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Saturday, September 3, 2016

Albrecht Dürer The Remarkably Mystic






His status and skills are mythic in stature among the greatest of artists. The legend of Albrect Durer hails from a time when attention to detail was expected and admired. Durer saw like few did and even fewer see now.  The results from the steady and marvelously sure hand of the man; Durer, enraptures and amazes in the best of ways. Durer hailed from a time when alchemy was a universal force. He surely must have known something of the arcane arts. No other explanation could suffice for his achievements. His works spell-bind, mesmerize and shockingly mystify

                                          .    

And since geometry is the right foundation of all painting, I have decided to teach its rudiments and principles to all youngsters eager for art.            
                                                                                        Albrecht Durer


In the nineteen sixties Durer’s “Praying Hands” were reproduced many times over. Plates, prints and plaques prominently adorned many walls and shelves in many homes. Reproductions were casted in bronze, carved in wood, printed on paper and fashioned in clay. The work was loved and well known but few knew the original artist's name. “The Praying Hands” were inspirational for the faithful and a popular standard of grace and elegance.    


The artist is chosen by God to fulfill his commands and must never be overwhelmed by public opinion.
                                                                                        Albrecht Durer


Durer was proficient as draftsman, engraver, painter and print maker. His works were imaginative and challenging; as well as spiritual. There is a gravitas to the work that rivals every era and nation in it's creation. Durer looked at the universe and marveled. He looked at every aspect of his/our world and was in awe. His goal was to capture in image as many things as any human could while honoring his God given talents. His eye was attuned to all; from the magnificence of the Heavens to a simple tuff of grass. The truth and beauty of Durer; captured in his work, lives vividly for all time.   


What beauty is, I know not, though it adheres to many things.
                                                                                         
                                                                                         Albrecht Durer


Friday, August 5, 2016

Neal Adams:The Art of Comic Book Art


This might be something of interest. There are those individuals historically and culturally ranking at the top of every human endeavor. Artists, politicians, scientists…those worthy of note. I recently joined the Neal Adams Appreciation Page on Facebook and have blogged about him here before. In the field of comic book art and graphic story-telling serving both as writer and illustrator Neal Adams remains consistently at the top. He is without doubt my personal favorite and probably among any list of the top three “All Time” favorites imaginable in this remarkably crowded field. Neal Adams: The Best-Ever-All Time!

The first illustration (top of page) from Batman Comics shows off his depth of cover illustration. The sense of urgency, the lighting and minimalist composition is shocking and intriguing to the viewer. It is a must read. What is the meaning of this unsolvable conundrum? How and why would Batman kill himself Bruce Wayne?


This next drawing is from Adam’s run on The Spectre Comics. It is a work that I am convinced belongs in the collection of MoMA or The Whitney. It should hang alongside Warhol, Lichtenstein and Johns. The composition is “perfection” the drama, shock, word placement and draftsmanship are all notable. This is among the finest that “Pop Art” has to offer. 



This is exactly what Adam’s does best; like no other (below). This page is original in design, layout and is cinematic in form. The dramatic lighting and attention to detail in the close-up portrait is amazing. His command of tool is masterful.



The Art of Neal Adams literally sings like no other. His is a treasure that to those who love and cherish his works is unsurpassed in an abundant field of brilliance.


Monday, July 18, 2016

In a Time of Sorrow: Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec

 Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec as Pierrot

Within the short span of the last sixteen months the Nation of France has been struck with three sobering, disastrous and murderous attacks. In this climate of uncertainty and mourning we reflect and pray as we of many nations look for solace, strength and understanding. A lesser nation than France might succumb to the senseless, wanton disregard for peace, liberty and the joy of living all people of good will seek to enjoy. The French are an exceptional people who will not succumb. Neither will the free world as we have to try to look away from the insanity toward the light of possibility. Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec’s life and work remain a beacon of light for the entire world. The Artist Lautrec is one of France’s national treasures. 


Toulouse-Lautrec; a man possessing personal resolve and character celebrated the passions and joys of living in spite of personal obstacles. We will look to his work for it’s greatness and glory…this, as our hearts and spirits weep.


My first encounter with the art of Toulouse-Lautrec was when I walked into the “Art” department at my high school in South Western Virginia.  On the wall at the entrance amid the plaster casts, drawing tables and pottery wheels was a seemingly gigantic poster reading Moulin Rouge, Moulin Rouge, Moulin Rouge. The poster colorfully featured dancer La Goulue and the patrons of the world famous establishment in a moment of feverous excitement. I was at the time and remain transfixed by the work’s exquisite beauty, sense of style and most importantly daring nature.   Seeing it would be the greatest lesson I would ever receive in art. I had never experienced anything as lovely as this! I knew I was going to enjoy my journey into this larger world of art, history, culture and contemporary fashion. 




