Sunday, February 21, 2010

Women In Art

Your comments about the stolen bikes, whether you're karma believers or not, are consoling for the young D-Man. He said to me last night, "This sounds weird, but I feel like someone stole a part of my life."  What an artful statement for a 13 year old.

I see the young artist in him and his way of looking at the world.

Whether musician, photographer, writer, painter, sculptor, or actor, I have such profound respect for the expression artists deliver into the world, leaving us all feeling better connected through creative daring and perspective. One might consider bloggers as the "new artists." So many of you are adept at weaving your own art into your daily postings, whether it's through the lens of fashion, photos, the playful written word, or brilliantly crafted commentary--from the very personal to the outlandishly hilarious.

A botanical illustrator friend who moved to Oregon some time ago just posted this moving video of Women in Art, and it was a 2 minute ray of sushine for me. Thought Gropius could share it with you.  The colors, the differences in times and techniques, and the similarity in great care for the subject are all characteristic of any artist's work, whether he/she's a painter or a tight rope walker.  Take a look:



Do you see yourself as an artist?

16 comments:

Julia, the Thanksgiving Girl said...

Yes, I do, and I honestly think that if I didn't my life would be easier... But I'm never looking for an easy way lol Nicely put together video and I love how the music accompanies it so well!

That was indeed an artful statement from the young D-Man. I hope he's not going to be too upset about it for too long. Hopefully he manages to recover quickly, because things like that can live a bitter feeling in an artistic soul.

Poindexter said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Uncommon Blonde said...

I like the idea of blogging as a form of art ... interesting. Whether I consider myself an artist depends on how nice I am being to myself on any particular day. Some days I call myself a photographer, other days I laugh at the notion.

Poindexter said...

yes, perhaps everyone contributes in some way to the definition of our current culture through their own personal artistic expression, and I mean that in the most liberal sense possible. Music, mathematics, architecture, dance, agriculture, scientific research, classical arts, philosophy, pursuits of peace, faith and humanity. Everything that makes our existence beautiful.

Leah said...

I love that video... so beautiful.

Do I see myself as an artist? I want to believe that. I work in the field of photography and I always believe that photography is an art.

I am impressed by the statement of the young D-man... so profound! xoxo

KB said...

Yes, I think of myself as an artist when I'm working in my chosen field. It comes down to satisfying one's own standards, which may be softer or harder than those of the casual world.

I was lucky enough to grow up knowing two talented painters, one known locally and the other of national fame with works hanging in the nation's major galleries. The local man had a commercial bent and pretty much produced only what he could sell. His basement studio was trim and tidy. The other man had stacks and stacks of paintings haphazardly piled everywhere around his detached country studio.

One day I asked him if he ever planned to sell all those paintings. He gave me a complacent "No" and went on to explain that they were works that he did not consider up to his standards and which no one would ever see. I said that with his name on them they should be worth a lot of money even if he didn't think they were great.

But he explained again that the world would only ever know him by his best works. When he died his studio with that lifetime collection of "seconds" was burned to the ground and then bulldozed under as stipulated in his will. And so Albert Van Nesse Greene will only be known by his best works. In my mind that's what it means to be an artist.


http://yellowsprings.pastperfect-online.com/34415cgi/mweb.exe?request=link;dtype=d;key=2437;page=702900101;page=702900102;page=702900201;page=702900301

M L Jassy said...

Pretentious, moi? Absolutement. Daily I return to the smithy of my soul wherein I something or other the unconscious something of my race. (From 'A Portrait of the Artist as a Young Burger'.)

Julia, the Thanksgiving Girl said...

Hi :) Not surprised about the pug coinsidence... I'm telling you, my life is full of it almost on a daily basis! lol The pug parade thing sounds like a very fun event - such cuteness overload in action. Would love to see it with my own eyes, espesially the Pugcasso doggy haha

Anonymous said...

Thanks for sharing your sunshine...awesome!

Erica@PLRH said...

Very cool video. Almost a bit dizzying.

Do I see myself as an artist? I agree with Uncommon Blonde, it all depends on how nice I'm being to myself that day. Most days I consider myself a poser.

Gina said...

I loved D-Man's artful statement. :)

bernthis said...

i do. I think they are many ways to paint a picture and I do mine with words and through my physical acts. Whether or not it's considered "good" art,w ell that is not up to me to decide

Maureen@IslandRoar said...

I do see myself as an artist. It's true what Julia said; it can make day to day life that much harder. But it's not something you can change. Nor would I want to at this point.

Our babysitter had a bike stolen from our driveway years ago in NJ as we watched from the window. We ran outside and watched them ride off down the street, and could do nothing. I felt so completely powerless, so I get what your son is saying.

Marvin said...

My sister is a starving artist. She actually believes that if you are making money, then you're a sellout, and you're not a real, "successful" artist. She tends to call it "craft" if it's mass-marketed, instead of "art."

Me, I say the market is the sole arbiter of whether you're a successful artist. If you're rich, obviously your art is good. ;-) Ergo, Cash Coolidge was a successful artist, even though "Dogs Playing Poker" is often considered to be a complete abasement of art. ;-)

Mixed Reflections said...

I love all of your comment!! @UncommonBlonde, @Leah, @PinesLakesRedhead, @Gina, you are wonderful photographers. @KB, what a cool story about your friend. @Julia, I think pugs are a new art form too. :) @Maureen, you always make the best points. Can I live in your brain? @Bernthis, we need comedy in SW Fl, we seriously have to encourage you to make a field trip. @Mitzi, you know you need to get out of that small town for a holiday. James Joyce understands. @Suzicate--rays of sunshine always reside at WW's Daughter. And here's to your sis, Marvin, a "true" starving artist.

nursemyra said...

Lovely video, but where was Frida Kahlo?