Category Archives: Art History
Everyday Art
Before I began this art journey — back in 2015 — I really had no idea what it meant to be an artist. I naively believed that being an artist simply meant you were able to pick up a pencil and
Everyday Art
Before I began this art journey — back in 2015 — I really had no idea what it meant to be an artist. I naively believed that being an artist simply meant you were able to pick up a pencil and
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Art Show
Art can be crazy, and the art world — you know, all those stuffy, know-it-all judges and critics who tell us what’s worthy of our interest — can be the craziest of the lot. While reading from an art history textbook recently,
A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Art Show
Art can be crazy, and the art world — you know, all those stuffy, know-it-all judges and critics who tell us what’s worthy of our interest — can be the craziest of the lot. While reading from an art history textbook recently,
What I’ve Learned from Watercolor
John Dewey, philosopher, psychologist, and educational reformer, once coined the term collateral learning. He said on the subject: “Perhaps the greatest of all pedagogical fallacies is the notion that a person learns only the particular things he is studying at
What I’ve Learned from Watercolor
John Dewey, philosopher, psychologist, and educational reformer, once coined the term collateral learning. He said on the subject: “Perhaps the greatest of all pedagogical fallacies is the notion that a person learns only the particular things he is studying at
Cave Painting
Recently I’ve been studying a bit about primitive art such as the paleolithic cave art of Spain and France, dating back 15,000 to 40,000 years ago. Most of these cave drawings were made using red pigment from hematite or black
Cave Painting
Recently I’ve been studying a bit about primitive art such as the paleolithic cave art of Spain and France, dating back 15,000 to 40,000 years ago. Most of these cave drawings were made using red pigment from hematite or black
A Study in Light and Shadow
I’m sitting here in my new little art studio — or actually, I’m sitting here at my computer desk, a short distance away from my studio area. It’s a good place to sit and get a bit of perspective on my
A Study in Light and Shadow
I’m sitting here in my new little art studio — or actually, I’m sitting here at my computer desk, a short distance away from my studio area. It’s a good place to sit and get a bit of perspective on my
What Makes It Art?
Today I’m revisiting that much debated question: What is art? What is it about a drawing or painting that makes us call it art? Even before I begin, I know, of course, that there is no single definitive answer, and
What Makes It Art?
Today I’m revisiting that much debated question: What is art? What is it about a drawing or painting that makes us call it art? Even before I begin, I know, of course, that there is no single definitive answer, and
Inspiration from Imperfection
In March 2016, soon after I started this blog, I shared a few works by Paul Cezanne, writing about the harmony found in Cezanne’s paintings. At the time, reader and fellow blogger cathytea commented on the imperfection she saw in his art.
Inspiration from Imperfection
In March 2016, soon after I started this blog, I shared a few works by Paul Cezanne, writing about the harmony found in Cezanne’s paintings. At the time, reader and fellow blogger cathytea commented on the imperfection she saw in his art.
With Apologies to Frans Hals
Among the many artists whose works I’ve studied recently as I’ve explored my Dutch heritage is Frans Hals, also known as Frans Hals the Elder. He was a painter of the Dutch Golden Age who lived and worked in the
With Apologies to Frans Hals
Among the many artists whose works I’ve studied recently as I’ve explored my Dutch heritage is Frans Hals, also known as Frans Hals the Elder. He was a painter of the Dutch Golden Age who lived and worked in the
Why Is It Art?
We’ve all asked that question before, haven’t we? My husband asks it often, fortunately not about anything I’ve painted — which probably deserves that question now and then — but about those puzzling works of art that seem to be
Why Is It Art?
We’ve all asked that question before, haven’t we? My husband asks it often, fortunately not about anything I’ve painted — which probably deserves that question now and then — but about those puzzling works of art that seem to be
Dressed for the Occasion
I love coincidences, especially ones that involve things I’m learning about. When my attention is called to one thing from various different sources, I take note, always thinking that there must be some significance there, some reason why the cosmos
Dressed for the Occasion
I love coincidences, especially ones that involve things I’m learning about. When my attention is called to one thing from various different sources, I take note, always thinking that there must be some significance there, some reason why the cosmos
