Slow Art Sunday - Kollwitz

Slow Art Sunday is bringing you a moving artwork today called “Mutter” in celebration of Mother’s Day.  Prussian/German artist Kathe Kollwitz began her art lessons at age 12 as she showed talent at a very young age. 

You can see in this picture the close-knit group of mothers, some holding their children tightly, some in grief, some children without faces.  Ms. Kollwitz stated, "I have drawn the mother who embraces her two children; I am with my own children, born from me, my Hans and my Peter." Sadly Peter, her eldest, was killed in combat at age 18, which helps us to understand the strong hug as well as the emotion on the mothers faces during the harsh conditions of 1919 Germany. 

A mother’s love is a powerful force and today I hope you can celebrate your mother, mother figure or the children in your life.

#slowart #slowartflow #kathekollwitz #mutter #mothersday #slowartsunday

Slow Art Sunday - King Charles

On this Slow Art Sunday we bring you artwork painted by the newly minted King Charles III.  Describing himself as “an enthusiastic amateur”, he has long enjoyed watercolours and is even an honorary member of the Canadian Society of Painters in Water Colour (CSPWC).  *Side note – this society was founded in 1925 by Carmichael and Casson, two members of the Group of Seven.

At this very moment 😊, the King’s artistic skills are on display at Sandringham House where he is exhibiting more than 40 paintings until October 12 just in case you’re in the area. Charles has said “painting is one of the most relaxing and therapeutic exercises I know”.  

I think looking at paintings can also fit that bill so enjoy a slow look today at a Scottish mill painted by a King.

THREE THINGS Issue 05

THING ONE
 

With the recent coronation of King Charles III, I thought it timely to feature this self described “enthusiastic amateur artist”.  Charles has long enjoyed watercolours and is even an honorary member of the Canadian Society of Painters in Water Colour (CSPWC).  *Side note – this society was founded in 1925 by Carmichael and Casson, two members of the Group of Seven.

Right now, the King’s artistic skills are on display at Sandringham House until October 12, where he is exhibiting more than 40 paintings (just in case you’re in the area 😉). Charles has said “painting is one of the most relaxing and therapeutic exercises I know”. 

I think looking at paintings can also fit that bill so please enjoy a slow look at the artwork of a King.

THING TWO

Here in Canada we have been celebrating a May holiday since 1845 and officially began calling it Victoria Day upon Queen Victoria’s death in 1901.  She became queen at the tender age of 18 and reigned for 63 years.  Here’s a crazy fact – she survived multiple assassination attempts! 

Keeping in the “Royals Who Like to Paint” theme (see THING ONE), I discovered that Victoria also enjoyed drawing and watercolour painting.  As the great, great, great grandmother of Charles, it seems artyness may run in the family. Here are a few of her works.

THING THREE

Mother’s Day - Sunday, May 14

As we celebrate our mothers this weekend, take some time to look at “The Cradle” by Berthe Morisot.  This beautiful portrayal of a mother’s tenderness is a touching tribute to those special women that have influenced our lives profoundly.

Artfully yours,
Glenna

Slow Art Sunday - Klimt

Right in the middle of blooming season, Slow Art Sunday welcomes Austrian painter Gustav Klimt and his 1907 work called “Bauerngarten”.  Translated “Cottage Garden” in English, this colourful composition shows his constant love of pattern and design no matter if he was rendering figures or landscapes.  The orange on the right grabs me first but there are so many places for the eye to go! Such a lovely flower explosion.

I hope you have a few moments today to enjoy this happy painting.

#gustavklimt #bauerngarten #flowerpainting #slowartsaturday #slowart #slowartflow

Slow Art Sunday - Carr

“Trees love to toss and sway; they make such happy noises.”  Emily Carr

Today, Slow Art Sunday is observing Earth Day from deep within a west coast forest.  Emily Carr’s lush and gorgeous greens shine in the painting she named “Indian Church” (1929).  In 2018 it was renamed “Church at Yuquot Village” by the Art Gallery of Ontario, where it now finds its permanent home.  This particular painting came at a transitional point in Carr’s career as she was moving from watercolour to experimenting with oils and also from an Indigenous focus to more of the land. She loved the water, sky and forests of British Columbia and once said “Oh the West! I’m of it and I love it!”

 #slowartsaturday #slowart #slowartflow #emilycarr #churchatyuquotvillage #indianchurch #groupofseven #britishcolumbiaart

Slow Art Sunday - Renoir

Guess what?  Today is the actual, real, International Slow Art Day!  Founded in 2010, Slow Art Day is a global event with a simple mission: to help more people discover for themselves the joy of looking at and loving art.  Around the world today, art museums and galleries are spending time taking it slow.

For Slow Art Sunday we have “Oarsmen at Chatou” (1879) by Pierre-Auguste Renoir to look at.

Participants in galleries of Slow Art Day will be invited to look at 3 different works of art for 5 – 10 minutes each.  Many venues host a discussion time following the looking experience.  This can be interesting but the great thing about slow art is that you don’t need an expert curator to give yourself a little art time!

