Working simple

Sometimes we try to do the most intricate and fanciest thing we can come up with, but sometimes it is better to just do something simple and master it.

I know what you are thinking, these are just bananas, what is so special about them?  And why the subject matter is simple, I really want you to stop and look at the coloring.  Do you see all of the colors that were used to create the different tints and shades?  Do you see the brush strokes?  What colors were used in the shadow?  Do you think that this takes talent or can anyone do this?  Could you sit down and paint a picture just like this?  If you are not thrilled with the bananas then what simple subject would you paint?

Lace and Metal?

Okay those are two things that I know you would have never put together, but then again you are not Canadian artist Cal Lane.  Cal is a world renowned sculpture artist that takes sold, cold, manly objects and cuts them into delicate and intricate lace patterns and designs.  She gives a feminine touch to some very masculine objects that I think is very beautiful, but I would love to hear your thoughts after you check out a few of her works.

So what are your thoughts?  Would you love to have one of her massive pieces in your house?  Obviously I don't think the shovel would do you much good as it is intended anymore, but would you hang it on your wall?  Can you think of an object that she should use for her next work of art?  If you could do this what would you use?

Welcome back!

I hope you have had a fun and relaxing summer and are ready for some fun and learning!  I have had a very full summer with travel, food, family and friends.  We spent time learning to kneeboard on the lake and running to baseball games.

Hopefully you didn't forget who you are or why you are here!  Like any class, this will be as fun as you make it.  I love the projects that I have planned for you, but if you dread them then this will be a very long year for you.  

So all I ask is that you come in everyday with a positive attitude.  Even if that means you have to walk out the door and try again.

I am curious what you are looking forward to as you start a new year?  Are you looking forward to this class or one of your other ones?  What are you hoping to try?  What do you feel will be the highlight of your school year?

This is not a Photograph!

So have you ever been flipping through things on the internet and you come across an image that you just assume is a photograph and as you scroll down you see that it is actually a painting.  Well that just happened to me.  So I just had to share it with you.

I am always amazed by hyper-realistic art.  I think I have plenty of patience when it comes to creating art, but these people seem to have unreal amounts of patience and dedication to create these life like works that look like they could just walk off the page.   But I will let you decide what you think of this artist.  Unfortunately I can't find her name.

Any thoughts?  What do you think of it?  Who would you draw or paint if you had this talent?  Or do you think she could do better?

The simple things

Sometimes I try really hard to find you the most amazing feats of art ability that I forget to show you that the simplest of art forms can be really beautiful.  I found this image from the artist Robert Duncan and I wanted to share it with all of you.

First off it made me laugh since I have had several students who were in love with cows and I could totally picture them trying to ride one like the girl in this photo.  But then is also made me think of simpler times and lazy summer days.  But I want to know what you think?

What do you think of it?  Is it good art or bad art?  Does it bring back a memory for you or is it not worth your time to look at?

White is not always white

As hard as I try to explain it, when you are drawing or painting something that is supposed to be white, it is not always white in the image.  You still have to show the curves and the shadows with other colors than white.  I am hoping that this artist will help to show you what I am talking about.

I have happened to stumble across the Irish artist, Vincent Keeling.  Mr. Keeling has been trained in classic oil painting techniques which he has then applied to close ups of roses.  He is creating these big, beautiful, and realistic paintings of roses, cities and people.  I highly recommend you checking him out.

Self portrait

Haypenny Bridge

So what do you think of his style?  Would you like to send him an image and have him paint it?  What type of images would you paint if you had his talent?

What a beautiful dream

I happened to run across the computer generated paintings or Cyril Rolando from France.  It turns out he started playing with some simple computer programs before he started working with Photoshop.  He has since turned his hobby of playing into some incredibly beautiful works that look like paintings, but have all been made on a computer.

What do you think?  Do you believe that this is just a hobby for him?  Do you know what type of art that he is creating?  I'll give extra credit if you can tell me the genre that he is inspired by.