EXTRA CREDIT

Gwendolyn Lane

Professor Brew

EXTRA CREDIT

May 10, 2007

It appears that the color relationship of the titles in the "Assignments" lists in Blackboard are representative of color properties relating to the "subtractive" process of how color behaves when artists work with mixing pigments, or paints. This process occurs "when pigments of different hues, [or name of the color according to the category on the color wheel such as a pure primary color such as, red, green, or blue] are mixed on a gray value scale where the resulting color values [shades of light and dark existing in seamless continuum from white (the highest value) to black (the darkest value) (Getlein p. 92)] are darker and duller, because together they absorb even more colors from the spectrum. Thus, when a hue is lighter than normal value, it is called a tint; and, when a color is darker than its normal value, it is called a shade. For example, a red and green pigment will mix to produce a grayish brown or a brownish gray pigment." (96)

Thus, it appears that the color, or pigment, for the Intro week is brown or a mixture of red and green; week two seems to be a mixture of blue and yellow hues producing the color light green color; week three seems to be a mixture of red and blue hues producing the shade, or darker value, maroon; week four seems to be a mixture of red and yellow hues to produce the color orange. However, weeks five and six seem to be a lighter value, or hue of the primary color blue, producing the color light blue; week seven seems to be a mixture of red and blue pigments producing the color purple; weeks eight and nine seem to be a yellow-orange shade of lighter value, or hue, and appears to be the hue brown. It seems that week ten is black, a non-color, the darkest value; week eleven is the same color as week three, maroon; weeks twelve and thirteenth are the same as Intro week one, brown; week fourteenth is the same as week ten, black; and finally, weeks fifteenth and sixteenth are the same color as weeks eight and nine, a light value of yellow-orange shade of the hue brown.

WORK CITED

Getlein, Mark. Living With Art. 8th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill 2008.

ART101 Final Exam - Museum Paper - RE-DO

Gwendolyn Lane

Professor Brew

ART101

May 8, 2007

Museum Paper

In comparing and contrasting two art works located at the National Gallery of Art Online, I chose the following paintings from the permanent collection. Both of these works were created during the Industrial Revolution in the Postimpressionism period between 1880 and 1910 by Vincent van Gogh, a nineteenth century Dutch artist. The first work, The Harvest (1888), Van Gogh used pen and brown ink over graphite paper medium. (Figure 1. center) The second work, The Emperor Moth (1889), Van Gogh used oil on canvas medium. (Figure 2. right)

In the first drawing, "The Harvest," Van Gogh seems to have used his unique artistic style with a quill pen made from tail or wing feathers from a goose, swan, or crow in which the tip was cut to an angle for a fine or broad point to employ his artistic style or, technique of applying thick applications of black ink with dynamic brushstrokes. Also, in "Harvest," he appears to have employed another style, or technique [similar to pointillism] of using a variety of straight lines, dashes, and dots to depict the rough texture of the wheat crop and the stacks of wheat within the wheat field, the smooth surface of the ground and the road that is positioned up the center within the entire outdoor landscape. This piece seems to be in scale in two-point linear perspective to the distant foreground in which the town, railroads, and houses along the horizon look smaller and further away than the figures in the front sketched in thick brown ink. It seems that he also used a variety of straight lines and dashes in different sizes to build value, or a degree of lightness and intense energy within the massive asymmetrically balanced landscape composition. In "Harvest," the theme of art is representational as it depicts a somber mood of art in the here and now. It also seems to be realistic as it portrays art in daily life of farmers and peasants who worked long hours in the wheat fields in the French countryside.

In contrast, the second work by Van Gogh entitled, The Emperor Moth (1889), seems to have been created from a special pallette of primary colors in oil on canvas medium (Fig. 2 - Right). It is also representational of the theme of art in nature. Van Gogh may have painted "Emperor" from a quick sketch or memory because the subject matter, titled figure 's elusive nocturnal nature. While Van Gogh employs the same visual elements in both works (color, line, space, mass, texture, shape, and light), this second work seems more lively, realistic, and colorful as it appears he used a variety of complementary color harmonies for a cool appearance in the background of green, green-blue; and in contrast to the warm colors in "Harvest," he directs our attention to the three yellow-green colored hues positioned centrally, between the moth and the cluster of red berries that direct out attention to the top of the frame surrounded by a variety of the foliage in geometrical shapes that are attractive in combinations that add intensity within the entire asymmetrically balanced work. Thus, he seems to have produced a more naturalistic and intense mood of the subject matter figure [moth]. Van Gogh's "Emperor" is representational of the subject matter, the moth, in the here and now theme of art in Nature.

