have not studied. I am intrigued by the detail: the fur on the dress, coat, & dog, each different in character; the placement of the objects, the wooden shoes, the fruit, the chandelier, the mirror; how the bed & the window "frame" the couple; the couple center stage with their reflection in the convex mirror. And van Eyck's signature claiming he was there!


Yes, I saw it at the National Gallery in London. There was a crowd around it, and surprise, surprise, it is bigger than I expected; I had in mind that it was practically a miniature but it is closer to 24"x36". I would love the opportunity to see this painting over and over again. I would never tire of it. Like revisiting and old friend.

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Google

You wouldn't have to con me into painting a fence.

Saturday, November 26, 2011

The Color of Fall



I love the color combination of blue with orange and gold, and to find it along my path is a treat. These are English leaves and American pants; I just had to seize the Kodak moment.

Tuesday, November 22, 2011

Google Gobble

Even Google is ready for Thanksgiving!

Sunday, November 20, 2011

Sacred Sunday

The Ennunciation with Saint Emidius by Carlo Crivelli 1486


I came across this painting several months ago thanks to Sister Wendy. It is a beauty. Makes me wonder if it's a student piece: one to prove to the master that the artist can paint anything.


Well I noticed that it was in the National Gallery in London and so I looked it up and made note of the gallery number. Then I made a trip to the gallery to see specifically this painting and one other. And there it was! Only one problem: that gallery was closed for rehanging. Fortunately only a rope kept me out and I could peer around the ladders for as good of a look as I was going to get. It's a large painting so even from across the room it is a visual feast.


Sister Wendy says: So much is going on here that it takes a long time to enjoy it all.


Next Sunday is the first Sunday in Advent, and the good news is delivered to Mary that she will have a son, Emmanuel. Maybe this is a heavenly view of the event.

Monday, October 31, 2011

Saturday, October 29, 2011

Crayola



See what Diem Chau can do with a box of crayons. See more at http://www.diemchau.com/.

Friday, October 28, 2011

Salisbury Cathedral



In just 10 days I'll be in Salisbury, so I visited the web site to check out what was happening at the cathedral. Recently artists have been invited to show contemporary work in this traditional setting. Now showing ~ Conflux: a union of th Sacred and the Anonymous, sculpture be Sean Henry. I captured a sample.

If the church is trying to be revelant in the 21st century it must be relevant to people in their everyday lives. This exhibit shows people caught in natural positions; is God with them?
Unfortunately the exhibit ends just a few days before I get there, so I must enjoy it via the web. Hope you enjoy it too. http://www.salisburycathedral.org.uk/

Thursday, October 27, 2011

Quote of the Week

"Perfection is achieved, not when there is nothing more to add, but when there is nothing left to take away." Antoine de Saint-Exupery

Friday, October 21, 2011

Quilt

Google looks like a colorful patchwork quilt.

Thursday, October 20, 2011

Blue House

The little blue house (yesterday's post). I discovered it on the way to somewhere a couple years ago. It was an overcast day and I thought the house would stand out better against a blue sky; it was several months latter before this pic was taken. But I have since decided that the color may have looked stronger against the overcast sky. I passed the house on Monday and the color had faded, and I am sad about it.

Saturday, October 8, 2011

Sunday, September 25, 2011

Sacred Sunday



I had a dilemma. Was this photo best suited for Sign Saturday or Sacred Sunday ? I decided that if Jesus said it, it had to be sacred.


On this visit to Ed Larson's eclectic studio on Canyon Road, I actually encountered Ed and he graciously posed at the front door. Lot's of folksy folk art decorating the place, really fun stuff.


More pics of Canyon Road soon.

Saturday, September 24, 2011

Paintbox

My first thought as I saw Google today was, paintbox. But click on the buttons and you put the Muppets into action.

Friday, September 23, 2011

Art Show




Art student Josh Hogge will have a showing of his latest work at the Wild Horse Gallery on Thursday, September 29, 7-9pm. Josh has an imagination; come check it out!

Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Quote of the Week

"The artist's world is limitless. It can be found anywhere, far from where he lives or a few feet away. It is always on his doorstep." Paul Strand

Saturday, September 17, 2011

Sheila Parr

Tulsa artist Sheila Parr is having a showing of her work at the OSU Foundation building in Tulsa. Look for the 23 pieces of original works and giclee prints in the Malinda Berry Fischer Gallery. The OSU Foundation is located at 400 S. Monroe and the exhibit is open weekdays 8am-5pm through September 30.

