Yesterday I had the pleasure of attending a reception for my niece's senior art show. She's graduating from college with a degree in art education next weekend. I remember how she fell in love with making ceramics in her high school art classes. It was no surprise she continued building her skills in ceramics. Her exhibit this weekend featured nature-based sculptures.
Intricate buds and flowers ordained each piece, many sculpted like hollowed out logs. Delicate but substantial, dark faded to light--they represented the balance of fragility and toughness found in nature. I was very impressed.
I'm kicking myself for not bringing my camera. I'd love for you to see the black, white, and gray creations for yourself! She's also an incredible cake decorator. Amazing!!
Congratulations to my sweet niece! Praying for God's blessings as she enters a new phase of life.
What did you do this weekend?
Have a fabulous Monday!
Showing posts with label art. Show all posts
Showing posts with label art. Show all posts
Monday, April 28, 2014
Friday, February 1, 2013
Sketching: 2 Minute Resolution Vlog
As many eight-year-olds do, I announced I would be an artist when I grew up. I smile thinking of all the hours I spent trying to sketch the perfect zebra. Let's just say a lack of formal training didn't dampen my enthusiasm!
As an adult I've spent time here and there sketching and making crafts, but I find myself missing the routine of regular art time. It became the perfect resolution for February. A chance find at the library, The Sketchbook Challenge by Sue Bleiweiss, gave me some great ideas. In fact, my youngest eagerly agreed to join me. Every weeknight we spend a minimum of fifteen minutes adding to our sketchbooks.
It's fun!
Here are some tips on keeping a sketch journal:
Do you love to draw? Is there a hobby calling you to devote regular time to it? What can you do to make that happen?
Have a lovely weekend!!
As an adult I've spent time here and there sketching and making crafts, but I find myself missing the routine of regular art time. It became the perfect resolution for February. A chance find at the library, The Sketchbook Challenge by Sue Bleiweiss, gave me some great ideas. In fact, my youngest eagerly agreed to join me. Every weeknight we spend a minimum of fifteen minutes adding to our sketchbooks.
It's fun!
Here are some tips on keeping a sketch journal:
Do you love to draw? Is there a hobby calling you to devote regular time to it? What can you do to make that happen?
Have a lovely weekend!!
Monday, January 9, 2012
Popular Genre Shines in Contemporary Art
Last Friday, the Toledo Art Museum lured me to visit. To my delight, it featured a special exhibition called "Small Worlds" with work by several contemporary artists. The collection that captured my interest the most was titled "The City" by Lori Nix.
(If you would like to view "The City," it is linked to a dedicated webpage in her site. For other collections by Lori Nix, browse her website, www.lorinix.net.)
Lori uses unconventional methods with her art. She defines herself as a non-traditional photographer because she constructs the subject matter she photographs. Another difference in her work is her use of old-school photography techniques rather than digital manipulation to achieve the correct lighting and scale. The result is an impressive, whimsical, stunning, off-putting, clever feast for the eyes and mind.
I could have studied each photo for hours, but it only took a quick peek at one of her pictures to recognize the theme. A cataclysmic event has wiped out humanity, and the photos reflect the world a period of time after the event. In almost (or maybe every) shot, some aspect of nature has overtaken the building or space photographed.
I immediately thought of the popularity of post-apocalyptic fiction. For a few years now, novels and movies have regularly portrayed life after a cataclysmic event. It was really cool to see this genre in art form, except with a twist--the artist didn't need a human protagonist to carry a movie or book, and she was free to imagine the world with nature taking over.
As I strolled from photo to photo, I was disturbed and charmed. She did an amazing job of creating a mood in each scene. One in particular, "The Laundromat," has two depictions--daytime and at night. The daytime photo depressed me more than the night photo. The day photo held no sign of life whereas I found two funny rats in the evening one. It made me realize how much life, the sheer act of living, in any form--humans, animals, insects, even trees--brings hope.
Although I can't guarantee you'll enjoy and interpret Lori Nix's work the same way I did, I can assure you you'll be stunned by the level of detail and craftsmanship she uses to create each scene.
