When we think of the French Impressionist Claude Monet, we often think of his vibrant and colorful landscapes that capture the fleeting moments of light and atmosphere. However, in his later years, Monet became increasingly interested in the subtle and muted beauty of the natural world. One of his most iconic series from this period … Continue reading Is there wabi-sabi-ness in Monet’s Blue Water Lillies?
Presence – Sheet-music Scribbles 2023
Dominating the landscape with its presence, the bird is all there is to consider in its world. The orange body stands strong against its complimentary coloured background. The eye stares straight ahead and the beak points slightly upland forward... all the confidence in the world resides in this face. Who is it trying to impress? … Continue reading Presence – Sheet-music Scribbles 2023
Arguing the Wabi-Sabi-ness of Picasso’s Pink Period Paintings
Picasso's Pink Period, which lasted from 1904 to 1906, is widely regarded as a pivotal moment in the artist's career. During this time, Picasso's style underwent a dramatic shift, moving away from the dark, brooding paintings of his Blue Period and towards a brighter, more optimistic palette. The Pink Period is characterized by a distinctive … Continue reading Arguing the Wabi-Sabi-ness of Picasso’s Pink Period Paintings
You Become What You Eat: Cat-Dog – Sheet-music Scribbles 2023
I drew the outline for this one along with a bunch of others and when I came back to it to add colour, I forgot if it was a cat or a dog. It sort of looks like a fat cat or fat dog, but what did it eat? That's when the title came to … Continue reading You Become What You Eat: Cat-Dog – Sheet-music Scribbles 2023
Contemplating the Wabi-Sabi-ness of Picasso’s Blue Period Paintings
As an art historian, I have always been fascinated by the concept of wabi-sabi, a Japanese aesthetic that celebrates the beauty of imperfection, impermanence, and simplicity. While this aesthetic is often associated with traditional Japanese art, it can also be found in the work of Western artists who were influenced by Japanese culture, such as … Continue reading Contemplating the Wabi-Sabi-ness of Picasso’s Blue Period Paintings
Yellow Cat – Sheet-music Scribbles 2023
We have a Persian cat named Cinnamon; she's light toffee coloured and very, very fluffy. She's actually quite tiny, but looks much larger... in a nutshell, she's mostly hair. That's what I hopped to capture here: a massive lightness! I feel the canary yellow delivered the lightness and putting it against the blue background, without … Continue reading Yellow Cat – Sheet-music Scribbles 2023
Reflecting on the Wabi-Sabi-ness of Picasso’s Guernica
As an art teacher and artist, I find Pablo Picasso's Guernica to be one of the most compelling and thought-provoking works of art in history. The painting depicts the horrific bombing of the town of Guernica during the Spanish Civil War, and it captures the chaos, pain, and destruction of war in a way that … Continue reading Reflecting on the Wabi-Sabi-ness of Picasso’s Guernica
Strolling – Sheet-music Scribbles 2023
There is only one cat in my neighbourhood that is allowed out on the loose and he is mostly hyper alert when I see him. The other day, it was early. in the morning and everything was quiet and calm; I saw him strolling across the parking. lot without a care in the world, enjoying … Continue reading Strolling – Sheet-music Scribbles 2023
Considering the Wabi-Sabi-ness of The Bedroom by Van Gogh
The Bedroom is a famous painting created by Vincent van Gogh in 1888. The artwork depicts the interior of Van Gogh's own bedroom, located in the "Yellow House" in Arles, France. The painting is a study of the simple, rustic beauty of everyday life and has an undeniable wabisabiness. Wabi-sabi is a Japanese aesthetic that … Continue reading Considering the Wabi-Sabi-ness of The Bedroom by Van Gogh
Ghost Cat – Sheet-music Scribbles 2023
Sometimes being silly for the sake of joy is all it's about. I imagine this little guy floating about saying "Me-ooooooo" to anything and anyone he encounters and I get a big smile on my face. Aesthetically, my goal was to play with the complimentary colour pairs, but with a slight twist; instead of orange, … Continue reading Ghost Cat – Sheet-music Scribbles 2023
The New Renaissance Mindset 