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Posts Tagged ‘art’

the sparrow window

Posted in Inspiration, Nature Notes, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , on July 12, 2013| 4 Comments »

With more time available, I was able to return to the Church of the Covenant on Newbury Street in Boston.  Given the time of day and the angle of the light, I was drawn to photograph what I later learned to be the Sparrow window. Here’s what the church’s self-guided tour brochure says:  “Based on one of Jesus’ parables, the Sparrow window is a tour-de-force of Tiffany art using drapery or ribbed glass for clothing, and mottled glass or confetti glass for the background.  Frederick Wilson designed this image of Jesus as a young working carpenter, with a yoke on his back, pausing to sympathize with the plight of a small bird that only he can see clearly.”

Additional stained glass images can be viewed here.

If you’re in Boston and would like to visit for yourself, information can be found here.

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glass images

Posted in Inspiration, Music, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , on July 10, 2013| 2 Comments »

Years ago, I walked out of a used book store with the book Point Engraving on Glass.  Most likely it was the nature-themed cover that drew me to the book.  The author, unknown to me, had an engaging writing style as he described the evolution of glass engraving and highlighted various masters of the craft.  I read it, enjoyed it, and put it away to gather dust.  But it was not until this week, in a roundabout way, that I realized the author, Laurence Whistler, was a master craftsman himself.  Following is a youtube video of the glass prism memorial he created for his brother, the artist Rex Whistler.  I hope you have  a chance to view — with sound — from beginning to end.  And here’s a link to my continuing experiments photographing a shard of glass.  Enjoy.

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and pinks and golds worked by human hands

Posted in Inspiration, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on June 25, 2013| 14 Comments »

At least it is the pinks and golds that stand out to me on this hot, hot day as I review these images recently taken of the stained glass window, David’s Charge to Solomon.

At some point I hope to direct you to some of the stories and resources that other have shared with me about the window and the fascinating relationship between Burne-Jones and Morris.

Until then, here a few more images of the parts that create the whole.

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samurai!

Posted in Books I Love, Guest Contributor, Inspiration, tagged , , , , , , , , , on June 12, 2013| 5 Comments »

My first impressions of ancient Japanese warriors were formed by the Akira Kurosawa movies that used to air on Saturday mornings when I was a child.  Later, I read James Clavell’s Shogun.  That was a heavenly experience for someone who had yet to leave her hometown, let alone travel the world.  I haven’t seen the Tom Cruise movie, The Last Samurai, all the way through, though somehow I managed to buy the soundtrack.  All that to say, it was quite the treat to view the current Boston Museum of Fine Arts exhibit, Samurai!

Photo by DL

Photo by DL

As described on the MFA website, samurai were “the military elite led by the shoguns, or warlords, of Japan from the 12th through 19th centuries.”  Through August 4th, the MFA is featuring this exhibit of Samurai armor from the Ann and Gabriel Barbier-Mueller Collection that highlights how armor design and use evolved over time from actual warfare to more showcase.

Photo by DL

Photo by DL

I have to thank my friend, DL, for dragging me out the door to see this exquisite exhibit.  It was quite fascinating to see the layerings of cloth, metal and even paper that formed protective barriers for men (and horses!) — pieces that remain enduring works of great art. Afterwards DL and I wandered over to the Egyptian area but that’s a story for another day.  If you’re in Boston before August 4th, I hope you have a chance to visit.  There’s also fun stuff on the MFA website.

Photo by DL

Photo by DL

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from the heart — an interview with artist jen parrish

Posted in Guest Contributor, Inspiration, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on June 11, 2013| 6 Comments »

Jen Parrish gave me permission to visit her online sites to select images to use as illustration for her interview responses.  As I did with other interviewees in 2012, I asked Jen to share how music inspires her artwork.  Viewing her artwork inspired me.   I had only to see an item described as “Gothic architecture meets nature” to know how appropos it was that she and I met through an art and architecture department in a Romanesque church.

She is an elegant, soft-spoken woman with a piercing gaze and gentle words.  It took me a while to learn that she is also a renowned jewelry designer whose handcrafted pieces are worn by celebrities and other people around the world.  Without ever having seen Jen work firsthand, I have only to listen as she speaks about her work to feel her dedication to beauty.  I expect everyone who purchases one of her unique pieces must know they carry part of Jen, and more than a bit of world history, with them.  I am very grateful she responded to my questions.   Please read her interview here.  I think you’ll find both the words and images quite interesting.

