Books to Treasure

This is the time of the year a lot of people are thinking about giving and/or receiving gifts. I was thinking abou a gift that my aunt gave me when I was 6 months old. The gift was a book, A Child’s Book of Prayers, selected by Louise Raymond and illustrated by Masha.  I still have the book today.

Books are probably at the top of most list of gifts that are most treasured by people. This book holds special meaning because I received it when I was very young and impressed by all new things. I still enjoy looking at the beautiful illustrations and reading the versus. This book is in very fragile condition. The colored paper boards are rubbed and worn around the edges. The spine of this book has been repaired in a very unprofessional manner with tape. The pages are separating from the boards at the hinges. I have to be very careful when I turn the pages. Some of the pages are lightly soiled.  The paper used in 1941 when it was published by Random House was not as good as the quality of paper used today in children’s picture books. I love this book.

I truly enjoy giving books as gifts to the young people on holidays and other special occasions. Someone told me recently that they believed most children will not keep a paper book very long because it is too easy to damage or destroy. I am impressed with the new paper books that are produced today for children. They are a lot sturdier than the books produced fifty or sixty years ago. I will continue to give books to young people as gifts and hope that maybe some of them will keep want to keep and read them for a long time. This book, A Child’s Book of Prayers, is a precious part of my childhood and I will treasure this book forever.


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Virtual Art

I think I am warming up to virtual art or at least I tell myself I am. I’ve have been reading a lot lately about some of the major artists turning to digital art as a way to provide art work to those who cannot afford their traditional work. I am not surprised by this new development. Electronic art – it had to happen sooner or later. There’s an app for almost everything. Why not art?

I will have to admit that I am not totally sold on this latest trend for all things digital. Although the publishing companies seem to have adopted this as a new way to do business in the future, I believe that everything digital is not good. I still read paperbooks and occasionally purchase a CD.

I suspect that this new trend to digital art work has taken off regardless of whether it will be a good thing for the art industry. It will be interesting to see in the next few years where this new venture takes us. Will we no longer have artist producing art work that you can feel, smell and hold?

Time will tell if the collectors and admirers embrace this new technology for the visual arts. As I slowly adapt to this new technology, I think as an art lover I will continue to visit as many galleries and museums as possible to view the real thing.



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Why Pop Art?

What makes Pop Art popular? I have often wondered why Pop Art has sustained its popularity throughout the years. Most large museums have had major shows featuring Andy Warhol, Roy Lichtenstein, Jeff Coons, Ty Wobbly and others this year. There were numerous museums exhibiting Warhol all over the country this year. One of the major shows at the museum in the city where I live was Andy Warhol.

It seems that the when the Pop artists first became popular in 1962 and it was new many were acquiring this work and the prices began to skyrocket. Many who were early investors in Pop art compared their acquisitions to high priced stocks. Today, perhaps the same is true. At recent postwar and contemporary art auctions, the Pop art work is going for ridiculously large sums of money.

Some say Pop Art is for the masses. Most people enjoy Pop Art because of its simplistic style and perhaps because it reflects the soul of a society. Pop Art still rules today and you could probably say it has become as much of a commodity as gold and silver.

You can find a great selection of art books and auction catalogs at Nella’s Books and Collectibles.


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Time to be Creative

I love the fall season. Summer is over and there are a lot of things to get excited about.

1) There are new exhibits to view at art galleries and museums.

2) There are new movies to see and regional film festivals to attend in many locations. The Heartland Film Festival in my area is the annual film festival that introduces the Midwest to independent film-makers from around the world. The movies are always great.

3) The change of seasons brings to my part of the country cool crisp air and beautiful colorful foliage. There are also a variety of festivals to attend that pay tribute to the local produce, apple and pumpkins.

4) The one thing I like the most about the fall season is that it seems to be the perfect time to be creative.

I would guess that many of the great artists have been inspired by the change in seasons. It’s difficult to walk outside this time of the year and not be inspired by nature. You might be lucky enough to view a shooting star, a squirrel busy preparing for winter and the colorful crisp leaves blowing from the trees. All of these things help to inspire many of us to be creative.

