Work Continues -- New Pieces

I am exploring printmaking and enjoying it. There are many different types of printmaking from engraving to drypoint to monotypes. As a painter, I am enjoying monotypes. It is spontaneous and you can use a wide variety of colors to get a beautiful painterly look.

My exploration of my archival pigment prints continues. There are several pieces that I have worked on that focus on human emotion as seen through a close-up of the face. Selecting the right archival paper to enhance the work enhances the final piece. One of these pieces is in an upcoming exhibit.

Color -- So Many Choices!!

An artist makes continues decisions on what color to use in their work. Color influences both the artist and the viewer. The Russian-born abstract painter, Wassily Kandinsky said “I once painted a picture…by colors without boundaries…I have often noticed that this…composition arouses vital and complex emotions in the spectator…” What I think Kandinsky was really saying is color can be the sole message inspiring feelings.

Color influences the emotions of those looking at an artist’s work, so the decision of what color to use is very important to the success of a piece of artwork. Knowing that certain colors impact the viewer in certain ways, an artist needs to think, “What am I trying to express with this painting and how can my color choices support that expression?” Color creates a mood and supports the artistic message; it is an important tool in visual communication. Just look at one of my favorite paintings by the French romantic painter Eugene Delacroix, “Liberty Leading the People”. In this painting, Delacroix uses bold colors centering on the red, white and blue flag, as Liberty leads the common man forward. It is a powerful painting and composition, all reinforced by the color selection.

What if Picasso Had a Computer?

Many feel Picasso was the most influential artist of the 20th century and I certainly agree with that opinion. From his use of color, materials and everything in between, he was able to take art to new levels. He was willing to experiment.

If we were able to put Picasso into our age of computers, it would be truly wonderful to see how he would creatively utilize this technology. He already did layering when he developed his collages. I can only imagine how at home he would be as he navigated around the Photoshop layering menu.

Artists today are lucky as the list of available materials continues to grow. Artists are also lucky to have Picasso’s creative risk-taking as an example to follow.

Color Interacts

"...Among colors there are certain friendships, for some joined to others impart handsomeness and grace to them..." (Alberti, 1401-72)

Throughout art history, one can study the importance of this statement. Color reinforces movement in Van Gogh's fields. Eugene Delacroix used complementary colors to create a sense of urgency and a fiery spirit. Impressionists capture atmospheric moods through color. Closely looking at an impressionist work, you can see a multitude of color interacting to capture atmosphere, light and shadow. Color rocks!

Importance of Color in Art

Art is communication and color is an integral part of that communication. Matisse said: "The chief aim of color should be to serve expression as well as possible..." Color can say a lot to the viewer of art. It impacts human emotions. Just experience the impact of red -- red can symbolize passion, anger, and love. Blue is serene and calming. Artists through time have used the power of color to increase the impact of their work.

With the current Matisse exhibit at the Art Institute (the exhibit opened on March 20th), I will be sharing some thoughts about color over the next couple of weeks.

Also coming this week is my presentation at the HeARTs & Soul Fine and Applied Arts Day at the Lake Zurich Middle School. My presentation "What if Picasso had a computer..." speculates on how the most influential artist of the 20th century would have used this tool.