Appreciating Art

I have been going to art classes for a few years now and aside from improving my own painting skills, I have gained a whole new appreciation of art and what goes into creating a beautiful painting. 

I also realise that appreciation of art is a very personal thing. A painting that speaks to me, might not speak to you in the same way. It isn't always easy to establish why we like one painting and don't like another. What I do know, however, is that, in general, while I can appreciate the talent that goes into creating them, I  don't really like paintings that look too much like photographs. Realism is the art style where the subject of the painting looks very much like it appears in real life. Personally, I often find this style of art lacking in "atmosphere"....too perfect in a way.

I am also not a big fan of very abstract art where there is no real indication of what the painting is supposed to depict. They often, in my opinion, look like a toddler has taken up a paint brush and produced an accidental mess of paint! (I suspect I am going to get some disagreement on this one.) My preference is for paintings that are done in a painterly style, where the brush strokes are very evident, where there are blurred edges, where there is an absence of perfection. The essence of the subject is captured rather than every detail and the most important quality of the painting is the mood that is evokes.

All the beautiful paintings in this post are the work of my teacher, friend and talented artist, Belinda Ardé. 

She produces the most exquisite still lives...

....soulful landscapes...

....amazing portraits....

...of people... and of beloved pets.

Beautiful nudes....

...and the best family portraits I've ever seen.

Belinda has a website (here) where she can be contacted regarding paintings for sale, art classes or commissions. She is based in Cape Town, but has recently done a commission for a family in the USA, so if you live abroad and love her work,  don't let an ocean get in the way! I have included her details on my sidebar for future reference.

Wishing you a wonderful Thursday

Till next time

Sharon x

Monday Musings - Earning your Stripes

In the book "The Devil's Cloth : A History of Stripes and Striped Fabric" by Michel Pastoureau, he says that when stripes had first arrived in Europe, on the garments of a Carmelite order from the Holy Land, a great disturbance ensued. It appears that in the 13th and 14th centuries the wearing of stripes was a frightening transgression. In feudal times, anyone not to be trusted – village idiots, prostitutes, disloyal knights, tricksters, jugglers and clowns – might be dressed or depicted in stripes. Even in more modern times, prisoners in storybooks are often clothed in stripes.

Well, despite the dubious origins of stripes, I love them. They combine so well with florals, checks, spots, plains, almost any other fabric. They can be broad and bold in strong colours or subtle and gentle in paler hues. They can be rustic or sophisticated. They work in country homes, beach houses, urban lofts or stately mansions.

So to start off the week, I am sharing my pictorial collections of stripes with you. Enjoy!

This cute little bunny and I wish you a happy week!

Till next time

Sharon x

Image source: 1. Dying of Cute  2. Elle Decor  3. Decorating Mumma  4. Georgiana Design  5. Zinnia Cottage on Etsy  6. Tumblr  7. Gregory Mellor  8. In his grip - Tumblr  9. Sparkle Sense Blog  10. Tumblr  11. Tumblr  12. Cozy Little House Blog  13. Tumblr  14. House to Home  15,. Cakestands and Buttondowns  16. Limilee  17. Tumblr  18. Decorare  19.  Windsor Smith  20. Casa Decorada  21. Apartment Therapy  22. Tumblr  23. Homedit  24. Cakestands and Buttondowns  25. Fric and Frac Blog  26. Pink Wallpaper Blog  27.  The Errant Aesthete  28. Houzz  29. Casa Decorada  30. Tumblr  31. Elle Decor  32. Cakestands and Buttondowns  33. Tumblr  34. Limilee  35 Mmmarly  36. Tumblr  37. Martha Stewart  38. Green Like Bathwater