Art

This Is Where We Live

By Chip Cain | Published November 26, 2010

It’s been a while since I posted anything to do with paper. I guess I am long overdue. This is as much a celebration of a book publisher (another form of paper art that I enjoy) as it is a marvel in stop motion video, but with paper. Enjoy.

And As If The Rain

By Chip Cain | Published November 6, 2010

Occasionally I rummage around my favorites saved in my browser: today was one of those times. Rummage might not be exactly the case since I was specifically clicking on links to people I know. This is a video I hadn’t yet seen from a friend who’s presence and influence in the church we shared I miss. At the same time I am sure his presence and influence are greatly enjoyed where he fellowships now. I hope you enjoy this piece as much as I do.

Sometimes we have to pause . . .

By Chip Cain | Published February 13, 2010

When you look at an abstract piece of art, what do you see? Perhaps seeing is the wrong approach and you think your feelings might be a better set of eyes. But I would suggest that your head and heart together would be a perfectly tuned set of eyes. Do not let the head think it has value alone and do not let your heart rule without consulting the head. Yes I realize this is not said in the video but the truth is there within it.

Do not discard art too quickly. Or each other.

Michael Nicholas and Full Disclosure

By Chip Cain | Published February 2, 2010

Each day I visit one or two of my favorite blogs, usually art or photography related, just to see what’s happening in the world my interests float around in. This morning I revisited Photocrati a blog that always piques my interest. It is run by a diverse group of photographers which keeps it fresh and always filled with useful perspective and valuable gear reviews. Photocrati is also where I purchased my blog  theme, which is one of four separate blog themes they sell to photographers. But that is not the point of my latest blog and in the interest of full disclosure I recieve nothing for mentioning them nor do i get any commissions if you choose to buy one of their photography themes.

Now on to the point of this blog. Michael Nichols, Editor at Large for photography at National Geographic magazine was a guest blogger on Photocrati recently where he discussed the reasons for Full Disclosure of the photographic process. Please take the time to read his comments about one photographer’s ethical lapse and how it damages the image of photographers everywhere. It’s noteworthy to mention that his last two sentences are worth meditating on.

Square Halo – Hearts and Minds

By Chip Cain | Published December 24, 2009

SqLogoJust in case you missed the exhibition I mentioned in my last post, I promised that I would provide a link to a book that will in some way replicate the exhibition. Well here is that link: two links in fact.

Square Halo is the publisher of the book Rouault-Fujimura: Soliloquies by Thomas S. Hibbs. And you may purchase the book online from Hearts and Minds. In fact Hearts and Minds may be the only source for this book. I receive nothing from them for this or my last post but even so I recommend you visit both. I’m sure both websites will be enlightening.

We don’t care what you do in NY

By Chip Cain | Published December 19, 2009

Recently I ran across two juxtaposed thoughts related to NY city; although they relate to a much larger picture. Peggy Noonan wrote an opinion piece for the online version of the Wall Street Journal today titled The Adam Lambert problem.  She says “America is good at making practical compromises, and one of the compromises we’ve made in the area of arts and entertainment is captured in the words “We don’t care what you do in New York.” That was said to me years ago by a social conservative who was explaining that he and his friends don’t wish to impose their cultural sensibilities on a city that is uninterested in them, and that the city, in turn, shouldn’t impose its cultural sensibilities on them. He was speaking metaphorically; “New York” meant “wherever the cultural left happily lives.” I believe many across the US think this way; that NY is out of touch with me. But this would be wrong on may levels.

I told you there was a juxtaposition of thoughts, well the other thought isn’t really a thought but actually an art exhibition.

Rouault-Fujimura

You may have heard of French painter Georges Rouault (1871-1958) but what about New York artist Makato Fujimura? The Dillon Gallery in NY (remember that city we don’t care about) has put together an art exhibit that puts these two artist together. And by putting their work together the Dillon Gallery has put together a meeting of two artists with very different styles but similar spiritual perspectives. You can find representations of redemption in their work and thereby not only redeeming the viewer they also redeem NY city. Since this exhibition ends on Dec 24th it’s probably too late to make plans to go see it but in a couple of days I’ll post the second best thing to being there.

The Portraits: Wild Africa

By Chip Cain | Published May 10, 2009

Recently I found a photographer who’s photos of African animasl are more like portraits than the usual pictures you see. The photographer is Nick Brandt and he says of his “. . . images are unashamedly idyllic and romantic, a kind of enchanted Africa. You can see a very nice collection of his photos at Pascal Young’s Gallery.

