Andrew Wyeth's art is often associated with the concept of wabi-sabi, a Japanese aesthetic philosophy that values the beauty of impermanence, imperfection, and incompleteness. Wyeth's paintings are characterized by their simplicity, muted color palette, and attention to detail, which contribute to their overall sense of tranquility and quiet contemplation. In this essay, I will explore … Continue reading Where Andrew Wyeth shows a Wabi Sabi Aesthetic
Seeing Wabi-Sabi in Alberto Giacometti’s Work
In utter fascination , I have spent countless hours contemplating the work of Alberto Giacometti, one of the most influential and enigmatic artists of the 20th century. In my opinion, Giacometti's art is imbued with a sense of wabisabi, a Japanese aesthetic concept that celebrates the beauty of imperfection, transience, and the natural world. In … Continue reading Seeing Wabi-Sabi in Alberto Giacometti’s Work
Where we find Wabi-Sabi in Jean-Michel Basquiat’s Art
Jean-Michel Basquiat's art is full of wabisabiness, a concept that derives from Japanese aesthetics that embraces the beauty of imperfection, transience, and the natural cycle of growth, decay, and death. Basquiat's art captures the essence of wabi-sabi through his unique style that blends graffiti, neo-expressionism, and primitivism. His works are a celebration of the imperfect, … Continue reading Where we find Wabi-Sabi in Jean-Michel Basquiat’s Art
Consider the wabi-sabi-ness of Monet’s Lilac Irises
As I stand before Monet's Lilac Irises, I am struck by the subtle beauty and peacefulness that emanate from this painting. The delicate brushstrokes, the soft lilac hues, and the gentle curves of the irises all combine to create a sense of wabisabiness - an appreciation for the imperfections and transience of life. Wabi-sabi is … Continue reading Consider the wabi-sabi-ness of Monet’s Lilac Irises
Why I feel wabi-sabi-ness in Monet’s Soleil Couchant sur la Seine
As an amature art critic and historian, I have always been drawn to the concept of Wabi-sabi. This Japanese aesthetic is based on the beauty of impermanence and imperfection, and it is an idea that I find particularly relevant when considering the work of Claude Monet. In particular, Monet's painting "Soleil Couchant sur la Seine" … Continue reading Why I feel wabi-sabi-ness in Monet’s Soleil Couchant sur la Seine
Under the Greyness – A Photo Safari in 2022
Get in really close and see what has been happening to the trunk of this old tree... bug burrowing and pursued by clever woodpeckers... racoons and squirrels ripping off the back to get something beneath... moss, mold, and fungi slowly decomposing the tree and adding their creative ouches of colour to the composition... 've been … Continue reading Under the Greyness – A Photo Safari in 2022
Why complete a diploma in Mobile Digital Photography
One of the big things these last two years of teaching has taught me is that mobile devices are here to stay and are very much ubiquitous elements in our students' lives; they MUST be part of all curricular design considerations from now on! My students, be they secondary or elementary age almost uniformly come … Continue reading Why complete a diploma in Mobile Digital Photography
Why Complete a Diploma in Forest Schooling?
Teaching is an ongoing learning process... at least that's how I've chosen to experience this amazing career! I'm always looking for more tools, methods, and ideas to enhance the learning experience of my students. Being dedicated to offering cross-curricular experiences, I look for ways to get out of the traditional classroom. What better way than … Continue reading Why Complete a Diploma in Forest Schooling?
Creative Block – Let Inspiration find you
I'm not complaining, but it's been a struggle to get creative lately; I have lists and post-its full of ideas, but just don't feel like making them happen. Well, that's not entirely true... I lack the motivation to make them happen. Instead, I find myself filling the creative emptiness with TV, retail therapy, reading (sadly, … Continue reading Creative Block – Let Inspiration find you
Building a Teaching Philosophy – Part Four – Open to criticism & feedback.
See Part Three for the previous reflections... I guess the subtitle could be: "How the heck do I make this more concise and still keep the passion I feel about it?" So, I started the new semester on January 5th, 2022... dove into teaching my high school classes online with the help of my amazing … Continue reading Building a Teaching Philosophy – Part Four – Open to criticism & feedback.
The New Renaissance Mindset 