in 'plein-air'...

"in the open air"

Water Lilies, 1916

As the chill subsides in Chicago and I step out into our backyard with a cup of coffee, it's great to feel the freshness in the air and the stillness in the morning.  Our trees are beginning to bloom, the grass is becoming a little more green and the birds are chirping, happily.  I began to think about painting in such a setting, something that does not entirely excite me, but nonetheless appreciating this little haven of nature.

La Grenouillére 1869

I think it is the stillness that caught my attention and being in the idea of being in the 'stillness' as a painter.  My mind trailed to numerous artists and ended at Claude Monet.  To be very honest, I am not the biggest fan but my appreciation has grown with writing this post because like Vincent van Gogh, it is his paintings of his "Golden Years" that we recognize and "love".  

View at Rouelles Le Havre, 1858

But, Monet was painting long before water lilies and haystacks.  

About 30 years before.  

Throughout his painting career, the one constant is the 'stillness' he captures, even when there is movement (ie. ripples in water, life of people).  More so, capturing this moment in "plein-air".  

As an elementary art teacher, writing this, I took a moment to reflect on how often my students sit in the silence of nature, not to paint it, but more so to just look around and be in it.  I ask the same of myself.

As an artist, I find sanctuary in the seclusion of the room in our house that I call my studio.

Still from rare film footage

Although Monet had a studio, it was in

 "plein-air" that he found his 'stillness'.  

I have to admit, I 'love' his paintings of his later years, where his 'stillness' started moving.

Weeping Willow, 1918-1919

Maybe this metamorphosis was due to Monet's own experimentation, 

maybe because he was nearly blind, 

or maybe because 

it was time for something new...

or maybe he wanted us to walk among the roses in a different way...

xoxo, SMocK you.

Here is a quick art project for the kids.

The Rose Walk, Giverny, 1920–22

Garden at Giverny, 1920-1922

van Gogh: more than sunflowers...

Rethinking Vincent van Gogh

I was thinking about spring and the amazing flowers that bloom in the warming weather, coloring the landscapes of backyards and parks.  *sigh*

I live in Chicago and the palette, right now, is less than colorful.

So, I decided to do some "Googling" and find some inspiration of paintings of flowers to brighten this dreary afternoon.  

I found lots!  No surprise. 

 The still life, of vases with flowers, has a strong history within the art timeline and provide amazing examples of the lineage of art movements.  

Bowl with Peonies and Roses, 1886

In the scanning and skimming process, many images were of the infamous "Sunflowers" by Vincent van Gogh.  This, also, is quite common with such a search, but I gravitated towards a painting of peonies and roses.  One of my most favorite flowers is the poofy, full, luscious peony.  The small Google image was not very clear, and as I clicked on the image, I saw it....."Vincent".

I thought to myself, "Wow" and "Wait a minute".

and "Why?"

Oleanders and Books, 1888

Why do most, meaning all, books I have about Vincent for my classroom only talk about his "Sunflowers"?  Why do so many other paintings go unnoticed or are not given the attention they deserve.

Vase with Red Poppies, 1886

I, too, am guilty of the "sunflower" painting.  Just recently, I was trying to come up something different for the "van Gogh" unit. 

All signs pointed in one direction, "A Vase with Sunflowers" (of various numbers).  

Vase with Zinnias and Other Flowers, 1886

Now, I have a fresh perspective and appreciation for our dear Vincent.  Perhaps he was also looking for some color on some dreary days.  

And now, I feel compelled to write a children's book about the many beautiful vases of flowers from Vincent van Gogh.

Vase with Asters and Phlox, 1886

Still Life - Vase with Fifteen Sunflowers, 1888

Want to paint a vase of flowers?  Click here:)

xoxo, SMocK you.