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the sargent murals at the boston public library

Posted in Inspiration, tagged , , , , , , , , , on May 30, 2013| 2 Comments »

Following are pictures taken of the John Singer Sargent murals located on the top floor of the McKim Building at the Boston Public Library.  You can read more about the murals creation and restoration here and here.

 

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images from the abbey room at the boston public library

Posted in Inspiration, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , on May 30, 2013| 6 Comments »

The Abbey Room is located on the second floor of the McKim Building in the Boston Public Library in Copley Square.  Its high walls are covered by a series of mural paintings depicting The Quest for the Holy Grail.  A lovely place to hang out on a rainy day in Boston.

Painted by Edwin Austin Abbey.

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art by the child, what a wonderful thing

Posted in Inspiration, tagged , , , , , , , , , on May 19, 2013| 4 Comments »

Art by Jordan S.

Art by Jordan S. (3 years old)

I’m a lucky person.  Adults tell me stories.  Children like to give me art.  Or sell it to me for good causes.  I don’t only accept the art to make the child feel good.  I accept the art because it is unpretentious and celebrates a freedom of expression.  The child artists in this post are between the ages of three and ten years old, live in different parts of the country and do not know each other.  They are different ethnicities.  Some are related by blood, and others I’ve come to know through friends.  I encourage them to send (or sell) me more images.  Maybe one day they’ll send me their words.  😉

Art by Arwyn L., signed artwork sold to help her grandfather who has MS

Art by Arwyn L., signed artwork sold to help her grandfather who has MS

Art by Rokell S.

Art by Rokell S. (10 years old)

Art by Maya S.

Art by Maya S. (4 years old)

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one artist’s way …creating and finding beauty

Posted in Guest Contributor, Inspiration, Nature Notes, tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , on April 29, 2013| Leave a Comment »

Ingres Serenades The Memory Of His Late Wife's Youth by Donald Langosy

Ingres Serenades The Memory Of His Late Wife’s Youth by Donald Langosy

Walking into the studio of artist Donald Langosy is like venturing into a secret garden soaked in light and shadow.  At first, all that one can do is gaze at the surrounding forest of color-filled canvases in all sizes.  Then the individual scenes emerge, often mysterious, sometimes dark and yet filled with light and motion at the same time.  By his subject matter, it is clear his passions for family, friends and for the artists across the disciplines who continue to inspire and influence his work.  The drama, the intensity and indeed the mischievous humor, come through each piece.  Last year I asked him how music influenced his work (view here).  This year I asked if he’d share an update on recent works.  Thankfully, he shared these images and the following words about what’s new, his creative process and where he finds goodness and beauty in this world.

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“Here are recent paintings as requested.  The Titania Paintings are from my Shakespeare series:  Midsummer Night’s Dream.  This is an ongoing series of 50″x42″ canvases that were actually painted end of last year.“

Titania Sleeping by Donald Langosy

Titania Sleeping

“I thought [the above painting of artist Jean Auguste Dominique Ingres serenading his young wife] would lead into a series showing artists with their model/muses and so I began …

Mr. and Mrs. William Blake in their Garden Reading Paradise Lost by Donald Langosy

Mr. and Mrs. William Blake in their Garden Reading Paradise Lost

“... but my intentions veered with …”

John Milton Composing Paradise Lost by Donald Langosy

John Milton Composing Paradise Lost

“… and now I find myself beginning two large canvases that will deal with thoughts that have emerged out of the garden of eden…”

And as for Mr. Langosy’s muse, his wife, Elizabeth…

“Celebrating Elizabeth Turns Fifty is a painting that has been buried in my stacks for over a decade…it now shines over my shoulder as I work… reminding me that while evil and ugliness might have its moment it is rejected and fades… but goodness and beauty, an eternal delight,  endures….”

Celebrating Elizabeth Turns Fifty by Donald Langosy

Celebrating Elizabeth Turns Fifty by Donald Langosy

Learn more about this artist at his Facebook page, The Art of Donald Langosy.

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yes, you can put this poem in your pocket!

Posted in Guest Contributor, Inspiration, Nature Notes, tagged , , , , , , , , , , on April 17, 2013| 3 Comments »

That is if you view the following video on one of those contraptions that slips in your pocket. 😉  Leading up to National Poetry in Your Pocket Day, I wanted to share with you this short stop-animation poem by hand cut paper artist Angie Pickman. I had the great pleasure of sharing the words and images of Angie last year. Check out her interview: Angie Pickman Interview 2012.  Meanwhile you can view her 2013 poem below.

 

 

Learn more about this amazing artist’s work via the following links:

http://ruralpearl.com/blog/

http://www.etsy.com/shop/ruralpearl

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