Weekend Distractions

My birthday is on Saturday (yes, wish me a happy birthday ;-)... so, I may not get around to finishing my discussion on nudity in art until the beginning of next week. I hope, by then, to also have a finished painting to share with you! I've been posting progress pictures of it on Facebook, but I'll be very excited to finally get it up on my website, after three months of hard work. I'll have pictures, and a detailed explanation. In case you were wondering what artful things I might be doing for my birthday... Steve is taking me to the symphony to hear one of my favorite piano concertos of all time, Brahms' 2nd! I wanted to learn one of the movements back in college, just for fun, and my piano teacher told me, "Don't even bother." Not the most constructive th… Read more »

Weekend Distractions

Nudity in Art, Part II

As I mentioned in my last post, nudity in classical art was meant to personify an idea or to reveal certain qualities of the human condition. During the Renaissance, the Catholic Church was still one of the biggest patrons of the arts, and as a result we have such priceless treasures as Giotto's The Life of Christ frescoes in Scrovegni Chapel and Masaccio's Brancacci Chapel. Both painters demonstrated new-found understanding of anatomy, foreshortening, lighting, form and drapery. Images of Christ being taken down from the cross, or being carried to his tomb, depicted Him nude or semi-nude. I find it refreshing to see the physicality of Jesus in Renaissance and Post-Renaissance painting, because the Bible tells us that He was both fully God and fully Man. Giotto di Bondone, Lamentat… Read more »

Nudity in Art, Part II

Introduction to “Good Art / Bad Art” from a Christian Standpoint; On Nudity and Art

Ever since graduating from Hillsdale College and starting a career in painting, I have searched for ways to use my artistic calling to glorify God and contribute to our culture in a way that is meaningful and uplifting. In my quest for meaning, I’ve received a lot of advice and suggestions. Many people suggested that I write and illustrate children’s books, donate my time to churches by painting murals, or paint narrative scenes depicting stories from the Bible and great biblical truths. While all of these things have their place, I found that whenever I heard such proposals, I was hardly enthusiastic. Recently I’ve figured out why my reaction was so indifferent and half-hearted. “Christian art” as we know it has become watered down and sentimental, with little or no basis of reality. It … Read more »

Introduction to “Good Art / Bad Art” from a Christian Standpoint; On Nudity and Art

Judith Carducci Workshop, January 2011

It's 4:30 in the morning and I've been up all night. This is not my normal schedule! Just ask any of my former college roommates: they'll tell you with just a hint of ridicule that I like to be in bed by 10:30 p.m.! However, my work hours have been turned upside down since Steve switched positions within his company. Last week, he was on 1st shift (5:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.). This week, he jumped from those ungodly hours to even worse hours -- 3rd shift (10 p.m. to 6 a.m.). So, I am attempting to match my sleep schedule to his. Strangely enough, it's working out okay. I just finished a delightful painting session during which I completed an arm and a leg; meanwhile, my dog slept peacefully on the floor next to my easel while I listened to the soothing sounds of Beethoven. I&#… Read more »

Judith Carducci Workshop, January 2011

P.S. - A Nice Surprise for 2011 - Feature in "Informed Collector"

I was pleasantly surprised yesterday morning to discover that I've been featured as a recommended portrait artist in The Informed Collector , one of the e-newsletters sent out by Canvoo, a major online art marketing site. The feature came as a result of "Twin Arts" being a finalist in the Raymar Fine Art Competition. You can check out the feature by clicking below: Read more »

P.S. - A Nice Surprise for 2011 - Feature in "Informed Collector"

Blessings for the [Artful] New Year

Happy New Year, everyone! Good things are already happening here at Artwork by Anna Rose! Don't worry... I haven't forgotten about my discourse on good art / bad art and Christian art philosophy. But I am still working on what I want to say, and how I want to say it, so in the mean time, I'd like to pause and dwell for a moment on this past year, while looking forward to our brand new one, 2011. In spite of the many negative things that took place around the world in 2010 (e.g. the gulf spill, the economic crisis, politics in general...), I felt very blessed and encouraged by all the artistic growth I saw, not just in my own work, but in the work of other artists whom I've come to know either through social networking, artist groups, or here in DFW. I was extremely gratefu… Read more »

Blessings for the [Artful] New Year