Stories in Art

Change in Seasons

2010-11-07T07:54:00.001-08:00

Art: Deux Femmes Dans une Clairere by
Louis Dericks : 1864

The quick change in weather inspired this piece. I just love viewing this on a cold day, when it's warm inside :).

MAGIC

2010-09-27T20:18:00.000-07:00

Art: Indigo Fairy by Julie Fain

First I must say, by "magic" I do not mean the literal sense of the word. But really it's that feeling of something extraordinary, for lack of a better word.

This piece makes me feel that feeling and also because I just got engaged last month. So I'm still in that magical feeling phase. So I felt this was the perfect piece to post at this time.

Isn't there something that makes life feel "magical" to you, that feeling that is indescribable?

Movie Tribute - "Wolfman"

2010-08-07T14:51:00.000-07:00

Art: Moonlit Night by Ivan Aivazovsky : 1849

So, I believe this is my first movie tribute. I decided to post this because I got the dvd "Wolfman" and I'm seeing it tonight.

If you hadn't known already, I love, love, horror movies. And when I saw this piece it reminded me of the movie.

It's ironic, because I believe it is when there is a full moon that the "werewolf" makes it's appearance.

Serenity

2010-07-01T10:09:00.000-07:00

Art: Hawaiian Night by Christian Riese Lassen

Is there a specific place that you go to for some serenity? You would think, "How can I find serenity in a place?" "It doesn't "speak" or give words of encouragement!" But it does provide some comfort. And I think this piece shows such a phenomenon.

I am definitely adding Hawaii, as a destination spot on my list really soon :).

Bright Future

2010-05-31T19:54:00.000-07:00

Art: Stetind i tåke by Peder Balke : 1864

Have you ever felt like you were in a desolate place in the present, but you knew that a bright (prosperous) future awaits you?

Well this art piece made me think of this idea. I also saw a great movie (The Road [2009]) on DVD last night, that served as an inspiration for this!

It is a must see! When you do see it, tell me if you saw the relation between it and this art piece.

Community

2010-05-10T12:13:00.000-07:00

Art: Children's Games by Pieter Brueghel

I came across this piece and I really like it. To me it displays what we usually define as a community, whether it's people playing or working together.

It seems busy, busy, busy....and I like that :) !

Nature's Wonders

2010-04-17T10:40:00.000-07:00

Art: Yellowstone by Cathy Busha : 1

The beautiful change in the weather inspired this post. People are now planning more hikes pool parties, or simple picnics in a park. Whatever it is, it feels great to be outside!

Some areas are blessed with marvelous monuments of nature, and this is just one of them.

Uncertainty

2010-04-06T15:38:00.001-07:00

Art: Elaine by Gustave Dore : 1832-1883

Have you ever been at a state in your life where your environment has not changed, but somehow some amount of uncertainty has crept into your life. Something just seems different and you can't understand it, and you are not sure what is going on around you.

This piece somehow reminds me of that. It seems that several explanations can be given for what is occurring here, but how can one be certain?

I really love this piece!

Reality vs. Perception

2010-03-18T18:04:00.001-07:00

Art: The Ghost of Vermeer by Salvador Dalí : 1934

Have you every noticed with some things reality is different from what we perceive?

I will just leave you to ponder on that!

Preservation of Nature

2010-03-02T11:22:00.000-08:00

Art: L'Isola dei Morti by Arnold Boecklin

This will be another one of my shortest posts. Because this piece says more than I can say about its beauty. But enough of my introduction!

Have you visited the greatest/most beautiful natural monuments. They are breathtaking and indeed marvelous. This reminds me of such beautiful natural monuments.

Now I see why preservationists are so adamant about us not destroying them!

Conquering

2010-02-16T08:58:00.000-08:00

Art: Wanderer Above the Sea of Fog by Caspar David Friedrich : 1818

The image says it all really. Conquering something is a really great feeling. Whether its completing milestones in life - finishing college, successful acquisitions - or simply getting over an addiction.

You're on top of the world! Now what?

Dark Days

2010-02-01T13:07:00.001-08:00

Art: A Storm in the Rocky Mountains by Albert Bierstadt : 1866

Honestly, I just "like" this piece. It is not among my stronger "loves". However, it fits so well with how I'm feeling now.

Do you ever feel that you're stuck at a place in life where nothing good seems to be happening? There's no more good news, but you keep getting bad ones. And I know people always say you can be in a worst situation, and I agree with that, but that phrase doesn't seem to make you feel any better.

The point is you're in a "dark" place and sadness may be overwhelming, but I suppose the good news is that there is a calm/brighter day after a storm. So, that's something to hold on to (hopefully).

