Saturday

This month’s sidebar worth mentioning

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As anyone who has taken the time to randomly look at art blogs, soon discovers that there are many exceptional artists, easily humbling ones own art. So for the last few months that I have selected an artist of exemplary qualities with a link on my sidebar, along with a noteworthy exhibit at a museum, I have noticed not too many of my visitors took notice.


What I failed to realize is that the greater majority of sidebars are static and visitors pay little attention, except for the blog roll and ‘Follower’ widget. Even though I had recently redesigned the sidebar to just the essentials, I soon discovered this was not enough for visitors to pay attention to the sidebar. Therefore from now on, I will post on the first of each month my recommended highlights, beginning with this month, March.


The selection process is based on work that I personally enjoy or find interesting, while equal consideration is also given to the artistry, quality of craftsmanship, and consistency of the artists work, along with the technical abilities. With so many qualified individuals, the process is never an easy one, even if I were to change it to a weekly event.



Bateau à Giverny
2009 © Dianne Poinski


This months selection is fine art photographer and artist Dianne Poinski, who’s hand coloured black and white prints have a romantic old-world charm of a time when photography emulated a painters vision.


What attracted me to her work is Dianne’s fine display of artistic sensibilities, the selection of subject matter and how it is composed within her viewfinder. Her prints have a nice tonal value and a good balance between what parts are hand coloured or not, all of which come together in her completed artwork.





When you visit her blog you will find not only beautiful photographs, but also numerous posts of interests with subject matters ranging from creating hand coloured prints to marketing issues concerning any artist, regardless of the medium. Dianne writes with honesty and a pure sense of clarity, speaking to us with confidence, but also revealing her vulnerability with equal honour. A visit to you blog and website is well worth your time.

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The Art of Painting
Johannes Vermeer van Delft 1665/1666, Inv.-Nr. GG 9128


Recently Katharine of Katharine Cartwright Studio discussed an artist's 'pilgrimage' in connection with the book ‘Art Without Compromise’ by Wendy Richmond, who believes major art exhibits are designed to maximize attendance by appealing to the lowest common denominator, thereby are lacking in intellectual and cultural nourishment. Wendy believes a pilgrimage to see a single work of art creates a stronger connection to the art and in return enriches her with intellectual and cultural nourishment. So this month for my selection of a museum exhibit, I have selected the Kunst Historisches Mueseum of Vienna, where an exhibit centers around a single painting, Vermeer’s ‘The Art of Painting’.


The exhibit is curated by Dr. Sabine Pénot and Mag. Elke Oberthaler, who focuses on a single painting that Vermeer kept in his studio as a show piece for his potential buyers. The exhibition studies Vermeer’s use of pigments, binding media and technique, including the use of an optical instrument known as a camera obscura with which Vermeer reportedly constructed his paintings, along with the props found in the painting are also reviewed.


Loans from various museums and private collections, together with historical documents from the Dutch archives, we are given an in-depth view of the painting. Rounding out the exhibition, additional paintings, sculptures and films by contemporary artists are who were inspired by Vermeer’s ‘The Art of Painting’ are also featured.





The exhibition runs from January 26 thru April 25, 2010 and though I will not be able to see the show, I believe it is an event that should not be missed if one is in the area, as it is a very different kind of exhibit.

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Song of the River


As I bring this post to a close I wish to mention that Roxanne E. Stout of ‘River Garden Studio' has recently publishedSong of the River’, a small book featuring her writing and art about the nature and wildlife along the Klamath River. Do have a look on her blog, where she displays numerous excerpts from the book.

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If you have not visited The DIRECTORY, please have a look as I keep updating regularly with new links to resources for artists of all medium. Of note I would like to point out Project Guttenberg, where you can download for free more than 30,000 ebooks for your computer, iPhone, Sony Reader, Kindel or other portable devices. If you add yourself as a follower of The DIRECTORY, you will receive monthly updates as to what is new and if you feel this is a valuable resource, please add my banner to your blog with a link to The DIRECTORY, as this would be very much appreciated.