Jennifer Maestre's Pencil Sculptures

By Chip Cain | Published April 3, 2009

It is not hard to see that I am always interested in art created using the expected things; those things we expect to see or use everyday, used unexpectedly.  Jennifer Maestre’s sculptures fall into this category.

I use pencils everyday, yes even in this day and age of keyboards, but never have I done anything beyond their intended use except to chew on them. Here is a use for pencils that goes beyond using their graphite filled centers for scribbling numbers or as adult pacifiers.

Visualizing Poetry

By Chip Cain | Published April 2, 2009

Here are two very different ways of visualizing poetry. Click on the pictures to be taken to the websites to find out how they were created.

The Gift of The Unknown

By Chip Cain | Published January 12, 2009

As our culture changes, Walter Brueggemann has observed, we must restate eternal truths in order for them to remain truthful. For the faithful, the artistic imagination can safeguard the strangeness and newness of the gospel, preserving it from domestication by our ideologies and culture. This year, the Trinity Arts Conference theme urges us to curiosity and courage as we approach the changes essential to vibrant art.

Each year the Trinity Arts Conference draws filmmakers, journalists, actors, writers, poets, composers, visual artists, dancers, and musicians for three days of workshops, seminars, lectures, readings, exhibitions, and performances. We’ll meet in the congenial and relaxed atmosphere of the University of Dallas, a wooded cloister of studios, classrooms, auditoriums, and galleries.

The above was taken from their brochure

Interested? Here’s the link –> Trinity Arts Conference

Silent World

By Chip Cain | Published December 29, 2008

Hi folks, I know it’s been a while since posting here; the site is not forgotten but I find myself focused on more than I have time for.  I wish I could resolve to post here daily, or weekly at least, but that would be to set myself up for failure.

As I said this site is not forgotten and so here is most likely my last post for 2008.


Michael Kenna’s B & W photographs are often spare in their context and stark in their contrast. His often etheriel style leaves the viewer wanting to visit the place seen on paper. This in itself is not altogether unique to Kenna’s pictures but his pictures can leave you with a longing in your sould to be in such private and empty places.

While looking for more examples of his work other than what can be found on his website I found a page of his photos that provides excelent examples of his silent world.

After seeing his pictures let everyone know what you thought of them by posting a comment here.

WineKing Galleries

By Chip Cain | Published November 3, 2008

Not long ago I had the pleasure of meeting two artists, Jess Lopez-King and An Wine. The pleasure was unexpected since we met at a cemetery just before the service to bury my brother-in-law John.  Unexpected to be sure but very appropriate since John & I shared an interest in art and time together at the William Penn museum in Harrisburg. But that museum trip will be for another time.

Jess is a photographer and An is a mixed media artist: together they share their work at WineKing Galleries. This is a new venture for them and and so I am hoping this small blurb will point your interest in the arts their way.  I want to be clear here I am not mentioning them and pointing to their work just because I like them as people, but also as I am prone to do on this blog, I mention them because I really like their work.

Please take a moment to follow the link to their website; if you like what you see then tell them. Then if you have some time tell me you liked their work as well.

Paperclay

By Chip Cain | Published August 29, 2008

Part paper, part clay and very cool! It’s fired just as you would any clay but let Angela Mellor show you what skill & inspiration can do with this medium. Her work is airy, colorful and inspired by an organic interest in this earth we live on.

After visiting her works come back and let everyone know what you think by posting your thoughts.

Typolution

By Chip Cain | Published August 17, 2008

Minimalist art from a typewriter or so it would seem. All the images are built using the type found on a typewriter. Simple, graceful, and full of Story!

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zVPfTlpCKaw&hl=en&fs=1]

Worth the 3:11 minutes of your time

Vladimir Tatlin

By Chip Cain | Published August 10, 2008

Tatlin achieved fame as the architect who designed the huge Monument to the Third International, also known as Tatlin’s Tower. Planned in 1920, the monument, was to be a tall tower in iron, glass and steel which would have dwarfed the Eiffel Tower in Paris (the Monument to the Third International was a third taller at 1,300 feet high). Inside the iron-and-steel structure of twin spirals, the design envisaged three building blocks, covered with glass windows, which would rotate at different speeds (the first one, a cube, once a year; the second one, a pyramid, once a month; the third one, a cylinder, once a day). High prices prevented Tatlin from executing the plan, and no building such as this was erected in his day.

The picture is a model of what would have been an amazing structure. Maybe someday someone will build it.