Waiting Patiently

2010-01-20T10:36:00.000-08:00

Art: Thoughts of you by Jack Vettriano

So, sometimes this is what you have to do when you are not in control of a situation yourself. For instance, perhaps searching for jobs, yes we apply, do follow ups, even go on interviews, but there is always a period of waiting. And I think it is quite better to wait patiently, than to be stressed.

I love this piece, well I love every piece I post! But there is such a calm presence here, and one we all need sometimes.

Contemplation

2010-01-20T10:17:00.000-08:00

Art: Meditation by Rembrandt

So, you may have noticed that I haven't posted any pieces lately. As such, I find that I should post two pieces today. But first I should start with a classic, and one that speaks so clearly on my situation these past few weeks.

For anyone who may be in the current state of looking for a job, in these tough economic times, you can relate to contemplating on whether to change your goals etc.

To keep " a long story" short, as I am posting another piece, I did mention before that I just completed graduate studies. Well that places me among the many job seekers and sometimes the "endless" search makes you just want to go to a "hidden" place for meditation and contemplation. As such this piece to me is a perfect example. Enjoy!

Watching a New Beginning

2010-01-04T09:17:00.001-08:00

Art: Atardecer en Cadaques by Inés Tor

Coming off of the holiday break, I felt the need to post something that reminds me of the dawning of a new year. During the minute between New Year's Eve and New Year's day, some get that feeling of a new dawn emerging. The sign to start life "anew" or "afresh".

This stands as a symbol of that, to me, especially being able to bring in the New Year beside the love of your life.

The Unexplored

2009-12-20T18:55:00.000-08:00

Art: Triglav from Bohinj by Anton Karinger : 1861

This post will probably be the shortest. But this piece is almost so explanatory, based on the title. Can you imagine finding new land that has been unexplored, untouched, just new and "pure"? Well that's what I see in this.

Happy Holidays Everyone!

Destiny

2009-12-14T22:09:00.000-08:00

Art: Camino (The road) by Graciela Quercia

This makes me think about the essence of destiny because this road seems to take you somewhere. And isn't destiny where you are supposed to be? You also never know exactly where you will be, only where you are headed or where you want to be.

It is also great to enjoy the beauty along the way. And what a beautiful scenery this piece provides!

Isolation

2009-12-06T21:52:00.001-08:00

Art: Mañana de otoño by Daniel Pellegata

Do you ever feel isolated? Maybe I should give a simple definition of this because this word is sometimes used in the wrong context. One of the definitions is simply to be separate from others.

This is not always a bad thing, in moderation of course! I completely know about this as I am in the middle of final exams. But also sometimes we just need to be alone or away from the "busyness" of the world.

Having said that, it would seem this is the type of place for some people. It seems quite recluse....and for that, I love it!

I should also add that "Mañana de otoño" means Autumn Morning (if you were curious :) )

Motherhood

2009-11-30T10:20:00.000-08:00

Art: The Heir by Adolphe Weisz

Actually I am not at this stage yet in my life. But somehow thinking about that in the future this piece makes me think of that. There is just something about it....maybe the adoration of the look toward the child that you have carried for so long or that you have waited for so long. There is a special bond there.

Fairytales

2009-11-22T17:35:00.000-08:00

Art: If I Were a Mermaid and You Were a Unicorn by Jim Warren

This is the most whimsical piece I have ever posted. I grew up reading a lot and among those books were fairy tales. This art piece reminds me of all of those combined. There is an element of color, imagination, fun, whimsy, and so many more dream like adjectives.

I really like this piece! It is "light", "beautiful", and makes you want to be there, if only to take a closer look at these magical creatures!

Winter

2009-11-15T17:25:00.001-08:00

Art: Autumn Snow by Kinkade

To be perfectly honest, I am not sure the specific date that winter starts. But it sure feels like winter right now! Therefore I thought it would be fitting to celebrate that by adding this. There are so many great memories we get during this season, with all of the celebrations during this time. So here is a beautiful piece, for a beautiful season! CHEERS!

Art

2009-11-07T17:48:00.001-08:00

Art: Reconstruction of Via Appia, Rome by Giovanni Battista Piranesi : (1720-1778)

I was inspired to post this one because today I saw a showing of Leonardo da Vinci: Hand of the Genius exhibit at the High Museum of Art in Atlanta. Somehow this reminds me of the time period that Leonardo da Vinci was apart of.

It is also amazing to me that the title of this post is "Art"; maybe because everything I post is art :)? However this piece to me somehow is the culmination of everything that is art! What a great piece....artistic indeed!

Fantasy

2009-11-01T11:10:00.000-08:00

Art: Daybreak by Maxfield Parrish

Ok, so I know we just emerged from the Halloween festivities (if you took part in any). And this seems removed from that. On the contrary it actually fits right in :). I know what is equated with Halloween are words like, ghosts, vampires, goblins, costumes, trick - or - treating....and so on. But wait....those 3 first words are actually FANTASIES? Let's see, a fantasy is basically an imagination, a mental image that's unreal. So that settles it, because I don't believe vampires are real, well at least as far as I know.

