Dali and Me
Jan 25th 2008
Sabrina JeffriesOn Writing!
I love me some art. Yes, I do. Unfortunately, I have no clue what constitutes good art and how it is created. I lack that “artist’s eye” thing, which is why I’ll never be sitting on a bench in Paris sipping wine and painting watercolors. (Do you actually paint watercolors or do you color them? Or even water them? No clue—see the above re artistic ignorance.)
My artist friend Ursula Vernon knows exactly what is good and what is sucky. “That’s pure crap,” she will say to me on occasion about some hapless work by an amateur, to which I usually reply, “Um, er, right, sure, pure crap.” Like I would know. I pretty much take her word for it if it’s something I don’t care about one way or the other.
But my ignorance doesn’t stop me from enjoying art. I love the pre-Raphaelites and the Old Masters. I even like some less plebian artists—Hieronymus Bosch, for example, and Escher (it’s the math minor in me). Of course, Ursula’s art is brilliant (no bias there, nope). I think Dali is dreamy. And his art is cool, too (ba-dum-bum). 
That’s him on the right—yum! And I know what I hate: most abstract art, still lifes and landscapes, anything by Thomas Kinkade, and Picasso. Really can’t stand Picasso.
What about you? Are you into art? Do you paint? Do you know a good painting from a bad one? Do you buy much art or do you decorate with posters and quilts? And what artists do you like?
67 Comments »
67 Responses to “Dali and Me”
FreshEChelle on 25 Jan 2008 at 7:13 am #
I like aren’t that I think is beautiful and usually serene like Andrew Wyeth, Edward Hopper, Winslow Homer, Vermeer. I don’t like aren’t that says to me “some sucker paid for this”. I went to a Richard Prince exhibit recently and I get that modern art is supposed to be provocative but it only provokes cynicism in me. I couldn’t paint if my life literally depended on it, I don’t even have legible handwriting. I’d like to think knowing a good painting is like knowing wine, if you like it, it’s good. I’ve never bought art because I’m weak and I probably wouldn’t have the courage to buy something a art afficianado didn’t tell me was good - yes, I’m contradicting myself. My favorite painting is Gustave Caillbotte’s Floorscrapers because the subject is unique and the figures, while slim, are shirtless http://www.ibiblio.org/wm/paint/auth/caillebotte/raboteurs/raboteurs.jpg
Lisa H on 25 Jan 2008 at 7:32 am #
I don’t know very much about art, but I enjoy some of it. I really like paintings especially the masters’ works. A couple of years ago I had the chance to go to Paris for the weekend with a girlfriend. While there we of course visited the Louvre. It was spectactular, but what I really became enchanted with were the statues. Every detail was softly etched in the hard marble, some were 20′ high, and all were breathtaking. What I learned about myself that weekend is although I can appreciate paintings and tile work and different forms of art, what really turns me on are sculptures.
There is also a huge difference between seeing something in a book and actually seeing it in person. I am so grateful to have had that opportunity.
Karen Rose on 25 Jan 2008 at 8:02 am #
I think that one man’s (or woman’s ) “pure crap” is art to another. Isn’t it all about what you like? I have no idea about balance or color, but I know what I like and some of Picasso’s early stuff is pretty cool. Just the early stuff, though, Sabrina. The later stuff, not so much.
I like Monet, although I think he probably needed corrective glasses. I personally think the impressionists all saw the world that way - it’s how I saw the world before I got my glasses at age 14. Ha!
I like Bosch - what a creepy, tormented mind! I like b/w photography of landscapes, ala Ansel Adams. We have all kind of things on our walls at home - everything from movie posters to beer banners to one or two actual pieces of “art.” LOL.
Oh, and of course my framed book covers! Our newest addition is this enormous poster of one of my books that my UK pub had hanging in the London Underground. It’s easily 10 feet tall. I’m moving some of DH’s beer banners to make room for it!
cail on 25 Jan 2008 at 8:15 am #
i like monet, love landscapes. i love seascapes the most.
i sketch and paint. its one of my hobbies that i just don’t do often enough.
Freedom Writer on 25 Jan 2008 at 8:34 am #
I agree with Karen R. Whether a painting is crap or art is in the eye of the beholder. But I suppose that if a person is trained in performing that art could say that this artist technique is crap. My DH has created stained glass art for 20 years, and he is always looking at other stained glass artists’ lead lines and calling them crap, and getting disgusted at the price some of them are getting for such inferior workmanship.
I like many of the renaissance painters. The light and emotions on the faces appeal to me.
I appreciate good art but do not have what it takes to be a good painter or watercolorist. I have tried my hand at photography and stained glass. I like the B&W landscape photography. Ansal Adams is a favorite as is H.H. Bennett, a photographer who documented the Dells of the Wisconsin River in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s.
