Tuesday, December 13, 2011
My Message to You Fellow Fella's
The art of painting is overlooked. It is too easy to simply go to a museum, glare at a painting and say "that's nice" and move on to the next. We live in a world where in order to capture a sight, all we have to do is click a button on a camera and move on. We live life like we are in a museum. We glare at something, say how nice it is, snap a picture, and progress. Photography is art, but only in certain ways. If there is no passion in it, it is not art. Photography simply depicts what is seen by everyone. Painting, drawing, and sculpture are different, however. It is not what is seen by everyone. The way an artist creates a painting, or creates any form of artwork is through there own senses. Only you can see what you are seeing, only you can feel, taste, hear, and smell what you are experiencing. An artist incorporates all these senses into one compact piece. This is the problem with the way things are today. Snapping a photo is merely a 2 dimensional image of what has been seen by so many others already. We have designated photo spots, but what is the point? To experience something the same way so many other people have before? To stop, say "that's nice", and move on? What about actually absorbing the world we live on. feeling it, admiring it, and experiencing it through our own senses. I encourage people to actually stop and enjoy the art around them, admire it, and become fascinated.
Update!
Artwork stolen from the chaotic times of World War II has returned to Germany after being missing for 60 years. The painting called the "Flagellation of Christ" is an oil painting dating back to the 15th century. It was taken by a British Soldier sometime during the summer of 1945, passed along to an art dealer, and bought by the former the former Indiana State University president, who was unaware that it was a piece of looted art. This painting is just one of over 3,000 paintings missing during this time period. To me it seems like more needs to be done to try and reclaim these important pieces of European culture.
Thursday, December 8, 2011
The Most Expressionistic Expressionist
Vincent Van Gogh was born on March 30, 1853. He was interested in art at a young. He drew when he was a young lad. He was quiet, thoughtful, and serious. His father was a minister. Vincent Van Gogh was also the oldest child in the family. He attended boarding school and graduated. Upon finishing school he moved to the Etten countryside with his parent, where he spent his time drawing. His work began to emerge. Unfortunately he suffered with severe anxiety and depression, which can be seen in the content of his artwork. As time went on, he began to drink and smoke heavily. Eventually years of torment led him to inflict harm on himself, although controversial, it is believed that he cut off his own ear, and eventually years later, shot himself, and died three days later, at the age of 37.
Van Gogh’s style is known as post-impressionist. He used bold contrasting colors, dark lines, and intense brushwork in his paintings. His artwork wasn’t famous or popular until after his death. It was unconventional at the time. His work went against the whole idea of making things look super realistic. Through his artwork he was able express emotions, express ideas, and provide emotional elements to the viewer.
Today, Vincent Van Gogh’s influence can be seen everywhere, numerous replications of his famous “Starry Night”, along with a large amount of public interest regarding his life, are evident. Beyond just public recognition he greatly influenced the modern art movement. Expressionism has become popular thanks to the work of Vincent Van Gogh. He has left other artists inspired including Edvard Munch’s famous painting, “The Scream”.
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
For You Youngens
If you are looking to get into painting you've found a great place to get inspired! We all have been there. You’re likely in the situation where you want to get started, but are afraid to paint, fearful that it may not be good enough. My suggestion: Just do it! Chances are your first painting may not be exactly how you wanted it, but you may surprise yourself. Find your strengths and weaknesses. Are you good at painting in detail? Are you good at abstract? How creative are you? These are all things you should try to figure out about yourself. Another recommendation I have is to start with water colors. They are difficult to work with at first, but once you learn control and are able to create a painting to your expectations, it feels so good to transition to another type of paint where you have more control. To get started with water colors, get some soft brushes with varied sizes and shapes, get some thick, textured paper (not computer paper), and of course water color paints. Once you feel comfortable with water colors, I would recommend going to acrylics, you'll be amazed by how much control you have. Good luck and happy painting!
Monday, December 5, 2011
The Life of a Young Vache
Art has always been an important part of my family especially on my mother's side. There is a whole history behind it. My grandmother has painted all her life as a hobby. She has painted landscapes of everywhere ranging from her backyard to Italy, from Cape Cod to the Bahamas. She inherited her artistic abilities from her mother. My great grandmother's paintings still remain on display all throughout my house today. While my mother has not shown any signs of posessing an artistic trait, my older brother and I have from a young age. I still remain convinced that our artistic sides come from my mother's side of the family, based on my younger brother's characteristics which take after my father. They are both very mathematical, they like order, they work by instruction. Logically speaking there is no reason for me to think I take after my father's personality at all. Today I paint regularly, the walls of my bedroom are hidden behind 38 drawings and paintings, and the number keeps on growing.
Friday, December 2, 2011
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Mixing Paint
"An artist cannot fail; it is a success to be one."-Charles Horton Cooley
I am a senior in high school with a passion. A passion for rhythm, and beauty, for what is abstract, and what has order. As I have grown up, I have noticed my school cuts more and more art classes out of the budget. This comes from the notion that in order to save money, the school must cut the less important things first: Art. There is this misconception that art holds little educational value. But look at it beyond the image. Behind that image was something blank. A person examined that blank canvas and developed a mental idea for how to fill that space with something original. This person is an artist. A person not limited by the realities of our world. One who is able to look beyond what they see in their world and represent it through art is a true genius. Let those who have the ability use it. Allow free thought and creativity. This is why I am writing this blog. The image of a struggling artist needs to stop, they are not the people who are struggling. Society is struggling. Like Charles Horton Cooley said, "An artist cannot fail; it is a success to be one."
I am a senior in high school with a passion. A passion for rhythm, and beauty, for what is abstract, and what has order. As I have grown up, I have noticed my school cuts more and more art classes out of the budget. This comes from the notion that in order to save money, the school must cut the less important things first: Art. There is this misconception that art holds little educational value. But look at it beyond the image. Behind that image was something blank. A person examined that blank canvas and developed a mental idea for how to fill that space with something original. This person is an artist. A person not limited by the realities of our world. One who is able to look beyond what they see in their world and represent it through art is a true genius. Let those who have the ability use it. Allow free thought and creativity. This is why I am writing this blog. The image of a struggling artist needs to stop, they are not the people who are struggling. Society is struggling. Like Charles Horton Cooley said, "An artist cannot fail; it is a success to be one."
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