arty didactic

Some images from the Floral series by photographer Sharon Radisch. Flowers, plants, and trees have always been a great love of mine, in real life and in art, but decaying ones are actually a huge fear. I don't like to see, smell, or, heaven forbid, handle any of it. So it was surprising to find that I found these photos really beautiful, and not at all unsettling or upsetting. Their mood feels just right for this chilly autumn we're having here. Hope you enjoy.

arty didactic

Self-Portrait at the Clavichord with a Servant, 1577

Lavinia Fontana, 1552-1614. An amazing woman, often said to the first female artist, working on her own, not a part of a convent or other organization, earning her commissions solely on her own merit (and even counting the pope as a patron). You could possibly even call her an early feminist, though it seems she was only doing what was natural to her, continuing the family business which just happened to let her pursue her art. She did marry and produce many children as was the custom of the day, but it was her husband who took the supportive role in the relationship, acting as assistant and head of the household. Imagine that circa 1600!

Assumption of the Virgin, 1583

Judith With the Head of Holofernes, 1600

Minerva Dressing, 1612-13

Portrait of A Lady, 1590s

Portrait of Antonietta Gonzalez, 1595

Portrait of Ginerva Aldrovandi Hercolani, 1595

arty didactic

Meredith Frampton. A British painter, 1894-1984, primarily known for his portraits. And I'm a sucker for portraiture. Really love the implied simplicity of his works, the lines, the colors, the subjects. This is barely a sample of his paintings, but three of my very favorite. Hope you like them, too.

Marguerite Kelsey, 1928

Nude with Flying Swans, 1919

Winifred Radford, 1921

salvation mountain

Let's do an extra arty didactic post this week in tribute to Leonard Knight, the man behind Salvation Mountain in Niland, California. Although the intended message is not particularly stirring for me, I can't help but marvel at Leonard's commitment to his work, his beliefs, and his passion to share both of those in such a placid, beautiful way. I've still not been to the mountain, but it's one of my main goals for when I'm back in California. Sadly there's no longer a chance of meeting the man behind the marvel, but I believe that this expression of art was not made for vocal lauding, but rather for everyone's quiet contemplation, enjoyment and gratification. Below, a small collection of images pulled from the internet that just make me want to visit that much more, and a brilliant one I adore of the artist himself. Enjoy.

arty didactic

Maybe we should expand our artistic horizons a bit each week, too. What do you say? I have a mental stash of artists and works that I love, and it's always nice to look at something pretty, no? Great, let's get started with something that feels like pure summer to me, and surprised me with how much I enjoyed it, seeing as I'm not a huge fan of photography as art. But this- bright, sunny, crisp- is just right!

Quantum Blink (2012)
Isabel M. Martinez