Gentle Art

"Mrs  Richard Yates" (detail), Gilbert Stuart 1793

Hand stitching looks such a gentle art. 

Done with skill it can create rich decoration, 3d forms and invisible bonds. 

I've always loved textiles and fabric crafts but often lacked the patience required for good hand sewing.

 My body tense, fingers sweating, stitches tight and far from invisible. 

As with any craft, of course, the secret lies in learning the appropriate techniques

 and using the right materials and tools for the job. My number one favourite thing is learning new skills - or learning just how to do something well.  

I love to see the hand of the artist like here in the beautiful brush strokes and tones of this

 detail from a Gilbert Stuart painting.

Soft reflective sheen from the silk dress and cloth. 

Dexterous, elegant fingers working in fine detail. 

The full portrait of Mrs Yates is not very flattering, however.

I don't think the 18th &19th century fashion for frilly bonnets did mature ladies any favours.

A source of much enjoyment for Rodney Pike in his not-so-gentle art.

Chillin'

Roofs Summer Night, John Sloan 1906

The heatwave here has been a wonderful change from the summer weather of recent years.

Kids camped out in the garden and all windows wide open.

 Brings neighbours closer

 - not as close as this NY scene though.

Black, White & RED,RED, RED!

CHICK from Mayki on Vimeo.

Terrific style!

Derbyshire

Despite the haze it was a thrill to see hills. To drive and then walk amongst them.

In my photographs I just have not captured the beauty of those layers of land fading into the distance. 

 In the "Dark Peaks" there are strange rocks scattered on the tops - giant pebbles.

A bit of a climb up hill.

A little stone shelter decorated inside with tiny tiles. 

 And my favourite ...... 

 And a beautiful, welcome seat.

 



Kat Corrigan

I love Kat Corrigan's use of colour and her loose brush marks to portray these animals. Check out her blog and her "Dog a Day" for July.

Here are some of my favourites

Gus

Jet



Lulu





Tyler



More Fishes

Testing some new lino cuts before I use them on clay.

These have all been cut from a much softer material than the traditional brown or grey lino. It is much easier to cut and great for smooth lines and curves. It can be difficult to remove bits, however, as they need to be cut completely they won't just break away.

The great thing about this stuff is that it bends so easily so it should be good on clay pieces.



Flying Hare

I tested my new lino cut today.

 I intend this plate to be pressed into clay and then I'll inlay with coloured slips - oxides too maybe.

 He certainly has hare's ears but he looks a bit prettier than I intended, a bit cute.

 I've since made a couple of changes to his muzzle.



Solipsist

SOLIPSIST from Andrew Huang on Vimeo.

Amazing, beautiful and a bit grotesque.

You may feel better after watching how the film was made.



SOLIPSIST - Making Of from Andrew Huang on Vimeo.

sculpture

sculpture, a photo by Rover's Eye on Flickr.

Some beautiful photographs of great sculpture from Flikr.

Miquel Aparici

Time for some more "hound art".

The elegant lines and patina of these various old pieces suit the subject so well.

Miquel Aparici's website contains many such characterful creatures in 3D and 2D.

I love to see artists bring inanimate objects to life. There's something special about seeing the potential in an object or a shape and using your imagination to create something new,

as does David Kemp . 

 Remember these hounds?.

I love the playfulness of these artists.



Mostly Prints

Mostly Prints, a photo by Rover's Eye on Flickr.

Some of my favourite prints from Flickr

Huntress 2

George de Forest Brush

What a lovely hound!



Broomhill Sculpture

In the summer I visited Broomhill Sculpture Garden.

I do enjoy photographing sculpture as it stays still and you can often circle pieces to find interesting angles.

Yulia Podolska

Louise Gibson

A gentile setting in the grounds of "Broomhill Art Hotel" in North Devon. Quite a shock to turn a corner a come across this character and this scene.

 Mike Roles

Sorry I don't know the artist - made from plastic bottles.

Alain Kurylo

 I found this 1926 magazine on a market stall at the weekend.

Well out of date humour but beautifully drawn illustrations.

Expressive characters.

Movement created with vigorous confident lines.

When something like this, which was never meant to last for very long, survives for 85 years I feel it's really special. 

Dog's Life II

 More dogs in Art

All from "Livre de Chasse" Gaston Phoebus.

The original book dates from the 1380s.

These illustrations are from subsequent 15th century editions created.

The love of the animals shines through.

Charming!

 "The noble hound".