27 comments:

Jeanne Henriques said...

Fantastic post Egmont! It is going to keep me busy as I have a look at all the links but what a wonderful project for a Saturday afternoon! Your package is going out today with a note to self to place as many stamps on it as possible!
Jeanne:)

Anonymous said...

Dear Egmont, I fear that I am one of those people guilty of largely ignoring what may be contained within a sidebar. For me, it is the actual posting which is of interest which, I believe, expresses the thoughts and opinions of the writer him/herself.

To some extent I do agree with the argument put forward by Wendy Richmond. Too many exhibitions are designed for mass appeal - perhaps this is the only way of ensuring financial viability.

However, as recently as January I visited an exhibition of Impressionists work in Vienna [strange that you should mention the Vermeer there] which was clearly not designed as a 'money spinner'. Relatively few works were displayed and, apart from one Cezanne, none was previously known to me. By this, I wish to suggest that there was an absence of any of the really well known and popular paintings of the period.

For me, the best exhibitions are those which are limited in the number of works on display.

Zuzana said...

First of all, thank you for the beautiful music played in the background. Superb choice, creating a certain atmosphere so suitable for this place.
I agree on the sentiments of the sidebar. From my own experience I rarely look a it it, unless something jumps off the page. Often I do notice that which is positioned on the top.

The photographer featured in your post is fantastic. I completely understand why you love her work. I am intrigued.

Have a lovely Saturday.

xo
Zuzana

Catherine said...

Thank you for your lovely comments on my blog the other day Egmont. Cats are good for the soul I think! :)

And thank you for introducing us to some wonderful artists. I love the one from Dianne Poinski ~ so warm and soothing. I'm going to spend later this afternoon looking at them more closely.

Have a most enjoyable day!
Warm thoughts, Catherine

Caterina Giglio said...

My Dear,

First, thank you for Albinoni! so nice to hear this accompaniment to your beautiful blog surroundings!

I must check out the links as soon as I can. You are such a generous spirit to always highlight the work of others! many blessing will come to you for this, though that is not why you do it...
hugs to you dear friend.

caterina

Maggie Neale said...

Dear Egmont, such a wealth of words, images, and the lovely soothing music is such fine accompaniment, but time is an element which I don't have enough of to really bathe in these waters you have offered. A return visit is planned soon!
Thank you for your gifts.

Anonymous said...

Wow, this is some posting - so much to take in. First, I love the paintings of Vermeer. Second I haven't yet checked all the links you so cleverly include to educate and entice your followers, and third, I am ambivalent on the subject of sidebars. I know mine is a mess and needs updating, but usually, I find I do not have the time to delve into everything that appears in many bloggers sidebars. No doubt I am missing so much, but to me it is the actual posts that appeal. Thanks for provoking me to consider them in a more sensible light.

S. Etole said...

it's so good to have you back ... thank you for the referrals you have mentioned

Blue Sky Dreaming said...

Such a thoughtful intelligent post...I have spent time reading your main section and sidebar...thank you.
I have visited the kunst historisches museum in Vienna and the museum alone is worth several days visiting!

Anna Mavromatis said...

Great to see you back and wonderful to "see" your art and arty suggestions!

S. Susan Deborah said...

Dear Egmont:

I always pay attention to sidebars and you know that. I loved the music that was playing while we partook of the blog post.

Glad that you have posted after a gap. Hope you are doing well and are rested.

Hope and refreshing sunshine always,
Susan

rivergardenstudio said...

Oh, such beautiful music here...it has put me in such a dreamy mood while I gaze out my window inbetween painting and looking at your blog.
I love the photographs of Dianne Poinski and reading your thoughts.
Putting things on my sidebar is very challenging to me.
My mother loved Vermere and I have some beautiful books of his work.
Thank you again for including my river book in your post and on your sidebar.
And I also have to tell you that I purchased "The Art of the Trout Fly from Amazon!
Sending wishes for a wonderful day...
roxanne

ifos said...

