The Artful Readers Club for January
Artist's Journal Workshop: Creating Your Life in Words and Pictures by Cathy Johnson Sat in front of a local church on a sunny Saturday, then picked some flowers to examine. I only had a pencil so I added the watercolor later. Armed with few supplies, I went to one of my favorite spots and doodled. Lines added in Photoshop before posting...timid me. Please note: I recommend this book for any artist at any stage...my reference to 12-13 year olds in this review, is remarked due to the value of journaling. It's actually a very sophisticated book on many levels. In a brief shuffle through the pages of Artist's Journal Workshop , I found myself conflicted. The book contains numerous examples of a style of art making that toggles between the hugely personal and a publishable 'look'. So, with that...the book set up on my shelf for nearly a year. Now, after an honest read, I still feel a bit conflicted...but in a way that offers some inspir...
I've been looking at this one for a little while. I've got to say that it's quite a mysterious image for me. If I were to guess I'd say it was classically influenced and Dionysian...
ReplyDeleteI can see a few things happening. The whole body seems to be contorting in a sort of spin in the air, I would imagine. This matches with the spirals on the arm and the square spirals on the skirt.
The explosive quality of the dance move is captured in the tails, which look like the dancer is rocketing through the air...
There's a few distortions in the body which are quite striking. The curved foot first of all. This foot may also be curled, so mirrors the spirals, perhaps. The portal into the leg with the chessboard - very 3D. It matches the bit that seems carved out of the foot - an exploration of space and being through images?
Whatever the meaning, interesting exploration of different types of hatching and tonal effects, contrasts of white and black to create space and movement.