Friday, September 16, 2011

Santa Fe









How can I possibly talk about Santa Fe and not mention Georgia O'Keeffe. A Museum and Foundation with her name on them are both located there.


Of course there were other fine artists who were drawn to New Mexico by the landscape, the culture, the light, the air. But Georgia made her home there and her name as a painter there, recording images that others did not see.


Abiquiu was her place of residence until declining health forced her to Santa Fe. And a trip to Abiquiu is worth the effort, and a tour of her home should be included.


The memories I have of my visit to her home in Abiquiu include: cement floors, hollyhocks, stark interiors with subtle decoration, and the hanging light bulb.

Saturday, September 10, 2011

Sign Saturday



At last, in Santa Fe. The weather was perfect: sunny days in the mid 80's and cool nights. The plaza is the must stop place to take it all in. I spent a couple hours there the first day. Visited some artist's haunts that are old favorites. Glad to see that they were still there. A stroll through the landmark La Fonda Hotel and across the street I found a string of peppers to replace my dry faded ones. I was expecting to have lunch at the Cafe on the Plaza but a kitchen fire had forced it to close, so I had fast food SW style at the Burrito Co. Then off to museum hill to take in all the folk art I could absorb.

Thursday, September 8, 2011

Quote of the Week

"I don't want to discount talent and ability, but I still maintain that a lot of it is just sheer desire." Don Henley

Tuesday, September 6, 2011

High Road



I took so many pics on the road that by the time I got to Chimayo my camera battery was dead. This was the last pic before recharge. I stopped for dinner at a favorite place, Rancho de Chimayo. I chose a light dish: chicken salad served in an avocado, very nice. Then on to Santa Fe before dark.

Sight & Sound

Google for today is art and music. Check it out!

Sunday, September 4, 2011

Sacred Sunday



The Roman Catholic Church has provided many sacred images. The Saints which are depicted over and over in NM art, and of course Mary, the Christ and the cross. I arrived in Santa Fe a few days before the big, famous, and popular Traditional Spanish Market and the Contemporary Hispanic Market. In both of these outdoor markets sacred images always abound in the form of paintings, santos, bultos, retablos, tinwork and even furniture.

Friday, September 2, 2011

High Road







My plan for my drive on the High Road to Taos was to stop at as many galleries/studios and to talk to as many artists as possible; what could be better. The town of Truchas was a definite destination and the mural shown above is at the corner of the turn off. "The" landmark of Truchas is the one gas station which displayed a sign announcing "no gas". Open studios line both sides of the road (75) and the sign at Judith Hert's place drew me in.

Judith was reclining in her living room when I made my entrance, but she graciously invited me to take it all in. Judith paints with both acrylic and watercolor, but it was her large abstract acrylics that got my attention. She led me to her gallery behind her house and we sat and talked about the art business. Judith is finishing a series to send off to a show in Boston. As we chatted she surveyed her work and spotted changes she would make. A painting is never done until the artist says it's done. If you can't make it to Truchas or Boston, you can see Judith's work at her web site http://www.judithhert.com/.

Tuesday, August 30, 2011

Porcelain

http://www.ojosarco.com/



Down the road to Ojo Sarco pottery where Kathy Riggs & Jake Wilson create beautiful pieces of porcelain with an electric kiln. Then they invite a few friends to show paintings, etc as well.




Then I drove into Robert Bennett's studio/gallery as he was working on a big sign that could be spotted easily. Robert had lots of fun big paintings with the bright colors and bold patterns that I love. But his most interesting work (my opinion, my blog) are his mixed media collage pieces on the covers of books. Lots of glitz and shine. See it all on his web site: www.robertsbennettjr.vpweb.com

Sunday, August 28, 2011

Sacred Sunday

Just another adobe church? This one at Las Trampas. Surrounded by graves: some look long abandoned and some fully decorated. This church looked a lot more lively when I was last here in 1997.



Saturday, August 27, 2011

Sign Saturday



The High Road is just one art show after another!

Friday, August 26, 2011

First stop







My first stop on the High Road was Penasco. A colorful row of buildings caught my eye (actually a school, a restaurant and a theatre) so I stopped in front of the Sugar Nymphs Bistro. Since it was lunch time I decided to hang around enjoy the view and grab a bite. I love murals. It's the idea of painting on an entire wall; I think big is better.



And lunch was a sweet corn quesadilla on a blue corn tortilla. Yum, yum!