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
historical pigments
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
Dancing Backwards Part 3; More Stories of Gifted but Forgotten Women Artists
Before the Renaissance period of the 16th Century, it was rare for women artists to sign and date their work. Catharina van Hemessen, born in 1528 in Belgium, broke that spell when she did just that! She also became one of the first female artists to become known as a sought-after exceedingly skilled portrait artist featuring women subjects. Only a … [Read more...] about Dancing Backwards Part 3; More Stories of Gifted but Forgotten Women Artists
Dancing Backwards Returns; Going Medieval with Skeletons: More Stories of Mostly Forgotten Fabulously Talented Women Artists of the Past: Part 3 Coming in September
How does a 850 year old skeleton relate to Dancing Backwards? It is posited that this woman/skeleton was a scribe/artist and somehow while working on a manuscript, a small chunk of lapis lazuli pigment was accidentally embedded in the flesh of her lower jaw behind her front teeth. According to the Smithsonian Institute, scientists like to poke … [Read more...] about Dancing Backwards Returns; Going Medieval with Skeletons: More Stories of Mostly Forgotten Fabulously Talented Women Artists of the Past: Part 3 Coming in September
More Lessons from Fred and Ginger Part ll with Sophie Fremiet Rude
Looking back over the months of research for both Dancing Backwards in High Heels Parts One and Two, a distinct vocabulary ideology repeatedly pops up. Words and phrases like artistic family, parental encouragement, financial hardship, financial independence, prevail, obstacles, and perseverance among others. There is a common thread running … [Read more...] about More Lessons from Fred and Ginger Part ll with Sophie Fremiet Rude
Dancing Backwards Part ll with the Iconic Artemisia Gentileschi
Baroque artist, Artemisia Gentileschi, born in Rome in 1593, was graced with the good fortune of having a famous painter as her father, Orazio Gentileschi. She received her training from one of the best early in her life and made a name for herself by the age of 15. Her popularity and fame took her from Rome to Florence, Venice, Naples, and then … [Read more...] about Dancing Backwards Part ll with the Iconic Artemisia Gentileschi