Pages

Thursday 5 August 2010

One of my Favourite Artists



I have my wonderful friend Neet to thank for directing me to this challenge set by Gingersnap Creations. She posted her crafty entry earlier on today and I was immediately drawn to the exciting prospect of designing a card based on a favourite artist or painting. Ah, so many to choose from. So difficult to pick only one.

However, one piece of art immediately came to mind. Now those of you who have followed my blog for a while may have picked up that when it comes to art I like it modern and by that I mean post Duchamp (think ceramic urinal). And in a gallery, my eye goes straight to the minimalist pieces. As it did when I visited the Museum of Modern Art in Paris earlier this year.

"Constellation with Five White Forms and Two Black, Variation III" by Jean Arp is, for me, perfect minimalism. Plus, it's not too difficult to reinterpret into a card design. I immediately dived into my White box to see what goodies lay within and dug out a sheet of chipboard shapes (I have no idea of the manufacturer as I inherited this from an extremely generous friend when she had a clearout).

I played around with various compositions until I found the one I was most pleased with. I took three of the smallest shapes and coated them with black embossing powder. These I stuck straight to the card. All the white shapes, I raised off the surface with 3D foam to emulate Jean Arp's piece. And that's all I needed to do.

Now whilst I'm on my favourite of subjects, inspiring artists, I can't leave this post without mentioning who (for the time being anyway) is at the apex of my list. She's at the top, I think, because I MOST want to see her paintings in real life. She was a maverick. A self-willed, sassy lady, who lived life to the full and had a very racy history. She had a husband, she had lovers, she had men and she had women. But that's by the by. Most of all, she painted stunning, most times, provocative in their day, paintings with perfection. I am, of course, referring to Tamara de Lempicka. If you've seen her work in a gallery, I am in complete envy of you. It's certainly one on my bucket list.

25 comments:

Cath Wilson said...

I confess to not knowing much at all about modern art, Paul - or art in general, lol - but this looks more like sculpture and is striking. I love black and white anyway and always have done but you're taking it to a new level here. Gorgeous.

Anne Jagger said...

That's great Paul, it looks really stylish. Very classic - love it. X

PetraB said...

This is awesome, love your interpretation of the artwork.

Dotpat said...

I agree with Cath, not well up on modern art at all, but do like what you have done, very striking

Sarah A said...

Hi Paul

I am a new follower who found your amazing blog through the Playdate Cafe. I think we live in the same region too and I was lucky enough to meet Neet and Sarah Anderson last week at Sarah's journalling workshop.

Love your creation, it looks like a sculpture and I have spent ages looking at it!

Sarah

Krisha said...

Paul, this is a sensational card. Thanks for sharing andc for getting to Gingersnaps Creations, a very fun place to play>

Pattie G said...

Wow, Paul I really love this paper sculpture. It is nice to see a man participating in these challenges. I am going to check out the rest of your blogspot to see what else you have to show. Good luck...You should visit my blogspot to see what I have created.
http://pattiescreations.blogspot.com/

Hugs
Pattie G

Neet said...

Oh wow Paul - these are so striking. What a terrific eye you have for composing things like this. I just love your minimalist look but these are so different - they are wonderful.
Glad I sent you to the Challenge LOL

Jan Hennings said...

Beautiful card, Paul! The the PDCC and Gingersnap Creations, too :)

Alberto said...

HEy, Paul!
This card is sooooo cute!
I like so much the stamp and the ribbon!

Hugs, Albert

Michele said...

This is lovely, Paul! I love the white on white look and the way the black centres draw your eye in. Very artistic x

Susie said...

I was wondering when someone would step outside the design box of ribbon and bling that seems to so characterize card making (not that I don't love ribbon and bling). But... there's so much more. Paul, you've done a beautiful job with these cards. A refreshing look of inspiration.

I just launched my blog in May so when you get a chance stop by and take a look.

Louise F NZ said...

Wow! Totally fantastic card and you have merged the artists style with your card perfectly. Great interpretation. Your blog is inspirational, I wish I could make beautiful clean and graphic cards like yours.

Anonymous said...

This is fantastic! I love your take on the painter!! Simple and elegant!! thanx for playing for the gingers!

Lesley Edmonds said...

These are stunning! A lot of Ben Nicholson too with the light and shade of white on white! Love it!

Alison said...

A fab representation Paul!

Jaqi said...

Wow Paul, how fab , really stylish , bet you make more of these they are great

Jen Tapler said...

Aloha Paul! I just discovered your blog and love your style! I see that, like me, you dabble a bit in digi scrapping as well as papercrafting. I host a scrapbook sketch challenge on Papercraft Planet called Scrappy Sunday and I'd love for you to play along. You can find links on my blog - www.JenTapler.blogspot.com - or e-mail me for more details JenTapler@gmail.com - we have monthly prizes for both digi and paper scrappers and I'd love to see some fresh faces join us! Hope to hear from you soon!

Jean Franks Beck said...

Wow, what a fabulous interpretation of your inspiration piece! Card art meets modern art. :) Thanks for playing along at Gingersnap!

Electra said...

I love the simplicity of this! I look forward to seeing more of your work!

Anonymous said...

Hi Paul, don't know an awful lot about Art - modern or otherwise! but I love this card. S xx

Gerrie Johnnic said...

This is quite interesting to me altho I may have to think about the urinal part! lol

Curt in Indy said...

What a striking card! I love your take on the inspiration piece you used. I actually like your piece better than the artist's work! Great stuff! Best, Curt

Maarit at Violets Corner said...

Fab stylish card, minimalism can be so very elegant!

Hehe, I've seen a Lempicka!

Hugs
Maarit

WhiteRacoon said...

Hi Paul!
I came from Gingersnap creations to congratulate you on being chosen as one of the gems =)
Gorgeus work! Very stylish and neat! Good job!

Aljona