Impress me Mr. Monet

My hope with these blog posts and this class is that you will find a love for not only art but for an artist.  Today I am going to introduce you to my favorite artist of all time, Claude Monet.

He was born in Paris, but did most of his work from the small acerage he bought and lived on near Giverny France.  He was the first to create a style called Impressionism.  Impressionism was basically the study of light and color mixing.  The artists at this time didn't really focus on details, they just focused on the color and let that create the needed details to form a cohesive painting.

I am a huge fan of Monet's colors and styles.  He created such complex looking works of art with such a simple looking style.

San Giorgio Maggior at dusk

Haystacks at sunset

Waterlilies

What do you think of his paintings?  Do they inspire you in some way?  Is this something that you would be willing to try to do, or does it not appeal to you?

Body Art

Body painting is not necessarily a new form of art, but it is amazing what artists like Shannon Holt from Florida can do with paint on the human body.  She has created a series of paintings on humans called the "Florida Wildlife Series."  Each painting takes anywhere from 6-12 hours each.

So what are your thoughts about this type of art?  Can you find the human form in each picture?  Could you do this as an artist and be okay with the fact that it will be washed off?  Or better yet, could you be the model that would have to sit in that position for 6-12 hours?

Guess the medium??

So it has been awhile since I have put a challenge out there.  I found these amazing portraits that were created in all blue, but not with a normal medium.  I will give the first person who figures out the medium double credit for their post, and triple points if they can figure out the name of the artist.

Remember, double points if you can get the medium or the artist.  Good Luck.

"Egg"ceptional quality

So how many of you have ever tried to get the egg out of the eggshell without breaking it?  I know what you're saying, you have to break the eggshell to get the egg out!  I have tried the technique where you pop two small holes and try to blow the egg out, but I have never had a lot of luck with that.

But Piotr Bockenheim has not only figured out how to get the egg out of Goose shells, but he has figured out how to use a drill, I don't know what kind, to get beautiful geometric designs carved into the eggshell.

So what are your thoughts on these beautiful eggs?  Can you think of a medium that would be even more fragile and harder to work with?  Do you think he designs his ideas before he starts or do you think is a medium that you just have to let your imagination flow?

City on a Wheel

I keep trying to blow your mind, but this next artist possibly blew mine.  James McNabb and his wife have started to create art out of scraps of wood.  I know that doesn't sound mind blowing, but it is the way he uses the scraps that are incredible.

Also keep in mind that each piece is cut using a bandsaw or by hand.

Now are you as impressed as I am?  He uses four or five different types of wood for each city sculpture.  Would you have the time or the patience to carve each piece of wood?  Can you think of a medium that might work for this other than wood?  Would this be a project that you would be willing to try yourself?  Which one is your favorite piece?

Coffee art

Miguel Cardona has decided that his morning coffee needs to have a special receptacle.  So he has been drawing his own designs on the sides of paper cups.  All of his work has to be done freehand since the cup has a curve and Miguel enjoys drawing characters from his childhood and current trends.

So my first question has to be, are you impressed by this?  What intrigues you about his canvas choice?  Do you think this is a creative way to showcase artwork?  Does this mean that you can create art anywhere?

Also if you would like to buy one of his works of art they are for sale for $20 with all proceeds going to Project Night Night which is a children's homeless blanket and toy organization.  Do you think $20 is a reasonable price or should he charge more?

Animal Haste

I would like to introduce you to contemporary animal artist Kendra Haste.  She is a British artist that works only in galvanized metal, mostly chicken wire.  She has created such a reputation for herself that she has become a member of the Society of Wildlife Artists.

What do you think of chicken wire as her choice of medium?  What do you think of her treatment of that material?  Is this something you would be willing to try or do you have an even better medium in mind that you think she should try?