This seems to be a popular time for art and craft classes. You can find many adds in the newspaper with craft stores announcing their big sales on all the supplies and items you will need to create.

This is the perfect time to become involved with the arts. You may just want to see a new exhibit at a gallery or visit a museum or maybe take in a great movie. I know I will be back in the studio creating my art after a long summer break. Now is the time to be creative.



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Jewelry as Little Works of Art

I have always had a great appreciation for art. Most recently I have developed a desire to express myself through creating jewelry. This has led be me to begin thinking about jewelry as little works of art.

There have been two major exhibits that displayed magnificent works of art that included jewelry. Catalogues of were available highlighting the major artworks included in the shows.

1) Power and Glory: Court Arts of China’s Ming Dynasty

This was the first major exhibit to focus on the court arts of the Ming Dynasty. Included in this exhibit were jewelry made with gold and jade which was considered the most ancient and the most luxurious materials in society. Small jewelry items for the forehead, arms, fingers, ears, chest and waist were common. A stunning pair of earrings in the shape of the Herbal Goddess in gold was presented in this show.

2) Dynasty and Divinity: Ife Art in Ancient Nigeria

This exhibit presented a major part of the body of ancient Ife art in terra-cotta, stone, and metal dating back to the ninth centuries.

Beadwork was one of the very distinctive artistic techniques of Ife. Beads mean a lot of different things for the Yoruba-speaking peoples. The color and how they were used took on a special meaning. Several of the terra-cotta and stone figures possessed strands of beads.

These are just a couple of great art exhibits that included jewelry. There are probably many more that do. If you are an admirer of jewelry as little works of art, be sure to look for these treasurers at you next art exhibit.

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The Artist and the Diary

A lot of visual artists keep a record of their thoughts and ideas along with sketches. In many art classes you are instructed to keep a note book and jot down any ideas you feel are significant. Sometimes the information in the diaries is of a personal nature. Often the information contains some creative thoughts for developing new art work.

We are fortunate that several great artists in the past have maintained diaries and many of them are accessible to us for viewing. Frieda Kahlo’s diary contains her personal feelings and expressions. Bill Brandt’s writings provide us with some background on the development and direction of his photography over the years. Edward Weston wrote diaries and called them the Day books. His written account of his thoughts on creative expression have guided many artists for years.

Perhaps for the same reason Weston and others felt the need to record their feelings on paper, many artists today are writing blogs. If the diary notes are personal I would guess that these writings will not appear on the internet. I would like to think that the artists that truly have something to share about their vision in art will continue to write about it via the internet or with pen and paper.


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An Artful Event

I love summer outdoors art fairs. Yesterday, I attended one of the largest art fairs held in the country. This was the 45th annual Penrod Art Fair. The weather for this yearly event was perfect. In previous years we have endured some extremely warm and wet weather on the one day it is held. Although the weather was overcast, it did not rain and temperature remained in the upper 70’s. This annual summer art fair brings together in one place some of the best performing and visual artists in the region. All this takes place at one of the most visually attractive places in the city, the grounds of the Indianapolis Museum of Art.

Penrod Art Fair is one of the nation’s largest single day art fairs. There were hundreds of artists participating this year. Painters, jewelry makers, individuals skilled in woodworking, pottery, sculpture, photography and more represented the visual artists. There was a variety of entertainment that ranged from jazz and blues musicians, performers representing various schools of dance, choirs and the culinary arts school participants. Of course, a variety of good food and drinks was available to round out this great event.

This art fair is made possible by the Penrod Society. The Penrod Society is a non-profit volunteer organization that supports cultural and arts educational activities in the local area. They raise awareness of the arts and provide funds for many arts-related programs.

One of the most enjoyable and delightful ways to view art is at an art fair. Judging from the large crowd that was present at the fair, I am sure a lot of other people share this feeling. If you are in the area next year and like to attend art fairs, you will not want to miss this event.


