Max Ernst used texture rubbings to overcome his fear of the white canvas, and ignite his imagination.
“Painting is not for me either decorative amusement, or the plastic invention of felt reality; it must be every time: invention, discovery, revelation.”
Max Ernst, 1891-1976
The embedded video preview does not appear to be working, so please click the link below to watch a 4 minute short film of Max Ernst drawing in his studio. It’s lovely. [image_with_animation image_url=”2021″ alignment=”” animation=”None” img_link_target=”_blank” img_link=”https://youtu.be/CHdU4JfY-bU
frot·tage frôˈtäZH/ noun: the technique or process of taking a rubbing from an uneven surface to form the basis of a work of art.
There is a modern slang definition for frottage, but this is not the place for such things.
On a computer screen, the detailed cells of color in Chris Crites’ paintings look digital-perfect. In person, I’m compelled to creep closer, closer, until my breath fogs up the glass. It’s then that I can see the thousands of tiny brush strokes neatly aligned within each penciled form. He says it’s OCD. I say it’s skill and …
[image_with_animation image_url=”8621″ alignment=”” animation=”None” box_shadow=”none” max_width=”100%”] Xu Wei (1521-1593) was a Ming Chinese painter, poet, calligrapher and dramatist. He was raised by a single mother who died when he was 14. He married a woman, who died 5 years later. He fought Japanese pirates. He had bipolar disorder, a condition recognized in China, so after …
[image_with_animation image_url=”3161″ alignment=”center” animation=”None” box_shadow=”none” max_width=”100%”] Yesterday I posted about a conversation between League friend and painter Fredericka Foster and composer/musician Phillip Glass that was recently published in Nautilus. In the post, Foster and Glass talk about time. Above is another artist’s expression of time. Toying with the idea of how long it takes to make …
I have a new little studio to fix up. It’s a mess of a space; low ceilings, filthy and rough, but full of potential. I thought I’d let you know how I make decisions about fixing up a studio space. Today, I’ll talk about the paint. Painting an empty room is such a simple thing, and …
Max Ernst; frottage to free the freeze
Max Ernst used texture rubbings to overcome his fear of the white canvas, and ignite his imagination.
frot·tage frôˈtäZH/ noun: the technique or process of taking a rubbing from an uneven surface to form the basis of a work of art.
There is a modern slang definition for frottage, but this is not the place for such things.
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On a computer screen, the detailed cells of color in Chris Crites’ paintings look digital-perfect. In person, I’m compelled to creep closer, closer, until my breath fogs up the glass. It’s then that I can see the thousands of tiny brush strokes neatly aligned within each penciled form. He says it’s OCD. I say it’s skill and …
Xu Wei
[image_with_animation image_url=”8621″ alignment=”” animation=”None” box_shadow=”none” max_width=”100%”] Xu Wei (1521-1593) was a Ming Chinese painter, poet, calligrapher and dramatist. He was raised by a single mother who died when he was 14. He married a woman, who died 5 years later. He fought Japanese pirates. He had bipolar disorder, a condition recognized in China, so after …
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