SuzyQ on 25 Jan 2008 at 8:37 am #
I agree with Karen. Art all comes down to what you like. Some people might hate a painting and others will love it. I do love the old masters – Rubens, daVinci, Michelangelo, but my favorite painting is from VanGogh – The Starry Night.
As for today’s artists, two of my favorites are David Delamare and Wyland. Delamare paints fantasy – faeries, mermaids, etc. and Wyland paints ocean life. I almost bought one of his dolphin paintings when I was at his studio in CA but I knew my husband would have killed me. So I mostly buy prints.
cookeemama on 25 Jan 2008 at 8:42 am #
LOL, Sabrina. My late husband was an artist and he, too, had a built in crap-o-meter. Me, I like what I like. When we first married, he tried to educate me. Poor thing. But, we stayed married anyway. We went to a small art gallery down in Phylly once. There was a metal garbage can turned on it’s side with it’s contents strewn forth. A rope around it indicated that, yes indeedy, it was part of the exhibit. I was gauche enough to laugh. Snort, really. That was when he gave up on me as an appreciator of “real art”. I told him I liked his art just fine and that shut him up for good on my education. LOL
I don’t care for later Picasso when his ego went amok. I like landscapes, old masters that aren’t dark and depressing. Loath the religious art of those times. Thomas Kincaide is a guy who saw a niche and filled it. He’s really an astute businessman.
I love Andrew Wyeth’s things. His Helga series was amazing to see in person. I also love going to museums just to roam around.
Malady on 25 Jan 2008 at 8:44 am #
Monet and really “emotional” pieces i like. stuff that is too pretty or tries to hard is a no no. Art just is. jackson pollack is a genius. he got people to buy ugly splatters!
I guess art really is subjective. if it apeals to you then it its fine. if anything can be Art and Art can be Anything, then how can you go wrong.
I also like Elizabeth something or other. she painted really powerful war pictures of English battles. Much more realistic than anything else of the period.
Meg on 25 Jan 2008 at 8:46 am #
I am not much of a conisseur myself, but I love me some MC Escher. I was introduced to him by my 12th grade art teacher and I have been crazy about him ever since. She had me re-create the “Drawing Hands” one for an assignment. It was very difficult but it turned out nice.
But I don’t have much art of any kind around the house. I do have - I guess you could call it a sketch - that my sister brought me back from Venice, Italy that was done by a local artist. That’s really nice. But that’s it. Maybe I should get out more. I need more art-sy exposure.
cookeemama on 25 Jan 2008 at 8:49 am #
Lisa H, I just re-read your comments on statues. I so agree! I’ve been to the Rodin Museum in Philadelphia a number of times. I guess you can tell I live not far away. I was blown away by the statues there. It’s not something I can rush thru. How did he get the wonderful definition of living flesh translated into cold marble? Awesome stuff. I am moved emotionally every single time.
I envy your going to Paris “for the weekend”. That sounds so jet-setty. LOL
Sabrina, thank you for bringing up some wonderful memories of times with my DH.
Patty L. on 25 Jan 2008 at 8:49 am #
I love landscapes and am a big fan of Thomas Kinkade. I love paintings that envoke an emotion in me.
Malady on 25 Jan 2008 at 8:51 am #
Happy Australia Day.
It is the 26th of january and my Nation is celebrating the landing of the first Fleet. we have BBQs and wear thongs (flip flops) with the flag on at least one part of our clothing.
New citizens are sworn, they anounce the Australians of the Year and we find out who got the Golden Guitar. which is Australia’s highest honor in country music.
Karen Hawkins on 25 Jan 2008 at 8:58 am #
Ohhh, Sabrina! Good topic!
I loooove art. All shapes, kinds, and forms. I love impressionism best and have been a Renoir fan forever. I also love the romantic era and the paintings of knights and maids with really long hair and of nymphs and magical pools and more.
I do not like Picasso. He had some interesting compositions, but I look at ‘em and go ‘eh.’ They just don’t MOVE me even though I appreciate their artistic merit.
LisaH, I hear you about statues. I didn’t ‘get’ sculpting as an art form in Humanities Class — you can’t just look at pictures. You HAVE to see them in person. My favorite statues are the series Michelangelo did called Slaves. I ADORE those and every time i see them, I get shivers.
cookeemama on 25 Jan 2008 at 9:09 am #
Malady, it’s still just Jan 25 here in the USA. But since you’re already into tomorrow, have a great Australia Day and wear your thong in good health. LOL I’ll celebrate tomorrow for you.
Malady on 25 Jan 2008 at 9:16 am #
Lol, Thongs. i’ll just have to remind you all tomorrow.
