. . . the power of the spoken word is in the power of the word spoken.
~ Ibram X. Kendi, describing Professor Ama Mazama in How to be an Antiracist
Aug30
Monday Morning Wisdom #325
Monthly Archives: August 2021
Aug29
From the Creator’s Heart #322
Aug28
Weekly Photo Challenge: In the Shade
More 2021picoftheweek.
Aug28
Pieter Bruegel the Elder
Pieter Bruegel the Elder (1525-1569) is considered the greatest Flemish painter of the 16th century. He is especially known for his landscapes and his depictions of peasant life. Some of his work also included religious themes.
Here is a quick overview of his work:
In 1551 or 1552, he traveled to Italy, as was customary for northern European artists of the time, since Italy was the artistic center of Europe. During his travels he was exposed to landscapes so different from his home in the low country. His observations of the mountains are skillfully captured in his subsequent landscape paintings. (See the top two paintings above.)
His paintings often include many figures, each unique and none prettified.
What does it say about me that my favorite paintings of Bruegel’s are the ones that remind me of Hieronymus Bosch, one of Bruegel’s influences?
Bruegel was an apprentice of Pieter Coecke van Aelst, and married Coecke’s daughter, Mayken, in 1563. They had two sons, Jan and Pieter, who also became painters. The sons are known as Pieter Bruegel the Younger (to distinguish him from his father) and Jan Bruegel the Elder (to distinguish him from his son, also a painter).
A video about a show of Bruegel’s work in 2018 in Vienna:
Aug27
Creative Juice #257
Lots of artsy stuff this week.
- Cute animal pictures.
- The rainbow hummingbird.
- Artists warm up.
- When this author was a teenager, she submitted a horror story as an assignment.
- If you like quilts, photography, and travel, you’ll love Francesquilts’ Instagram page.
- Hand-lettering in watercolor.
- One artist’s journey.
- I love this sketch artist’s work.
- I am really impressed by these seven book recommendations from someone who’s already read 36 books this summer.
- The new astronomy museum in Shanghai looks like a flying saucer.
- A photographer comments about an ancient grave marker.
- A couple turns a dead tree into a gnome home.
Aug26
Video of the Week #320: Central Park’s Sordid History
I LOVE Central Park, but I didn’t know its history. We need to think carefully before we displace people.
Aug25
Wordless Wednesday/ Flower of the Day: Canal Path with Lantana
More FOTD.
Aug24
Fun with Homemade Foam Stamps
Last week I read an article by Alice Hendon about making foam stamps. I have long been a fan of Nathalie Kalbach, who designs rubber and foam stamps, and who posts her wonderful creations on her website. So when I read Alice’s article, she made the process seem so simple, I thought maybe I could do it. I knew I had an inkpad somewhere, but I couldn’t find it, so I visited Amazon and ordered this adorable set of inexpensive inkpads. (I have supplied the link purely for your information; I am not an Amazon affiliate, so I do not earn any commission.)
After watching that, I was ready to try making my own stamps. I liked the angular stamp Sarah made first, so I made one like that, the same size as my stamp pad.
Then I thought I needed some round shapes, so I cut out two circles, then cut them into quarters. I used the green ink pad and layered it on top of what I had so far:
Then I cut some wavy lines, inked them with blue, and put them over the top:
Eh. I think that may have been too much. But it was fun to try, and I will definitely use them again, and make more. Next, I’d like to make a scallop design similar to ones I’ve seen on Nathalie’s site. I’ll definitely post more when I make more.
And if you try making your own foam stamps, let me know!
Aug23
Monday Morning Wisdom #324
When you see something that is not right, not just, not fair, you have a moral obligation to say something, to do something. Our children and their children will ask us: ‘What did you do? What did you say?’
~ John Lewis
Aug22
From the Creator’s Heart #321
ARHtistic License 