Yesterday I posted Ralph Kiggell’s Temple Dogs series of woodblock prints, and quoted excerpts from his blog that described his process. Today I’m sharing his Sacred Shapes series of 12 woodblocks. They also have a simple concept, repeated in iterations, in which the subject is abstracted to the point it is a compositional element. Similar to yesterday’s dogs, these Sacred Shapes also have a bit of humor included. A while back I wrote a V.Note about how difficult it can be for art to be humorous. Fine lines, so to speak.
Bonus: This post includes a very nicely written artist statement, a rare thing. Notice how his writing is similar in tone to his artwork, and how he avoids inflated and indirect flippity-floppity wishity-washity art speak. He does not even use the word “juxtapose.”
“In Twelve Sacred Shapes, a group of apparently unrelated international objects from science, geography and nature translate the kranok shape. These shapes mimic the upward curving forms and pointy flicks seen in, for example, temple decoration, Thai writing and in the long fingernails of temple dancers, all of which rise auspiciously toward a better, more sacred, place than the earth on which our feet stand.”
Sacred Shape – Pinecone
Sacred Shape – Shell
Sacred Shape – Rock
Do you enjoy the look of the woodgrain? Do you enjoy these simple compositional shapes? Woodblock is an excellent class for painters and designers. It strengthens our compositions, and our ability to think through an artwork so we don’t end up in the weeds. If you enjoy curls of wood shavings, and meditative processes with clear steps (unlike painting), try our new Contemporary Woodblock class. I thought I’d be sick of woodblock after carving that giant steamroller Rhino but I only got more interested. The house spent carving were very pleasant, and I liked the result quite a bit. I discovered I actually kinda like this stuff. I’m taking this Fall Contemporary Woodblocks class on Monday mornings. Want to join me? Sign up now! Don’t wait! This class starts September 17th.
[image_with_animation image_url=”8901″ alignment=”” animation=”None” box_shadow=”none” max_width=”100%”] Last night’s Big League Show was a Big League success, due to the generous contributions of many. There were 198 artworks from 70 artists, and we estimate 150 people attended the reception. The quality of the work was excellent, widely varied in style and content, and incredibly interesting. There …
[image_with_animation image_url=”8109″ alignment=”” animation=”None” box_shadow=”none” max_width=”100%”] What does wax do for an oil painting? In addition to the protective qualities of a top coat, wax unifies the surface of a painting. Each pigment has varying degrees of matte and shiny, and each brush stroke can have slightly more, or slightly less medium, resulting in a …
Exercise your creativity This SAL Challenge is a vocabulary based creative challenge every day for January. Materials are artist’s choice. You can draw, paint, sew, collage, sculpt your food, anything you want. See below for today’s creative challenge. Set the timer for 20 minutes and see what happens. JENTACULAR adj. – pertaining to breakfast Of …
[image_with_animation image_url=”6592″ alignment=”” animation=”None” box_shadow=”none” max_width=”100%”] October Creative Challenge The last 30 day creative challenge was so delightful, I thought it might be time to do another. Today I launch the October Creative Challenge! WANNA DRAW? You can challenge yourself to do all 30 challenges, 5 a week, or whatever floats your boat. I know …
Ralph Kiggell: Sacred Shapes
[image_with_animation image_url=”11536″ alignment=”center” animation=”None” box_shadow=”none” max_width=”100%”]
Sacred Shapes – Accordion Book
Yesterday I posted Ralph Kiggell’s Temple Dogs series of woodblock prints, and quoted excerpts from his blog that described his process. Today I’m sharing his Sacred Shapes series of 12 woodblocks. They also have a simple concept, repeated in iterations, in which the subject is abstracted to the point it is a compositional element. Similar to yesterday’s dogs, these Sacred Shapes also have a bit of humor included. A while back I wrote a V.Note about how difficult it can be for art to be humorous. Fine lines, so to speak.
Bonus: This post includes a very nicely written artist statement, a rare thing. Notice how his writing is similar in tone to his artwork, and how he avoids inflated and indirect flippity-floppity wishity-washity art speak. He does not even use the word “juxtapose.”
Kiggell’s website is quoted below:
TWELVE SACRED SHAPES
Sacred Shape – Topiary
Sacred Shape – Cypress
Sacred Shape—Windsock
“In Twelve Sacred Shapes, a group of apparently unrelated international objects from science, geography and nature translate the kranok shape. These shapes mimic the upward curving forms and pointy flicks seen in, for example, temple decoration, Thai writing and in the long fingernails of temple dancers, all of which rise auspiciously toward a better, more sacred, place than the earth on which our feet stand.”
Sacred Shape – Pinecone
Sacred Shape – Shell
Sacred Shape – Rock
Do you enjoy the look of the woodgrain? Do you enjoy these simple compositional shapes? Woodblock is an excellent class for painters and designers. It strengthens our compositions, and our ability to think through an artwork so we don’t end up in the weeds. If you enjoy curls of wood shavings, and meditative processes with clear steps (unlike painting), try our new Contemporary Woodblock class. I thought I’d be sick of woodblock after carving that giant steamroller Rhino but I only got more interested. The house spent carving were very pleasant, and I liked the result quite a bit. I discovered I actually kinda like this stuff. I’m taking this Fall Contemporary Woodblocks class on Monday mornings. Want to join me? Sign up now! Don’t wait! This class starts September 17th.
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