THREE THINGS Issue 03
THING ONE
I love me some British telly and my favourite art programs from across the pond are “Portrait Artist of the Year” and “Landscape Artist of the Year”. Tune in and you will get to watch people painting in a competition that is timed and high pressure. Not every artist will be to your style but I think it’s extremely impressive what they all manage to produce in four hours. Despite the same view, it's fascinating how different the finished paintings are. You will absolutely know there is always room for more painters in the world as everyone makes their own unique impression.
Amazon Prime has a couple of the early seasons of both series, Makeful channel has some as well, CBC Gem has one season of the Canadian version, but YouTube has tons of episodes from all 9 seasons so far. Of course, they’re a bit hard to keep track of there but you can still find endless hours of entertainment watching paint dry.
Somewhere to start:
Landscape Artist of the Year
Season 08 Episode 01
Landscape Artist of the Year 2019 Finale
*Spoiler Alert* - This link is to the winner’s commission. Her work is amazing but don’t watch it yet if you want to find the full season first.
Portrait Artist of the Year
Season 03 Episode 01
THING TWO
Years ago I took a little online course about Antoni Gaudi and was smitten with this distinguished artist. Since then I have wanted to go to Spain to see his many grand works of architectural art in person. I haven’t made it yet but thought I would share one of his masterpieces in case you find yourself in Barcelona looking for something to do.
La Sagrada Familia (Temple of the Holy Family) was started in 1882. Gaudi came on the project a year later and revised the plans to a design based on forms found in nature. It became his life’s work and he died before it was fully complete. Construction has continued intermittently since his death with a deliberate goal now to complete the Basilica by 2026 (the centenary of Gaudi’s death).
This monumental beauty was designated a UNESCO world heritage site in 1984 and you can enjoy a virtual tour on the website.
Gaudi was “Ahead of his time, unique. A man of faith, observer of nature and genius architect” (from official website). I think his work adds a brilliance to the cultural landscape that is awe inspiring.
THING THREE
Scientists are discovering that feeling “awe” changes how our brain works in a way that is actually good for us. I find this to be great news considering how easy it is to be filled with awe. Apparently, research has shown that children who consume good culture and nature are much less self-absorbed than their peers who don’t spend time laying in the grass and staring at the sky. If you’re out of the habit it may require generating a little list so I thought I would help you to get started.
Stare at the night sky.
Think about the size of a single cell in our body (1/10 the size of the width of a hair).
Think about the size of a blue whale.
Find a painting you like (even online) and look at it slowly for a few minutes.
Walk in a forest.
Ponder how the invention of electricity changed the world.
Listen to some music that moves you.
I know you can think of many more but the key is to remember to think about the things on your list and take the time to be awed (being odd isn’t so bad either).
That's a wrap for March. Happy coming of spring!
Artfully yours,
Glenna