Influences: Sculptor Alexander Calder

Calder in his Paris studio, 14 Rue de la Colonie, fall 1931. Photograph by Marc Vaux

At the local library I stumbled upon a children's book about Alexander Calder and it brought it all back. The fascination I felt when I first saw his wire work and a video of his Circus. When I saw it at my local museum I had that feeling of gratitude you feel after having experienced something wonderful. I feel that when I'm hiking through a forest, or traveling with my husband. Just so grateful to have had the experience and the knowledge that your life was changed for the better because of it. For those who haven't seen a video of Calder's Cirque I've included it below. It's just charming.

Untitled, 1938

Wood, wire, sheet mtal, string, and paint

81" x 96"

Private Collection

A12975

Alexander Calder is also the creator of mobiles. They are instantly recognizable and so so beautiful. Like watching a cloud drift across the sky.
What artists have influenced you? I'd love to know so please leave a comment!

Influences: Odilon Redon

I bought a magazine today just because as I was flipping through it I saw an article about Odilon Redon. Odilon Redon was a French painter/printmaker who is best known for his Symbolist paintings. I love him best for his pastel paintings of floral bouquets. I stumbled upon an exhibit of his work at the Chicago Institute of Art years and years ago. I was there to see a Monet exhibit and in a little side gallery was this amazing composition with vibrant reds, indigo blues, and a gorgeous composition. A truly pivotal experience for me because not only did it introduce me to the lusciousness of pastels but it also gave me an image of beauty and composition that has been a standard of measurement I've used for my own works.

This afternoon I was thinking about influences and how important they are. Much of my personality today for instance is a result of influences past and present. Experiences, people, places I've visited , and the things I've loved have all changed the way I see, act, and think about other things. More than just passing fancy, these are influences that have become part of the fabric of my being.

It was almost 20 years ago that I happened upon this artist and he still has such an emotional hold upon me that I find myself purchasing a magazine JUST because it contains an article about him and shows some of his work. I've wondered occasionally about the importance of what I do, because really, what I do, is make pretty things. Not even things that people need. Just things that make me happy and reflect my aesthetic. But if a only somewhat famous artist from the 1900's can have such a big influence on me and my work- perhaps my life, my work, and my loves can have a positive influence in the life of someone else. And that gives me a lot of satisfaction.

Beauty in Contrasts

It's cold here. The very dregs of winter, but today we had a little respite. It's sunny, in the 30's and the house is glowing. I seem to observe color better in light like this. One thing I noticed was how my embroidery floss keeper creates this wonderful little color palette.

Sometimes little observations of beauty can seem like unexpected gifts. For a moment you stop and appreciate the world around you. The gift is the moment- for a small bit of time you are totally present and engaged with the world around you. That is part of why I love flowers. A flower in full bloom is at a particular moment in its life cycle. It catches my attention. The Dutch Masters painted beautiful bouquets with flowers that were in all stages of growth. Buds, full bloom, and in the different phases of decay. They were painting time and saw beauty in each stage of it. Perhaps I need to appreciate that because it is white and cold and so very very winter outside, the beauty of color and flowers inside creates such contrast that it arrests my attention. Early Christian churches were actually created plain and unassuming on the exterior so that when one walked in they were amazed by the glorious golden contrast of the interior. It was a comparison that was supposed to exemplify the difference between this life and the afterlife in heaven. It's a wonderful thought!