Michelangelo is a master. I agree with Meg, Escher is Fabulous. and the Starry night is probably Van Gogh’s most likable work.
Greek marbles are beautiful. not only are there goddesses, but really CUT men. ;}
doglady on 25 Jan 2008 at 9:33 am #
Karen R - that has to be the most fabulous poster to hang in your house - YOUR book hanging in the London Underground. Love it!
I went to a Liberal Arts school so art education was mandatory. I love a wide variety of styles. I am a big fan of Van Gogh and spent and entire day in the Van Gogh museum in Amsterdam. I was lucky enough to be there during the celebration of his bicentennial. They had called all of his paintings home so it was a veritable Van Gogh feast. My entire kitchen is done around my monstrous poster of the exhibit which features his IRISES painting.
I have become a big fan of Turner as I have researched his work for my novel. Saw some incredible Raphael’s at the World’s Fair on my honeymoon. The Vatican exhibit had some Raphael paintings that were amazing. Love Rembrandt too.
I guess I am an Old World art fan. Modern art for the most part leaves me cold. And Greek and Roman sculpture - Hubba Hubba!
Karen Rose on 25 Jan 2008 at 9:38 am #
When I was in Italy years back, I saw Michaelangelo’s Pieta, Mary holding the slain Christ. I saw one behind glass at the Vatican and it was a lovely thing to behold. Then I saw his unfinished Pieta in Milan - about two feet away under the watchful eye of a guard. The unfinished Pieta was what he was working on when he died.
The finished one moved me with its beauty. The unfinished one made me moved me more - it was the work itself and the sadness at knowing that this piece was the last work of a true master. I am amazed at what sculpture-ers(?) see in raw marble or rock. And then they bring it forth, so the rest of us can enjoy. It’s an incredible gift.
Karen Rose on 25 Jan 2008 at 9:40 am #
Doglady - it is very cool to have the poster - and they sent photos of it actually hanging in the Underground, with people walking up to see it - and you get the feel for how huge this thing really is.
I was blown away - I had no idea they’d done this. I’m going to London in April and I’m hoping to see a few of these myself
Malady on 25 Jan 2008 at 9:43 am #
Karen Rose i believe its Sculpturists. 10 ft tall Cover. that wouldve been nice to visit.
Gannon on 25 Jan 2008 at 9:51 am #
I do love art, even though I couldn’t paint to save my life. Wish I could, though.
The old masters, and the impressionists are my faves, but I have a particular affinity for sculpture. When we were living in Italy, we were lucky to be able to see some of the world’s most amazing art. I must agree with you Karen H about Michaelangelo’s Slaves–really amazing. But his David is truly a masterpiece. The fact that other, more well known artists turned down that commission, saying that the marble was not a good piece. Then a very young Michaelangelo comes along and creates one of the most recognized and beautiful statues in the world. Simply amazing.
One of my favorite sculptures in The Louvre is Cupid and Psyche. Just love it!
Oh, Karen R., I think the both the finished and unfinished Pieta are extraordinarily moving!
Cookiedough on 25 Jan 2008 at 10:02 am #
art is completely subjective, so don’t let anyone tell you what is good or bad.
I had a friend years ago that was a total snob about art. He’d look at a blob of blue on a canvas and spout nonsense about the artist’s angst and the depth of feeling behind it. Me, I thought it was a blue blob anyone could have done.
I come from an artistic family. my father drew and my mother painted. I’m lucky enough to do both, and have become pretty good at the video thing, if I do say so myself.
Two sisters have had gallery shows. A brother does cartoons and can make a monster mask with melted pop bottles and panty hose.
Karen Rose on 25 Jan 2008 at 10:04 am #
I thought sculpturists at first, Malady, but it didn’t sound right. I should have gone with my gut. Thanks
Malady on 25 Jan 2008 at 10:15 am #
Or is it Sculptor?… Sculptress? bother.
KariE on 25 Jan 2008 at 10:17 am #
I am so art ignorant its not funny. I couldn’t tell you the difference between a Monet and a Van Gogh. Although there is a budding new artist by the name of AdamE who does great sculpture work with Play Dough and amazing drawings with crayons. I think he has been known to dabble with sidewalk chalk art was well. I have all his work as I am his biggest fan.
But seriously, I think if I had to pick something visual that I enjoy it would be stained glass windows.
Meg on 25 Jan 2008 at 10:28 am #
How I envy all of you who have been throughout Europe to see all of these fabulous pieces of art in person!! I’ll be in Boston in July and am hoping to be able to go to the art museum there.
