Art, Artists and their stories Introduction to Art 1010 Art, Artists and their stories

Top 3 reasons why love teaching this class: Art and artists change the way we see the world! I love learning about news ways to create art! Who knew that Tibetan monks use very fine colored sand to create amazing Mandalas! Artists are interesting people and have amazing stories!

First, art changes the way we think about our world. Kathe Kollwitz worked in Germany during the world wars and brought attention to the plight of the poor.

Dorthea Lange’s photograph gave a face to the Great Depression and brought about changes in the way the government was handling it.

Today, artists still change the way we see the world. Street artist “Banksy” points out problems in our society with his stenciled graffiti.

2. There are so many ways to make art – it is interesting to study some of the processes! The Japanese use Sumi ink and ink washes to create beautiful paintings and calligraphy.

These paintings are done quickly and become a form of meditation.

Printmaking is another process we will learn about. Prints can be simple wood cuts.

…or complex engravings.

…or created using the “silk screen” method.

Finally, artist’s are interesting people and have great stories! For example: Chuck Close

He started out painting very large photo-realistic portraits He started out painting very large photo-realistic portraits. Even though he had severe learning disabilities he got into Yale University and really made a name for himself. And then he had a rare condition that caused him to become paralyzed. Doctors told him he would never paint again. He told them that was not an option. He worked had and gained a little bit of movement in one shoulder and with that he developed a new style.

I love his “grit” and his attitude!

Leonardo da Vinci is another interesting artist. Performed secret autopsies so he could understand how the body worked even though it was illegal.

He was unusual and eccentric but very well liked. He was strong, healthy and handsome with a carefully brushed and curled beard. Loved to play pranks and one time unleashed a very large lizard at a party. He wore short rose colored robes and bathed every day at a time when no one did that. He was very popular at parties with his quick wit and beautiful singing voice. He was a vegetarian when no one was a vegetarian. He felt sorry for animals and would buy caged birds just so he could free them.

Leonardo worked on the Mona Lisa for over 30 years and took it where ever he went.

Michelangelo Buonarroti Michelangelo lived at the same time as Leonardo and in the same place but they were very different.

Michelangelo was hard to get along with Michelangelo was hard to get along with. He made few friends and quit a few enemies. He seldom bathed and didn’t even take his dog-skin boots off when he slept (he didn’t believe in wearing socks). He made fun of DaVinci in public and got his nose broken in a fight. He worked right up to his death at 88 years old (at a time when most died by 50) when he caught a fever after riding in the rain.

So many interesting thinks to talk about I can’t wait to get started!