John Singer Sargent

Today my art therapy client and I review paintings by John singer Sargent.

John Singer Sargent (January 12, 1856 – April 14, 1925) was an American painter, and a leading portrait painter of his era. During his career, he created roughly 900 oil paintings and more than 2,000 watercolors, as well as countless sketches and charcoal drawings.

What I noticed particularly at this time viewing his paintings, was his dramatic use of dark.....very dark.......and light.

Madame X (Madame Pierre Gautreau), 1883–84
John Singer Sargent
Oil on canvas
In 1882, John Singer Sargent wrote of wanting to paint Madame Pierre Gautreau's portrait. He worked on the portrait at the Gautreau's summer home in Brittany in 1883, but he had difficulty finding a suitable pose and perspective. Numerous studies show his different attempts at the composition. The portrait as finally executed was exhibited at the Paris Salon of 1884 as "Portrait de Mme ***" and created a scandal. Sargent considered it one of his best works; an unfinished second version of the same pose is in the Tate Gallery in London.

Wildlife Artist of the Year 2010

For the past three years, the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation hosts an international art competition to help save wildlife. 50% from all art sales goes towards supporting DSWF's wildlife projects.

The David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation is a small, effective charity funding key projects in Africa and Asia working to save critically endangered mammals in the wild. DSWF supports anti-poaching and conservation projects throughout Africa and Asia making a real difference to the survival of critically endangered mammals.

Wildlife Artist of the Year 2010 Title goes to Adam Binder. Adam’s beautiful bronze of a polar bear clinging to ice entitled "Sinking Feeling" was a unanimous choice among the panel of judges. Along with the title, Adam also received a £10,000 cheque generously donated by the exhibition sponsors.

Sinking Feeling
Adam Binder
Bronze

To see more entries and available work for sale, you can download the catalogue. Learn more about the David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation.

Wild Irises

With my recent Iris love affair, I could not resist taking photographs of the Wild Irises I saw at Earth Sanctuary on Whidbey Island in Washingtion. In yesterday's blog, I shared more about this fabulous place.

Today, it is Wild Irises!


Look at the incredible details in this lovely specimen.


And now for the purples...



Aren't they amazing?!

Earth Sanctuary

I just returned from a personal retreat to Earth Sanctuary on Whidbey Island, Washington. Earth Sanctuary combines exemplary ecology with art and spirit to create a sanctuary for birds and wildlife and a peaceful place for personal renewal and spiritual connection.

Here are some photographs:

Dolmen
A dolmen is a type of single-chamber megalithic tomb, usually consisting of three or more upright stones supporting a large flat horizontal capstone. Megalithic tombs are found from the Baltic Sea and North Sea coasts south to Spain and Portugal.

I spent a rainy morning inside this dolmen and was treated to several visits by a hummingbird.

Earth Sanctuary has two stone circles:



Many stone circles can be found in the British Isles and parts of Western Europe, mostly lying not more than 100 miles from the sea. Other than my fascination with stones, the sanctuary has three lovely ponds inhabited by birds and ducks.


I also watched the resident Osprey; here is the nest:


This 72-acre preserve is possibly the largest ecological restoration project ever funded by an individual. Guided by a panel of experts, in 2001 Chuck Pettis launched a 500-year plan for returning the site to old-growth forest not only teeming with native species of plants, bird and animals, but also reverberating with spiritual power from installations of humongous rock megaliths.

It is a delight to visit!

Renoir and Friends

Today I read parts of a book on Renoir to my art therapy client.

I learned that Renoir's circle of friends included the famous Impressionistic painters Monet, Baxille and Sisley. All of them attended the Gleyre Academy and spent time painting together. Imagine that master-mind group!

Pierre-Auguste Renoir
Portrait of Claude Monet
1875
Oil
Musée d'Orsay, Paris, France

Later in his life, Renoir developed a friendship with Cezanne and the two of them painted similar subjects together.

Montagne Sainte-Victoire
Oil
1889
Paul Cezanne
Montagne Sainte-Victoire
Oil
1889
Pierre-Auguste Renoir had already attained some measure of success as a portrait painter before exhibiting in the first Impressionist exhibition in Paris, 1974. He was only 33 years old at the time. Although Renoir's paintings have been classified as Impressionistic, he was always searching for new means of expression and his style during the period of the 1870's varies so much that Renoir's Impressionism, unlike Monet's, has no clear indisputable identity. Renoir quit showing with the Impressionists for several years until the seventh Impressionist show of 1882.

I cherish my artist friends and enjoy passionate discussion of art. I can only imagine how the friendships among these masters might have evolved.

Iris As Promised

In a previous post, I talked about my recent love affair with Irises.

Also, I mentioned that the Irises have inspired me to paint a watercolor portrait.

As promised...


These beauties are growing in my neighbor's flower gardens.

Incredible Cactus

Today I met a friend at the Olympia Farmers' Market.

I was there yesterday and purchased a lovely purple calla lily, but really wanted another "flame" calla lily. Chuck at Northfork Nursery suggested I call and order one for the next day.

"Callafornia Calla Lipstick"
Calla Lily

"Flame"
Calla Lily
So this was my excuse to return to the Farmers' Market and spend time with my friend, Janet. Little did I know that I would find there!

This amazing, incredible cactus......



Look at its bloom!



And its grace!


Can you see why I could NOT resist?

I & E Enterprise at the Olympia Farmers' Market said they will have more in different colors if your heart desires one, too. The gal at the booth did not know the name of the cactus. Do you?