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| New Artifact: Kore (with glaze), 6X9", mixed media on panel |
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| New Artifact: Kore (before glaze), 6X9", mixed media on panel |
This is Kore. She spent the last three thousand years buried in the mud somewhere in Greece. My son says, " but if she was painted on a wall why would they have painted her with her arms broken off." Busted.
She was actually made for a really cool challenge at Autumn Leaves site, Tapestry of Art Through Time. Really loved the idea, especially since it sort of dovetailed with this current set of ideas. So I hijacked a couple of the panels already started and nudged them in this direction. Now whole new vistas are opening up--brand new artifacts. Thank you Autumn for the suggestion.
The mystery of the stumps is easily explained. I just whipped out my old H. W. Janson, The History Of Art, and found Kore. She's a statue, an example of Greek sculpture from 520 BC. And naturally somebody broke her arms off. On the other hand maybe those Greeks were't very good at hands.
I sent the 'before glaze' version to the challenge and then decided to add the glaze just to bring out the texture, and add to the ancient feel. Either way she cracks me up with that grin.
Here's the other one submitted--from the extreme left corner of the frieze on top of the Parthenon. This one is real however Dionysus really did have stumps. Just dug him up.
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| New Artifact: Dionysus (with glaze), 6X9", mixed media on panel |
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18 comments:
Thanks William, you've given me an idea of what to do with the Luan blocks I'm having such a hard time with!!
Greetings Williams,
Children are so observant and always full of surprises. Your son's comment reminds me of when my son at the age of six, looking through my view camera and asking why the image was upside down.
The glaze certainly adds another dimension to the image, making it more intense. Personally I prefer the unglazed version as the background does not compete with the background.
Thank you for introducing us to Tapestry of Art Through Time.
Warmest regards,
Egmont
Hi John--Somewhere in the process I've taken to carefully blotting some of the non-glue glaze layers with a full sheet of semi absorbent paper--you know to regulate how much pigment is deposited. Other times the final layers of oil glazes are wiped with gauze wadding. Can't help thinking that I'm borrowing printmaking techniques. I've been wondering what I'd get if I pulled a real print of one of these. No reason not to build a surface rather than carve it away--or both.
Hi Egmont--I'm torn between the two. Part of me thinks, the crustier the better. The other part really appreciates the softness and understated surface. I suppose that's why I'm showing both. Anyway, is that not the coolest challenge idea? I'd never done a challenge before. Yeah--why is the image upside down? Just kidding. Bill
I love the idea and prefer the glazed rendition. I think the glaze goes along with the ancient artifact idea. Everything gets worn down and less colorful with time.
When I saw your title Bill,I thought Janson, Janson, where do I know this name from? From in front of my nose, of course,on my bookshelves right in front of me night after night. My copy could be an artifact. It has a glazed look about it.
Hi LW---I know. My copy was shot 25 years ago--cover tattered, and repaired with packing tape. Still reads though. W
I really like these brand new artifacts. I'll probably see them on Antiques Road Show. The texture is wonderful.
I love that show. But I think the plywood panel would give it away. Those guys are so sharp (and not a little swift).
I love both of your submissions, Bill. They really do look like artifacts and even a bit like ... drawing a blank with the word...you know, the rocks with impressions in them, such as bugs or leaves? (I cannot believe...OH! Fossils!) I really like the idea of the challenge too. I love history, I love art, and I didn't feel like I knew enough. By add the challenge, I thought it would generate some interest (though it is gearing up a bit slowly) and allow us to maybe think on what the artists of each period might have thought or seen, or even just expand our own horizons a bit. I for one need that! Thank you for participating. It means so much and I hope you will continue to do so!
Hi Autumn--Oh no, I'm hooked. And a little horizon expansion is always a good thing. You make a good point about what the challenge will do to reconnect with our legacy of artmaking in history. And in a very meaningful way. Participation. Somewhere in the process history is read, and all sorts of support information is discovered. Just be patient, it does take time to make this stuff. Something tells me your challenge is not going unnoticed.
Writing out your wordfinding issue was hilarious. Thanks for that. It happens to me often. I've been thinking it's a left/right brain thing that happens especially after artmaking. Sometimes I can't even form a sentence, the right brain being so engaged.
Bill- I love how your son busted you! He's a great foil and I'm glad you share with us his words. It's wonderful to view you through his eyes.
Until you said it, I never thought of the Greeks not doing hands well. Haha! Of course, I know you were just pondering tongue in cheek, but I loved the introduction of the idea.
Critics speculated some psychological issue for Charles Schultz in his Peanuts cartoons since he use to always draw his characters with their hands in their pockets. When asked, Charles said he did so because he couldn't draw hands.
Both of your new found artifacts are lovely. I have to say I'm especially attracted to the textured background.
I'll look for them on the Road Show.
Love the layers, depth and texture of your work - reflecting the nature of the artist, I'm sure!
Hey PAMO--Thanks. Pat's something else. He's not afraid to foil the old man. I am really privileged to have him around. He's my writing coach. Next month he graduates with a Master's in professional writing, receives his commissioning as a brand new 2nd LT, gets married, and ships out the following day to Ft Wood for training as an MP officer, then onto Texas. What a riot. What a sense of humor--seriously hilarious in a tempered sort of way. Come June he won't be around much any more. As for the Antique Road show, I'm starting to feel like the antique myself. He stops over the other day and hands me the P90X workout, and says, "here you go pop try this." I'm thinking about it.
Thank you Bonnie what a nice thing to say! Have a great day, and thanks for stopping by.
It's really great to see the obvious joy you have in working free without a commercial client and just exploring.The genie has been let out of the bottle. Checking in on your blog is like sitting in your studio chatting about art like we used to do. You were a big influence on me then and you continue to be.
Hey Mike --Thanks for checking in! It's really neat having the forum to show art. There's no reason we can't revive the old "sittin around the studio chattin" thing. I'll lay out some wine and cheese. Better yet we can start a new tradition--Painting off the Bass Tracker. I know some damn good spots. Wonder what that rig would look like. Tipple anchors, two easels and a basket full of monster muffins. I'll rig up the Bimini for air conditioning. Aye?
Oh, THAT Janson! hahaha Great grin! you didn't share the ingredients, though.
Hi Sharmon--You cracked me up. I didn't see it when I first wrote it in the text but when I tried to think up my catchy title, I howled for a good ten minutes. I had no choice but to use that--way too perfect. I was beginning to think it was all for naught, until now. Alas, the ingredient list was not so exotic [and hilarious] in these. Have a great day! \\///\
Hey nothing intelligent from me just to say I am enjoying the processes thankyou
Hey Andrew--Thanks for stopping by and dropping in a comment. Always great to hear from you.
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