Anyway......I am feeling a "fantasy" aspect from this art work. It is so beautiful, it somehow feels unreal, like something that could possibly be in an imagination!

Bleak Moment

2009-10-24T15:39:00.000-07:00

Art: Wiatr halny by Stanisław Witkiewicz : 1895

Maybe because I am in such a sad mood this was the most fitting piece to post. I am sure everyone has gone through moments of sadness at some point in their life, whether its losing someone important to you, a breakup or something as simple as a disappointment. In these moments there could be feelings of desolation, coldness, depression, discouragement, and other things (I'm sure you get the idea).

This art work coincides with my mood, it seems cold, sad, dark and one element stands (tree) in the midst of it all.

Pleasant Feelings

2009-10-16T12:30:00.000-07:00

Art: The Road to Versalles by Camille Pissarro: 1870

You may have noticed that my last few posts were on the pleasant side. Maybe it's because I am about to graduate with a Master's degree in a few months and that is an extremely pleasant thought! Conversely that is the same reason my posts have been fewer each week.

In the midst of all of the school work I love surrounding myself with pleasant calming visual pieces. And here is another one that fits in with those. Even the presence of the community and the weather in this work seems pleasant. It seems like just a regular day in "Pleasant Town"!

Warmth

2009-10-05T12:30:00.001-07:00

Art: Winter Sunset by Dubravko Raos

Do you ever think that something makes you feel warm inside. Well looking at this makes me feel this way. Even with the winter surrounding, it feels like being in this area would make you forget all about that and provide you with some feeling of warmth, especially when thinking about entering the house.

It seems so remote, yet inviting. It also invokes some sense of family :).

Serenity

2009-09-25T18:55:00.000-07:00

Art: Ginkaku-Ji; knife/oils; from photo by Werner Forman by Roman B. Romaniuk: 1983 - 84?

Anyone who has experience stress, know that you need something to put you in a place of serenity. That is why I really love this piece. The atmosphere is so serene. If I feel stressed, which I happen to right now, in my last semester of graduated school. I imagine if I were in a place like this, with no worries......and soon I will be!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Reflection

2009-09-17T22:46:00.000-07:00

Art: Miranda -The Tempest by Waterhouse:1916

I know what you may be thinking! This is obviously probably a survivor from a wreckage. And I do see that, but above all this reminds me of times of reflection. Probably because I like to reflect on "things" at a beach.

However you choose to call reflection - pondering, thinking; I'm sure we all do it and have a place where we prefer to be when in moments of reflection.

p.s. I am also curious as to whether there were other survivors....and where is this place? But that's off topic so I won't go further into that.

Exclusion

2009-09-12T09:54:00.000-07:00

Art: Arcadian Landscapes 4 by David Gremard Romero: 2003

Have you ever felt excluded from a place or group? It is within your sight or presence but yet you are still on the outside. In a simpler sense exclusion describes an instance of separation from something. That is what I see with this.

It also reminds me of a previous state in time, when lepers were banned from cities and forced to reside on the outskirts. This was an extreme case, but in today's world exclusion includes many forms. Included in this are the acts of excluding because of class, race, sex, etc. As a saying goes, "Who feels it knows."

Those doing the "excluding" have no idea how it feels to the "excluded".

Hopelessness

2009-09-05T14:48:00.000-07:00

Art: Christ in the Storm on the Sea of Galilee by Rembrandt:1633

Hoplessness can mean many things to different people. It is often used when describing a situation where a goal seems impossible to accomplish, solve, or attain. I see that when viewing this. Can they hold on to their lives through this storm? Does their source of hope truly lie in the ship?

In the Still of the Night

2009-08-30T16:54:00.000-07:00

Art: Nightfall Down the Thames by Grimshaw: 1880

I know.....I know..... the title can be a little corny if you are thinking about the song. But to comfort you a little, the title of this has nothing to do with that song. Do you ever wonder what happens when you are in the deepest moment of your sleep? Well, this painting makes me think of that. I should also mention that this is the second piece by Grimshaw I have posted.....yeah!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Now this means I should explore more of his work.

But, back on point, and to make a "long story short".........the night does invoke the most mysteries. Therefore it is fitting that I add another piece featuring the night! And that's all I have for this one.......a "short" story indeed.

Death II

2009-08-26T15:38:00.000-07:00

Art: Heaven of Angels by Catherine Andrews

Here is another "first"......a part II! I felt the need to do this because if you read the previous post, you may deduce that no one believes in an after life (well probably not to that extreme). However, back to the point, there are assertions made of what happens after death.....Heaven and Hell!