Thank you Egmont for introducing me to Dianne Poinski, her photographs are truly wonderful.
You seem to have hit a nerve with some people with regard to sidebars and I have to say that I find many of them to be cluttered with unnecessary and irrelevant gadgets. I have been slowly paring down my sidebar and I think I will go further yet. On this last point I seem to be out on my own, I find having to listen to music chosen by somebody else to be very annoying and even when I have found it and switched it off, if I follow a link and return to your blog the damn stuff starts up again.
I am going now to lie down in a darkened room and silent room.
Best wishes Ian

Ian Foster said...

Please disregard the first 'room' in the last sentence of the previous comment. Ian

Kim Palmer said...

Thank you for introducing Dianne Poinski. Have been over to check out the link and thoroughly enjoyed the ride!
There is much to be said for truly exploring one work of art. The clearer insight into both the artist and the work can be extraordinary and exciting. Personally I am very keen on this style of exhibit and think there is much to be gained from it and agree that it cetainly establishes a stronger connection to the work and artist. I do of course realise that everything costs and mass appeal brings in the money to continue to fund other exhibitions and less masss appeal offerings. Always the balance needs to be maintained.
Roxannes work is always a treat to see.
You are right about the sidebars. I often tend to slide past without really exploring them. Probably as I am trying to keep up with so many blogs!

Betty Manousos said...

Dear Egmont,
It's soo good to have you back! I am so glad.
I really loved your thoughtful post filled with your "arty" tips and suggestions. Thanks for introducing us to some nice artists.
I also love your music played in the background.One of my faves.
Have a nice Sunday! :)
Betty

Shayla said...

Egmont, I like what you brought out about going to an exhibit to see one painting. Yes, the connection would be greater. They say we spend an average of 3 min per painting in a museum. There's so much we're missing when we speed by.

Dorothy said...

Patience is a virtue and often we are so busy we don't take the time we should to enjoy these treasures.

Dorothy from grammology
grammology.com

Celeste Bergin said...

great post and lovely music--!

~*~Patty Szymkowicz said...

I always feel richer after visiting you Egmont ... on many levels.
The music is pure delight.
My sidebar primarily exists thanks to a young tech friend in Chile...it is not something I understand very well how to maneuver.
Thank you for the links, lots of investigate and enjoy further.
All the best to you!
oxo

layers said...

you have some very good selections and links here-- I love sepia photographs and the artist photographer you feature is wonderful

Marina Lonati Colombo said...

Ciao Egmont! E' un piacere sentirti.
grazie per questo post. Senza la tua paziente selezione non si conoscerebbero artisti così bravi.
Marina

Paul C said...

I appreciate your links to sites which are worthy of attention. They act as a filter and spot light.

Debrina said...

Hello Egmont. I thoroughly enjoyed reading this post. You've hit the nail on the head with your spotlighting. I have fallen in love with River Garden Studio - so thank you for introducing me to this gentle woman's blog and her art and writing. Dianne Poinski is also a nice discovery, especially now that we live in the era of photoshop! I have so thoroughly enjoyed reading this post, in fact, that I have added you to my favourites list on my side panel...which isn't static but refreshes itself after each blogger's update. I was also delighted to find myself in your directory. Thank you. I have actually chosen the altered book as my forte - my focus for specialisation - so thankyou for acknowledging that by placing me in your directory. It's a great directory too, might I add.

Anonymous said...

Another wonderful post. Thank you for continuing to enlighten and educate and otherwise make art come alive. You are appreciated. I will visit your suggested links.
Pam

Seth said...

Such an amazing post...filled with so much information. I have often thought the same thing as you about the sidebar and wondered how many visitors to blogs actually spend time there. Thanks for the links to these artists and for all the work you have put into The Directory. And speaking of sidebars, I have added your banner to mine!

Gaby Bee said...

Hope you are doing well, Egmont! Thanks for your suggestions and for introducing me to some gorgeous artists. I have added your banner to my Blog already :-)