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.
Happy New Year! Today is the first day of our #30SAL Challenge. Every day for the next 30 days I’ll post a creative challenge. These challenges won’t be your typical drawing challenges. Designed to foster a wide variety of creative skills, they are not restricted to any style or genre, and medium is artist’s choice. …
[image_with_animation image_url=”7673″ alignment=”center” animation=”None” box_shadow=”none” max_width=”100%”] Mia Dix, Memory of an Object “The loss of a tangible object, that was dropped and broken. It was a glass bird. This ink painting is what I remember of it.” —– For today’s challenge, you will need a timer, drawing/painting tools, and 2 pieces of paper. Choose a simple …
In the past, if I had two words to describe watercolor, I might say “fresh” and “delicate.” I’d always thought of watercolor as a fairly fragile medium that shouldn’t be worked too hard. I thought of the white of the paper as the most valuable resource, and the greatest mistake would be to lose that …
Most League artists are busy people. You’re not the only one! I want to make these projects challenging but still accessible. If you miss a day, no biggie. If you miss two, join the club. If you can only do one out of 30, you still did one! Last I checked, one is way better …
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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