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Rebajes - Master of Copper Jewelry

As gold and silver prices continue to climb to ridiculous amounts, those of us who are involved with jewelry making using metals must look for more reasonable alternatives. The base metals like copper, brass, pewter, and bronze are being used more today by several of the top jewelry makers. I recently came across an article about a designer, Francisco Torres Rebajes, who was one of the leaders in using copper to make jewelry.

Rebajes produced jewelry in the 1930s through the 1950s. He was especially gifted in copper and sculpture design. His copper jewelry was made during the 1940s and 1950s He created creations from discarded cans and became popular with the affluent inhabitants of Greenwich Village, New York where he resided. Rebajes became very successful in his trade and was owner of a factory as well as shops throughout New York.

Rebajes designed and sketched all his designs by hand. His work is said to be influenced from many of the great artists including Picasso, Frank Lloyd Wright and Man Ray. Some of his favorite motifs were based on Brazilian masks, African figures and Pre-Columbian forms. A frequent theme of his work was to superimpose one piece on to another. He would also frequently create jewelry with moving parts. His jewelry today is sought after by collectors worldwide. Rebajes was the master of copper jewelry.

I love the look of copper jewelry with its rich warm color. I look forward to seeing all the new creations jewelry designers will produce using this very old metal.


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Art and Memorials

As we approach the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 event, I have began to think about ways to remember this occasion. I have also begun to search for ways to connect art to this very memorable occasion. It is clearly evident that the amount of time and money being invested in memorials is clearly the best and most effective way for Americans to remember the event.

A national memorial erected in New York by architect, Michael Arad and landscape artists, Peter Walken is scheduled to open on the anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. This large structure is the first of many constructions to honor the tragedy. The design includes a tower of empty foot prints and a park-like setting with several white oak trees. A museum is planned to be constructed in this area next year that will pay homage to 9/11. The 1 World Trade Center tower is scheduled to open in 2013 and will be the tallest building in the U.S. A lot more is planned for this area to pay homage to this event.

In April this year 2 large beams from the World Trade Center’s wreckage were brought my home town. Indianapolis will be the home of a memorial designed using these beams. Plans are being made to surround these huge structures within a park setting. I am looking forward to experiencing the emotional and visual impact of these remnants of the Twin Towers in my own local area.

As we approach September 11 this year, only the future will tell what impact these new memorials will have on the lives of Americans. I believe most of us will remember this occasion in many different ways. I hope that some of the positive things that have been created will help us never to forget that tragic day.

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Japanese Art - After The Disaster

Japanese art has made a tremendous impact on the art world over the years. I have been wondering if the art work we have been so accustomed to seeing from Japan will be somehow be altered due to the disasters this country has recently undergone. I have read that there has been some destruction to the museums in Japan due to the most recent earthquakes this spring. This along with the earlier tsunami and damage to nuclear plants will no doubt have some effect on the future production of great art works in this country.

Museums all over the world are having difficulty with attendance these days even without major disasters occurring in the city. It is not surprising that there has been an obvious decline in visitors to the museums and other cultural events in Japan this year. Fear of radiation has deterred many visitors this year. A major French show was cancelled this spring because what was thought to be fears of the nuclear power plant disaster.

Most often when disaster hits there is always an incredible amount of good that emerges. One positive step in the right direction may be the Polish led art show, Villa Tokyo, planned for later this summer. This may be the catalyst that is needed to get things going again. Also, the Japanese Society, an American non-profit organization has provided funds to the disaster victims.

It may take years for things return to normal in Japan. It may never be the same as before the recent disasters. There is hope that other countries like Poland will continue to provide assistance to Japan. Maybe the best art work is yet to come out of Japan.


