I was wondering if anyone feels they might benefit from being part of an art group specifically for those here. I'm an artist, though I have to admit to you that I've produced absolutely nothing for ages due to being ill and in hospital, not having anywhere to exhibit for aeons and generally being extremely knackered out most of the time. But then I started thinking maybe I could do something positive about it. I've worked within what's called the 'Arts in Health' sphere and done a lot with things like colour therapy. I'd also like to say that you don't have to be rich to make art. I've done a whole exhibition made from recycled materials. It's all about taking yourself to another place for a while and having a bit of messy fun. No judgemental rubbish or anything like that. And if you don't think you're able to draw anything that looks remotely like what it's supposed to look like, well, that doesn't matter either. I think that maybe for starters you might like to message me if you are interested and then I'll try and work out a little programme. Just for us. Let me know what you think. Rainy X
More holiday inspiration. This time on the abstract side by the American abstract expressionist Helen Frankenthaler. Painted in 1959. This is rather big and very striking up close. Helen was known for her abstract work on unprimed canvasses and was working alongside contempories such as Jackson Pollack. At art school we all had fun replicating her techniques and getting covered in paint. Happy days. Rainie x
'Beach Horse' by Helen Frankenthaler
Time to push the art thread up the charts I think. Let's rustle up another holiday snap from the art archives. This one is by John Singer Seargent and was painted in 1878. 'Oyster Gatherers of Cancale'. Love the light on this one. Very typical of his work. Enjoy. Rainie x
Next up is this one by Howard Hodgkin simply called 'Beach'. Well it couldn't be anything else could it? Painted in 2015-16. It's by one of the bad boys of Abstract Expressionism. Howard certainly raised a few eyebrows in his time, but I rather like his stuff. It's so direct and in your face. I particularly loved how he painted the picture frames and made them part of the picture. He did quite a few on Venice and the colours are really lush. I rather think that Howard might have had a naughty time in Venice! Hope that some of you will soon be on a beach. Don't forget to post your beachy pictures here. Rainie x
