Art.....

[Markk]

This painting, for me, just sucks me in. It is not like I love it, and I certainly can't say I don't like it, but I can honestly say it drew me into wondering what Wood's mindset is?

Again his lines are so mechanical and precise. His shadows again, as in the last painting from him I pasted, are perfect. I like the way the fable of Washington appears more as a painting, especially George's old head on a young body, yet Parson Weems has a real-realness to him; check out his hand, I only wish I could create such a image.

Also, it is really cool the way the Cherries on the tree, compliment or mimic the tassels on the drapes.

Maybe I do love it?

[Markk]

Continuing comparing Moses with Wood; here, Moses' faces of the folks are just a mess, Lol, they look like western bandits wearing a flour sack mask. I don't see the same effort or maybe feelings in this one by her as I do in most her other paintings. But I get the everyday "works" on a farm.



Wood however, is so detailed and yet despite this, I think I feel more "realism" in Moses on a "day on the farm?"

[Morley]

Markk, you keep mentioning 'realism'. Perhaps neither Wood nor Moses has 'realism' as a goal?

[Markk]

Markk, you keep mentioning 'realism'. Perhaps neither Wood nor Moses has 'realism' as a goal?

Certainly, which is why I put it in quotes. How do you say something in art, that something is real looking, without confusing it with the style of realism?
Look at the hand of the Parson, tat is so real. My point between the two I am feeling is that Wood is so mechanical in his method, which sacrifices much, as opposed to Moses' far less attention to detail in depicting folks and things, yet her paintings to me come as depicting a very real experience of those she paints. Lol, I hope that makes sense, even if it doesn't.

This is why I love art. No right, no wrong....it comes to how you feel about it. It is kind of like by best friend, my dog....he just loves me no matter what and in my opinion that is what happens when you lock on to a painting even if it is crappy, you still love it.

Thanks

[Markk]

Markk, you keep mentioning 'realism'. Perhaps neither Wood nor Moses has 'realism' as a goal?

I just noticed your new avatar....very real. Lol, go figure.

Take care

[huckelberry]

Markk, you keep mentioning 'realism'. Perhaps neither Wood nor Moses has 'realism' as a goal?

Certainly, which is why I put it in quotes. How do you say something in art, that something is real looking, without confusing it with the style of realism?
Look at the hand of the Parson, tat is so real. My point between the two I am feeling is that Wood is so mechanical in his method, which sacrifices much, as opposed to Moses' far less attention to detail in depicting folks and things, yet her paintings to me come as depicting a very real experience of those she paints. Lol, I hope that makes sense, even if it doesn't.

This is why I love art. No right, no wrong....it comes to how you feel about it. It is kind of like by best friend, my dog....he just loves me no matter what and in my opinion that is what happens when you lock on to a painting even if it is crappy, you still love it.

Thanks

Markk, your western bandit is a bit scary looking, glad to realize there is a grain sack not an unhappy artist.

I think Morleys question is worth considering but you have a point. Realism can have a variety of meanings and intentions. You note how solid, concrete and hand like the painted hand is by wood. He definitely wanted it to look real, leads you into the land part real part imagination. Wood is an unusual combination. I like your view of feeling free to enjoy the art as you wish, as you find it.

[Markk]

Certainly, which is why I put it in quotes. How do you say something in art, that something is real looking, without confusing it with the style of realism?
Look at the hand of the Parson, tat is so real. My point between the two I am feeling is that Wood is so mechanical in his method, which sacrifices much, as opposed to Moses' far less attention to detail in depicting folks and things, yet her paintings to me come as depicting a very real experience of those she paints. Lol, I hope that makes sense, even if it doesn't.

This is why I love art. No right, no wrong....it comes to how you feel about it. It is kind of like by best friend, my dog....he just loves me no matter what and in my opinion that is what happens when you lock on to a painting even if it is crappy, you still love it.

Thanks

Markk, your western bandit is a bit scary looking, glad to realize there is a grain sack not an unhappy artist.

I think Morleys question is worth considering but you have a point. Realism can have a variety of meanings and intentions. You note how solid, concrete and hand like the painted hand is by wood. He definitely wanted it to look real, leads you into the land part real part imagination. Wood is an unusual combination. I like your view of feeling free to enjoy the art as you wish, as you find it.

I totally get Morley's point, and it is valid for sure, but as you wrote depending on how we see things, and maybe what we want to see.

I'll throw this at you. In regard to art, is feeling and seeing "art" something we naturally have, or is it developed? I don't know. I think I have always had something in me naturally, but I think I had to also develop a ____________________ for it....(fill in the blank?). Not a love for it, or an understanding, .....maybe an emotional surrender? I don't know.

I took a art class in community college out of high school hoping to get a easy "A". I had no idea it was a commitment. The teacher basically said I was a lazy turd, which I was, so I dropped the class. But in the first day of class we had to watch the movie "The Red Balloon," and after it was over, the teacher asked each one of us how we felt. People were giving emotional answers, and some even had tears. When it came to me, I can't remember exactly what I said, but I can guarantee it was something lame; I was a dumb jock. But now I get what the the teacher was doing, he was trying to draw what ever that "feel in the blank is," out of us.

https://youtu.be/_TPNVw_KsY8?t=26

[Dr. Shades]

It looks like Dr. Shades has a new favorite artist.

A painting by South African artist Marlene Dumas has sold for $13.6 million at auction, setting a new record for a living female artist.

“Miss January” is Dumas’ “magnum opus” and stands 9.25 feet (2.82 meters) tall, according to a statement from auction house Christie’s on Wednesday.

Why did you mention me in the same post as that painting? It is repulsive and disgusting.

[Markk]

Here are some paintings from contemporaries of Wood:



"Country Post" by Doris Lee, whom I have never heard of, her catalog is impressive and a great example of mid 20th century Americana. I see her paintings, at least the ones I looked at seem to be compact and busy, almost a zoomed in version of Moses. I look forward to reading her story and evolution. The painting above was painted in 1938, according to her bio, she lived until 1983. This got me thinking about if and how WW2 might have affected her art, or more generally all American artists of the "greatest generation?" That might be an interesting dive.



Thomas Hart Benton....

This painting is is called " Achelous and Hercules. " It was actually a mural in a mid west department store, and is in part a advertisement for clothing. Centered is Hercules wearing a pair blue jeans. It is now in the Smithsonian.

What I am starting see in Americana, that I previously missed, is how "drama" is part of it. Obviously more paints are more dramatic that others, but I am starting to see drama has a place in early to mid century American art.

And ironically speaking of WW2, and how it influenced these artists I just found this painting by Benton, who was also a veteran of WW1.



This painting is a poster called "again."

[Everybody Wang Chung]

It looks like Dr. Shades has a new favorite artist.

Why did you mention me in the same post as that painting? It is repulsive and disgusting.

Well, you have to admit that as far as repulsive and disgusting art goes, it’s not that bad.