art
Artistic, musical, creative, and entertaining topics of art about all things geek.
"The Swing", by Jean-Honoré Fragonard
Jean-Honoré Fragonard (1732-1806) was an 18th century French painter best known for his works in the Rococo style, although he later turned his attention to Neoclassicism. Rococo was a reaction to the formalism of Baroque, and was typified by excessive ornament and an emphasis on lightness, playfulness and intimacy. “The Swing”, painted in 1767, is often referred to as a prime example of French Rococo, and with good reason.
By John Welford5 years ago in Geeks
The Adoration of the Shepherds
The subject of the Adoration of the Shepherds was extremely popular among painters during the Renaissance, and continued to be so in later centuries. During an age when very few ordinary people could read or write, and in Catholic Europe the services were conducted in Latin, there was a ready market for images that could involve lay people in their religion, and many Bible scenes were painted for display in churches.
By John Welford5 years ago in Geeks
The Art of Improvisation.
Google provides the following definition to improvisation: "Something that is improvised, in particular a piece of music, drama, etc. created spontaneously or without preparation." There is nothing wrong with this description but it is a bit light when it comes to capturing the art of improvisation. Yes, I used the word "art". The five years that I spent improvising with a French team in London have convinced me that improvisation has carved a very distinct place of its own in the league of performing arts. This opinion might spark some debate but it is not the purpose of this article.
By Ashley BOOLELL5 years ago in Geeks
Through Darkest Dungeons Are Formed The Greatest Friends
What interests do you hold as a person? Do you like imagining far away realms where magic can occur? Do you like looking at old maps and wondering what it must be like to inhabit those places? Do you enjoy artistic and crafty endeavors showing the beauty of the world in microcosm? You are here reading this story and quite possibly many others hosted on this platform, so I am willing to bet that you enjoy good story telling. And who among us does not? With the film industry raking in billions of dollars every year, it is safe to say that the world puts a lot of value on stories. And there is no better medium to tell stories than Table Top Role Playing Games (or TTRPGs)!
By Through Iron Eyes5 years ago in Geeks
Donatello's statue of David
Donatello (full name Donato di Niccolò di Betto Bardi) was probably born in 1386 (in Florence) and was apprenticed to the sculptor and goldsmith Lorenzo Ghiberti, with whom he worked on a number of commissions for statues to adorn churches and other buildings in Florence. He also spent three years in Rome working for the architect Filippo Brunelleschi.
By John Welford5 years ago in Geeks
Your Hogwarts Acceptance Letter Got Lost in the Mail
During the winter holidays one year, I learned that quite a few of my friends rewatch the Harry Potter series. This was an intentional act to take them back to their childhood when things were much simpler, and they experienced pure joy following the series. For many it was what made reading fun to them, and although it may not be their favourite book anymore, the characters, plot and inside jokes have become unforgettable trivia that they still reference to this day. Knowing that the following year, we would be turning 22, I decided that I would take this opportunity to finally read the entire series and present my best friend with their own Hogwarts acceptance letter. In the story, the letters were originally sent out to children when they turned 11, so it seemed quite fitting that there would have been an attempt at redelivery, when most of them were finishing up their post-secondary education. Some of my friends had even joked that they would have totally dropped their current studies to attend Hogwarts if given the chance, so I knew I was on the right track with this creative project. Although they would have been a mature student in age, their curiosity and love of magical things would make them fit right in. I was quite excited to have an art project to work on as and looking forward to witnessing the joy they would experience having a childhood dream fulfilled.
By Kishan Baskaran5 years ago in Geeks
Craft + Cinema
Amongst the multitude of detriments the world has experienced last year due to COVID-19, we as people have discovered new hobbies to 'distract' ourselves from the pandemic. In the context of this new distraction and my craft as an artist, I've found myself to be submerged into the vast realm and artistry of cinema in quarantine. As I began to renew my sense of nostalgia through revisiting old films and trying new films, I devised a way to weaponize these movies to combat my constant boredom. I realized that merely watching movies as a pastime simply wouldn't suffice. Despite how egotistic it sounds, I've decided to put my divine-given talents to use. As a result, I've begun my quest of immortalizing my favorite films on my garments.
By DukeTheVirgo5 years ago in Geeks
Craft + Cinema:
Amongst the multitude of detriments the world has experienced last year due to COVID-19, we as people have discovered new hobbies to 'distract' ourselves from the pandemic. In the context of this new distraction and my craft as an artist, I've found myself to be submerged into the vast realm and artistry of cinema in quarantine. As I began to renew my sense of nostalgia through revisiting old films and trying new films, I devised a way to weaponize these movies to combat my constant boredom. I realized that merely watching movies as a pastime simply wouldn't suffice. Despite how egotistic it sounds, I've decided to put my divine-given talents to use. As a result, I've begun my quest of immortalizing my favorite films on my garments.
By DukeTheVirgo5 years ago in Geeks
I Swear I Made My Dragon
“A Dragon! A dragon! I swear I saw a dragon A green and seething fire-breathing monster is in sight “1 With bright green plush, being 5’ to 6 ½’ in height, with a big head and a great round belly, even though he only made puffs and never quite managed flames, Arthur, the official mascot of the Mystery Castle Enchanted Theme Park came to life. With a little slashing of the Fiskars, a dash of hot glue, some sewing here, and some prayer there, my dragon existed in real-time regardless of what the historians have to say.
By Lois Brand5 years ago in Geeks
The Hay-Wain, by John Constable
John Constable’s paintings of the English landscape, particularly those of his native Suffolk, are so evocative that many visitors to England expect to see nothing but a series of Constable canvases through their car windows. Needless to say, they are often disappointed. However, there are instances when they are not, and it is quite possible to stand today in some of the places where Constable stood 200 years ago and see at least something of what he would have seen. The Hay-Wain is a case in point.
By John Welford5 years ago in Geeks
