Tuesday, February 1, 2011

If it's Good Enough for Kandinsky....

"Let's Do Lunch"
30" x 22" watercolor, 2006

"Sea Battle"
Wassily Kandinsky

Kathy Cartwright, author of one of Donna Zagotta's blogs to watch this year, has an interesting discussion of Kandinsky's book, "Concerning the Spiritual in Art." So I thought it would be fun to resurrect an old painting from 2006 when I took Mike Bailey's class "Watercolor Beyond the Obvious" for the first time. In the course of the class on design, we used the same subject matter to explore the various elements of design in 20 full-sheet paintings. Midway through the course, Mike made an assignment of viewing the works by famous artists. I found that I especially liked Matisse, but I liked this painting by Kandinsky. Somehow I am missing the point, because I find the painting joyful, and let's face it, there is nothing joyful about war. That didn't stop me from doing my own joyful version on a more mundane topic. The still life elements are in there, including a bowl, a spatula, and others. Mike was tickled pink with this one and said, frame it!

This painting sold in 2009 at my Open Studio.

13 comments:

Anonymous said...

Hi Mary, Oh what fun! Your painting has a blending of Matisse and Kandinsky; wonderful! I find something compelling about Kandinsky too, but probably not what he meant.

hmuxo said...

Love these colorful paintings. beautiful and unique!!

hw (hallie) farber said...

I think this shows your joy of painting.

Unknown said...

Oh very nice

Autumn Leaves said...

Never a fan of abstract art I must say that I do indeed like these pieces, Mary. The top one is especially full of light and joy!

Anonymous said...

I have to agree Mary that your painting is joyful and light and fun and WONDERFUL!
In looking at Kandinsky's painting, I can see why you were drawn to it... but I like your version better.
I'm not at all surprised it sold!

Mark Sheeky said...

Great! Your work is brighter. A painting about war can be joyful, and still not suggest that is joyful. In a way, that's one good aim of a painting, to remould events in a new emotion.

Unknown said...

Very cool!! What a neat thing to do. I like your hybrid interpretation and you should continue to explore this approach. It's wonderful. Thanks for the nod!

Barbra Joan said...

Mary, I have never liked abstracts or anything close ... but if you don't mind I must try something like this after seeing yours. I have been procrastinating with the watercolor as one look at my blog you can see.. maybe I need a new direction for a while..! I love all this color and happiness that comes through... and of course again you prove that you can do all things .. with all mediums... You are my inspiration.
AGAIN!!

Gary Keimig said...

Great post Mary. You certainly did achieve a Kandisky look.

Mary Paquet said...

Hello friends, and thanks for all your comments. Mark, you comment on remoulding events in a new emotion is thought-provoking. Barbra Joan, I would love to see what you do with abstracts. You have such a lovely sense of design.

My next piece is more common.

Ross Lynem said...

Glad I found your blog! I like these a lot!

Margaret said...

Let's do lunch is SO fun! I'm going to have to try a version of this!