Today's Artistic Inspiration - Henri Rousseau

I've been looking at a lot of Rousseau's works since he will be the inspiration for my upcoming spring break camp.  Thus, for today's post enjoy what is likely his most famous artwork.

Henri Rousseau, The Sleeping Gypsy, 1897

New documentary on the art of Johannes Vermeer

Johannes Vermeer's The Music Lesson

I just read about what looks like a very cool        documentary that explores the art of Johannes  Vermeer.  The  film chronicles the efforts of Tim  Jenison to prove that Vermeer used mirrors and lenses to create the photo realism of his paintings.  In particular, Jenison focuses on Vermeer's The Music Lesson, going to the extent of creating a replica of Vermeer's studio and the painting.

Click HERE to view the film's trailer and read the review.

Sybil Andrews Inspired Storm Artworks

With the horrible weather we've been having lately, a post about these artworks seemed appropriate.  The paintings were done by my younger students (aged 5-8).  Our inspiration was the British born artist Sybil Andrews.  Andrews later moved to Canada, living and working on Vancouver Island which created a nice sense of connection for the kids.  We looked at Andrews' The Gale for inspiration.  This was also a great opportunity to learn a new word, and I heard many of the kids proudly inform their parents of the definition of a gale during pick up.  Andrews artworks are primarily linocut prints, so to connect to this technique in their own art, as the final step in their artworks the students used stamps and various coloured inks to create the raindrops.

Our Inspiration: The Gale

Andrews working in her Campbell River studio

Its a bit hard to see since she didn't finish outlining, but in this artwork the student changed her person into a duck, because ducks like rain!

This student decided not to outline his raindrops, instead using the stamp to create a contrast between really big raindrops and light drizzle.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Romero Britto, First Love

Art Fun For Fridays - Kusama's World of Dots

Ascension of Polka Dots on the Trees

This Friday have a bit of fun exploring the dot filled artwork of contemporary Japanese artist Yayoi Kusama.  Click HERE to play the Queensland Art Gallery's online game that has you add colourful dots to various interactive landscapes just like Kusama.  The dots themselves also have interactive personalities such as angry ones which growl!