Creative Blog

Hiawatha, Modeled 1871–72, carved 1874, by Augustus Saint-Gardens, Marble.

I chose this sculpture, because it was a popular wellspring of themes for American artists during the late nineteenth century.

Abraham, ca. 1408–10, by Lorenzo Monaco,Tempera on wood, gold ground. I chose this piece because it represented the Sacred Realm.

Cypresses, 1889, by Vincent van Gogh, oil on canvas. I chose this because it has a splash of black in a sunny landscape, which makes it a unique piece of art.

Virgin and Child, 1475–99, by Workshop of Dieric Bouts, Oil on wood. The Virgin and Child is set apart by the high quality of its background landscape and the subtlety of its modelling.

Still Life with Apples and a Pot of Primroses, ca. 1890, by Paul Cézanne, Oil on canvas. I like this still life piece, because the emphasis is focused on the apples and the primroses.

Gable Figure (Dilukai), Late 19th–early 20th century, by Belau (Palau), Wood, paint, kaolin. I like this piece, because it was done in the Modern Period of time.

Painted by British painter Stanley William Hayter, "Cinq Personnages, 1946" (title of painting) illustrates how color is used intuitively as a means of expressing emotions and feelings. To me, this painting resembles how various techniques and printmaking processes can be applied to one piece and result in a fun and exquisite display of lines and asymmetry.

The Fortune Teller, probably 1630s, by Georges de La Tour, Oil on canvas.

La Tour's painting can be interpreted as a genre or theatrical scene, or as an allusion to the parable of the prodigal son.

Venice, from the Porch of Madonna della Salute, ca. 1835, by Joseph Mallord William Turner, Oil on canvas. Notice how Turner used smooth brush strokes to create the sky.

"The Annunciation, ca. 1290–1300", by German, Pot-metal glass, vitreous paint.
The angular linearity of the painting style, with its bold slashing strokes, combined with the strong junctures of color, make these panels exceptional examples of German glass painting.









"Border #8, 1997-98" by Michal Rovner, Paint on canvas.
This still from the video, has been enhanced in color, scale, and texture.




"The Adoration of the Shepherds, 1450" by Andrea Mantegna, Tempera on canvas, transferred from wood.
Looking at this picture you can tell that the balance is a asymmetrical, with the weight on the right.












"The Gulf Stream, 1899" by Winslow Homer, Oil on canvas.
I like the way the sea changes in the back of the ship, making the composition more dramatic and vivid.



"Amaryllis, 1965", by Tony Smith, Painted steel

This eccentricity of form reminds me of the unusual organic shape of an amaryllis plant.







"A Goldsmith in His Shop, Possibly Saint Eligius, 1449", by Petrus Christus , Oil on oak.


The convex mirror at the right, which reflects the market square beyond the counter, is an even bolder illusionistic device linking the pictorial space to that of the viewer.










"Girl Reading at a Table, 1934", by Pablo Picasso, Oil and enamel on canvas.
Sinuous rhythms absorb the straight linear accents of the table, and the exaggerated height of both table and plant emphasizes the young woman's childlike appearance.









"The Baptism of Christ," by Sébastien Bourdon (French, 1616–1671), Oil on canvas.

The scale of this devotional picture suggests who this picture was painted for. The cool colors, soft surfaces, and hazy atmosphere shows off its characteristics.

"Dance, 1912", by Henri Matisse, Oil on canvas

It is indeed the color, luminous and bright, that enlivens this painting and suggests a zest for life.



















"The Toilet of Venus, 1751", by François Boucher, Oil on canvas
This picture has definite emphasis on the lady, with the little angels all around her.








"The Crucifixion; The Last Judgment, ca. 1430," by Jan van Eyck and Workshop Assistant, Oil on canvas, transferred from wood

The "Crucifixion" is presented as an eyewitness account set against a distant landscape, astonishing for its depth and subtlety of description. In contrast, the "Last Judgment" is organized hieratically in three tiers, with the scale of the figures manipulated to indicate their relative importance. The texts on the frames are given form in the pictures with remarkable literalness, establishing a play between word and image. The theme of this picture has to be Politics & Social Order.









