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| Organic Vase, created with Procreate on iPad |
Last Friday I visited the Chihuly Exhibit at Virginia Museum of Fine Arts in Richmond VA. I left my camera in the car so I have no photos. Instead, here's a Chihuly-inspired iPad painting of a red vase I bought at Mr. Harris' yard sale. I painted without actually looking at the vase, and imagined it melting and changing forms, being displayed on a mirrored surface like Chihuly's works. (And, yes, this looks a bit like an internal organ; I guess it's a ChiHallie.)
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| Mr. Harris, Colorsoft pencils on Wallis Museum board, 9x6 |
My camera was in the car when I stopped at the yard sale and the light was right. Mr. Harris said okay when I asked if I could take his photo; I told him I might want to paint it. He's a neighbor and owner of one of the local funeral homes--a nice-looking man. He hasn't seen this yet and it's not quite finished.
Here I am, outside the museum, pretending I'm holding up Chihuly's 25-foot chandelier which was hanging in the Atrium--my idea--and it took a while for the patient photographer to line this up. Pedestrians probably wondered why I was posing like Vanna White. My brother thought this looked like Miss Liberty with a tight grip on her pocketbook--not a bad idea for these times.
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| Outside VMFA, photo by S. Brooks |
The Chihuly Exhibit was excellent--rooms filled with forms and colors and reflections. I especially liked his Ikebana Boats and the Tobac Basket Bowls, which were displayed on huge beautiful slabs of wood. 
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Your i-pad painting is a real eye catcher, very striking...you even perceive the material, and the portrait is coming along wonderfully, love the colors you use.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Jane. I usually play with the iPad painting apps when I have nothing in mind. I had looked at this vase several times--there was no way to paint it realistically and show the top, the sides, and the bottom. It was fun.
DeleteHallie, I have a feeling that you have one wicked sense of humor. I love that! Your thoughts on the vase painting made me smile and it is fabulous! Your painting of your neighbor is amazing!! Will you gift him with it?
ReplyDeleteOk, here comes my own wicked sense of humor. I would not have know that was a chandelier in your right hand. It looks like an x-ray image of a uterus to my eyes. Dark photo! LOLOLOL
Hi Crimson Leaves. I'm not sure Mr. Harris would recognize himself--it needs a bit more work.
DeleteYour comment sent me to google uterus X-rays (I've never seen one). There is a photo of Chihuly's Blue Ridge Chandelier at www.flickr.com/photos/pjpink/813877878. It is quite beautiful and contains approximately 1,151 glass elements. Yes, it was dark outside; the Museum is open late on Thursdays and Fridays--great for me, a non-morning person.
You do have a wicked sense of humor.
What amazes me is that the Chihuly glass can be transported all over the world safely, the exhibit is totally awesome! I also loved the basket bowls.
ReplyDeleteYour drawings always have sculptural qualities that makes me want to touch them. I am sure your experience as a sculptor allows you a better depth understanding, both of these drawings are wonderfully dimensional.
Hi Robin--I think you posted some photos of Chihuly's work. It is amazing that these can be moved and set up. "Red Reeds" was set in in the sculpture garden when Hurricane Sandy came through--I think it was taken down for a few days.
DeleteWhen I paint something like this vase or the folds in the t shirt, I remember sculpting and how I loved to undercut with the chisel--sculpting does influence my painting.
Hallie,
ReplyDeleteLooks like the liver of a "friend" of mine and it could be a person hood thing.
CHIEVERETTE
Hi Anonymous. Livers and uteri--what a way to begin the Holidays!
DeleteVery interesting iPad painting! I like what you did with it - unfortunately, now I, too, see an x-ray image of a uterus you are holding up! ha ha Perhaps instead of Lady Liberty clutching her handbag, you are Lady U-u (sorry, Lady Gaga was taken!).
ReplyDeleteHi Rhonda. I try to stay away from doctors and X-rays--can I at least be Lady HaHa?? It really is a beautiful chandelier--if he comes to a museum near you, check it out. I did worry about accidentally bumping into the pieces--there were no ropes.
DeleteI see the Chihuly sense about the vase...and I love that you painted it largely from memory. It does look melty! Mr. Harris is wonderful (!) and it is always cool to see a photo of you. Glad you got to see such a fabulous show and hold up the chandelier with one hand like that. I saw a documentary about Chihuly. He was yelling at everyone and making people cry. Beautiful art has it's price!
ReplyDeleteThank you Celeste. I have read a bit about Chihuly since visiting the exhibit--some good, some not so flattering--that he directs and is great at marketing. Whatever--it is a wonderful exhibit and reminded me of Dr. Seuss.
ReplyDeleteChihallie! Love that!!! I'll admit I don't know his work- I'll have to check it out.
ReplyDeleteYour iPad drawing is fabulous! I love the folds and how you handle the dark to light. It's a credit to your imagination that you envisioned it melting. Wonderful!
I also love your painting of Mr. Harris. Even though you don't do series work, your informal portrait series is truly spectacular. :-)))
Your photograph is spontaneous and funny. It's exactly the kind of thing Jeff does and one of the many reasons I like both of you.
Happy Thanksgiving!
PAMO--Thank you, thank you. I've always loved those photos where people are holding up--or pushing over--the Tower of Pisa. I don't think I'll be visiting Italy so I improvise.
DeleteI was waiting for someone to tell me to get off the grass; maybe they didn't see me in the dark.
Happy Thanksgiving; save some turkey for your furkids.
And I like your new little icon.
DeleteClever pose. Love your sense of humor, your Ipod painting and the painting of Mr Harris! I saw Chihuly's glass work in an exhibit in Florida years ago and it blew me away. Happy turkey day to you and yours.
ReplyDeleteThank you Eva. You do get around; I've only set foot in FL once--off the plane and onto a cruise ship. One day I might actually visit.
ReplyDeleteHappy Thanksgiving.
popping back over---my friend wants painting apps for her ipad...had to check on the name. Do you have more than one (painting app?)
ReplyDeleteHi Celeste. My first painting app was SketchbookX (a free one). I liked it and upgraded to SketchbookPro; then bought Procreate. Next I'll try Brushes--I've read good things about it; I believe it's the one David Hockney uses.
ReplyDelete(Your friend will become addicted to her iPad.)
Lol- I thought of Miss Liberty too. You have definitely captured the spirit of Chihuly, organlike though it may be - :) We had a Chihuly Exhibit here in Miami out among nature in the Fairchild Tropical Gardens. It is such a fond memory and I have several photos from my little phone (no camera for me either). There are still some Chihuly's here, and I understand they just opened up a butterfly center, and in the restaurant adjoining it, with tall windows looking in on the butterflies - there is a new Chihuly chandelier. Can't wait to see it!
ReplyDeleteI really like Mr. Harris too. The sculptor in you is coming out - you have molded that face wonderfully, love the colors too. It is excellent!
Thank you Dan. Miami seems to be THE place for art; I would definitely enjoy the butterflies.
DeleteOh yes. You are the statue of liberty! Sounds like great fun. ipad art? I should try that. Have a great day, Hallie!
ReplyDeleteThank you Susan--iPad art is interesting though I did just accidentally delete a drawing I liked. (I should learn the meaning of those symbols.)
DeleteThis is such a lovely and lively blog. Keep posting.
ReplyDeleteThank you AK--I will check out your paintings.
ReplyDeleteTime for a new Arting around in SOVA post ---is something quirky in the works?
ReplyDelete