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| "In The High Sierra" - Jack Wilkinson Smith Private Collection Courtesy of the Irvine Museum |
Each time I take classes from wonderful artists and teachers they inspire me not just because of their skills and knowledge but because they share the work of other artists.
I not only get to hear what my teacher thinks are important points about line, composition, color, style, brushwork, etc. but I can see how different artists have applied those points in their own work.
Those of you who have followed my blog, know that painting rocks has always been difficult for me. In my last post I featured a recent painting I had done to study what rushing water looks like, but there were also lots of rocks.
After I had finished most of it, I decided to look to the masters. I have MANY art books, but one of my more recent purchases is called "California Light - A Century of Landscapes: Paintings of the California Art Club". The book was written and edited by Jean Stern and Molly Siple. It is a beautiful book filled with inspiring stories and beautiful colored plates of the work of some of California's most wonderful landscape painters --- from the past and also present day masters.
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| Cascade |
I was stopped in my tracks by this painting called "In the High Sierra" by Jack Wilkinson Smith (1873-1949). Just look at the beautiful color of the rocks and of the rushing water.
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| California Light |
If you're interested in a beautiful gift for the holidays, you should consider purchasing, "California Light" for anyone who loves art or just enjoys lovely landscape scenery.
It is available from the California Art Club or from Amazon.
California Light: A Century of Landscapes
Published for the California Art Club's Centennial, this beautiful 278-page book features the artwork and history of the CAC.If you haven't done so already, please feel free to sign up for my free email Newsletter. Additionally, if you know hikers, campers, fishermen or other people who enjoy the outdoors and scenes of beautiful spots around the state, send them a link to the newsletter.
Here is the link:
http://marianfortunati.com/email-newsletter
5 people commented. Comments mean a lot. THANKS!:
It shopped me in my tracks also. I love your painting of the stream rushing over the rocks...I meant to comment on it at the time. Your work has a soft velvety feeling. Beautiful.
Hi there Marian!... You are right! The Smith painting is masterfully painted... and it has been "SELECTED" to be shown in the book you are praising for that very reason. I wonder if it was always viewed with that same reverence?
Your own cascade... a closeup view of the twisting energy and rapidly changing values is as masterful to my eye Marian!
I have MANY art books as well. TOO MANY really... and in spending too much time with them... I am too deeply influnced or even discouraged in my own work by them.
I plan to rid myself with many... and bring the number down to a shelf or two of "Bibles"... like Gruppe's classic "Brushwork"... or "Carlson's Guide to Landscape Painting".
They delve deeper into the "whys"... than "how tos" for painting!
In any event... lift up your head Marian. Your "Cascade" is masterfully handled... if my opinion counts at all!
Good Painting!
Warmest regards from the Cold! HA HA!!!
Bruce
I still like yours better, Marian. But it is indeed a beautiful painting!
You're right Marian, this is a beautifully painted landscape with wonderful rocks. But I think yours has a special energy to it. In fact, I think the power of the water is felt better through your bold brushstrokes than those meticulously and beautifully crafted ones of JW Smith. But reference material of this calibre is always worth having.
Thanks for your visit by the way!
You are going places with your work, Marian! I notice that you have a long CV and many wonderful exhibitions and prizes behind your name!Once again, beautiful paint work!
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