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Divine Artisans

I had an opportunity this past week to view the exhibit, Dynasty and Divinity: Ife Art in Ancient Nigeria. This exhibit just opened at the Indianapolis Museum of Art. A lot has been written about these unique findings of cast-metal portrait heads in Ife, Nigeria. The exhibit contains over one hundred objects in metal, stone and terra-cotta. This remarkable exhibition has its only Midwestern stop at the Indianapolis Museum of Art.

Viewing this exhibit is like taking a class in art history with emphasis on Ife metal arts and sculpture from the 12th – 15th centuries. The images the royalty of the Yoruba people are captured in cast copper- alloy and terra-cotta heads and figures. The heads are life-size and the metal casting technology is thought to be very advanced for the time period. All of the Ife copper-alloy sculptures were made by a process known as lost-wax casting. Some of the small objects included in this exhibit have never been shown outside of Nigeria.

I did a quick walk through of the exhibit with a hand-held guide. There is a lot to see and a lot to learn about Ife art. I allowed an hour to view this exhibit and I did not have enough time. There is a catalog that accompanies the show and it beautifully illustrates many of the objects.

I plan to view the exhibit again perhaps with a docent guide before it leaves. This exhibition will be at the IMA through January 16, 2012. If you are in the area, and want to view the wonderful art objects of West Africa, you may want to make a special trip to the museum to view this landmark exhibition.


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Awarding Book Art

I am always excited each year to learn about the books chosen to receive awards for their artistic content. It is a habit of mind to note each year’s winners as well as runner ups. As a book collector, I have found many treasures studying these award lists.

There are several awards given for book art each year. Some are local, some regional and some international. The following are just a few of the awards that I feel are noteworthy:

The Caldecott Medal

This annual aware given by the Children’s and School Librarians Sections of the American Library Association each year is one of my favorites. If you have an interest in picture books for children that also contain excellent art, this is one award you will want to check out.

The Coretta Scott King Award

The purpose of this book award is for authors and illustrators to encourage through artistic expression the African American experience. This not only includes the graphic arts but also literature.


The Independent Publishers Book Award

This award also known as IPPY award is open for competition worldwide to all members of independent publishing industry who produce books in English for the North American Market. This award is sponsored by Independent Publisher and includes participation of about 2,000 university presses, museums and other small presses each year in the U.S. and Canada.


The Inkwell Arts Award

The Inkwell Arts Award organization promotes and educates the art form of comic book inking. They annual recognize and award the best ink arts and their work. The awards are given for inking, the art of enhancing an illustration through the means of redrawing pencil lines with ink and its related tools.


It is probably no coincidence that many of the top honored books have the same illustrator and author. Talented artists can also be great writers. A very simple method for discovering the best art work in books being produced today would be to look at the awards presented each year for excellence.



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Alexander Calder - Jewelry Maker

As my interest in jewelry making and metal crafting grows, I am finding new artists that have excelled in this area. When I think of Alexander Calder (1898 – 1976), I think about his famous moving sculptures, mobiles. I have learned that Calder worked in many different art forms. He produced oil paintings, drawings, watercolors, gouache and serigraphy. There are permanent sculptures in many cities in the country created by Calder.

You don’t’ see or hear a lot about the jewelry made by Alexander Calder. I recently discovered that he created some of the most beautiful jewelry for specific individuals as gifts or tokens. Calder’s hand-crafted jewelry seems to be very simple in design yet there is something bold and magnificent about each piece. I love that he used the simple basic metals, brass and steel to create masterpieces.

Last month, a few of Calder’s sculptural jewelry pieces were presented for sale in an auction. There were two stunning brass necklaces. Each were estimated to sale for $200,000 to $300,000. Both of the necklaces sold for over $500,000 each. Included also was a brass ring, a steel wire and silver brooch and a brass wire belt buckle up for sale. All the pieces were exceptionally beautifully and well designed. These pieces also realized exceptional sales.

Alexander Calder I believe made a tremendous impact on the world of design. If you have an opportunity to view some of the Alexander Calder’s jewelry, I am sure will agree that this multi-talented artist should be listed among the top jewelry designers.