Have you had the privilege of viewing any contemporary art lately? Do you see any literary themes manifested in other art forms?
Have a lovely Monday!
(If you would like to view "The City," it is linked to a dedicated webpage in her site. For other collections by Lori Nix, browse her website, www.lorinix.net.)
Lori uses unconventional methods with her art. She defines herself as a non-traditional photographer because she constructs the subject matter she photographs. Another difference in her work is her use of old-school photography techniques rather than digital manipulation to achieve the correct lighting and scale. The result is an impressive, whimsical, stunning, off-putting, clever feast for the eyes and mind.
I could have studied each photo for hours, but it only took a quick peek at one of her pictures to recognize the theme. A cataclysmic event has wiped out humanity, and the photos reflect the world a period of time after the event. In almost (or maybe every) shot, some aspect of nature has overtaken the building or space photographed.
I immediately thought of the popularity of post-apocalyptic fiction. For a few years now, novels and movies have regularly portrayed life after a cataclysmic event. It was really cool to see this genre in art form, except with a twist--the artist didn't need a human protagonist to carry a movie or book, and she was free to imagine the world with nature taking over.
As I strolled from photo to photo, I was disturbed and charmed. She did an amazing job of creating a mood in each scene. One in particular, "The Laundromat," has two depictions--daytime and at night. The daytime photo depressed me more than the night photo. The day photo held no sign of life whereas I found two funny rats in the evening one. It made me realize how much life, the sheer act of living, in any form--humans, animals, insects, even trees--brings hope.
Although I can't guarantee you'll enjoy and interpret Lori Nix's work the same way I did, I can assure you you'll be stunned by the level of detail and craftsmanship she uses to create each scene.
Have you had the privilege of viewing any contemporary art lately? Do you see any literary themes manifested in other art forms?
Have a lovely Monday!
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
Romance in Art
We all appreciate art. Yes, we do. Even those who refuse to put a picture on their wall appreciate it. Isn't a blank wall a work of art? Unadorned, clean and ready for anything?
I include a photo in every blog post because I love to search and find visual representation of my words. Thankfully, there are plenty of photographers who share their gifts on Flickr, and who graciously allow others to use the photos. One thing I'm amazed at is the variety that pops up when I type in a search word. Talk about creative tags! Any number of pictures might display under "romance," including sandal-clad feet, dolphins, architecture, candles, and couples holding hands.
What about other forms of art, though? Do you every stroll through an art museum and detect the gentle curve of a dancer in a beautiful vase? Or stare at a painting and note the gleam in a Duchess's eye? It's clear she has the hots for the painter, right? Some paintings ooze romance and danger--check out this mini-site from the Louvre on Titian, Tintoretto, and Veronese. Others convey the sweet, heady desire of romance like Jack Vettriano's The Singing Butler.
Inspiration for romance lurks in landscapes, still-lifes, pottery, carvings, photographs, drawings, glasswork, you name it.
Do you have a favorite work of art? Is there anything romantic about it?
Join me on Friday for Awards, Awards, Awards!
I include a photo in every blog post because I love to search and find visual representation of my words. Thankfully, there are plenty of photographers who share their gifts on Flickr, and who graciously allow others to use the photos. One thing I'm amazed at is the variety that pops up when I type in a search word. Talk about creative tags! Any number of pictures might display under "romance," including sandal-clad feet, dolphins, architecture, candles, and couples holding hands.
What about other forms of art, though? Do you every stroll through an art museum and detect the gentle curve of a dancer in a beautiful vase? Or stare at a painting and note the gleam in a Duchess's eye? It's clear she has the hots for the painter, right? Some paintings ooze romance and danger--check out this mini-site from the Louvre on Titian, Tintoretto, and Veronese. Others convey the sweet, heady desire of romance like Jack Vettriano's The Singing Butler.
Inspiration for romance lurks in landscapes, still-lifes, pottery, carvings, photographs, drawings, glasswork, you name it.
Do you have a favorite work of art? Is there anything romantic about it?
Join me on Friday for Awards, Awards, Awards!
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