Karen Hawkins on 25 Jan 2008 at 10:31 am #
OOOOHHH! KariE, I LOVE stained glass, even do a little of it myself. I had a heroine in one of my books who was renown for her ability to fix old stained glass — some people made quite a living out of that at the time.
I absolutely love the stained glass in Notre Dame. Made me weep. And the glass in Westminster’s Abbey is phenomenal.
When I was going to college in TN, there was an old building right at the front of campys that had a stained glass window of a girl in a flowing white gown. Rumor on campus had it that the girl, Alice, had committed suicide in that house when it had been a women’s dorm and her parents had commissioned that work to commemorate her death. I don’t know if that was true or not, but I used to go and stand under that window and look up at it and wonder what she must have been like. For some reason, for me, stained glass has always been very powerful art form.
KariE on 25 Jan 2008 at 10:49 am #
I do agree Karen. IMO, like paiting or sculpture art there are sooooooo many different feelings, for lack of a better word, that you can portray with it. Some bold, some timid, some soft, some just down right weird. Just like paintings.
In my adult life I really haven’t done much with my fondness for it but I love looking at it. I remember in 1st grade we had a week that we focused on art. A guest speaker came in with these books that had the most amazing pictues of old buildings with the stained glass. I’m sure they were probably churches. I just remember the colors were incredible.
Did you see the episode of How It’s Made where they showed how stained glass was made?? Twas very cool.
ladydawgfan on 25 Jan 2008 at 10:55 am #
I have been surrounded by art my entire life since my paternal grandmother was an artist during her life. Her paintings have been on the walls of our house since I can remember, and I always remember her with easel loaded and paint brush in hand in her home studio painting when we went to visit. I love her paintings and have inherited several from her estate.
My niece is an incredible artist and gets her talent from both of her parents families - her mother (my sister), and from her father’s side of the family. Her paternal great uncle is Edward Hopper. Kinda cool when you think of it, but not surprising when you see not only her art, but that of her 10 yr old daughter who is also showing artistic talent.
Personally, I think most art is beautiful in its own way with only a few notable exceptions. Even Christo’s hillside creations are fascinating in their complexity when looked at as a whole. Or maybe I’m just strange that way . . .
Sabrina Jeffries on 25 Jan 2008 at 11:19 am #
My husband loves the impressionists, but for some reason they do nothing for me. Same with Van Gogh. While I can appreciate the artistry (to the extent that I am able to appreciate ANY artistry), it doesn’t speak to me.
I’m with you on the sculpture though. I’d love to see that sculpture room from the movie P&P. Yes, it does exist–or so the deluxe edition extras from the DVD tell me.
I like textile art, too–samplers and needlepoint and really sophisticated quilting designs.
Sabrina Jeffries on 25 Jan 2008 at 11:22 am #
I do like surrealism. But my favorite will always be the pre-Raphaelites. All that color, so romantic!
Sabrina Jeffries on 25 Jan 2008 at 11:24 am #
I like stained glass, too. Unfortunately, my husband loves abstract art and anything that won’t affect the stereo sound (yes, he’s … sigh… an audiophile), which means glass is BAD. Very bad. But since I love textiles, I think we’ll eventually (when we get around to it) put textiles on the walls.
In fact, I thought of this topic when I realized we’ve been in our new house nearly four years and still haven’t figured out what to put on the walls. Our bedroom walls are completely bare. It’s just last on our list of things to do.
Paula on 25 Jan 2008 at 11:27 am #
I am not an Art connoisseur(had to look that up in the dictionary!!) but having bee ti Giverney last May and see some of Monets work and THE lily pond I must say some of his work has appeal. I also like (and always have) Lowery’s Matchstick men. Having been to Paris (18yrs ago and came back engaged) I have som pencils sketches of Parisian landmarks that are a favourite of mine they were done by a local artist.
Paula on 25 Jan 2008 at 11:28 am #
Sorry the above should read ” having been to Giverney”. Sorry for the typo!
zambonigirl on 25 Jan 2008 at 11:40 am #
Oh, I love art. Watercolors are my favorite, but I’ve lately been really taken in by photography. There’s an artist called Alicia Bock (www.aliciabock.com) who takes lovely vintage-looking photographs and compiles them to make a work of art. As for water colors, there’s a Swedish artist that I stumbled upon about a year ago, Mattias Adolfsson (http://mattiasa.blogspot.com/), and his work is so whimsical and wonderful. I love his “baroque” feel and his various expeditions to places like the supermarket and the North Pole. As for classics, I like the usual suspects-Monet, Manet, Renoir, Klimt, Lautrec. I really love Van Gough, however. Maybe it’s his odd perspective, perhaps it’s the Don MacLean song, but I really find the emotion in Vincent’s work. (We’re on a first name basis, as I’m such a huge fan. Really.)
