Favorite Artist

John Henry Campbell
A highly respected water colourist of his day, the Irish artist John Henry Campbell was born in Dublin in 1757 and studied at the Royal Dublin Society school of art. He is the BEST Irish landscape artist I have ever learned about. My grandparents were Irish immigrants and I am 2nd generation. It is close to my heart I am visiting for 5 weeks this summer.

Art?

In no simpler words, art is attention. Not everyone has to find something beautiful, or fascinating, but if there is something that attracts the attention of anyone then it is art. There is art in life, and death, in youth, and age. There is art in architecture, in fire, in movies, religion, books, television, in music, dance, fear, Love.
Art is the world around us that can not be computed by numbers but only beauty. Art is the power to attract attention.

Art in schools

I attended Tallulah falls Boarding school in north east Georgia. This school is very strongly academic based and over the last year we had a very big problem with our fine art program. The head of the Music Department Mrs. Joanne Harwell was very in love with what she did, she had various classes – Piano, Vocal chorus, and of course hand bells, our school was very small, and she had almost every student before they left the school. She had a tendency though, to think her classes were much more important than academics and athletics, and the school disagreed with her, I personally got behind in chemistry, and missed a cheerleading tournament just so I could practice a dance routine for the Christmas show. These problems only got worse and I remember Joanne telling me, you cant take the art of the schools or you will take the heart of the schools. She left our school, and it was never the same. We were loaded with more academics and no ways to express ourselves it was like prison. Art must be kept in the schools or children will go insane, okay?



Picture is from The Tallulah Spectacular 2007/08 :)

Star wars is culture

Star wars is a culture because people use it to define who they are. Regardless of age, race, gender, or religion, it brings people together to share the same culture. My mother is die hard star wars junkie and she has been her entire life. She was out cast, and made fun of in high school but she didn’t care because she loved the story that George Lucas created. She was able to enter another world that she loved, and this is the case for many fans. They come together at many festivals, and cons where they trade, sell, buy and learn from each other, and they are very happy doing it. It is not just another culture, but another world. I could talk for hours about how people make this the culture they live by, but then, I just sound silly.


Picture above is actually my mother in the middle there.

Human struggle

I believe this photo could show human struggle, I feel like this woman doesn’t know if she wants to be herself or put on her mask. I feel that at some point in life, almost everyone will have to put on a mask. And its sad, to struggle with yourself- it is the very hardest battle to fight.

Interview with an artist

My cousin Savanna Fulmar, is the most beautiful folk artist I have ever met. Savanna had the choice to study fine art at the University but, due to her families’ belief system and other issues, Savanna returned home.
When we were younger I was always jealous of savanna because anything we ever did having to do with any art- play doh, coloring books, paint by number, ballet, needle work, sewing, ceramics, and even cooking- she excelled past me in every way.
I conducted a small interview with her:
Shauna: Okay, so tell me how you felt when you were enrolled at school studying art.
Savanna: I didn’t feel like I was studying art, I felt like I was studying History, communications, algebra, and , Geology, with one measly art classes added in there I was not in search for education like I thought I was. I went to school to learn about how to excel in my art, I didn’t want to go learn about the history or study pointless things that mean little to me, I know how to draw a straight line, and how to shade, I can even make things look 3D. I quickly learned that folk art was the only art for me.
Shauna: What famous art work means the most to you
Savanna: My favorite art has always been stained glass windows, they always tell a story, of beauty, and color, I have always enjoyed making stained glass myself and it is one of the hardest art projects I have ever done.
Shauna: Do you regret not seeking your degree in Fine art
Savanna: I don’t plan to have a career in art, so no. I am glad that I have the talent and love for it that I do. I like being a “folk artist” it makes me feel special, like the things I create, are all me, no one taught me how to draw it, I taught myself, my work, is MY work.

Human condition

Human condition, There are so many things that define human condition, to me one of them – the thing I find myself doing the most, Is missing.
I went to boarding school, some of my friends are still there, some in Korea, Pakistan, Africa, some only in Florida, California, Alabama, or just a few hours away in Georgia. I find myself hurting from endless miss and desire to be with them again.

Human Nature

It is human nature for people to criticize one another. People forget to look deep into situations to understand that sometimes, the person you are criticizing knows no other action than the one they committed.

Public art

Public art
My favorite public art is the bulldogs down in Athens. They are so cute and show many different things. My friends and I try to see who can name and remember the location of most of them.

