Updates for this Lovely Tuesday

by Linda | Dec 15, 2009 | my creative journal

After getting some collage inspiration yesterday, I started on a triptych of tiny canvases using lovely Japanese washi paper for collage.  The designs are so pretty and I love the bit of texture and fibers within the paper as well.  Here’s a look at my work in progress…

You can see my little sketches on the bottom where I worked out some ideas and also the cutout templates on the top where the scissors are.  Making your own templates really help a lot, especially if you’ll be duplicating any craft.  I also used the shape to trace out sketching templates, as I played around with different types of hairstyles and faces for the ladies.

So why three of these little beauties?  My inspiration came from the original three muses in Greek mythology, but sort of Japanese-cute tortagialla style…haha!  Seriously though, I love how the muses embody the arts and inspire the creation and process of art…they can be my little set of cheerleaders for creativity.  I am so anxious to finish them up, but I have to wait in between steps for drying time, ugh!  Drives me a bit insane, so I usually have many projects going on at the same time to satisfy my short attention span.

Hope everyone is having a fabulous holiday season.  I’ve been so inspired by all the great blogs and online community out there, sharing tips, tricks and great projects.  Even with the blistering cold wind here in Italy, it’s a merry lovely Tuesday for me.  Ciao ciao!

Henri Matisse Happy Monday Inspiration

by Linda | Dec 14, 2009 | my creative journal

It’s easy to find inspiration in art and craft blogs daily or seemingly constantly these days.  I often get sucked into browsing site after site, lost in a frenzy of ideas.  Probably doesn’t help that I have a million feeds in my Google RSS reader!  Although people are amazingly generous to share their work, thoughts and techniques (for that I am so grateful) it can also be information overload at times.  I find it calming to turn to my classic art history books to learn from the masters every once in a while.  Maybe it’s being off the computer or maybe it’s the whole story that can be so intriguing and different, inspiration-wise.  With contemporary artists you are following their journey nearly in real-time.  With those from the past, you have the journey already complete before you and a lot of analysis has already been explored to reflect upon.  Henri Matisse is considered one of the best artists of the 20th century and the more I have learned about him, the more I am driven and inspired to create.

Young Woman with Parasol, 1905, via Web Museum of Fine Art

Many of us have heard and seen bits of Matisse’s work either in school, a museum or a TV program .  However, it’s immensely interesting to explore the life of an artist and the entire progression of his work.  Matisse is famous for his paintings, but he was also a master at drawing, worked in printmaking and even sculpture.  It’s hard to believe that even though his paintings sell for millions today, he actually didn’t have a solo exhibition until the age of 35, which was not a success either!  The greatness of the legacy makes me forget that every artist started as a student.  They went through many different trials…probably comparable to what we go through today as an artist trying to make it in this world.  Matisse’s Fauvist movement paintings were so controversial, he had trouble providing for his family with all the criticism.  Can you imagine that?  Matisse had troubles?  Oh, I should probably mention that Picasso was one of his best friends.  Just stop and wonder, perhaps one of your friends might be the next Picasso?

The Blue Dress Reflected in the Mirror, 1937, via Web Museum of Fine Art

I am personally attracted to a large body of Matisse’s work because of the bold and bright colors he used.  Many also call him a master colorist!  He emphasized the subjects with bold lines and expressive strokes rather than going for all the detail.  He went through many different periods and styles of work, but I also find the collage work in his later years of life to be fascinating.  Who said collaging is not a fine art?  He called it “painting with scissors” as he was too weak to stand at the easel in older age.  It’s also interesting to note that although Matisse lived during a very politically turbulent time in history, his work shows no trace of opinion or conflict.  Perhaps in his art he sought for the opposite…balance, comfort and refuge from a violent world.   All to allow the viewer comfort  in getting lost amongst the colors, shapes and harmony of the works.

The Acrobat Dancer, 1949, via Web Museum of Fine Art

If you don’t have any books on Matisse check out the artst.org gallery of his work and get inspired.  Coincidentally, there’s also a great post about collage trends and inspiration on Smashing Magazine. Oh the planets sometimes align for us all, right?  I think I’m going to do some collaging now…ciao!

Irisz Agocs Happy Monday Inspiration

by Linda | Dec 7, 2009 | my creative journal

One of the first artists I started following online is the wonderful Irisz Agocs, an illustrator living in Budapest, Hungary.  Her watercolor pieces are loose and free, so full of emotion and adorably whimsical.  They tell a story in just one scene, reminding me so much of childhood days and nostalgic times when fantastical worlds sprung out of picture books!  I was mesmerized by her work, amazed at her skill and in effect wanted to be her.  How can you not be taken in by her fantastic imagination?

© Agócs Írisz

I too wanted to evoke emotion through simple lines and vivid colors, I wanted to tell stories and ultimately I wanted to make people smile and be happy.  I still want those things and although I quickly realized I wasn’t going to be exactly like Irisz, I think I’ve learned a lot just following her art blog and how-to blog.  She also has an Etsy shop selling prints of which I’ve purchased, now adorning my wall and reminding me of what I love and believe in.  She has interviews posted on Artful Wisdom and Inspire Me Thursday, but you can also check out her artwork on Storybird – this fantastic new system where you can write stories and use illustrations in the system or provide illustrations and let others write stories (it’s so cool!).  Eventually you can sell those community compiled books or buy them through Storybird, it’s an original idea and I was so excited when the beta launched and I learned Irisz’s work was used as part of the development of the whole thing.  *gush*gush*

© Agócs Írisz

You should definitely check out her work for inspiration, but also for her outlook on illustration and bringing the child out from within us all.  I am so glad she shares her work online, because the online community helped to push me forward in my own experimentations.  I usually take Mondays slow, filling myself with inspiration and excitement from all around.  I hope I’ve succeeded in sharing a bit of that with you as well – Happy Monday Inspiration!

© Agócs Írisz