Wednesday 30 March 2011

NORMAN ROCKWELL EXHIBITION - DULWICH PICTURE GALLERY

 DULWICH PICTURE GALLERY - NORMAN ROCKWELL'S AMERICA - END 29 MARCH

Link to Dulwich Picture Gallery

There is a comparison to be made at the Dulwich Picture Gallery, in Dulwich Village, South London, between the work of American artist and illustrator Norman Rockwell and the Spanish painter of the 17th century, Murillo.

If you went to see the Norman Rockwell's America I hope you took the opportunity to look at Murillo's paintings after seeing the Rockwell.  You can still (until end of March) walk down to the end of the gallery and admire the beautiful Vermeer, which is 'A Lady at the Virginals with a Gentleman' on loan from Her Majesty the Queen.  The Vermeer is part of the monthly display of Masterpieces on loan to Dulwich.

First, the Norman Rockwell is full of work that brings a smile to the lips, and a great deal of amused appreciation from the viewers.  I noticed several people pointing out dogs.  You probably know the Saturday Evening Post magazine covers,.  They are famous, and all 323 of them are on display.

More interesting are the actual studies and examples of the originals, which were completed in oils.  A few are in gouache.  Particularly attuned to today's tastes are the studies such as 'The Problem  we all Live With', in gouache and  'Peace Corps in Ethiopia'.  The paint is fluid and yet dense, with texture and freedom of application, brush marks are still there and the colours are still brilliant. They dated from 1964 and 1966. 

Norman Rockwell's early works are also in very good condition, luminous and obviously  owing much to Rockwell's admiration of masters such as Vermeer.  That is why it is so interesting to be able to compare the two painters at Dulwich.

I consider the sentimental subjects and choice of models spoils the work of Norman Rockwell, unfortunately - work which was of course not created to appear in hallowed halls of famous art galleries but to be seen on paper journal's cover, produced weekly, laughed at and then thrown away.

The artist's working method was explained, in particular I read about his creation of 'Charwomen in Theatre', a study of 1946.  Rockwell visited the theatre in New York, made sketches and had a photographer along to do photos of the setting, the seats, the lights and darks.  Back home he had two neighbours posing as the charladies which in the picture are reading the programme, surrounded by bucket and mops.  The colours here again are just delicious, the ladies blocked in freely and the result is tactile and fresh.

There are a lot of little boys, elderly men, sailors, grim old women, dogs, courting couples.  'It's lovely, isn't it?  I heard one young woman exclaim with delight.  For me the illustrated covers of Saturday Evening Post are too twee and 'feelgood', there are too many stock figures, funny animals, faces in grotesque grimace. 

One of the large displays of text which are on the walls of the gallery explain that Rockwell was 'short on malice' and I wonder which painter or illustrator is 'long on malice'?  Maybe a cartoonist such as Gerald Scarf, but malice - with or without - seems a strong word to describe a visual creation.

Now to the Murillos just outside this exhibition.  There they are, two paintings of little boys, one with a cute dog.  Painted in the late 1660s, they are poor boys - they are not lovely, one child smiles.  Apparently Ruskin described them as 'repulsive and wicked children',  and showed  'mere delight in foulness'  (he was a bit weird anyway).  The paintings tell a story, just as the Rockwells do, why is the child with bread being cajoled by the boy with the dog?  You make up the answer.

The Vermeer is different again, bright, crisp shapes of the marble floor, the windows and walls, soft and slightly out of focus figures but no dog, no humour.  You can still make up the ending of the story.  Would you describe this as 'photo-realism'?  It is more real than that.  Its realism with humanity.





Thursday 17 March 2011

AFFORDABLE ART FAIR BATTERSEA PARK MARCH 2011

AFFORDABLE ART FAIR

The Fair is held twice a year in Batteresea Park.  I went last Sunday.  There were a large number of stands belonging to various art galleries.

A few artists were present and I particulary enjoyed talking to Allan Henderson about his work, which I admired.  Allan was at the Barn Galleries stand, from Henley on Thames,  and what attracted me was his display of prints, in a series called 'Reflections'  showing images of rowers and water movement.  One in particular I liked called Portrait of Jack, which takes its inspiration from the Jack flag (usually referred to as the Union Jack).

Since I am at present engaged on a series of sports related oil paintings I am interested in seeing how other artists tackle visual aspect of the sporting world.  Most sporting art seems stuck in the past, but Allan's work is firmly in 2011!  He works with video and sculpture as well as in the print medium.