The "Emperor" is in contrast with "Harvest," where Van Gogh employed less color combinations to represent the wheat field. It appears that he used the value of light, texture, and intensity by applying thick and thin brown and black dynamic straight lines in combination with yellow-orange hues in straight and diagonal lines to represent a ripened wheat crop. By using the yellow-orange hues throughout the piece it adds implied light for sunlight and gives the overall piece a warm appearance. However, his use of a black ink created a somber mood. He was experimented with new forms of expression in his large asymmetrically balanced composition seen here in two-point linear perspective. Van Gogh pioneered a change in the wake of the pictorial revolution brought about by Impressionism. According to our textbook (Getlein) the similarities and differences between the artistic style seen in these two works, Van Gogh use of basic elements and design principles of design, including, vivid colors and geometrical shapes in his technique representative of the Impressionism movement that originated in France during the 1870's and associated with the Industrial Revolution which changed how artists used color, how color was applied, and a particular use of subject matter. Both works support the design principle of an asymmetrically balanced composition suggesting the use of "direct expression" -- creative process from brain to hand by the artist, in contrast to a seated or posed piece that required the subject figure to sit for hours or days in these large compositions.

In conclusion, in both "The Harvest" and "The Emperor Moth," Vincent van Gogh, a Dutch Postimpressionism period artist expresses his personal artistic style of dynamic brushstrokes, tiny broken brushstrokes in dashes and dots, and the use of a special pallette of primary colors. His style also defines the movement and style during the late nineteenth century that is associated with the Industrial Revolution that was a time for change out of the dark ages into industrialized methods and ways of thinking. Postimpressionism in the arts evoked expressing freedom of the moment or creating from a sketch or memory as in these two theme of art in the here and now art in daily life and in Nature outdoor scenes. I am emotionally touched by the "Emperor" because it is more colorful and more clearly defined with contour lines outlined by black ink line and thick dynamic brushstrokes to capture the cool mood of the moment. I feel good as I view them because they both are aesthetically beautiful as artistic works of art that are reflective as asymmetrically balanced compositions.

WORK CITED

"Artcyclopedia." Postimpressionism. 18 May 2007.http://www.artcyclopedia.com/

Getlein, Mark. Living With Art. 8th ed. New York: McGraw-Hill, 2008.

Hacker, Diana. Handbook for Writers. 6th ed. New York: MLA, 2003.

Creative Blog #10 - Art In My Life

According to our course text, this photo image shows many the visual elements and design principles, including color, line, shape, space, texture, balance, and unity, etc. The architects who design museums use space within the interior to create a dynamic visual that gives definition to the exhibitions displayed in the galleries. (Getlein 106).

This photo is a view of the interior of The National Museum of Women in the Arts. It seems to have a calming effect as it shows basic design elements of shading and contrasting geometrical forms in the beamed ceilings and the circular design pattern on the floor. The image is symmetrically balanced and very inviting. As a female art student, I found the photo interesting and hope to visit this museum in the future. Originally, I read this interesting and enlightening article in Washington Post newspaper's Sunday Section: ART N3. Online photo caption: Courtesy: WashingtonPost.com (link below): "The National Museum of Women in the Arts: Will progress make it obsolete? (The National Museum of Women in the Arts)"

WORKS CITED

1. Getlein, Mark. "Living With Art." Eighth Ed.New York, NY McGraw-Hill (2007). 27 April 2007.

2. Hornaday, Ann. "A Place of Honor, or of Confinement?" The WashingtonPost.com. ARTS N3. URL at:http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/04/20/AR2007042000389.html. 22 April 2007.

Peace

Gwendolyn

Creative Blog #9

The Petronas Towers (1998)

I found the movement, style and period of these interestingly connected to the early 20th Century Art Deco art period between 1920 and 1939, as the architect, Cesar Pelli, created the floor plans for the Petronas Towers in traditional Islamic design.

They are considered one of the tallest buildings in the world, 10 meters higher than the Sears Towers, USA. Completed in 1998, the 21st century buildings are identical with 88 floors, 1,483 feet high, shaped like an 8-pointed star, and at the 42-floor, a bridge connects the two. They have tall spires on top and have been called spiral pillars that point heavenward. They are located in Kuala Lampura, Maylasia. (Courtesy: Architecture Pictures - World's Tallest Buildings - Petronas Towers: http://architecture.about.com/od/skyscrapers/ig/World-s-Tallest-Buildings/Petronas-Towers-.htm. Photo: Copyright. iStockPhoto/Robert Churchill

These heavenly visions evolved from the geometric forms of the 20th century Art Deco period - Paris in 1925 where it originated. According to our textbook, one of the first skyscraper's (buildings over 1,000 feet) of the 20th century was William Van Alen's Chrysler Building that was completed in 1930 - the height of the Machine Age, modernism style. (Getlein, 336)

Peace,

Gwendolyn

Creative Blog #8: The Van Gogh Museum

The Vincent van Gogh Museum

My artist of choice in ART101 is Vincent van Gogh and our recent assignments relate to purpose and function of a building's architectural design, style and movement. Here is my brief presentation of The Vincent van Gogh Museum located in Amsterdam.

