Showing posts with label young artist. Show all posts
Showing posts with label young artist. Show all posts

Monday, March 22, 2010

Portrait of a Young Artist Marley

Cari Amici (Dear Friends),

Back in February, in the heart of a colder-than-usual winter in central Texas, I had to admit that I would not be able to finish my marble sculpture “The Gymnast.” I am heading back to Italy soon and have so many other projects that I needed to wrap up before I leave.

So, here are a few images of how I have left her . . . for the time being. I also include a self portrait that I took on the day it snowed here: 23 Feb. For me, it was “a wasabi moment,” a phrase I coined after I enjoyed my first sushi with friends a few summers ago. I mean it to refer to any short-lived pleasure that tickles more than one sense.







One of the great rewards of an artist – or anyone really – is to learn that you have inspired a child. Recently on Facebook, I have reconnected with a friend from my college days. He told me that he and his family were enjoying catching up with my activities by reading this blog. In particular, his daughter Marley entertained him by emulating the pike pose of my marble carving above. I am sure that she could assume this athletic position easier than I can!

Later, my friend shared this self-portrait of his budding artist daughter, which I print with permission here. It is quite marvelous, do you not agree?



Thursday, September 3, 2009

Walking on Sunshine Art

Cari Amici (Dear Friends),

I had a busy day today, but in many ways wonderful. Two of my errands were to different shops to pick up the new frames for two of my paintings done in Italy. Wow, it really is amazing how a good frame completes a painting!


"Relinquish"
oil on canvas
50 x 70 cm


While my figurative oil painting “Relinquish” was being put inside its lovely new and elegant, coffee-colored Ansley frame from Larson-Juhl, I wandered through Jerry’s Artarama. Currently on exhibit along one wall in the art supply store is a collection of large artworks by young girls aged 6 to 13 who participated in a four-day workshop at The Girls’ School of Austin. Artist and teacher Nancy D. Hoover taught the workshop that focused on collage, gesso texture, and acrylic painting techniques.

I found the painting shown here – I believe a 30 x 30-inch canvas – by a ten-year-old named Dani to be quite enchanting. Her title is “Walking on Sunshine” and I suspect is inspired from a (fun dance) song lyric. Dani’s acrylic collage painting struck me as pure and joyful, a true celebration of life. She created an interesting composition and I just wanted to share her art with you. I do not know her, but I hope she will not mind my posting this.