Dry pastel portraits rarely aim for optical fidelity; instead, they privilege surface, temperament, and the frictions between pigment and ground. “Dali” organizes these priorities around a head-and-shoulders likeness that feels at once recognizably “Dali” and deliberately unfinal—an image suspended between remembered portraiture and expressive invention. The work is inspired by many photographic portraits of artist, Salvador Dali, … Continue reading T.A.E.’s Art Reviews – Dali
T.A.E.’s Art Reviews – Sawsan’s Elephant
“Sawsan’s Elephant” presents the viewer with a centrally framed, frontal presence: an elephant rendered less as a fully observed animal than as an image—compressed into face, trunk, and column-like legs—against a cool, airy ground. The work’s most immediate stylistic feature is its monochrome gravity. A limited palette of bluish greys and near-black forms emphasizes weight … Continue reading T.A.E.’s Art Reviews – Sawsan’s Elephant
The Adaptable Educator’s Book Review: The Maya and Their Central American Neighbours by Geoffrey E. Braswell
Geoffrey E. Braswell’s The Maya and Their Central American Neighbours: Settlement Patterns, Architecture, Hieroglyphic Texts and Ceramics is a landmark contribution to Mesoamerican studies, offering an intricate mosaic of interdisciplinary research that examines the interconnectedness of ancient societies in Central America. Braswell curates a volume of essays that blends archaeological, linguistic, and cultural analyses, forging a nuanced … Continue reading The Adaptable Educator’s Book Review: The Maya and Their Central American Neighbours by Geoffrey E. Braswell
The Adaptable Educartor Daily Book Review – Diego Giacometti by Christian Boutonnet & Rafael Ortiz
Christian Boutonnet and Rafael Ortiz's Diego Giacometti is a stunning tribute to the life and artistry of Diego Giacometti, an artist whose reputation has long been eclipsed by that of his brother, Alberto. This richly illustrated volume brings Diego into the light, positioning him as an equally innovative and compelling figure in the 20th-century art world. At … Continue reading The Adaptable Educartor Daily Book Review – Diego Giacometti by Christian Boutonnet & Rafael Ortiz
A People’s Art: Part 1: Art Can Be A Positive Voice For Change: A People’s Art: Part 1: A People’s Art: Part 1:
Social Media is bleeding images and stories from every corner of the world and adding competing opinions... sometimes based in fact, sometimes based in propaganda... I'd like to reach your hearts from another approach and trust you to develop your own feelings on these impressive people. 7 Palestinian artists you will want to know... From … Continue reading A People’s Art: Part 1: Art Can Be A Positive Voice For Change: A People’s Art: Part 1: A People’s Art: Part 1:
The Gifting – A New Abstract-ish, Neo-Expressionist-ish… well you decide…
In my last post on this, I started stating this piece is almost un-original in the borrowing of styles, isms, and possibly even components from other artists... well my brain is so full of art that I just let it roll with whatever comes out... I'll worry about defining it later. I decided. to. start … Continue reading The Gifting – A New Abstract-ish, Neo-Expressionist-ish… well you decide…
Sawsan’s New Elephant – baby steps
In case I didn't state it in my last post on this new painting, I'm still thinking g of making this mostly monochromatic... mostly meaning it will be deeply layered overweigh greys and whites... we shall see if I change my mind, but for now, I started as I intended ... with some undercoats of colour. … Continue reading Sawsan’s New Elephant – baby steps
A New Project – Abstract, Cubism, Neo-Expressionism, or something more?
If you've read the last two posts, you know I've decided to do multiple works at the same time, in order to slow down my process and to incorporate more reflection into it. I hope that working in multiple styles and with multiple techniques / materials I will also stave off those moments of self-doubt … Continue reading A New Project – Abstract, Cubism, Neo-Expressionism, or something more?
A New Project – Sawsan’s Elephants
A few years ago I painted an elephant for my wife, Sawsan. It's her favourite painting. It forced me out of my comfort zone to paint in that style and I've wanted to return to it ever since... plans for finishing a teaching degree, relocation to another country, selling house, moving around, and finally settling … Continue reading A New Project – Sawsan’s Elephants
An Obsession to Fill – Deconstructing Picasso’s Guernica
I feel that I became interested in Picasso's Guernica way before my time living in Spain. However, that might be where my obsession with it began, as I spent nearly every other Sunday in the special gallery for this painting at Museo Nacional Centro de Arte Reina Sofia. I believe it was there in 1996 … Continue reading An Obsession to Fill – Deconstructing Picasso’s Guernica