Allan Henderson's website

Have a look at my other website for more about the Affordable Art Fair

Affordable Art Fair Battersea 2011

Saturday 12 March 2011

REGATTA GIRLS - RED SHOES - HENLEY ROYAL REGATTA

HENLEY ROYAL REGATTA ART GALLERY

The oil painting I wrote about in this previous post:

New Oils Henley Regatta and Legs Series

will not be displayed at the Henley Royal Regatta Art Gallery this coming season (2011).

Royal Regatta information for spectators

Regatta Girls - Red Shoes
I am pleased with the painting, which shows eight girls on the tow path at Henley watching four young men rowing.
The subject of course, is quite imaginary, it is not a depiction of real life, but a wimsical look at the pleasant display of attractive young people that you can see at many sporting and social occasions in the England, if the sun shines in the summer!

Muscleman - Henley Regatta
 The girls in the painting are wearing very short skirts!  As you probably know, those short skirts are not countenanced in the Stewards Enclosure.  Ladies must wear skirts  below the knee.  In real life, these young ladies would not be allowed into the Stewards Enclosure, they can of course walk around in the town, or along the tow path but not, as I said, in the Enclosure.

Pink Blazers - Henley Regatta

Rabbits Guide     See this humorous account of the dress code at the Royal Regatta

REGATTA LEGS - BLAZERS

I will be showing three paintings this year, so if you are attending the Regatta please take time to have a look at them.

Regatta Legs - Blazers

Thursday 3 March 2011

GARDENING - BY THE ENGLISH ARTIST - TOO MANY GARDENING BOOKS?

DO YOU HAVE TOO MANY GARDENING BOOKS?  I DO





 A SUGGESTION FOR YOU - FIVE USEFUL BOOKS

1.  A guide to shrubs and trees (like size, appearance, preferences, hardiness)

2.  Similar information about flowers, perennials and annuals

3.  How to prune - shrubs and trees

4. Planning a vegetable plot, including info on rotation

5. A book of writings from your favourite gardening writer

6. A book about propagation  (well, that's six, you will have noted).

 I better come clean here.  I admit I have far too many gardening books.  I just had a look at them, and realized I have not read most of them, just flicked through, when I needed information.
Of course, they are reference books, in the main, so you really only need to consult them now and then.
Though some remind me of people, for instance ones belonging to parents, uncles.



THE SIX TOP BOOKS I OWN AND RATE HIGHLY:

1.  My notebooks - I have some old ones which I keep, plus the latest one.  For notes, of course.

2.  Planning the  Organic Vegetable Garden by Dick Kitto

3. Pruning by Christopher Brickell

4.  The Propagators Handbook by Peter Thompson

5.  The Adventurous Gardener by Christopher Lloyd

6.  Perennials and their Garden Habitat by Hansen and Stahl

I don't know why I keep all my old notebooks - I suppose I am just a hoarder of stuff.  Then when I want them, I can't find them!  The current one has visited with me to the Trials Field at the RHS gardens, Wisley in Surrey.

ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY WISLEY GARDEN



My favourite writer was Christopher Lloyd, creator of the lovely gardens at Great Dixter in Sussex. 
We went there one day and saw the delightful Christopher from a distance, walking with his beloved sausage dog. 
I felt I knew him so well, from reading his columns in Country Life Magazine, but felt it would be rude to force myself upon him, in his own environment, so I did not speak to him.

Great Dixter Gardens and house

Christopher Lloyd's  columns in Country Life Magazine appeared for many years. 
I couldn't read them regularly because the magazine is very expensive, beyond my budget.  It was produced weekly. 

For a couple of years I had a part-time job at the Royal Society, at Carlton House Terrace near The Mall, and there I had access to the beautiful library there. 
I used to read Country Life in my lunch hour, with great pleasure. 
Unfortunately other sources of Country Life were difficult to find, my local library did not subscribe.
There are many books published by Chrisopher Lloyd, and he is so amusing and witty to read.  A real treasure.

The Organic Vegetable Garden book I bought in America, in New York's Bronx Botanical Garden bookshop.  I was surprised to find it is a British book but edited for the American market.

NEW YORK BOTANICAL GARDEN

Anyway, it is very complex and gives unusual information about rotation using 'fertile strips'  for vegetables.  I try and grow my veg in 'fertile strips' though my strips are not fertile!
The more usual way of growing veg, more fashionable, is to use enclosed plots, about 4 foot wide, they are all the rage on my allotment. 


WHAT ARE YOUR FAVOURITE GARDENING BOOKS?