So the Spring Spruce of my studio continues this week. How come with this type of project, things always look worse before they look better? Right now there are boxes every where, shelves pulled apart and barely room to move. UGH!! On the bright side, I've been finding things I've stashed in there. Among them is my collection of old Art of the Day Calendar sheets that I've been saving for inspiration. I was just about to
COMPOSITION STUDIES
I mean doesn't everyone stare at one piece of art all day, analyzing it? Well I do!! (What else am I going to do as I talk to ladies all day?) Anyways, I pulled out some gems and started noticing where the artist put the focal point.
Okay, we all get that and I've even explained some great ways to draw the eye to the focal point. Today though I'd like to talk about how lines are used to do just that. Now, when I say lines, I don't necessarily mean actual lines (although it could very well be) but how the artist uses a chosen composition to form a "perceived" line straight to focal point.
It really is easier to show what I mean instead of talk about it!
The Three Graces, George Barbier, 1920
Tuscan Landscape, August Macke, 1914
Summer in the Black Forest, Hans Thoma, 1873
Grand Canal, Venice, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, 1883
See What I mean? Looking at how the master's achieved their focal points is an excellent way for you to achieve yours!! The next time you are doing a self critique see if you can see where your lines meet.
Things I Like and Hate
First what I Like...
This week, I have rediscovered the cozy mystery genre. When I say rediscovered I read my first cozy mystery when I was 9 with Miss Marple series. My mother suggested it and then I had to get a written note from her so the only other words so the librarian would let me take it out. I really hadn't read them since until now. This week I have devoured Jennifer Ashley's Kat Halloway series. It's a
historical mystery series featuring a 29 yr old cook who works for the aristocrats of London. And solves murders. And flirts with her love interest Daniel.....a man of mystery. Intersperse in all this is a bunch of cooking which I find interesting because my husband has been learning how to cook (I mean like fine dining cook!) The series is VERY light with little to no swearing or sex and very little violence.. Just what the doctor ordered during a global pandemic. You can find the books on Hoopla using your library card.
Now for what I hate....
The bad news of the week is that Quilting by the Lake has been cancelled for July. I totally understand, but this is the second creative vacation that has fallen to this scourge we find ourselves in. They are moving it to the fall and into Ithaca, NY, but I don't know if I'm going to go. QBL has been my happy week for 20 years and its the routine of it as much as the classes that I crave. sighhh
It seems I'm just going to get creative and come up with some new vacations this year. I get 4 weeks of vacation time so there has got to be something good that the virus hasn't ruined!!
I'll be working this weekend diligently on my studio!!
So What Have Been Working on?!
It really is easier to show what I mean instead of talk about it!
The Three Graces, George Barbier, 1920
Tuscan Landscape, August Macke, 1914
Summer in the Black Forest, Hans Thoma, 1873
Grand Canal, Venice, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, 1883
See What I mean? Looking at how the master's achieved their focal points is an excellent way for you to achieve yours!! The next time you are doing a self critique see if you can see where your lines meet.
Things I Like and Hate
First what I Like...
This week, I have rediscovered the cozy mystery genre. When I say rediscovered I read my first cozy mystery when I was 9 with Miss Marple series. My mother suggested it and then I had to get a written note from her so the only other words so the librarian would let me take it out. I really hadn't read them since until now. This week I have devoured Jennifer Ashley's Kat Halloway series. It's a historical mystery series featuring a 29 yr old cook who works for the aristocrats of London. And solves murders. And flirts with her love interest Daniel.....a man of mystery. Intersperse in all this is a bunch of cooking which I find interesting because my husband has been learning how to cook (I mean like fine dining cook!) The series is VERY light with little to no swearing or sex and very little violence.. Just what the doctor ordered during a global pandemic. You can find the books on Hoopla using your library card.
Now for what I hate....
The bad news of the week is that Quilting by the Lake has been cancelled for July. I totally understand, but this is the second creative vacation that has fallen to this scourge we find ourselves in. They are moving it to the fall and into Ithaca, NY, but I don't know if I'm going to go. QBL has been my happy week for 20 years and its the routine of it as much as the classes that I crave. sighhh
It seems I'm just going to get creative and come up with some new vacations this year. I get 4 weeks of vacation time so there has got to be something good that the virus hasn't ruined!!
I'll be working this weekend diligently on my studio!!
So What Have Been Working on?!
Oh no, not QBL too! So sorry to hear that. 20 years is quite a long string, I can't imagine how it will feel to be home then. All this is so sad. I am hoping IQA Long Beach in mid-July is a go.
ReplyDeleteSo sad here as well. I was taking a class for the first time. I doubt I will go in the fall.
ReplyDeleteIt’s amazing what you find when you start reorganizing! LOL!
ReplyDeleteI feel you on missing QBL. My husband and I have had 5 Spring events cancelled that we planned to attend in April and May. Even though I don’t like it, I do think it was prudent given the circumstances.
Michelle
https://mybijoulifeonline.com
Love the way you pass the time on your job. I suspect sometimes it gets a bit tedious repeating the same things. Sorry about your workshop cancellation. Like many, I've had a few cancellations, but have turned to online courses for a bit of solace.
ReplyDeleteI feel the sadness of having things cancelled. I don't work outside the home so the quilting events and activities are things I look forward to. I feel like I have nothing going on really.
ReplyDeleteIn addition to quilting I love reading mysteries. I've finished the complete Sherlock Holmes, many of The Cat Who..., a number of different quilt mystery series, that one looks even more interesting, since it is historical too. Will have to check her out, thanks!
ReplyDeleteThank you for the reminder of the lines pointing to the interest part. I've got a bunch of quilt blocks ready to set together with alternate (scrappy different) shirtings, and I'll try to remember that when arranging the blocks together. Some of the shirting will likely be lighter than others. Put them to the inside of the quilt or the outside... that would be the question. Perhaps even include one pieced block in another colorway, just off-center, or really off-center!!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the art lessons. I used to love mysteries but now as I got older, I tend to read more non-fictions. After reading your blog, I might pick up some old favorite to sink myself into. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteOkay, this is an interesting topic, but I have to tell you that, skimming through the blurry text before finishing my first cup of coffee (no glasses on my face yet because WHERE ARE my glasses??!), and I was thinking -- How interesting, that all of those paintings have yellow or red dots in them! Then glasses were found and put on my face, and I realized that you added the dots to show where the focal point was... I thought that the one lady in the blue dress was holding a fishing rod, and the red dot was the side of the reel. Hah!
ReplyDeleteHi Nina Marie, thanks for the book recommendation. I just finished it! It's always so nice to find another author. Take care.
ReplyDelete