Architecture

I love this architecture.
In March, I visited Loire valley, France. When I visited France, I visited the Chonaneaux. This was the most beautiful building I have ever been in. It was built over the Loire River. This is a very simple castle, but one yet beautiful. It was easy to get lost with my best friend, and in one building I had the time of my life seeing how life used to be and just enjoying myself. I would like everyone to visit this castle and its beautiful gardens.

Im having a catharsis

I had a catharsis earlier this school year, with my own diorama. I did my diorama on religious tolerance, I already have this information in my actual post about my diorama, but I could talk for hours on the subject. I believe that all religion is art. And I have had my catharsis on Earth Based Religion tolerance. I am very respectful about it, and do not speak on it often but I myself am a part of an earth based religion. I grew up in a Christian household, and I still celebrate every Christian holiday with them and will always respect the love they have for their faith, BUT they do not respect mine, I have gone a few years being preached too and I don’t want to be preached too anymore. I have found a spiritual path that I would love to follow and share with others when I know the time is right. I would feel very strongly about religious tolerance and believe Americans should learn that respect.

Jackson

1) Recall specific lyrics that resonate to you on a personal level that demonstrate human struggle, condition, behavior, nature, and/or human psyche in Michael Jackson's artistry.
They try to tell us we're too young
Too young to reaaly be in love

They say that love's a word
A word we've only heard
But can't begin to know the meaning of

And yet we're not too young to know
This love will last though years may go

And then someday they may recall
We were not to young at fall

This shows struggle to prove love.
Im sick of people saying too young.
Age is only a number.

2) Comment on how you observe the mind/spirit of this artist at work from the documentary "This is it" or some other experience.
Michael and I are similar in the fact that both of us would like to live at this young age forever, I have absolutely no problem with being 17 forever. I think that he put his soul into his songs, and his songs reflect his opinions on life, and love, and growing old, And he basically just throws it out that You are never too young. And i agree with that.

Dear Prudence Come out to Play

www.youtube.com/watch?v=vEXakVA87PA <----- Sorry videos don't work on my computer!

If any of you have ever seen the movie Across the universe, you know that it is all just a big work of art. This movie is a story of the Beetles most famous songs and is put into the story of teenagers. This particular song is about a girl named Prudence who is going through somewhat of an identity crisis at the time. I believe this is a work of art for a few reasons
1) The actors, acting is a fine art
2) The set/props are beautiful and expressive
3) The colors are eye opening and very emotional
4) THE BEETLES MUSIC

Watching this movie, even this clip- sends chills through me at its beauty.
Listen to the music, watch the video, understand the story - it is undeniably artistic

WATCH THIS MOVIE!!!!

Come one Come all to the Cirque Du Soleil

In March of 2007 & 2009 I was lucky enough to see the Cirque du Soleil ,in Atlanta. This cirque was unlike any other event I have ever attended. The tent was roaring with hundreds of conversations, everyone was bundled up, but the jackets peeled off and you could see just layers of fashion, everyone was beautifully dressed and so excited for the show. There are people [ part of the show] Running through the crowd grabbing random people the tent grows louder as people leak with anticipation then SUDDENLY BOOM a flash of light and some smoke. A small man in blue striped pj's is standing on stage, everyone is frozen , everything is silent - the show has started.
Ladies and Gentleman, this is what i remember from the begenning of the 2009 cirque. This show is full of Dancers, Acrobats, Vocalist. contortionist, and gymnast. It is beautiful array of lights and action that will have your mouth hanging open and on the edge of your seat. This is art, just made with your body. I recommend this show to EVERYONE because there is nothing else on earth like it.

Bring Coloring Books Back!

My little sister loves to color, My dad buys her coloring books every time we go to walmart - BUT he also buys them for me, Yep I love to color. I believe that coloring is a very therapeutic tool for a few reasons:
1) it makes you feel like you are adding life to something by adding color.
2) i believe that it takes you back to your child hood, it makes you feel carefree and infinite.
3) its just plain FUN.

I am sorry if some people dont feel like this is art, but to me anything that has color is artistic!

Play with Clay

I have found that making clay things is one of the best ways to get creative with arts and crafts. I have spent hours upon hours making clay creations. Some of my personally favorite things to make are : Beads, Runes, Bowls, And Incense burners.
Here is a quick totorial on how to make some Runes [ For those of you who don't know what runes are, they are a type of divination, much like astrology, or tarot cards, just fun to learn to read and play around with]

What you'll need
-Clay : Get it at hobby Lobby
-Bowl of water
-Paint brushes, pottery tools
-Towel

You mold the clay by rolling it between your hands they will look like skipping stones , if they are lumpy mold them with fingers, or a paintbrush.
Then decided what alphabet you will use on them, Mine have the elder FUTHARK. You then take a sharp pottery tool, and mold the design of the letters into the clay stones.
Let dry over night, them paint to your liking, using color charts or for fun.