Here is a short animated video by David Cox while as a student at Swineburne University in 1990. It is very creative and seems to fit with the picture above.

Olga's Gallery

By Chip Cain | Published August 2, 2008

The above is a sampling of the quality of paintings to be viewed online at Olga’s Gallery. From the painter Fra Angelico (c1395-1455) to Edvard Munch (c1863-1944) the works are all stunning and many in number. There are over 10,000 works of art to view; assuming you had the time. They don’t pay me to say this but go visit their sight anyway.

The Color Keeper

By Chip Cain | Published July 17, 2008

Here is something I stumbled across (isn’t that how we find everything?). I knew I had to share it here even though it is a small work as art goes, but with a big heart. The background music is by J Tillman from his “Minor Works”

The Color Keeper from Grandchildren on Vimeo.

Natural Sculpture

By Chip Cain | Published July 10, 2008
bonnieferrillroman

Sanctuary Drawings

Bonnie Ferrill Roman has developed a style of sculpting that is organic, often fluid in appearence and always a surprise to see. She begins her Artist’s Statement with “I believe that the transcendent experience of beauty is vital to the life of the soul, and this precept has always been at the core of why I make art. ” and ends it with “The work communicates at the deeper level of kinesthetic and perceptual experience, which always seems to lose something vital when translated into the structures and limitations of language.”

Isn’t that the problem we all have when trying to describe art ” . . . the structures and limitations of language.” ultimately leave us without the language  to create sight enough for someone to see without seeng the art. So please visit Bonnie Ferrill Roman’s website; it in itself is very creative and fluid.

Paper Ballet or Mechanics of Evaporation? I say "Art!"

By Chip Cain | Published April 28, 2008

Thomas Kovachevich has

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RI6MgOHS5lg&rel=0]

Some interesting links for Earth Day

By Chip Cain | Published April 22, 2008

An Iranian Environmental Arts Festival . . . . imagine that. As we already knew, a closer look reveals more similarities than diferences. I do not deny that there are problems with the iranian government and that the government is made up of people but not all people in Iran are government.

Here are Tree Huggers like you’ve never seen before.

And best of all Andy Goldsworthy. You can find his work easily enough using your favorite search engine. If your are a member of Netflix then rent the documentary Rivers and Tides which will bring you close while he creates his work. The YouTube video below is from his Rivers and Tides documentary.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3TWBSMc47bw&hl=en]

Mathmatical Art

By Chip Cain | Published April 15, 2008

mathfractal

This was created using math? I knew I should have paid attention in school. This picture and several others even more amazing can be found at the TechRepublic website. Math may be more science than art but here’s proof science can create art!

Shadows of her work

By Chip Cain | Published April 9, 2008

kumi-yamashita

The letters and light to the right are the tools; the shadow is her art. Kumi Yamashita has done some amazing things with shadows, but her work doesn’t stop there and neither should you. Take the time to enjor her website.

The Nature of Praries and Other Things

By Chip Cain | Published April 8, 2008
terryevansps03

“Terry Evans is a photographer whose work has been primarily an inquiry into the nature of prairie from its native state to its use, abandonment, and care.” This statement comes from her own website and barely touches on the emotional response her picture evoke within me. Her photographs are art that capture the art of nature and the art found when humans work with and against nature.

Climbing out

By Chip Cain | Published April 6, 2008

nathan-sawaya-red-3

Nathan Sawaya is a builder using blocks but not the building blocks we’re familiar with; nor as you see above does he build what we expect of a builder.

Sick of your camera? Want to toss it?

By Chip Cain | Published April 4, 2008

cameratoss-2cameratoss-1

How can you not be amazed by the enginuity of humans to create art: one of the newer ways is to toss your camera into the air and let the camera do the rest. These two pictures were taken by doing just that.

If you are interested in learning more you can visit Ryan Gallagher’s blog Camera Toss (The Blog) or, if you’re just interested in seeing the results created from all those cameras then stop by the Camera Toss group hosted by Flickr.

Way cool!

Weaving Magic

By Chip Cain | Published April 3, 2008

Alistair Heseltine says of his work “I am a sculptor working with mixed media relating to the environment.” but he neglects to share that he weaves nature into magic. You might see his art differently than I do and even deny that it’s magic, but to me taking the natural and creating art is magic.

The Written, The Lament and The Spoken

By Chip Cain | Published April 1, 2008

Many of the poems I find myself gravitating to have at least one foot touching nature: Robley Wilson’s poem ‘A Pleasure Tree’ has both feet firmly planted in nature.