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Saying Goodbye To Film

There has been a great deal of discussion about the demise of film for taking photographic images. The reality is that digital photography reigns. Film cameras have been on the decline for some time. The film for these cameras is slowly facing an inevitable death. It has been suggested that we will no longer have the availability of film for still cameras in about ten years.

I have to admit that being an amateur photographer I rarely reach for my film cameras today. This is mostly due to the fact the digital is more convenient and it does an adquate job of capturing the image. Today, I have a couple of digital cameras that will perform almost any task that I have a need for. Years ago, as a photo hobbyist, I attempted to reproduce the kind of work created by the great American and European photographers of the 20th century. Today, I am no longer inspired to create great works of art. I am proud of my digital images. They are quick, convenient and easily manipulated.

I think one the saddest parts about filmless photography is that most of the images taken today are not printed on paper. With the rise of use of cell phone pictures most pictures are captured for just short term viewing and in many instances deleted.

I will always enjoy viewing the work of the great photographers that have mastered gelatin silver prints like Robert Frank, Edward Steichen, Walker Evans and Edward Weston. I may still have some Kodachrome hidden away in my closet. Perhaps it’s time to say goodbye to a good old friend.


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Art Fair Time

The month of May marks the beginning some of the most wonderful art related events where I live—Art Fairs. We are fortunate to have three fantastic and art fairs here each year.

The first one, the Broad Ripple Art Fair, begins in May and lasts for 2 days. It attracts over 20,000 visitors each year and is a juried Art Fair. The event takes place in beautiful surroundings and is pretty much a visual art event. There are live bands and gourmet food available at this event.

The second one is in June and is a “street art fair” is reminiscent of art fairs that took place years ago. This is the Talbot Street Art Fair. There will be over 270 artists that will attend this 2 day event. This art fair is also a juried event and is held in the historic Herron Morton Place neighborhood. This fair is free so you always need to be prepared for a large crowd.
The last major art fair in my town is the Penrod Art Fair. If it were possible for me to pick a favorite, this would be it. This fair was created by the Penrod Society. The art fair has been held each year since 1967. The Penrod Society is a non-profit organization that supports the arts and activities in the Indianapolis area. The proceeds from the festival provide grants for the local area and scholarships for young artists. Over 30,000 attend this event and it takes place on the grounds of the Indianapolis Museum of Art.

These events are held rain or shine so don’t let the weather stop you. I hope that many of us who enjoy art will be taking advantage of viewing art in the open air in the coming months.


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Discovering Edward Hopper

I have been an admirer of Edward Hopper for some time. Hopper began as a commercial artist. He was an oil painter as well as a watercolorist. There is a collection of some important Hopper oil paintings residing in the museum in the city where I live. I have had an opportunity to view Hopper’s paintings of mundane subjects up close and in books. His appeal does not surprise me. He did not define or interpret his own work. He left this up to the viewer. His work is full of suspense which I find exciting if not mystifying. The more I study his work, the more I learn and like about this gifted realist.

His continuing popularity does not surprise me. Edward Hopper seems to magically attract new admirers each passing year. There have been and will be many exhibitions and books on the great artist. The Whitney Museum of American Art, Germany and the Netherlands recently presented an exhibition featuring this artist. His work touches us today in the same way it did more than many years ago.

If you have not had an opportunity to view what many believe is the”quintessential painter of modern American life”, you will definitely want to take a close look at Edward Hopper and his work.



