Saturday, September 25, 2010

Look again.......





What is art? As our planet is overwhelmed with more and more trash, it is only natural that artists would look again and use it as another medium to create with.
DIY Gadgets blog is a wonderful source for what artists can do with a little trash!


DIY Gadgets photo

Old reel to reel and cassette tape takes on a new life through these graphic art designs.


The laminated layers in a skateboard are the source for this sculpture...



....and this cute, fuzzy bunny? .......is made from cigarette filters...


DIY Gadget photo

As beautiful as a piece of Murano glass, this table top is made from beer caps!



Even the lowly styrofoam cup becomes high end doodle art in the right hands...



Click on the link above to see all the designs created by Boey....


Boey photo
You can even buy them on his Etsy store.....

Tom Deininger photo

Tom Deininger makes us look again at his image of Marilyn Monroe...please click on his name and watch the video(bar is under the flag) of how this piece is not at all what it seems....everything from syringe needles to plastic dolls make up this illusion.



Artist Yin Xiuzhen creates portable cities from discarded clothing found in the subway, old work shirts, pantyhose and other textiles . 

So, look again ....art is all around you.

Saturday, September 18, 2010

The Magic of Egg Tempera....

Fred Wessel photo
Nothing compares with the jewel-like richness of layered egg tempera paint.

Egg tempera was the main medium from the 4th c until the introduction of oils over a thousand years later.

Koo Schadler

Originally used primarily for Byzantine iconic art, contemporary artists are interpreting it in their own ways.





Koo Schadler is one of those contemporary artists combining old techniques with new influences.




Koo Schadler
Since the egg tempera dries very quickly, it cannot be blended. Many, many thin layers must be built up to create the depth seen in a finished piece.

Koo Schadler
Schadler's  time spent living in Florence, Italy shows through her work. She now works predominately with tempera and silverpoint.

Koo Schadler photo
Koo paints intricately detailed compositions....perfect for the use of egg tempera.

Fred Wessel photo

Fred Wessel's compositions also show the detail allowed through the used of egg tempera.

Fred Wessel photo

But, it is his combination of gold leaf with egg tempera that he is known for.


Folds of fabric and skin tones are mastered by Wessel.

Fred Wessel photo
Once you have seen an egg tempera painting in person, you will know the difference between it and acrylics or oils. Do you have a favorite painter that works in egg tempera? 

Saturday, September 11, 2010

Strapwork...

Adrian Card

Strapwork became popular in the 15th and 16thc through its use in grotesques and frescoes.

Taking its cue from actual metalwork, strapwork is a stylised decorative design mimicking leather, metal or parchment curled and woven into strips and bands.

Adrian Card

Its use on musical instruments, mainly harpsichords, has kept it in vogue over the centuries. Adrian Card masters this art today...view his amazing work here.

Alison Woolley

This is a detail from a harpsichord design created by Alison Woolley of Florencearts. Just "google" the word strapwork and click on Wikipedia's definition....Alison's work is one of the illustrations!






Strapwork is used to weave decorative objects together in arabesque designs.


Its origins are in the arabesques of Arabs and Moors in Spain.


Rivets and cabochons complete the illusion....



Strapwork , carved in wood, was commonly used as borders and cornices in many Elizabethan and Jacobean buildings during the 15th and 16th century as well


Ceilings at this time also produced fine examples of rollwork, or strapwork.


It is still found today, sometimes re-interpreted ...


Used in stone, here, it is carved into an intricate band design.


With a celtic twist, this is another example of strapwork.


Victorian Ornaments and Designs by Samuel Leith is a great source for starting your own creation of strapwork!

Sunday, September 5, 2010

Setting the stage.....



Well, who doesn't want a grotto backdrop when getting married? When in San Francisco recently, I was able to drop in on artist Lynne Rutter at her studio.


She was in the middle of hosting a workshop for a visiting Italian artist but was gracious enough to let me sneak in and visit!


There are many examples of Lynne's work scattered around the studio, but the main attraction is the large backdrop made for her recent wedding!


Lynne is an artist specializing in decorative painting, hand painted architectural ornament and mural work. She executed this larger than life baroque grotto -setting the stage,literally, for her new life...



Speaking of setting the stage, Dirk Dirksen knew all about that! This is the famous San Franciscan alley he lived in.While wandering near Chinatown, I came across this intriguing building.



The small garage at the end of the alley did not look this way when Dirk was here.



Someone has done an excellent job of trompe l'oeil and it is quite convincing from the street...


It now appears to have carved architectural swag ornament and a marble cabochon.


Even the garage door and outer gates have been treated as verdigris  copper with rivets! How would someone describe the backdrop to your life? I think mine would have to involve Venice and the grand canal....!
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