It is housed in two separate buildings, the main one was designed by a Dutch architect and completed in 1973. Its modernistic style has many wide open spaces which lets the natural sunlight into an atrium and the museum galleries.

The Exhibition Wing was designed by a Japanese architect and opened in 1999. It is known as a delightful combination of West's "rational geometry" and East's "Eastern asymmetry." "Visitors enter through a passage under the Museum Square (Museumplein), and step into the Promenade of the Exhibition Wing, which forms an ellipse around a shallow, enclosed pond. The result is stunning."

Photos: Bottom photo image view. Courtesy: Amsterdam - Van Gogh Museum Amsterdam Museum at: www.amsterdam.info/museums/van_gogh_museum/ ; and, Top photo image view. Courtesy: Van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam at: www.aviewoncities.com/amsterdam/vangoghmuseum.htm

Peace,

Gwendolyn

Activity #14: Write About It! - RE-EDIT

Movement, Style, and Period

The first work, "The Harvest" (1890) Pen drawing over graphite, was created by Vincent van Gogh during the Post-impressionism period (1880-1910) in France. Van Gogh, along with other artists sought new forms of expression in the wake of the pictorial revolution brought on by the Impressionism period. Van Gogh employs pointillist style in dynamic brushstrokes, thick application of straight lines, and dots and dashes. "Harvest" seems to reflect a style shift - from from his darker manner to a style heavily influenced by divisionism or, pointillism. Van Gogh's style also include emotional intensity as he sought elemental truth through the inner world of the psyche. While post-impressionism period cannot be called a movement, it did provide the vital and creative link between the impressionist revolution and the emergence of all the major art movements in the 20th century (Getlein).

The second work, "The Emperor Moth" (1889) Oil on canvas, 33.5 x 24.5 cm, was also created by Vincent van Gogh in France during the post-impressionistic movement or period. "Moth" is a realistic style that seems similar to the first art movement in the 19th Century known as Realism. It depicts "the everyday and the ordinary, rather than the historic" as Van Gogh seems to escape the abstract in his tortured mind. It seems that Van Gogh employs his famous style of dynamic brushstrokes in the content and form of the subject matter along with thick applications of paint to create a lively image. His style of expression is representational and naturalistic as seen here in atmospheric perspective, view from above. Van Gogh employs a pure pallatte of complementary color harmonies of red and green to capture a fleeting moment in time in the life of this beautiful nocturnal creature.

Thus, the artistic style of both pieces by Van Gogh is characteristic of the Post-impressionism movement. Vincent van Gogh's style is dynamic brushstrokes, thick applications of paint, and use of a special pallatte in composing his works of art.

WORKS CITED

1. Amsterdam - Vincent van Gogh Museum, Amsterdam Online. URL: http://www.amsterdam.info/museums/van_gogh_museum. (2007).

2. "Art Periods: POSTIMPRESSIONISM in France" at URL: http:www.discoverfrance.net/France/Art/postimpressionism.shtml. (2007).

3. Getlein, Mark. "Living With Art" Eighth Ed. McGraw-Hill 2007. (2007).

4. The National Gallery of Art Online. URL: http://www.nga.gov/. (2007).

Peace,

Gwendolyn

Reverse Ekphrases

Reverse Ekphrases by Gwendolyn (2007). Crayola on white paper.

Pieter de Hooch's "The Bedroom" (1658-1660) Oil on Canvas. Courtesy: National Gallery of Art. Washington, D.C.

Fawn's Ekphrases

This painting focuses on a mother and a daughter in a room. The doorway to

the inside of the room is centered along the vertical axis of the painting. The

medium is oil on canvas and was created in 1658/1660. It was painted by a

Dutch artist. There are uses of primary and secondary colors. Such as a red

tablecloth on a brown table with dark color vase sitting on top. The chairs are

dark brown with yellow diamonds. The walls are gray and tan. The mother is

wearing a red shirt with a dark color skirt and a white bonnet. The young girl

is wearing a dress that is brown at the top and yellow at the bottom. The floor

is a reddish-orange brick color in a square formation. The young girl is

standing in the doorway holding the door handle and is glancing at her mother

(I assume) while smiling. The mother is folding a greenish-yellow cloth and

smiling back at her daughter. Above the doorway there is a small painting,

with a brown frame and the picture is blurred. If you look through the

doorway you can see another door leading outside and a window to the left

of that outside door. That door has two parts(top and bottom opens

separately)and is open allowing sunshine into the house along with the light

coming through the windows. The balance of this painting is asymmetrical;

the left side is fuller than the right.The mother is standing on the left side and

little girl is slightly to the right of the vertical axis. The sides are brought

together by the light shining in from the right and through the doorway. The

theme of the painting is of human experience and is representational;

descriptive of a work of art that depicts forms in the natural world. The artist's

style is from the Dutch genre; French meaning scenes showing people at work,

play, or rest. He popularized the style of painting. Some describe this style as

cinematic people.