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Cutting Art

With all the talk about government budget cuts, I guess it was inevitable that the National Endowment for the Arts program has been mentioned. The NEA has supported the arts since it creation in 1965. Some of the programs the National Endowment for the Arts has sponsored are: Learning in the Arts for Youth and Children, The Arts Education Partnership, and Coming Up Taller Program. Millions have been spent on these programs and others. The current thinking, however, is to place less emphasis on youth art progrms to focus more on community awareness and employment related to the arts. I am in favor of educating our youth about art at an early stage and throughout their early learning years. I know that I would be a different person today if I were not exposed to art at an early age. I always looked forward to my art classes in elementary school. I was fortunate to have had an aunt who loved art. She took art classes at a community college and created beautiful ceramic pieces. I could count on at least one a trip to museum while visiting her on summer vacations. Hopefully the changes and cuts that are ahead for NEA will not significantly impact all the good they currently do for the arts. Let’s not forget the NEA’s mission : “To advance artistic excellence, creativity and innovation for the benefit of individual’s and communities.” www.nellasbooksandcollectibles.ecrater.com

Gauguin - The Printmaker

One of my favorite post impressionist artist is the gifted and talented Paul Gauguin. One of the things that makes this artist so extraordinary is that his live began with a vocation very different than most artists. Gauguin, a middle-class Parisian stock broker, took up painting full time at age 35. Although known for his remarkable paintings, the prints created by this artist are not as well known.

Some of the most significant pieces of work made by Gauguin were the eleven zincographs created for the Catalogue de L’Exposition de Peintures du Groupe Imppresionniste et Synthetiste, or the Volpini Suite. These prints were originally displayed in a café within the expositions devoted to art in Paris in 1889 and were Gauguin’s first attempts at printmaking.

It has been said that Gauguin has transformed art. His use or color and the flattening forms and emotion prevalent in his work have led many to suggest that he is one of the best. Gauguin is considered to be among the founders of modern art.

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More Thoughts on Thornton Dial

I have had an opportunity to view the exhibit, Hard Truths—The Art of Thornton Dial. Last week I attended a docent-led tour of the exhibit along with about 10 others individuals. I have been eagerly anticipating the viewing the art work of Mr. Dial for some time. I was not disappointed. This exhibit at the Indianapolis Museum of Art contains 70 of Dial’s large-scale paintings.

This show mostly contains Dial's large work, assemblages, but also includes water colorings and drawings. Some of his assemblages cover most of the walls and are very stunning. A few of the assemblages are free-standing and filled with a lot of symbolism. I found Dial’s work to be exciting, emotional and inspirational. It is hard to view this show without feeling something.

The exhibit provides lots of detailed information about each of the pieces of art work. I think a lot of Thornton Dial’s work speaks for itself. I found the materials (found objects) included in these assemblages fascinating. Dial spent some time as a metalworker. The pieces of metal sculpture, wires, and fences I thought were especially appealing. I have seen work by other contemporary artists that use found objects. I don’t believe any match the creativity that is reflected in Dial’s work.

I think I will view the show again on my own before it leaves. This exhibition will be at the IMA until September 18. The show will then go to New Orleans, Charlotte, N.C. and Atlanta.


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Thornton Dial American Artist

A new exhibit recently opened at the Indianapolis Museum of Art. Hard Truths: The Art of Thornton Dial. I have already purchased the exhibition catalog. I couldn’t wait. Now I am eager to see Mr. Dial’s art work up close. I will be viewing the exhibit with a curator in the next few weeks. Along with all the excitement this show brings, there is also controversy. It seems that some critics are having a difficult time defining the work of this Black American contemporary artist from the South. Race and politics are often involved in the discussions of Thornton Dial’s work. There are some critics who will not include him in the “fine” art world but want to define Thornton Dial’s work as “folk-art” or “self-taught art”.

From what I have read, Mr. Dial’s work mostly includes significant social and cultural concerns. The work is exciting and inspiring. Like many other contemporary artists today he makes good use of found objects. One of my favorite pieces of art work by Thornton Dial is “Who Got the Corn?” Like most of his work, this piece is large. It is a canvas on wood covered with wire, found metal, and chicken wire. This work has been spray painted in shades of yellow.

I’m looking forward to learning more about Thornton Dial, American artist, and viewing the exhibition. I'm not sure that I care how the critics define his work. I do believe that most viewers will be moved by Thornton Dial's extraordinary art.


