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
painting
The People’s Museum
A myriad of glitches during our recent aborted Romance of the Rhine river cruise resulted in an an unexpected side trip to Amsterdam. Not wanting to spend the day, yet again, on a long boring bus ride after the boat broke down, Dave and I threw up our hands in protest, got directions to the train station, and bought 2 tickets for the Fast Train to … [Read more...] about The People’s Museum
Hals vs. Rembrandt
The Company of Captain Reinier Reael and Lieutenant Cornelis Michielsz Blaeuw, Amsterdam. 82 inches by 168 inches, 1582, Frans Hals. Across the Rijksmuseum's gallery from The Night Watch is another huge militia style painting by Frans Hals, shown above, that, to my taste, is not nearly as captivating as Rembrandt's. Hals work does not … [Read more...] about Hals vs. Rembrandt
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
Chicanery
Who could have guessed one of the most helpful and instructional guides for this project would be a cunning art forger? While examining one of my favorite art book's bibliography (the best feature of any book!), the title, The Art Forger's Handbook jumped off the page. Eric Hebborn wrote about his artistic skills describing ingenious deceptions, … [Read more...] about Chicanery
Mad Scientist Who Never Sleeps
In many ways, we are all students of a certain endeavor at some time or another. My mad scientist/experiment-or/student self never sleeps. Come to my studio and most days you will find a pot of stand oil/varnish medium bubbling away on the hot plate. Alternatively, perhaps a small batch of Red Iron Oxide or Egyptian Blue Frit will be lingering on … [Read more...] about Mad Scientist Who Never Sleeps