Monochrome Art Brings a Focus on Winter →

- RSS

Art is generally understood as any activity or product done by people with a communicative or aesthetic purpose—something that expresses an idea, an emotion, or, more generally, a worldview.

It is a component of culture, reflecting economic and social substrates in its design, and the use of colors can amplify those conclusions.

What do we say about art that wasn’t produced by humans but instead only perceived as art by humans? Is it art because it was perceived to be, or is it art regardless of whether humans observed and sensed it.

Contemporary artists and designers interpret the symbolic meaning by using black and white, making you concentrate on elements such as composition, value, lighting, and form. It can help focus on the image as a whole.

Another way to view black and white, as well as monochrome, is to consider color vs. ’s design. Picasso had a love affair with monochrome design versus color, and the artistic debate goes back to the Renaissance, with Picasso firmly on the side of black and white.

The artist presents testimony by revealing more than we see →

- RSS

V

Much has been said about art presenting a message transcending the content. What causes the items portrayed to have a message in addition to what is seen? Where did that message reside?

Perhaps a unique and previously inexperienced view of colors, shapes, and textures brings out memories or suggests them? Maybe it is the intensity of the color or the place of the object that we view that brings a previously unthought message to us?

Could a painting have a spirit of its own, and if so, is that spirit the poetry of the image that speaks to us?

Did the painting, or work of art, exist before it was found, and has it only been revealed? If images and art are displayed, then where and who is the original talent that the painter only uncovered.

Is art the artist’s testimony, or is the artist only the messenger?

Quotes to Ponder

“Painting is poetry that is seen rather than felt, and poetry is a painting that is felt rather than seen.”  ― Leonardo da Vinci.  

Color fills the space, layers showing light, darkness, movement, peace, and beauty. Purple represents dignity, grandeur, mystery, independence, and especially magic.

“Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.”  ― Pablo Picasso.

"He said it wasn’t our decision if “Art was art,” adding that, "We don't inform art, that art informs us.” - Leonardo da Vinci

Is this a metaphorical Kiss or just black and white art? →

- RSS

A kiss is a simple gesture that symbolizes many feelings. It can be an expression of affection, a declaration of love, or respect. The motion contrasts the coldness brought by the lack of color and complete facial identity.

Something is metaphorical when you use it to stand for or symbolize another thing. A metaphor is a figure of speech that is used to make a comparison between two things that aren't alike but do have something in common. This black and white picture compares a kiss and loving lips to the coldness of black and white and the implied absence of flesh.

The emotional power of a black and white image is a robust quality that grabs the viewer’s attention. The emotion of the photo comes from within the subject, and the viewer is forced to pause and take a closer look.

These images conjure up emotions that are difficult to express in words but are universal to all who look at black and white photos.

A Painting is Poetry and Art in what it suggests and in your thoughts. →

Art is likely to be poetic if it leaves out detail or conceals information or suggests the interpretation of the detail. It may suggest the influences and moods that are poetic.

The composition of poetry implied draws strong parallels the message of the painting. It starts with an idea, a subject, a theme, or often a distinct feeling.

It is the artist that takes pen or brush to canvas or paper and brings the poetic message to life.

“Painting is poetry that is seen rather than felt, and poetry is painting that is felt rather than seen.” 
― Leonardo da Vinci

The color focuses the eye to the message of a marketplace which conveys where the center of excitement is. We feel the festive mood and if we relate to it then it is poetry to our soul.

This painting of the pioneer woman was painted as a mural by a pioneer artist, Minerva Teichert, across the entire front wall of this chapel above. I attended this chapel regularly in the 1950s, and it offered ample opportunities for interpretation.