Friday, March 14, 2008
Traditional art from China and Japan on view in New York
For a little while, it’s possible to be immersed in the traditional arts of China and Japan without ever leaving Manhattan. Two current exhibitions offer in-depth looks at Chinese scrolls and the Japanese paintings and woodcuts known as ukiyo-e (the name refers to ukiyo, or “floating world” of leisure and luxury during the 17th and 18th century, which these works depict in loving detail).
“Anatomy of a Masterpiece” is the Chinese scroll exhibition at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The curator of this show, Maxwell K. Hearn, has provided photographic enlargements of details of these paintings, making them much more accessible and dramatic for the uninitiated visitor. Take a quick tour through some of these scroll paintings on the New York Times website.
Meanwhile, over at the Asia Society, delicate paintings and woodcuts introduce us to a world of diversions and delights, populated by courtesans, actors, samurai, and celebrated beauties. This exhibition, “Designed for Pleasure: the Wolrd of Edo Japan in Prints and Paintings, 1680-1860”, is a window on an art form regarded by the Japanese as the predecessor to the current crazes, manga and anime.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Fond memories from a former student
We just received an email from Theresa Quirk, who was delighted to find FAS on the web. Here’s her story:
A long time ago, back in 1968, my dad enrolled me in your art program. I was 12 years old. Sadly, I was unable to finish the Course due to my dad’s sudden death when I was 13. I only began to seriously paint and pursue my art career after 9/11. Now I look back and remember the big FAS books and all the lessons, and I realize those books did have a lifelong impact on me. I feel proud to mention you as part of my artistic growth.
You can see some of Theresa’s work at www.tquirk.com.
Job oppportunity for freelance artists
We just received a request to post the following job opportunity:
Company: Common Ties
Contact: Elizabeth Armstrong Moore, Editor
Email: CT20Questions@gmail.com
Website: www.CommonTies.com
Job Title: Freelance artist
Job Description: Illustrate short stories found on our Orphans page, or submit your own answer and corresponding illustration to any of our 20 Questions.
Requirements: We review all types of media and style – including drawings, paintings, cartoons, photography, collages, etc.
Wages: $50 to $150 per accepted artwork
Times of employment: Ongoing, hours depend on artist’s availability
How to apply: Email your portfolio and artwork, specifying the question and corresponding answer you are illustrating, to CT20Questions@gmail.com
Friday, January 04, 2008
FAS student expresses appreciation
Perhaps the single most valuable aspect of the art instruction provided by a Famous Artists Course is this: the individual and personal relationship that develops between the student and his/her instructor.
One student recently wrote to instructor Hank McLaughlin as follows:
As I send in Lesson 10 I would like to take the opportunity to thank you for all of the effort and time you dedicated to helping me develop my painting skills. You are an excellent teacher with encouraging and positive criticisms that were most welcome. Your thoughtful comments, suggestions and guidance were offered in such a positive manner!
Friday, December 21, 2007
Christmas at the Cloisters
It’s hard to think of a more atmospheric spot for celebrations of Christmas than the Cloisters, home to a rich collection of medieval art and architecture. Close your eyes and imagine the old stone walls and tiny chapels filled with the scent of pine and the sound of soft Gregorian chant. The quiet and peace of a deep winter’s night await in this magical spot.
Wednesday, December 19, 2007
William Steig’s Cartoons and Ogres
The current exhibition at the Jewish Museum in New York, From the New Yorker to Shrek: The Art of William Steig, provides entertainment and enlightenment for kids and adults alike. Steig, a longtime contributor to the New Yorker, is perhaps best known currently as the creator of the lovable ogre Shrek. His book featuring Shrek, which was published in 1990, inspired the popular series of animated films. Steig had a long career as a cartoonist., starting off as a young man during the Depression, when there were many “penny weeklies” which published cartoons and other light-hearted material. His children’s books, many of which have become classics, combine whimsical drawings of lovable farm animals with grown-up ethical and philosophical dilemmas. The exhibition website offers lots of ways to experience Steig’s work, including an interactive online feature and a downloadable recording of Meryl Streep reading from Spinky Sulks.
Friday, December 07, 2007
Beloved paintings have a new home at the Met
The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City has just opened magnificent new galleries to house its collection of nineteenth and early twentieth century European paintings. While the renovation was going on, museum visitors were often disappointed not to be able to see their favorite Cezanne or Van Gogh painting in its usual spot. But now all the beloved works are back on view, and since ten new exhibition spaces have been added, the museum can now exhibit works that have been languishing in storage, along with recently acquired oil landscape sketches by Danish and German artists. What’s more, visitors can now see these works in a chronological way which illuminates this important period in art history—a turning point between the classical and modern eras. The New York Times has provided a slide show of highlights, which only whets the appetite for more!
Thursday, November 29, 2007
Special stamps for holiday cards and letters
It’s that time of year again, when our mailboxes start to fill up with “real” mail—cards and letters bearing holiday greetings. Often the envelopes are festive, and usually they’re made even more so by the images carried on the postage stamps.
Stevan Dohanos, one of the twelve original artists who founded Famous Artists School, was for many years a member of the US Postal Service Stamp Advisory Committee. In that capacity, he advised the Postal Service on stamp design, and actually designed more than 40 stamps. The Postal Service has a Hall of Stamps dedicated to Dohanos, and many of his designs can be found in the collections at the National Postal Museum.
Dohanos was very proud of his involvement with stamp design. “Stamps tell a story of America’s achievement on every level. It is a great challenge to any artist to fill this small space with a big idea,” he said.
One of Dohanos’ favorites among his many stamp designs was this block depicting four antique Christmas toys, issued in 1970 for six cents...a far cry from today’s cost of mailing a holiday card!
Friday, November 16, 2007
Happy Birthday, Rembrandt!
In celebration of Rembrandt’s 400th birthday this year, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York is mounting an exhibition titled The Age of Rembrandt: Dutch Paintings in the Metropolitan Museum of Art. This exhibition offers a once-in-a-lifetime chance to see the Met’s full collection of Dutch paintings on view together—228 in all, including 20 works by Rembrandt. The works date from 1600 to 1800, and you can see many of the images on line, as well as access an audio tour of the exhibition. A great way to celebrate a birthday!
Thursday, November 15, 2007
FAS Student Selling Her Works
“Goldfinch" by Loretta Trefs
(click to enlarge)
A currently enrolled student, Loretta Trefs of Maryland, recently wrote to her instructor, Hank McLaughlin. Loretta was pleased to report her success selling her paintings at a show in September. “I must tell you, I’m as happy as a pig in mud. The show was very successful. I’ve sold eight paintings and have two to finish. In addition, I already have orders for 25 of my little painted hummingbirds.”
Loretta first enrolled in Famous Artists School in 1972, a gift from her husband. Raising children and working as a registered nurse allowed Loretta to paint only sporadically. Loretta lost her husband earlier this year and took up painting again as something to “fill the hours.” She is currently taking an FAS Landscape Painting Course.
As these pictures illustrate, Loretta is not only a skilled landscape artist, but also adept at painting birds.
“Hawk" by Loretta Trefs
(click to enlarge)
“Sea and Sky” by Loretta Trefs
(click to enlarge)