So, here is where this artwork comes in. Along with the view of heaven usually comes the imagery of angels, light, peace and other images that evoke euphoria. I love the lighting especially in this piece and love the imagery. This would definitely "lighten" the idea of death, that is, put a different "spin" on it.

Death

2009-08-21T09:33:00.000-07:00

Art: The Abbey in the Oakwood by Caspar David Friedrich : 1810

Death is indeed one of the mysteries on earth. Does anyone know what happens after this occurrence? Well, that was actually a rhetorical question because I doubt anyone knows. Besides those who have left this earth do not come back to tell us what happens.

The term "death" commonly is associated with "darkness", "a void", "lifeless". Then it is no surprise that's what I think of with regards to this piece. I may also add that all art I post I happen to really really like. So, even though I see such a "grimacing" topic from this piece, does not mean I don't like it. It is enchanting and "draws" you into it's world of darkness and void!

The Pursuit of Knowledge

2009-08-16T19:34:00.001-07:00

Art: "The Astronomer" by Johannes Vermeer

This is, to date, the most famous art work I have posted (well I am 98% sure). I am especially loving including this one because it was requested by my boyfriend.....and I love him dearly.

In addition, this happens to remind me of him! This piece, to me, indicates someone who has a passion for "learning" and discovering "new" theories/ideas. The pursuit of knowledge can indeed be a perplexing activity but one that is always approached with the utmost expenditure of one's attention. This "astronomer" indeed seems very attentive to his work.

Like him my boyfriend is very attentive to his work as an Economist. Economics & Astronomy.......Social Science vs Natural Science.....the pursuit of knowledge gives us all a similarity that brings us all on one path.

Passageway

2009-08-10T18:52:00.000-07:00

Art: Garzas en el amanecer by Jorge Frasca

This is the second piece by Frasca I have posted. Maybe I need to explore more of his work!

Now getting back on point......the story of the "passageway". Well, a passageway, also a path, is a means of passing into, through; or passing out of something. In this instance, if I were in the piece, I would want to know what is beyond the "arms" of these trees. This is quite mysterious! Is there some danger? Is there a paradise? Would not I want to know!

More realistically though, "Garzas en el amanecer means 'herons in the dawn'. Yet again I have ignored the main focal point in a piece. However, a "passageway" is still my story for this viewing!

Tranquility

2009-08-06T13:47:00.001-07:00

Art: "El Rio de Luz" by Frederic Edwin Church: 1877

Now we've gone back to the 19th century with this one. The first thing I think about is peace when viewing this. In fact, I "feel" so much peace, I don't think about anything else regarding this, unlike other art I have posted. As such, I really don't have a story for this one but the resounding word is TRANQUILITY. Even the water is calm in this!

Beyond

2009-08-03T19:07:00.000-07:00

Art: by Jorge Frasca

The title of this piece is unknown, well at least to me :). Nonetheless, I had to add this because I love it!

The first thing I ponder when viewing this is, "What is beyond that village? What lies behind those mountains?"

I find it funny that I completely ignored the village first. I am overwhelmingly captivated by the mountains. However, I can not deny that the village is a great addition; the entire piece is lovely. Yet still I ponder, "What is BEYOND?.......the mountains that is!"

The Journey

2009-07-28T10:50:00.000-07:00

Art: "Sivler Moonlight" by Grimshaw

There is a sense of eeriness in this piece...and I love it! What makes my heart "stop" even more looking at this is that the human in it is a child.

This also kind of reminds me of a horror movie....what awaits this child ahead? Still, what I take from this is the child is going on a journey, either going toward something or running away from something. That is the true mystery of this piece!

A Barrier to Paradise

2009-07-24T09:56:00.000-07:00

Art: "Beacon/Lighthouse" by Hans Werner Sahm

I really like the element of "fantasy" that this piece showcases. I am a little biased because I really love the beach, but without a doubt I can say this is one of the BEST pieces I came across. In other words I can stare at this piece for long periods of time.

There is a paradox in that this is calming when viewing but there is a "danger" showcased. It makes me think also this "hole" is some barrier that when crossed, leads to a land of "paradise"!

What if the earth really was not round?

2009-07-21T12:16:00.000-07:00

Art: "Final Frontier" by George Grie

This reminds me of the time in history when people really thought the earth was flat. Then Christopher Columbus sought out and did prove that the earth was actually round.

If it was flat this would be the picture I would imagine. This piece makes me wonder:

If you were to fall off the side, which type of atmosphere do you fall into? What's at the bottom?

I also feel that the use of lighting also gives a feeling of "approaching the end" or "approaching death".

"Art gives the illusion of another life. When I view art my mind lives the story of the art."