just a note to invite my readers to check out the new artworks I’ve got posted to the online gallery displaying my works:
http://rencar.ca/wordpress/artistes/j-muir-peintre-figuratif-contemporain/
i’m starting to develop a more definite and unique style as I explore the use of palette knives instead of paint brushes. Glenn Howarth, an art teacher who I took classes with for only a few weeks, but who catapulted my art into whole new worlds of possibility, used to stress that art means constantly challenging oneself and feeling uncomfortable. Otherwise, Glenn said, one becomes a craftsperson, churning out the same thing over and over – rather than an artist. This has certainly been a useful concept for my own work, so now that I’m more technically adept at painting with acrylic, it’s time again to challenge and push my art by losing control with the palette knife.
Recently I discovered VOKA, an Austrian art-star whose palette knife works are very vibrant (and whose videos are quite fun to watch, if you’d like to see how he creates his masterpieces!)Â I wouldn’t say that he has been of much influence in my art – not in the way that I have to give credit to the Fauvist movement – but his videos (and his success) serve as inspiration and encouragement.
Speaking of the Fauves, I was happy to be reminded recently that “fauves” means “wild beasts”. I’m so all about the wild beasts – wild animals and their habitat, and the diversity of life – it seems fitting that my art should be so deeply influenced by an art movement named after them…
Henri Matisse, Portrait of Madame Matisse (The Green Stripe), 1906, Statens Museum for Kunst, Copenhagen, Denmark
I think these are wonderful paintings! Bravo!
Thank you Ellie!
Very cool!
Wonderful! Beautiful! (and as the saying goes…. ) Totally Awesome!
Wow, thanks! I really appreciate it!
Hi, I send you an animal ingredient information sheet about Derwent, I think you had one in the blog but this one’s longer. Another one is from Caran d’Ache. Then I contacted Fabriano, and they told me that ALL their papers are free from animal ingredients.I have their declation in italian somewhere, in case you wanted it please let me know.I don’t know about the quality, since I draw on regular paper! I also send you this link to the wikipedia page of Masanobu Fukuoka, a person from Japan who invented a kind of permaculture, with no plowing, etc.and a way to restore desertified areas back to life.You can find his books around if you want to download them, although I do not know a safe page to do it from.In case you didn’t know him and were interested…http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Masanobu_Fukuoka I also send you the address of a nice online library, quite full of downloadable books, although not Fukuoka’s (you might like it)www.openlibrary.org I wish you very good luck with your art, I like your zebra very much, and the skunk(?), and the rest, too. Paola (Italy/Spain)
Hi Paola,
Thank you so much for your comment. Sorry I am so late getting back to you!
I would be very interested in the information sheet from Derwent, did you try to send it already? I would like to know about the Fabriano papers too, in case you feel like looking for it! My email is vegan dot seeds at gmail dot com.
I do love Masanobo Fukuoka, from what I’ve heard of his methods, but I haven’t been able to read any of his books yet! One day I will hopefully find a copy second hand.
I really like the Open Library, and there’s another great resource called Project Gutenberg which offers free texts: http://www.gutenberg.org/
Anyways thanks a lot for all the information, and I will make time as soon as I can to update my Art page with what you’ve told me.