Art History Influencing Art Today

The winter break to me means going to the movies, and there is a great selection out this year.  One of the movies I saw this past week was “The Adventures of Tin Tin”  directed by Steven Spielberg. My two boys and I really enjoyed it.  I was reading some of the reviews and many of them were about the comparisons with “Raiders of the Lost Ark”, which is defiantly true (and really cool)! But, as an artist, I was drawn to the beautiful artistry that kept me looking back to the great Realist Painters in Art History like Rembrandt, Van Eyck and  Vermeer.

Art History is not just in History…it influences our art and culture every day.

Left is a painting from Rembrandt compared to a clip from the movie on the right.

Left is a painting from Vermeer compared to a clip from the movie on the right.

The Storm on the Sea of Galilee by Rembrandt, 1633, Oil on Canvas, 63 x 50.4 in., Current location unknown.

The Milkmaid  by Johannes Vermeer, 1660, Oil on Canvas, 17.9 x 16.1 in.,Dutch National Museum, Amsterdam.

Leaning a new craft...

I love working with other artists and all kinds of art. I'm one of those people when I see something...I have to try it...I have a table saw, drill press, a complete line of power tools, a sewing machine...I would even have a fully working kiln* in my house if I could. Which brings me to my quirky brother-in-law who is a craftsman of basketry. Yes. Basketry. Isn't that cool? (he says he usually gets blank stares when he tells people his occupation)  I took one of his workshops for the first time this week and learned how to weave. 

Later, I will post a picture of some of his exhibit baskets and more about his craft at a later time...stay tuned!

*kiln a huge oven that heats clay to make pottery.

Thanks Eric, I had a lot of fun and gained a lot of  respect for your craft.

Kidzaw is going to Americas Mart in Atlanta, Jan 11-18, 2012

Michelle and Jane will be there...stop by, say hello and see our two new kits:

Sunflowers by Vincent van Gogh and The Great Wave by Katsushika Hokusai.