painting – Tales of Creative Compassion

Sara L’étrange

While on a search for something terribly specific, I ran across this amazing piece by Sara L’étrange. It has absolutely nothing to do with what I was looking for, but it is fantastic, and that is the kind of day it has been.

Sara L’étrange works almost exclusively with gel pen, and her artist statement has some really wonderful language about the nature of working with a medium that can’t be painted over, erased, or moved once it’s down. I really kind of love her take on it, it’s well worth a read.

Mark Chadwick

Did you miss me? I missed the artwork, but I am back for the last day of the work week with this fantastic piece by Mark Chadwick.

While I often enjoy abstract artwork, I’ve found it particularly difficult to connect with abstract paintings via the internet. Sculptures seem to translate a little better for some reason. But this piece caught me and pulled me in without asking any questions first. Mark Chadwick uses machines to create this flowing pieces of artwork. In his artist statement, he admits to even leaving the studio altogether and letting the art form itself. That seems hopelessly existential to me, and yet I kind of love that theory. I’ve often said that visual art helps me get out of my cognitive, narrative driven mindset, and this seems like one more level removed from that black and white space. In any case, the result is lovely and profound.

Ivey Hayes and Alaagy

Today, when I need a little more vibrance in my day, I’ve chosen to show off the lively painting of Ivey Hayes.

I love this piece for its amazing color palette, for the simplicity of the moment it captures, and the long elegant lines which I’m now realizing are a very common feature in artwork that I like.

When I first saw a collection of Ivey Hayes’ work, I thought I might already have a piece of his work in my home, because this piece has a similarly warm, vibrant feel to it.

But it turns out this is the work of Alaagy, a totally different but also fabulous artist from Ghana whose work I also love. Bonus artist for your viewing pleasure today, enjoy.

Happy Women

After my slightly ranty art update on Wednesday, I did receive several images depicting happy or laughing women (with faces). They are fantastic, and they were all discovered for me by the wonderful Kristina Miller. Thank you, my dear friend.

Old Woman Studying the Alphabet with a Laughing Girl by Sofonisba Anguissola

Now that is some art that’s good for the soul. Admit it, you smiled too.