Adventures in Paint & Pastel

As artists, we thrive on inspiration.  Often my painting buddies and I will take a trip to our area art museum, which is for me The Detroit Institute of Arts to see a new exhibit, draw and learn something new.  Part of the joy for me is visiting favorites paintings.  It's like spending time with an old "friend" I haven't seen in a while.  My recent trip to the DIA was with my husband.  Many decades ago it was one of our first dates, so we enjoy doing that together when we can, and it's always followed by lunch in famous Greek Town!

So the following are just a few of my favorite "friends" at the DIA....for today.  I'm sure on future visits I'll have some new favorites.

One of my all time favorites: "Chevy" 1868 by Edwin Henry Landseer, English, 1802-73.  This is a large painting.  I love the composition here, how everything is framing the two animals, even the birds in the background leading their way to the foreground.  If I stop and think about the painting really just being about a dead animal, it actually would be a turn off, as I'm not so much into the "dead" part! But instead, I see beauty!  Beautifully designed shapes and painted so simply, without fuss.  Below is the close up of dog.  Now that is one fine painted dog - it's a must see in person!

"Scene at Giverny", 1890 by Theadore                        

Robinson, American, 1852-96                                        

Love the mood and subtle grays/violets.    

"Unfolding Buds," 1909 by Willard Metcalf

American, 1858-1925. The feel of bright sunlight on 

the landscape could not be handled more perfectly!

"The Four-Leaf Clover", 1873 by Winslow               

Homer,  American, 1836-1910                                           

I enjoy the airy dappled foliage and the subtle                          

value difference between the pane of glass and                  

the space behind it.                                                              

"Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris" 1888 by

Childe Hassam, American 1859-1935

The looseness and understated treatment of how the

figures, cathedral and smoke are painted, just makes 

me say, "Man, I wish I painted that!

"The Blue Pool" about 1922-23 by William Victor Higgins

American, 1884-1949.  I appreciate the stylized shapes in this

painting, so representative of the whole Art Deco era.  But if

truth be told, I do like Art Nouveau a bit more.

"Madam Paul Poirson," 1885                                

by John Singer Sargent, 1856-1925                        

Sargent-a master and favorite to us all. What              

looks  like detail from a distance, Sargent                   

masterly does it with a single brush stroke

when revealed up close.

And his use of "edges" are exquisite!      

Jan Baptist Weenix, Dutch, 1621-59                         

More dead animals!  Beautifully done and the                                                                                                                                                            radiating light reminds me of Rembrandt.  I have                                              

painted several small studies of dead birds and           

find this large scale painting very inspirational.  

My dead bird paintings will be a whole 

other blog!  And I feel validated when a

1600's artist also finds it a challenge to come up

with a creative painting title :)  

"Noah's Ark: Genesis", 1984 by Charles McGee, American, 1924-

It's true that much of my personal inspiration for painting comes from painters

from the 19th century period. But painting is first about the idea or concept, and then how

you break that into shapes, value, color, texture, edges, etc.  I've always admired

Charles McGee's creative designs and rich layered textures.

  "Come Fill the Cup", about 1906 by                                          

   Frank Brangwyn,  English, 1867-1956                                            

  The bold colors, thick paint and strong design                               

  always draws me in from across the room. 

"Annunciatory Angel" about 1450-55 by

Fra Angelico, Italian, about 1395/1400-1455                                                                                                                              

For me it's taken some understanding of art history

to appreciate painting of this period.  Rich in symbolism

and stylized figures, rather than the natural realism that

came later, and the rich graphic quality that gold leaf brings.  

I also enjoy how the frame is the extension of the image

here.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

 "Tiger Devouring a Gavail" 1831 by Antoine-Louis Barye, French, 1796-1875      

 My sketch of this large sculpture doesn't even begin to capture the detail!                        

Sketch of clay sculpture by J. Michallon the

Younger, French, 1810-40

These Caricatures always make me smile.

"Genius of the Dance" 1872                                "The Hammerman" 1886

by Jean-Baptiste Carpeaux                               by Constantin Emile Meunier, Belgian, 1831-1905

These last four are pencil sketches I did from sculpture at the DIA.  I believe growing as an artist is

in the "doing;" drawing, painting and sculpting from direct observation/life.  But looking at, and studying great art

that inspires us, also plays a huge role in our maturing and evolving as an artist.  Surrounding ourselves with

great art will always find its way "through" us, and into our own work.  

Hope you enjoyed visiting my museum with me.  Now, surround yourself with great Art and go visit your local musuem

and find your inspiration!