I appreciate Picasso, but I have to say that his Blue Period was really where my heart lies with him. I’ve never liked Jackson Pollack. I can splatter walls myself for cheap.
Lisa H on 25 Jan 2008 at 12:00 pm #
I really like reading everone’s answers—this all makes me think about how truly important art is. Its so much like music in that its a way to express what words never could, and its wonderful to feel a connection with the “artiste” and wonder if he or she was thinking what you are receiving.
I am always open to looking at art, you never know what you are going to experience…
Lisa H on 25 Jan 2008 at 12:01 pm #
One dream I have is to see David in person. I believe he is in Florence Italy.
My husband says on our 20th anniversary which is in only 5 more years!
zambonigirl on 25 Jan 2008 at 12:10 pm #
I’ve been thinking about this…
Art is a very personal thing. I don’t think that anyone should take the word of anyone else when it comes to art in any form. I love the movie Hudson Hawk. It’s a terrible movie. It’s horrid. It’s ghastly. It’s a terrible movie. I love it. If I listened to movie critics, I wouldn’t love half the movies in my DVD collection. If you like a paiting, Sabrina, like it. Don’t worry about your friend and her taste. Don’t worry about anything but what you like. If someone painted it, then there are at least two people in the world that enjoyed it. Three, if you count the artist’s mother.
Freshechelle on 25 Jan 2008 at 12:15 pm #
ladydawgfan, that is so cool that your neice is a Hopper descendant. His work is like no others. To have those genes, wow!
My friends and I collect ridiculous, pretentious things overheard at exhibits. Try it, you’ll like it.
John Singer Sargent’s work is amazing to me. His portraits are so romanticized and his WWI inspired works are poignant. His works make great computer desktops too!
Ruben’s Rape of the Daughter of Lucipus is a favorite because of its intense subject and his ability to make your feel the action of the scene. One of the daughters looks exactly like a Dutch friend I once knew. I couldn’t stop staring at the painting for that reason the first time I saw it.
Ah culture, kulture….
Ellen on 25 Jan 2008 at 12:33 pm #
The art I love, I love passionately. My family has a wonderful collection of art and we all hang it proudly for everyone to enjoy. I actually have enjoyed many of Picasso’s works, but not all of them. Same is true of Max, Parsons, Matisse, Cezanne, Homer, Renoir, Van Gogh and Nechita. I guess art is like a book for me. Some I read and pass on and others I read and put on my shelf for a rainy day. (Shameless plug alert: This weekend I will dive into Ms. Hawkins’ new release and hopefully put it on my keeper shelf!)
The first piece of art I purchased was a poster of “Night Café” by Van Gogh. I was just 13 years old. I hung it over my bed and missed it when I went to college. I still smile when I see that painting.
The true test of any piece of art for me is, would I hang it up in my home? Does it pull me? Will my DH murder me for spending money on more art?
As far as Picasso…to truly get a feel for the impact he had, visit his work at the MOMA in NYC. It will move you beyond the typical conception of lopsided eyes and three boobed women. LOL. It may not change your mind, but it will definitely affect you.
Also, Karen R…have you seen the Water lily collection by Monet? The man was an artistic genius.
Karen Hawkins on 25 Jan 2008 at 1:31 pm #
Ellen, I saw the Picasos in Noo Yawk — I’m a huge museum buff — but . . . eh. Didn’t do it for me. Like Karen Rose said, art is such a personal journey that every piece is bound of relate to someone. That’s sort of cool, isn’t it? Sort of gives me hope for the Human Condition that we can all relate in so many different ways. Btw, looooove the Water Lily Collection by Monet is DIVINE. Brilliant and gorgeous and makes me sigh every time.
Lisa H, I just saw the David at Thanksgiving! It’s at the l’Accademia in Florence, but there are plans underway to build a special museum on the edge of town to hold it because the old building is in the middle of a very old part of town and the streets are too narrow to hold the gazillion of people who come to see it. The space around it is very small, too, and they want to raise it to whatever level it was supposed to be on — apparently it’s much lower than Michelangelo designed it It’s a wonderful piece!
Karen Hawkins on 25 Jan 2008 at 1:34 pm #
KariE, I just went to the Morse Museum here in Orlando and they have one of the largest collections of Tiffany glass, including a lot of pieces he’d had done for his own house. It’s an INCREDIBLE exhibit and the glasswork will leave you speechless. I took my DH and his daughter and we wandered around saying “Wooooooooooow!” in that low museum-level whisper every time we turned a corner. They even have the actual loggia he designed for the World’s Fair! It’s INCREDIBLE and if you ever come to Orlando, you should see it!