If this really isnt your thing, then look up tutorials on line of how to make beads and other fun things with clay!

...Art on youtube...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=THW32EDJOgY

This is both Fun and Artistic. I believe that color shows more emotion than anything on earth , under music of course.
I don't have much to post on this particular blog, other than we should all try it.

Art, or Not.

I think that graffiti can be some absolutely beautiful works of art. I also believe that it is a totally different kind of art than anything you would find in a museum. when you rid of all the gang work, and rude, disrespectful graffiti , you find some of the most beautiful murals there are. There is indeed a line between what is and what isnt okay.
It is okay on :
Abandoned trains
Abandoned cars
Abandoned buildings
Burnt buildings
Areas that allow (music festivals, places like little five points ect. ect. )

It is NOT okay:
Peoples car
Peoples property in general
Especiallys someones home
New train cars.

Basically its okay in the right places. It is beautiful art.

Diorama

I did my Diorama on religious tolerance. I used COEXIST as my main expression. I am a huge advocate for this because living in the south with a predominantly christian family - I have had a hard time dealing with them since I personally am not Christian. I believe that people should give all the faith they have to the spiritual path they wish to follow and should follow it with there heart- not letting any negative influence from others let them stray from what they desire. I also have an absolutley huge problem with people who believe that earth based religion such as paganism and wicca [which is a branch of paganism, as babtist is to christian] are devil worshiping religions. This is an uneducated statement and belief. Paganism is a prechristian religion, and does not believe in the christian devil therefore they would NEVER worship it, Rather they worship the over all energy and power of earth. I think that my diorama is a bold statement since some religions are taught to be defensive and preach what they believe to others, but in this world we absolutely must learn to tolorate other religions, and more than anything have respect about it.

My best friend Ginny, The dancer

When I met Ginny In 9th grade, she told me she was good at 2 things :Politics and Dancing.
Ginny told me that she had been dancing her whole life and for A while i didnt understand. I thought oh- she is a good dancer. Then one day I saw her dance. I felt like i was at a professional ballet, every move she made was filled with grace and poise. She was gliding, almost flying with the moves she made. Ginny only does Ballet & Ballroom, and I never thought Ballroom dancing could be the least bit interesting until i saw Gin dance around the room in 6 inch heels completely flawlessly. Dance usually comes right along with music, which to me are two things that are just bleeding with emotion. When Ginny dances - or anyone dances- it shows struggle, strength, emotion, and human nature. When Ginny is upset, she dances- i have seen her dance on car roofs, playgrounds, and pool-tables- its just part of her, its her art expression.

Why I believe this Film is a work of art.

Lord of the Rings Trilogy.
Although all the beauty of the films were only made possible because the Brilliant J.r.r Tolkien - the people working on set of these movies totally created another world. The set, costume, makeup , and prop designers did such a great job. The movie displayed several races, and regions- all of which were totally completed for the movie. This movie portrays human struggle, emotion, weakness, strength, and many other things that make this movie a work of art, along with one of the most beautiful musical scores ever made.

The World of Fashion.

Okay, this is my first blog for Introduction to Art. On the syllabus this is called "Fashion as Art".
I would just like to say that self expression is very much an art, and fashion is just a way of self expression. Some people are afraid to step out of the their comfort zone, and comfort colors- some people only wear black all the time, some never wear bright colors, some refuse to dress in anything other than jeans and tee shirts, but none the less fashion is an art. Fashion designers are artist just as are Interior designers, graphic designers, and any other kind of designers there are in the world, so you all we are , is a walking gallery displaying the work of fashion designers everywhere. The picture of the girl at the bottom- wearing her bright yellow skirt added to a bright shirt of another color brings something different to a room than a girl in black . Fashion right now is not the only fashion that is art, just because neon, plaid, and animal prints are in right now ,does not mean that the fashion from the 20's, 30's, 40's, 50's, 60's , 70's, 80's , and 90's were not just as artistic as what we are wearing today.LET IT BE KNOWN fashion is not just clothing, but it is also accessories, Make up and Hair. You would be surprised the art you can
make with makeup.