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Reasons To Collect

I like many others like to collect things. I became a collector without really knowing what I was doing. As a young child, I would find objects that I liked, like rocks and keep them in a very special place in my bedroom. Years later, I would look at this “collection” and decide it wasn’t worth keeping. I now know a little bit more about collecting today. I now collect books and many other things.

I began wondering why most of us collect. I visit auctions regularly and am always surprised to discover that people will collect a variety of things. Many of the items I find at auctions seem unusual for a collection. Collecting is personal. What is important to some individuals, may not be important to others. Although many items appear to be unusual and strange, there are always potential buyers
.
Here are a few of the reasons I believe most of us collect:

• We are driven to collect
• We find great pleasure in collecting
• We develop a true sense of ownership that only exist if there is a collection
• We love to surround ourselves with things that are meaningful to us

As my living quarters shrink due to my growing collections, I remind myself that these are the things that make me happy.

If you are interested in good art books, vintage art magazines and local history books, visit my online store, Nella’s Books and Collectibles.



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A New Way of Seeing Art

It was recently announced that there will be new way to view art on the internet. Google has developed a project involving a virtual museum that allows online viewers to see thousands of works of art. Viewing art work via the internet is not new. Many art institutions have had their own websites for some time. What I believe makes this new announcement different is that entire galleries are to be available for view. This new endeavor will also allow the work to be viewed up close.

Most of the art museums involved so far in the new project are European. I think only time will tell if this is a successful venture. I have enjoyed viewing art work and educational videos provided by art museums and galleries on the internet. ArtBabble.org is the revolutionary site devoted exclusively to showing art-based digital videos. Indianapolis Museum of Art launched ArtBabble.org in 2009. The partner list continues to grow and includes some very noteworthy institutions.

A virtual museum? I’m not sure why we need one. I don’t believe there is anything that can replace an actual visit to a museum. What this new project will hopefully accomplish is to inspire art lovers to visit the museums to see the real thing.

Discover the Art of Reading at Nella’s Books and Collectibles. You will find a great selection of art books, art catalogs and magazine back issues.

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Lessons in Black Art

I had an opportunity to visit my local art museum yesterday. The museum celebrated Martin Luther King Day with many special exhibits and activities. Among the activities I enjoyed the most were the film presentations on 2 African American artists.

The two movies were Jacob Lawrence: An Intimate Portrait and Mr. Dial Has Something to Say. The two films were very well done and were just long enough to hold interest. I thought the presentations were like attending a lecture in black history that included African American Art.

Jacob Lawrence has been a favorite of mind for many years. I did find out some new information about Lawrence. I have just recently discovered the unique and captivating work of Thornton Dial. Dial a self-taught African-American artist, began creating art later in life. His work consists of paintings and found-object sculptures and large assemblages. His mixed media assemblages in my opinion are his best work. There will be an exhibition of Thornton Dial’s work next month and the Indianapolis Museum of Art. I am looking forward to the opportunity to learn more about this artist and view some of his work up close.

You can find a nice selection of art books and catalogs and magazine back issues at Nella’s Books and Collectibles.


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Great Art Magazines

What makes an art magazine great? I recently read a few comments in the news from individuals that claim what the world needs today is a great art magazine. I happen to like today's art magazines. I subscribe to 2 and read as many as I can get my hands on. I have also had an opportunity to view art magazines that were published over 50 years ago.

The older magazine publishers I believe were focused on presenting the new and different ideas in the world of art. Often there would be articles about artists who were new and not yet discovered. A lot of instruction was also included in a few of the art magazines years ago. I believe what makes an art magazine great is good ideas, good writing and of course spectacular illustrations.

Today’s art magazines are somewhat different than what was published several years ago due to necessity. There are many venues for art today that were not available let’s say during the Second World War. The internet also dictates to some extent was is viable for an art magazine today. Most paper copies of magazines are small and getting smaller. My favorite old magazines are the large ones (9.25 x 12.25 inches) with a full color image on the cover.

You can find a great selection of recent and vintage art magazines at my online book store, Nella’s Books and Collectibles.


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