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Tuesday, November 27, 2012

Piet Mondrian Documentary

This is more like a collection of commentaries on his paintings, than anything else.

However, this is not to say that it is a boring 'documentary'.
To the contrary, I really enjoyed it.

It covers almost entire paintings by this well-known Dutch painter.

I must admit, the documentary runs like a monotonous university lecture.

However, because there are so many paintings from his early days to his later minimalistic paintings, we can see the transition of his style.

For example, I've never seen his early landscape paintings, and I didn't know he tried pointillism and even cubism style at one time in his life.

I wish the documentary included a history of his life as well, but, at least it offers us an hour long visual pleasure.







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Monday, November 26, 2012

Oil Painting

I tried FASTMATTE paints from Gamblin.
It dries very quickly, allowing me to layer paints without waiting for a long time.
I usually finish a painting in a single setting, so, this comes in very handy.
On the other hand, I found it gets a bit tacky too quickly.
I might add some oil next time.


Oil on canvas. 8 x 16 in.



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Sunday, November 25, 2012

Oil Painting


Oil on canvas. 10 x 14 in.




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Saturday, November 24, 2012

Abstract Expressionist New York

This series of iTunes podcast by MOMA gives us a brief insight into one of the most exciting movements in the history of art.

The exhibition itself was held a couple of years ago, and one can only be envious of the people in New York who made it.
How exciting it must have been!

The podcast covers the famous artists, like, Pollock, Kline, Rothko, Bernett Newman.....

There're also some explanations of the technique they used, and materials as well.

All in all, there're 20 episodes, giving us a small taste of this epic exhibition.





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Friday, November 23, 2012

Louise Bourgeois - Late Works

I went to the opening at Heide Museum of Modern Art.

This exhibition focuses on her late works.
They're mainly fabric sculptures with some fabric drawings, dry point prints and drawings.

I've never heard of this French-American artist before, and have been doing some researches.

I found her sculptures fascinating. Partly because they're made of fabric.
The nature of their materials give an impression of softness and femininity, but, these works convey very powerful messages of her inner feelings.

The exhibition offers us an opportunity to delve into her great body of works spanning well over 70 years.




This is a good clip by Tate Modern. 





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Tuesday, November 20, 2012

This is Modern Art

It's very difficult to define what 'Modern Art' means.
It's even more difficult to form one's opinion about it.

This Channel 4 documentary series by art critic Mathew Collings try to introduce us to its history and artists past and present.

There're 6 episodes. All of them are on YouTube.

1. I Am a Genius
2. Shock Horror
3. Lovely Lovely
4. Nothing Matters
5. Hollow Laughter
6. The Shock of the New

I particularly liked the first couple of programs in which he explores the history of modern art, from the likes of Picasso, Munch, Pollock and Warhol.

There appears who's who of contemporary artists; Damian Hirst, Tracey Emin, Sarah Lucas, Jeff Koons, Martin Creed, so on.

He correctly mentions the most significant influence of Marcel Duchamp and Salvador Dali.

All in all, this is a great series of modern art, and I liked his style of film making.







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Monday, November 19, 2012

Oil Painting


Oil on canvas. 8 x 12 in.




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Sunday, November 18, 2012

Oil Painting


Oil on canvas. 12 x 16 in.



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Tuesday, November 13, 2012

The Private Life of a Masterpiece

This is a fantastic series of history of art, focusing on individual art works.

I like this format very much.
Rather than focusing on each artists, then introducing some of their works, it puts a spot light on a particular work, and then expands its story to the artist's life and society which he lived in.

Very informative and they're all thoughtfully presented.
I particularly like its narrator, very calm and pleasant voice.

They cover a wide range of subjects.

Botticelli: La Primavera
Delacroix: Liberty Leading the People
Manet: Le Dejeuner Sur L'Herbe
Munch: The Scream


The list goes on......
All together, it amounts to 22 episodes of finely crafted documentaries.

It's a sheer pleasure.





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Sunday, November 11, 2012

Oil Painting, Life Drawing


Oil on canvas. 12 x 16 in.




Frank.







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Friday, November 09, 2012

Jackson Pollock

Another superb documentary by BBC, narrated by a familiar voice of Melvyn Bragg.

Although it was produced a long time ago and it clearly shows, the content itself is a very high quality film about one of the most important artists in the last century.

It features his own radio interview, his friends, families and art critics.

I particularly liked the way it shows the images of his paintings chronologically, so that we can appreciate the development of his painting style.

The film also shows a footage of him working on his paintings, splashing paints onto a canvas on a floor, with his cigarette in his mouth.

This is a great introduction to his life, works and legacy.


"I want to express my feelings, rather than illustrate them.
Technique is just a means of arriving at a statement."




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Tuesday, November 06, 2012

Oil Painting

Melbourne CBD, South Bank, from Yarra river.
Not sure about reflections on the water.


Oil on canvas. 14 x 18 in.




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Monday, November 05, 2012

Oil Painting

Revision from previous painting.
Still searching for colour.....

Oil on canvas. 10 x 12 in.



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Argo

This political suspense drama by Ben Affleck is well crafted and executed, successfully turning a phoney plot into a convincing story.

And it is based on a true story, the fact that makes this film more exciting to watch.

He skilfully recreates the atmosphere of the era, with brilliant production designs.

He's now a very confident film director, but I found his role as a CIA agent a bit 'wooden'.
I'm sure it's deliberate, but, it didn't work for me.

I wonder if there's a documentary on this story. I'd like to hear from the people who were involved in this extraordinary rescue mission.
Surely, that would be another fascinating true story.


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Sunday, November 04, 2012

Oil Painting, Life Drawing

A great day. Life drawing in the morning, painting in the afternoon.
This is my first ever attempt at a portrait in oil.
I didn't like it. Need lots of practice.



Oil on canvas. 9 x 12 in.







Mariana



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