The Contralto

Art Appreciation  

Imagine the elegance of the art deco operatic sculptures, known as "The Tenor" and "The Contralto," at the end of the reflective pool leading to the Hall of State at the 1936 Texas Centennial Exposition at the Dallas Fair Grounds.

Unfortunately, the original sculptures, which were designed by Lawrence Tenney Stevens, disappeared soon after the 1936 expo--it is thought the original sculptures may have been made by plaster. Recently, David Newton recreated the sculptures that helped complete the restoration to the spectacular elegance of yesteryear.

This photo was taken on April 21, 2012 in Dallas, Texas, US, using an HTC PH44100.                 

Sources: http://www.dallasnews.com/news/community-news/dallas/headlines/20091203-Esplanade-Fountain-at-Fair-Park-expected-6927.ece; http://www.dallasparks.org/FairParkNews/Spring2007/FPStory2.html

Generalizations

"All generalizations, including this one, are false." - Mark Twain

Source: "Guilt by Association," Uncle John's Heavy Duty Bathroom Reader, 2010, Pg. 102

Crazy Penguin

One of my son's art.

Shana Zimmerman

Art Appreciation

I picked up the essential guide, a publication of arists in the Santa Fe and Taos area, at the Visitor Info Center in Raton, New Mexico, and came across the Green Room VI by Shana Zimmerman.

The painting is of a young lady leaning over a counter staring out at what appears to be a window. Looking at the painting I thought of the many things she might be thinking about or what events she experienced that day.

I appreciate the use of shades and colors to express the subject's feelings.

Green Room

Source: http://www.joewadefineart.com/zimmerman.shtml; http://www.shanazimmerman.com/, http://tucsoncitizen.com/morgue/tag/calendar-visual-arts-local/page/10/, the essential guide: Santa Fe & Taos, 2011 - 2012, 22 Edition.

Marion Post Wilcott

Photography Appreciation

Marion Post Wilcott was known for her photography that captured poverty and deprivation during the Great Depression.

I came across this photo while searching the Commons for photos of Mark Twain. The caption for this photo reads "Boys fishing in a creek in Souther U.S.A. bayou near the school. Cajun childrne of Terrebonne, a Farm Security Administration project, Schriever, La."

When I was in school, I was taught a photo should tell a story. This could easily tell a story. Perhaps one of Huckleberry Finn and Tom Sawyer.

Boys fishing in a bayou, June 1940

Source: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marion_Post_Wolcott; http://www.loc.gov/pictures/resource/fsac.1a34360/

Limor Matisis Barnea

Art Appreciation

Former ballet instructor, Limor Matisis Barnea is recognized for her realistic paintings of landscapes and models.

I came across one of Limor's intimate painting of a lady laying naked on her bed looking at her reflection from a mirror.

You can see more of her work at her website HERE.

A Road in Canada Park 1, 2006

Nude in front of a Mirror, 2006

Female Nude, 2003

Sources: http://www.icollector.com/Limor-Barnea-Matisiss-Israeli-Art_i8370170; http://www.icollector.com/Limor-Barnea-Matisiss-Israeli-Art_i8370160; http://www.hammersite.com/RequestBid/3022.aspx; http://www.matisis.com

Lyudmila Agrich

Art Appreciation

Since I was young, I have been fascinated by impressionist such as Henri Matisse, Claude Monet and Edgar Degas. So it shouldn't be a surprise that I can find appreciation in Lyudmila Agrich's work.

Her Monet ala Degas-esque oil painting of a ballerina caught my attention when flipping through The Essential Guide magazine. The viewer is placed in the recital hall with the young ballerina as she stretches her legs before performing.

Final Rehearsal via Joe Wade Fine Art

As I researched the painter and her work, I found a beautiful painting of sunflowers and a sensual painting of a naked woman in front of her vanity.

Toward the Sun via smithkleingallery

Red Velvet via Lyudmila Agrich's Picasa

You can see more of her work HERE.

Sources: http://www.joewadefineart.com/agrich.shtml; http://www.ishahealing.com/Portals/22/Exhibitions/Art%20from%20the%20Former%20Soviet%20Union/Brochure.pdf; http://smithkleingallery.blogspot.com/2011/08/impressionism.html; The Essential Guide: Santa Fe & Taos, 2011 - 2012, 22 Edition.