[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 the pirates things got ugly with his mental state. He attempted suicide 9 times, and murdered his third wife in paranoia she was having an affair. After dying in poverty, he became well known for his flower and bird paintings.
Age old question: Should we separate the art from the artist?
I’d prefer not to. These are flower paintings made by a man in a lot of pain. He murdered his wife. We are all complicated beings, and the flowers are no less beautiful to me. The story of the maker can surround the art with context, complexity, and depth. Knowing dirt about an artist can also totally ruin an artwork for me, but I’d still prefer to know the whole story, rather than ignorantly enjoying the half.
” load_in_animation=”none What do you think about separating art from artist? Your comments are welcome.
New Deadline for Submissions: January 31, 2021 The first annual Seattle Artist League Portrait Awards are aimed at encouraging artists to focus on and develop the theme of portraiture in their work. The competition is open to everyone aged sixteen and over, in recognition of the outstanding and innovative work in drawing, painting, printmaking, and mixed media. 1st Prize: …
Find an old catalogue, magazine, maps, drawings, paintings, wrappers, etc. Stack the materials. You may wish to use some impermanent glue. Working with an x-acto blade, or tearing by hand, remove paper to reveal previous layers. Post your work Post to Instagram with #30SAL so we can find it. To be eligible for prizes, (yes …
Take a class with SAL – anywhere! Previously, I posted funerary art from the 3rd through the 6th centuries. This post veers far out of that time range, but the unfinished Atlas Slave came up in discussion during today’s figure sculpture class. I got excited to share, so here they are. In 1505, Michelangelo was …
Today is day 28 of our 30 day creative challenge. Fridays are comics day. For today’s comic challenge, you’ll illustrate a quote from a random idea generator. As usual, feel free to draw, paint, print, collage, assemblage, photograph, or build an igloo out of sugar cubes. Here is your quote: Post it Post your work …
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 the pirates things got ugly with his mental state. He attempted suicide 9 times, and murdered his third wife in paranoia she was having an affair. After dying in poverty, he became well known for his flower and bird paintings.
I’d prefer not to. These are flower paintings made by a man in a lot of pain. He murdered his wife. We are all complicated beings, and the flowers are no less beautiful to me. The story of the maker can surround the art with context, complexity, and depth. Knowing dirt about an artist can also totally ruin an artwork for me, but I’d still prefer to know the whole story, rather than ignorantly enjoying the half.
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Portrait Awards
New Deadline for Submissions: January 31, 2021 The first annual Seattle Artist League Portrait Awards are aimed at encouraging artists to focus on and develop the theme of portraiture in their work. The competition is open to everyone aged sixteen and over, in recognition of the outstanding and innovative work in drawing, painting, printmaking, and mixed media. 1st Prize: …
Day 8: Reverse Collage #30SAL
Find an old catalogue, magazine, maps, drawings, paintings, wrappers, etc. Stack the materials. You may wish to use some impermanent glue. Working with an x-acto blade, or tearing by hand, remove paper to reveal previous layers. Post your work Post to Instagram with #30SAL so we can find it. To be eligible for prizes, (yes …
Michelangelo’s unfinished slaves
Take a class with SAL – anywhere! Previously, I posted funerary art from the 3rd through the 6th centuries. This post veers far out of that time range, but the unfinished Atlas Slave came up in discussion during today’s figure sculpture class. I got excited to share, so here they are. In 1505, Michelangelo was …
30SAL Challenge: Well, this is where I live
Today is day 28 of our 30 day creative challenge. Fridays are comics day. For today’s comic challenge, you’ll illustrate a quote from a random idea generator. As usual, feel free to draw, paint, print, collage, assemblage, photograph, or build an igloo out of sugar cubes. Here is your quote: Post it Post your work …