"The Trinity, lunette, 1488" by Bartolomeo di Giovanni, Tempera on wood.
Saint Jerome is shown in his cell near Bethlehem, supported by his brethren. Above the bed are two juniper branches, palms, a crucifix, and Jerome's cardinal's hat. This composition expresses a social heirarchy.









" The American School, 1765" by Matthew Pratt (1734–1805) Oil on canvas. This picture has a nice variety of shade and color and reminds me of an office setting.

"Fur Traders Descending the Missouri, 1845", By George Caleb, oil on canvas
This spare and deceptively simple composition has smooth texture and reminds me of a fishing trip I once took.

"Still Life with Vegetables, 1905-6" is an oil on canvas painting by Henri Matisse. Matisse used Neo-Impressionist blocks of color while he included his pictures with flatter areas of color to illustrate a compilation of fallen vegetables with items that are upright and stationary (i.e., the red pitcher and the yellow coffee pot). To me, this picture resembles my kitchen during dinner time when the ingredients are haphazardly placed as food is being prepared.

Created by Georges-Pierre Seurat, "Circus Sideshow" is an oil on canvas painting that illustrates a systematic connection of scientific theories between aesthetics, physiology, and psychology senses. Through Circus Sideshow, Seurat expressed how "art is harmony" and how harmony includes elements of tone, color, and lines.

Titled "Splashed-color Landscape, 1965", this painting was created by Zhang Daqian and is loaded with currents of modern Western art, including Abstract Expressionism. To me, the vibrant color of blue that protrudes among the more dismal colors reminds me that there is hope during gloomy times (even if it's only a glimmer of sunshine).

Activity #3

This picture is by Pierre Bonnard
The Terrace at Vernonnet, 1939

This symmetrical piece, is full of color and has unity and variety.








Activity #3

Icarus, 1947, Made by Henri Matisse (French, 1869-1954)

This asymmetrical piece has a bold and playful image that reminds me of a man dancing with a heart full of love.

Titled "The Steeplechase, Coney Island, 1929", American artist Milton Avery portrayed feelings of his favorite summer pasttime (weekend trips to Coney Island) where he and his family often attended as a recreational activity. Avery painted a bustling scene of Coney Island that includes sunbathers, crowds, tent, rifle range, and a roller coaster. Depicting elements of all sizes and shapes of humans, Avery expressed his humorous side through the oddly shaped figures, posed awkwardly on the beach. To me, the colors are darker and grouded to reflect an atmostphere for relaxation and peace.






This picture, titled "The Block, 1971" was created by American artisit Romare Bearden. 'The Block' is a tribute to Harlem (a neighborhood in New York City) where Bearden established the first studio in 1940 on 306 W. 125th Street. This picture reminds me of my times in New York City where I spent part of my life. The various vibrant colors resemble the vast ethinicities and fast paced environment that existed (and still exists) during my childhood.





A resemblance of twelfth-century Japanese paintings, Hiroshi Sugimoto titled this painting "Boden Sea, Uttwil, 1993". The illustation of this painting describes the the contact between Earth's surface and the ether. It is also a metaphor for the bounds of our mental and visual perception. I chose this painitng, because it is peaceful and reminds me of serenity, also I like the shade and texture.











This oil on canvas painting by French artist Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot is titled "Hagar in the Wilderness, 1835". The painting is a biblical illustration of Israel (the father of Abraham). My perception of this painting is someone calling for help and an Angel flying above to bring comfort and assistance to someone in need. The lines in this picture displays a definite pattern.

The displayed piece is titled "Report from Rockport" by Stuart Davis and is a representation of the town center in Rockport, Massachusetts. This oil on canvas painting is considered to be Davis' most essential work since it was his first exhibition where he expressed his color-space theory. Davis believed that color could be an identifier of spatial relationships via its positioning next to other colors. Some colors shine, while others recede, which suggests the illusion of a three-dimensional space on a two-dimensional surface. To me, this picture depicts happy feet of individuals who are simply enjoying life to the fullest. If viewing this picture with an open mind, the viewer can possibly see multiple people engaged in various activities, who seemingly are having a good time... and where else, at the town center in Rockport, Massachusetts.