Like the flowers of summer, the Manet exhibit is leaving the Art Institute. Greeta is working on another painting in her series of art-lovers viewing the exhibition. Interestingly, the exhibit focuses on his later work, which features fashionable women, florals and still life paintings. Greeta paints the Manet painting, as well as modern-day admirers looking at the painting. This is a great series, as you'll see if you read through. Yes, Greeta is the featured artist in today's Masterpiece Series.
In another last grasp at summer, Elaine O. begins the final painting (after a number of studies). This adorable baby is enjoying the beach, dressed in a very fashionable sundress. Come back next time to see the final painting... or close to it!
Yes, that's a baby's onesie you see. It's the lastest in Alan's series of birdhouse paintings. It's a onesie sewn shut to serve as a clothespin holder and it's hanging below the actual birdhouse. The birds have bypassed the purpose-built birdhouse, though, to make their nest in the onesie...which explains the hairy-chested baby vibe you are getting.
From there, Alan moves on to another birdhouse, this time on Yupo. We love the texture he's managed to achieve on this slick, plastic paper.
Ken's moved on from portraits to what we hope will be a new cityscape series. This is a small study of a Chicago alley. Already, we're big fans of the atmosphere and the gritty urban textures. Come back to see more!
Susan's painting is all about movement and color and music. In the foreground, we see three sisters dancing at a church dance. We sense the color and excitement from the disco lights reflecting on the floor and dancers, the lights shining through the windows, and the joyous couples dancing in the background.
What's watercolor without color? In one of our most valuable exercises, Diana finished her color wheel. Look at the range she's gotten using tints, shades, tones and hues.
Masterpiece Series
Here's the latest installment in our new feature. Each week, we focus on one artist, showing a series they have done.... either in a row or over the course of years (like annual birthday self-portraits). Today's artist is Greeta and the series is called A Day With Manet. Greeta went to the Manet exhibition at the Art Institute of Chicago and painted a number of art lovers interacting with the Manet paintings. Her inspiration was a painting she did of Michelle Obama's portrait in the Smithsonian and a young admirer. We present this series in the order Greeta painted them and we urge you to notice how much personality she's imbued in characters we only see from the back. Also, look at the frames, the Manet paintings and how she's shown a connection between each viewer and the painting on view.
And this is the latest in the series—the one Greeta is working on today.
Plus, each of the paintings above has a color/value study in Greeta's sketchbook.
This series is a great learning experience. It documents a memorable exhibition, but, more importantly, speaks to the enduring appeal of art and how it still engages people years later. And notice that these are actual, individual people. They have movement and life. We see them reaching, thinking and balancing. We feel we know them.
Updates and Announcements
Art Exhibit/Fundraiser Update. As you know, Isa was one of the featured artists at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab fundraiser. Here is a shot of her spread in the catalog, with all five of the paintings she had on show. We're very excited to announce that Isa sold all five of her paintings to local collectors. Congratulations, Isa!
Moving Sale. If you're interested in a great moving sale, we encourage you to attend this one. Steve will be selling lots of fine household and garden wares (and much more) over the weekends below, weather permitting. Hope to see you there!
See you next week!
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