When I think about the origins of master artists, Switzerland doesn’t readily come to my mind. I mean, it's not Italy, or France, or Holland, or England, it's Switzerland. Of course, there are a few like Giacometti and Klee, and others, but their names don't readily roll out of the history books. Switzerland brings to mind scientists and … [Read more...] about Anna Waser: A Swiss Prodigy Becomes a Master
azurite
Uber Umbers and Other Colors from the Earth
Throughout the ages, since the very first scrawls were made in caves and tribal hunting events were recorded on walls, people have been using colors made of ochres, umbers, madders, bugs, mummies, minerals, shells, iron oxides, and plants. These pigments decorated sheets of papyrus, vellum, paper, faces, bodies, fabrics, clothing, tools, leather, … [Read more...] about Uber Umbers and Other Colors from the Earth
Uber Azurite
One of the most spectacular mineral colors is azurite/malachite, which was at one time abundant and found in many places around the world including Arizona. It has been used by both artists of the past and today. This magnificent chunk is at the Tohona Botanical Garden in Tucson, AZ. The color absolutely made my heart go flip flop when I first … [Read more...] about Uber Azurite
Gifts from the Nubians
Gifts from the Nubians ©Margret E. Short, 2011, OPA. AWA, 10x8 Oil on Panel Lessons from the Pharaoh's Tomb, Part Two Nubia, located just south of Egypt on the Nile River, is known as the Kingdom of Kush and the Land of Gold. Because Egypt had no gold, they were dependent upon the Nubians for this precious … [Read more...] about Gifts from the Nubians
Kom Ombo
Kom Ombo 8x10 Oil on Gold Leaf © Margret E. Short 2011 Lessons from the Pharaoh's Tomb, Part Two It seems perfectly fitting to use gold leaf as a base support for the ancient Egyptian pigment project paintings, especially considering so many antiquities are made of precious metals such as gold. First I applied twenty three carat gold … [Read more...] about Kom Ombo
Feluccas on the Nile
Feluccas on the Nile © Margret E. Short 2011, 12x5 Oil on panel Lessons from the Pharaoh's Tomb, Part Two Feluccas on the Nile, is inspired by a lovely warm January afternoon sailing around an island near Aswan while watching the sun create long dark shadows across the dunes. As far as the eye can see the feluccas elegantly glide over the water … [Read more...] about Feluccas on the Nile