Freedom Writer on 25 Jan 2008 at 1:35 pm #
One of the contemporaries that I like is Peter Maxx. His paintings are so funky. I used to buy folders with his art on them when I was in middle school. The art itself was black and white so you could add your own color to it. I now have a print of one of his paintings in my living room.
Karen H., for me the appeal of stained glass are the colors that are produced by the glass. I have several pieces hanging in the picture windows in my house all of which I helped my husband design and make.
MoabReader on 25 Jan 2008 at 1:48 pm #
For lovers of the great masters, who happen to have a newer Mac, check out the widget, Rijkswidget, from the Rijks Museum in Amsterdam. It’s the first thing I look at when I sit down at my desk.
RachelG on 25 Jan 2008 at 1:56 pm #
I don’t know a lot about art. Just know what I like, and I love the impressionists. There is just something special about a painting that touches you deep inside.
rachel
claudia dain on 25 Jan 2008 at 1:57 pm #
What a great topic! I’m coming in so late, but I love art, all types. Textile (oriental rugs, quilts), carved wood or marble or alabaster, oil paintings, watercolor, pen and ink, beautiful baskets, porcelain, intricate wrought iron, blown glass, black and white photographs, etc. I really do love it all.
The artist who I think pulled the biggest con on the buying public was Andy Warhol. I do not “get” Andy Warhol. Multiple colorations of a Campbell’s soup can is not art, it’s advertising. But that’s just me. I think you like what you like, no apologies required.
elsiehogarth on 25 Jan 2008 at 1:58 pm #
I love ART!!!! My favorites are: The Impressionist: Monet, Manet, Matisse, Van Gogh, Cezanne, Renoir etc. I love their summers together, all the scenery, their luncheons, dancing, boating etc. It seems like a group of friends and family having a wonderful get together. I also love Jean Honore Fragonard-the Swing and anything else during King Louis XV’s time.
I do Love Picasso: especially his Blue and Pink Periods. Before he went totally abstract. I own 5 signed and numbered lithographs…my favorite is Pablo(son) dressed as a Pierrot and the Harlequin. I also own: The Lovers, Girl Before Mirror and Marie Therese Walter. My ex-husband is an expert, on Picasso, and there are 2 books that he was given the honor to write the introductions.
Suzanne Enoch on 25 Jan 2008 at 2:21 pm #
I’m most familiar with the Regency-era artists — Gainsborough, Lawrence, Blake, etc. But since I started writing the Sam & Rick books, and she’s an art thief, well, I’ve been trying to expand my own knowledge base.
I have to say, I say Lawrence’s painting of Prinny hanging in Buckingham Palace, and I got shivers. It was like seeing history.
And Sabrina, I am not a fan of Thomas Kinkade, either. Yuck.
Alice Audrey on 25 Jan 2008 at 2:41 pm #
Bosch? Eeeeeew. Now that is some twisted stuff.
Kay on 25 Jan 2008 at 2:47 pm #
I love all kinds of art. My DH’s father was an architect & taught me a little about line and space.
I have a very good friend who is an artist & she goes with me to show at the MIA. If you’re ever in Minneapolis, the Art institute is free, & there is lots of free parking.
I volunteer at the local elementary school teaching “ART MASTERPIECE” about once a month. It involves learning about 6 pieces of art at the Minneapolis Institute of Art, then presenting them in an interesting way to the students. For the younger kids, we do an art project. I bring in music from the period/region of the art. I have learned so much about art during the last 7 years of doing this.
We take them on a field trip at the end of the year to visit the pieces they studied throughout the year. It’s amazing how much they remember from previous years. They LOVE it.
Dh & I went to Phoenix for a few days, & I bought a beautiful Navajo rug (a TWO GREY HILLS) and it is the nicest art in our house.
Ellen on 25 Jan 2008 at 2:47 pm #
LOL Sabrina and Suzanne. Kinkades paintings make my fillings hurt. I think he would be a wonderful illustrator for children’s books, but his art is too…sweet?
About Glass Art. I love (in order) Baccarac, Doam, Lalique and Waterford, but do not like any Swarovski and only like certain Lladros. I have a very nice elephant collection
I love paper. Handmade paper, oragami paper, and wrapping paper move me. You should see what I can do with a plain brown lunch bag.
ct009ct on 25 Jan 2008 at 3:02 pm #
Like Sabrina, I’m pretty art-ignorant, but I know what I like when I see it.
Personally I prefer Photography to paintings. I also tend to like art that’s 3-d, statues and such (notice my lack of savvy in the language of art).