                                                             


I would take much from my beautiful and exuberant young teacher; Mrs. Wonderly. The Moulin Rouge poster was her own and not the schools. It was a way of enriching her student’s lives and adding her own flair to our class room. We would work and learn while the music of the day; Santana, Led Zeppelin, James Taylor and Cher played in the background.  Our lessons included not only the importance of technique but an enhanced and enriched way of seeing along with a genuine love of this most indescribable addiction;  Art.




Toulouse-Lautrec draftsmanship, skill and dedication were central to the teachings of Mrs. Wonderly and in turn our learning. Lautrec’s uniquely distinctive abilities, his tolerance in living and his triumphant joy over life’s obstacles are a reminder of all that is good in this world and in humanity. The wit and wonder of the man is a beacon of the best a single person can offer…a beacon in a time of sorrow.      



































Saturday, June 18, 2016

The WONDER WOMAN Trivia Game


















Wonder Woman has been an ongoing cultural icon and pop superstar for years. She is a true character for the ages ranking among the best known characters of fiction including Laura Croft, Sherlock Homes, Huck Finn and Mother Goose. I wrote about Wonder Woman; her cultural importance and her mystery in a blog last year.“WONDER WOMAN & the Endurance of the Modern Myth.”  She continues to thrive in our hearts and minds as a figure of high regard, reverence and great influence.

 READ 2015 BLOG

A single blog should never hold all the history of an idea like Wonder Woman so I am revisiting her with a trivia quiz I created to amuse my friends. Take a look and see how well you are acquainted with the original…Wonder Woman!



1. Wonder Woman’s plane:
A-IS INVISIBLE
B-CAN ONLY FLY SHORT DISTANCES
C-WAS A GIFT FROM ZEUS
D-IS A CONVERTED P-51 MUSTANG

2. Wonder Woman was created in an effort to:
        A. HELP YOUNG BOYS GET THROUGH PUBERTY
        B. INSPIRE THE US MILITARY TROOPS
         C. BECOME A ROLE MODEL FOR YOUNG GIRLS
         D. HELP SELL LADIES UNDERWARE

3. Wonder Woman’s origin story tells us she was:
            A. A CLAY SCULPTURE BROUGHT TO LIFE 
      B. TELE-PORTED FROM MT. OLYMPUS
      C. FOUND BY HER MOTHER; QUEEN HIPPOLYTA, AS AN ORPHAN
      D. A YOUNG GIRL THAT DRANK A MAGIC POITION


4. Wonder Woman‘s creator; Charles Moulton also:
    A.  WAS A WWII FIGHTER PILOT
    B. INVENTED THE LIE DETECTOR MACHINE
    C. RAN FOR PRESIDENT
    D. DEVELOPED THE MEDICATION BEN-GAY


5. Wonder Woman was portrayed on TV by:
A. LINDA LYNDA
B. LINDA HAMILTON
C. LINDSIE GRAHAM
D. LYNDA CARTER

6. Wonder Woman has been romantically linked to:
    A. THE ELONGATED MAN
    B. WONDERMAN
    C. SUPERMAN
    D. MIDNIGHTER







Saturday, May 21, 2016

Ian Cheng: Emissary in the Squat of Gods




One measure of good art is that it engages you into becoming part of a conversation that began with a given creator speaking through a particular medium of choice. Such a piece then grows with comprehension and involvement as we become engrossed. The work often takes on a life of it’s own and we are in turn transformed within the process.  Ian Cheng is an artist who does all of the for-mentioned as he welcomes the viewer into his universe and goes beyond to uncharted places.

Cheng began his artistic journey as a video story teller but wanted to take his work to a place not yet quite charted. He focused on a new video language that depended not on narrative but on something more akin to artificial intelligence.  Ian Cheng’s Animation Simulations are mutating, evolving algorithms that act, interact and exist within worlds that constantly and unpredictably change as they flow in real time with elements playing in unison and against each other.    



It was as a portion of an exhibition “Suspended Animation” at The Hirshhorn in Washington DC that was my introduction to this artist whose work I would come to revere; Ian Cheng. Other artists were featured including Helen Martin, Ed Atkins and Josh Kline; all impressive. Cheng was the stand out. His revolutionary piece “Emissary in the Squat of Gods” was on view where I stopped to take it in and to see just what was going on with this wall projection complete with sound, light, nuance and intrigue. 



The characters seemed to be villagers in a minimally technological society placed on a rugged hill top and viewed from a distance giving the impression of looking through the eyes of an anthropological perspective. The scene; even though it seemed sedentary at the onset was actually slowly rotating as if on an axis. The characters were definitely responding in an unscripted manner and there was a (What will happen next?) feel to the visible actions.  There was also; after an extended amount of viewing time, a changing of the light from twilight into night and greater darkness. This was an amazing something to witness. I could easily imagine the figures of the simulation becoming sentient if indeed they weren’t at this time already.



Ian Cheng’s work lies eerily at the intersection between art, technology, the fantastic and myth. Cheng; an artist squarely in his formative years promises an unlimited foray into the visible and the invisible. We’ll take the journey with him. Where does he emerge? Time… is our only teller.