The discussion at galleries may go like this:  What did you see?  Was there anything that surprised you?  Where did your mind go while looking – did it remind you of a memory of yours or did you imagine a story?  Often people find that a personal connection emerges.  Did you feel feelings?!!

Hopefully you can enjoy a little slow are time today even if you can’t make it to a host gallery.  Enjoy!

#slowart #slowartday #slowartflow #pierreaugusterenior #renoir #oarsmenatchatou #impressionism #slowlooking #slowartday.com

Slow Art Sunday - da Vinci

For Slow Art Sunday this Easter weekend, no introduction is needed for Leonardo da Vinci’s “The Last Supper”. 

Easily one of the most famous and recognized paintings in the world, this large mural (15’ x 30’) covers a wall in a monastery in Milan, Italy and was created over a 4 year period. 

The painting is noted for its portrayal of emotions as each apostle processes the news that one of them will betray Jesus. Thankfully, we also celebrate his triumph over death three days later – our great hope!  Blessings on your Easter Sunday.

#leonardodavinci #thelastsupper #famouspaintings #italianart #easter #heisrisen #slowartsaturday #slowart #slowartflow

Slow Art Sunday - April Fool’s

Slow Art Sunday is not above having a laugh at some famous paintings that have been altered in an attempt to tickle our funny bone.  On April Fool’s Day it seemed like a good chance to be a little less serious about art history.

The originals are listed below, however, I don’t have anyone to “credit” these modifications to! Enjoy!

“The Girl with the Pearl Earring”, Johannes Vermeer, 1665

“The Great Wave off Kanagawa”, Hokasai, 1831

“Bridge Over a Pond of Water Lilies”, Claude Monet, 1899

“The Scream”, Edvard Munch, 1893

“David”, Michelangelo, 1504

#aprilfoolsday #famouspaintings #alteredfamousart #vermeer #hokasai #monet #munch #michelangelo #slowartsaturday #slowart #slowartflow

THREE THINGS Issue 04

THING ONE
 

Thirty years ago Julia Cameron wrote “The Artist’s Way” which has become a foundational book on the subject of creativity.  One of her very good ideas was that we should take ourselves on a regular artist date.  It could be to a gallery, a museum, a cliff at sunset, a music store (is there such a thing anymore?), a concert or even a junk store – whatever you think has the ability to fill you up creatively.   Cameron writes that to be able to create, we have to draw from our artistic reservoir and to keep this reservoir in balance we need to be filling the well.  She encourages us to replenish by giving ourselves the gift of an artist date.  Consider treating yourself in this way soon and read THING TWO below to hear about my latest artist date.

THING TWO

 
I recently walked into the lovely Peninsula Gallery in Sidney, BC.  There I came across the work of local BC artist Josephine Fletcher and enjoyed some time taking it all in.  The gallery was spotlighting her work and I got chatting with Vivian (staff? owner?) who told me a delightful story about seeing a painting of Josephine’s online but not being able to find any way to contact her.  Eventually after much searching and a little luck she found her living a quiet, island life with her elderly mom. Vivian had a few more tales about Josephine and I found that knowing a bit of the artist’s story seem to make her artwork even more appealing.  Josephine’s work (I know, I sound like I know her😊) seems to go with her simple lifestyle in the gulf islands as she depicts common, community scenes in a colourful manner. It was a delightful way to spend an afternoon and was just the artist date I needed. 

THING THREE
 

Loveliest of Trees
A. E. Housman (1859-1936)

Loveliest of trees, the cherry now
Is hung with bloom along the bough,
And stands about the woodland ride
Wearing white for Eastertide.

Now, of my threescore years and ten,
Twenty will not come again,
And take from seventy springs a score,
It only leaves me fifty more.

And since to look at things in bloom
Fifty springs are little room,
About the woodlands I will go
To see the cherry hung with snow.

This poem is in the public domain.

Unlike the poet, I have far less than 50 springs left to revel in the blossoms.  Regardless of the number of flowering seasons remaining for you, be sure to get out and savour them while they’re here.

Happy Spring!
Glenna

Slow Art Sunday - Tolkien

I recently came across the fact that March 25 is “Tolkien Reading Day”.  Even if you’re a Tolkien fan, you may or may not have known that he was also a skilled painter, and so on this Slow Art Saturday I have posted a few of his works of art for your enjoyment. 

Although he never pursued this path professionally, some of his own artwork was included in the original edition of The Hobbit (see first 3 pics here).  He also sketched and painted lovely illustrations to go with the thrilling adventure stories he regularly told his four children (see last 3 pics).

So whether or not you’re a devotee of Tolkien’s brilliant writing, please take a few minutes to absorb the delightful and colourful art he offered to his family and to the world.

#slowartsaturday #slowart #tolkienart #thehobbitart #jrrtolkien #watercolorillustrations #thehobbit #slowartflow