Do buildings count as art? I love Castles, Forts, Ruins, any old buildings. We visited quite a few the 3 times we were stationed in Overseas. My favorites are the Castle of Hohen Salzburg, the Barbara Baths in Trier and El Moro Fortress in Puerto Rico. You get art and history all rolled into one. I have quite a few David Winter Cottages (buildings, again), do they count as art??
Ellen on 25 Jan 2008 at 3:18 pm #
Ct…art is anything created that makes you feel beauty. Castles are wonderful.
Ann in IL on 25 Jan 2008 at 3:23 pm #
I love paintings. I have several oils that I would love to have appraised. They are landscapes of Lake Tahoe in the 40’s. My Uncle purchased them and said to never let them go.
Watercolors are another fave of mine. There were two very talented local artists here, and I have several of their pieces. My absolute favorites are the snow scenes.
I’ve never travelled or seen and of “the masters”. Maybe someday.
Sabrina Jeffries on 25 Jan 2008 at 4:05 pm #
Don’t worry, Zambonigirl, I’m not generally affected by what OTHER people say is crap. I try to form my own opinions. But if I don’t have an opinion or the piece doesn’t speak to me, I’m perfectly willing to accept that the reason might be that it’s crap, according to my artist friend. Or any artist really.
The first time I went to NY as an adult, I went to the Metropolitan Museum with writer friends to see an exhibit of Faberge (I LOVE Faberge). We only had an hour before they closed, and as we were racing back through the building, I saw paintings and furniture and cool things I’d missed. I had to go back. I couldn’t believe that I could walk right up to masterpieces I’d never seen and look at them up close. Since then, I make sure I go to the Metropolitan Museum everytime I go to NY.
Sabrina Jeffries on 25 Jan 2008 at 4:07 pm #
I love the Metropolitan as much for its furniture and clothing exhibits and tapestries as I do the paintings. It’s such an amazing place.
I like photos, but I’m not quite the aficionado of them that my hubby is. Once again, I like that “eye.” I don’t take good pictures either.
Karen Rose on 25 Jan 2008 at 4:40 pm #
Alice - of course Bosch is twisted! That’s the point. I love how you can move your gaze over his work and see something different everywhere.
Sabrina, last time I was in NY we went to the Met, too. My oldest and I were college hunting and she’s a major fan of anything Egypt - she plans to study ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs. We spent most of our time in the Egyptian wing and I saw the stone tablets through a uniquely different POV this time.
Karen Rose on 25 Jan 2008 at 4:42 pm #
I checked out that Rijkswidget from the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. You can get it for Mac or for Windows so I’m downloading it today! I spent a day in that museum fifteen years ago, on my first trip to Europe, and have never forgotten it. There was this one painting - immensely huge - maybe 20 feet wide. It wasn’t Rembrandt, but one of his contemporaries. It was this group of sailors on a ship and there was one man in the forefront. He was larger than life, both size and image-wise. He held this wine glass in his hand, upside down, so that a drop hung from the rim and in that drop, you could see the entire crew reflected.
On his face was this smirk, so delightful I wanted to step into the picture with him! I’ve never forgotten it, altho I have forgotten his name. It was Van-something, LOL. I hope the widget showcases his work.
zambonigirl on 25 Jan 2008 at 6:13 pm #
Sorry, Sabrina, I think I was projecting. I found myself defending my musical “taste” (or lack thereof. Is U2 suddenly crap?) this week, and I was just thinking that art in all mediums can be subjective. Also, there are people who tend to dislike something for the sake of disliking it…yes, OTHERS as you said. Hipsters. Whatever you want to call them. I’m sure your friend would never try to talk you out of liking something because she didn’t like it herself.
UrsulaV on 25 Jan 2008 at 6:26 pm #
You do me too much credit, Zambonigirl…I’d totally try to talk Sabrina out of liking something. Probably with much arm flailing and exasperated “BUT–! Aaaaagh–! Noooo–!” ing, and theatrical attempts to self-strangulation.
Then I give up, ‘cos Sabrina’ll stick to her guns and mutter rebelliously “Well, I like it anyway…”, being Sabrina, and then I make her buy me a coffee, because I’m a starving artist and she’s a famous author ‘n stuff. Such is the nature of our relationship.
Seriously…there’s a huge element in which art is subjective, of course, but I suspect most writers think they know bad writing when they encounter it. This doesn’t mean that you can’t find something redeeming or something that communicates in bad writing, but…it’s still recognizably BAD. It’s the same with art, really. If we can say when something is bad writing, then we can say when something is bad art, ya know?
zambonigirl on 25 Jan 2008 at 6:53 pm #
Well, obviously something like “Urine Christ” is meant to evoke a strong negative response, and even Francis Bacon (the painter) made some art for a knee-jerk “ew!” reaction. I’m not saying that something can’t be “bad” art or “bad” writing (Eragon, anyone? Anyone?) Yes, things can in themselves be bad, but there’s obviously a market for Thomas Kinkaid and plates with large-eyed kittens on them.