A Pleasure Tree
by Robley Wilson

In the tree that bears gold
apples, the starlings keep
drunken balance. Seven apples
remain, spared by windstorms
that have savaged orchards
down to bare limbs and torn
fields into windrows. A marvel:
Seven apples have not fallen,
but hang in these March rains
like brown jewels, inside them
the pulp turning to raw wine
amber and ruby and cold as air.

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Ben Barton features in a BBC short film: No one reads poetry.
The film discusses the lack of poetry readership today and how most poets must juggle a busy day job with creative work.

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Long before there were words to write, poetry was shared orally and not since the late fifties and the beat movement have we seen poetry spoken as often as we see it now. I for one am thankful for the resurgence of spoken poetry and YouTube.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZLk_Q3Cq2Ns&rel=0&color1=0x2b405b&color2=0x6b8ab6&hl=en]

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Stay tuned, it’s National Poetry Month the whole of April!

Ann Ginsburgh Hofkin

By Chip Cain | Published March 26, 2008

annginsburgh-ca_opener_full2

I recently discovered Ann Ginsburgh Hofkin’s work and couldn’t resist sharing it with you. I can’t decide if I prefer her B&W or her color photos. The only gripe I have is that I selfishly wish the photos she shares online were a bit bigger. A small gripe indeed.

The Everyman Photo Contest

By Chip Cain | Published March 26, 2008

jesicahall-jump

Every year since 2001 Troy DeArmitt has held The Everyman Photo Contest to allow us everyday blokes a chance to win a photo contest. The picture above was taken by Jesica Hall and is one of my favorites in the People/Portrait catagory for 2007; even though she didn’t place. That’s the joy I have found at this site: it’s not that there are a few good pictures and the rest mediocre at best but rather even the pictures that don’t place are very good.

I should mention no photoshoping is allowed and that the deadline for this year’s contest (2008) is 09/01/2008, now if I could just muster the nerve . . .

What Cara Barer does to books . . .

By Chip Cain | Published March 20, 2008

I am constantly amazed what people do with paper and it’s derivatives; Cara Barer is one of those people who amaze me. She calls herself a photographer but her art goes beyond the photograph. It’s easy to see why she calls herself a photographer since many of the pieces would not be seen as art without the single perspective of the camera lens but the word photographer does not contain within it the ability to describe the sculptures she creates with paper and lens. If I could I would create a new word but none will do her work justice.

An artist who has his work nailed down

By Chip Cain | Published March 14, 2008

John Bisbee

There’s not much about John Bisbee that’s stereotypical, except that as an artist he is eccentric; as a creative mind, brilliant; and as a teacher, inspirational. While his sculpture increases by the ton in the most prestigious galleries and museums in new england and around the country, the stars of his former Bowdoin students rise as well, in the art world and beyond. -Bowdoin Magazine

Katja Mater

By Chip Cain | Published March 11, 2008

There is no other reason to share this except that I enjoyed Katja Mater’s work. Especially this book building. Yep, their books.

Trinity Art Conference

By Chip Cain | Published March 5, 2008

Trinity Art Conference

Peter Callesen: Not just paper

By Chip Cain | Published March 2, 2008

Yes another paper art post. Oh alright it’s true; I do have a thing for paper and it probably hinges on the fact that I prefer printed books to reading PDF versions. Well that’s not the only reason but you have to admit it, there is something about the feel of paper that just feels right. But if that was all there was to my interest in paper it wouldn’t be much of an interest would it? There’s more to paper than just the feel. Paper is chameleon like in that it can be almost anything. Sometimes it is the base of a painting and when the painting is finished you may not even know it’s was on paper. Or the paper adds its own texture so that it becomes part of the painting. Then there is paper mache which is a medium of paper and paste used to create myriads of art pieces, but what about plain paper as the medium: not painted on or mixed with paste but pure paper?

I think paper in the right hands is the perfect medium for the artist. Peter Callesen is the perfect example of what I mean. Take your time to browse through his web site and I think you will be amazed: I only wish I could be there to see your jaw drop when you view his work. Note the example above; it is simple, stunning, and yet barely hints and his mastery with paper. Enjoy his website: I did.

What some wire and spare items can do for your figure

By Chip Cain | Published February 28, 2008

Susan Springer Anderson is an artist worth sharing; in particular I want to encourage you to see here sculptures. Some additional work by her is found here on ArtSlant.