I think what I need to work on is my reaction to the stuff. “Oh, you like that? Interesting. What exactly do you like about it? Really, I want to know because…uh…I would like to see it through your eyes. Or something. Seriously? Eragon?”
Sabrina Jeffries on 25 Jan 2008 at 7:04 pm #
I was going to say, before Ursula beat me to it, that I have an opinion about writing (so does she, but she’s also a writer, so I allow it *G*). I was at an artist’s site the other day where the artist claimed to be a poet and had some truly awful poetry, and I confess my first reaction was much like Ursula’s to “bad” art.
But as you say, plenty of people like things I wouldn’t. I try to allow for different tastes.
Nicole Jordan on 25 Jan 2008 at 7:04 pm #
I adore the Impressionists! Monet especially. And the Dutch painters. And many of the English painters. And some Spanish. And Franz Hals. And… the list is way too long. I’m just not fond of many Italian paintings. This isn’t PC to say, but most Madonna’s look so much alike, I usually can’t tell the difference.
UrsulaV on 25 Jan 2008 at 7:24 pm #
Oh, god! You had to mention the P*** Christ! *flail*
Now I have to give my speech…
First off, forget everything you know or think you know about this piece. It’s a photograph, first of all, and–here’s the deal–it’s actually beautiful. If you had no idea what went into it–that it was cow’s blood and urine and a cheap piece of plastic–nobody would be horrified at all. It’s an extreme close-up photo, and it’s shot with a weird kind of sidelighting, and it has a kind of strange beauty…and furthermore, unless you know about the materials already, there’s absolutely no way you could tell from the photo what they were.
If the goal were to freak out the rubes, there’s better ways. The photo is really about the sacred shining through the profane elements of the world, the artist is deeply religious, and I urge EVERYBODY who has heard this debate phrased entirely in “Look at the art for shock value” to actually go look at the piece. Really. Trust me. It’s not horrifying at all.
UrsulaV on 25 Jan 2008 at 7:33 pm #
…and to finish up my rant–*grin*–I’ll add that while I am not religious myself, and in fact have various gripes and grumbles with Christianity, I respect this piece as a genuine work of faith on the part of the artist. There’s plenty of art that’s just for the shock value, god knows–we could wallpaper a battleship in art for shock value–but this one really got an unfair rap. Many people bashing it never saw the photo, never knew the work that went into it–I mean, Serrano went crazy getting everything just right with the color and the lighting, it took him weeks, I doubt I’ve ever worked that hard on a piece in my entire life–and while I can still see why people are offended, I just wish they’d be offended by the ART, not…y’know…what a bunch of talking heads told them to be offended by. (Not that I’m accusing anybody here of this, this is my standard issue rant on the topic.)
*pant* Whew! Okay, I’m done. *grin*
zambonigirl on 25 Jan 2008 at 7:37 pm #
*raises hands* I surrender!
I actually don’t know what the artist intended (your argument is very strong), but it did cause quite a few negative emotions from people. Didn’t the Senate have a hearing about it or something, after the Clintons decided to show it at the White House? I can’t remember. Anyway, it was very controversial, but if the artist did not mean it for shock value, then I will mentally remove him from any comparisons to Bacon (though I really like Bacon’s work. It’s provoking. Art can be beautiful, but it should also be provoking). I really do try to keep an open mind with art of all kinds.
Sabrina-I think I take bad prose better than bad poetry. I sometimes find myself cringing at those glurge e-mails that are sent out with .gifs of angels and children crying and big-eyed kittens on plates.
UrsulaV on 25 Jan 2008 at 7:40 pm #
*grin* Sorry, that’s one of my hot buttons. (Just don’t ever ask me about Bigfoot…)
The hearing was about public art subsidies, which is another thing one can get worked up about, god knows, and derived in large part from all the rather unfairly bad press the piece received…but I’ve ranted enough for one day…
BeatriceYoung on 02 Feb 2008 at 4:39 pm #
I love to draw! I started finding my penchant for drawing at the same time I started reading your book two years ago during the summer. I tried painting, but I think that I’d better stick with drawing in my sketchbook. It’s not bad, but I’d rather draw. I love Thomas Kinkade’s work.He does very beautiful landscapes. He is very talented. I love artists that do landscapes, like Monet and Kinkade. I can’t draw faces worth a jot. I do like the occasional picnic scene from around the same time period as your books take place(19th century). Those paintings are very idyllic. I think that I can distinguish a good painting from a bad one. It’s not very hard.