 "Unworthy #1" Siberian Elm West Odessa, Texas |  "Unworthy #2" Weeds and Mesquite West Odessa, Texas |
These are photos I couldn't quite bring myself to delete. Actually, what you are seeing are cropped sections of the overall unworthy images.
Looking through my folder of recent photographs last night these caught my eye again. And again my eyes stopped on same rectangular areas. I wondered why they appealed to me and suddenly it dawned on me: They remind me of the style of some artists I've enjoyed.
Rather than tell you which artists I am thinking of, I'll give you a quote by each one. Let's see if you can figure out who I mean. They are both American 20th century artists who couldn't be more different. Yet they seem to have the same obsession with control, as their quotes reveal.
Unworthy (to be compared) #1:
When I look at a wildlife or nature subject, I don’t see the feathers in the wings, I just count the wings. I see exciting shapes, color combinations, patterns, textures, fascinating behavior and endless possibilities for making interesting pictures. I regard the picture as an ecosystem in which all the elements are interrelated, interdependent, perfectly balanced, without trimming or unutilized parts; and herein lies the lure of painting; in a world of chaos, the picture is one small rectangle in which the artist can create an ordered universe.Unworthy (to be compared) #2:
I can control the flow of the paint. There is no accident.In addition to my wondering which (partial) photo you prefer, I invite you guess the artists. One is probably easy, the other is, well, probably a stretch. For each guess you'll get your name tossed in the hat an extra time. I'll reveal the artists tomorrow morning in the comment section here.
17 comments:
Hi Debi,
You probably know that these images aren't up ... but I am looking at them in my reader. Blogger has been having a lot of problems recently.
I am not very good at painters ...
First my preference ... #1 because of the delicate structure that is created ... I like the color of #2 ... but my vote is for #1.
Now for the artists ... how about Jackson Pollack for the second? For the first I have no clue ... sigh ... I should educate myself more!!
~ Diane Clancy
www.dianeclancy.com/blog
Today, I choose #1. I am always drawn to simplicity rather than busy. I have absolutely no clue as to who the artists are - sorry.
Another not so easy to choose... :) LOL I love the colors of #2, but like Nelda, I do not do well with "Busy". Now that makes me laugh!! It causes an anxiety. lol
I am pretty sure it's Jackson Pollock for the second quote (Bravo Diane!). For the first one, is it Harper??
Lovely idea to include these quotes and make our brains think. I must say I love number 1 because of the movement and the filligree almost collagelike cut-outs. But, hey, I am biased :)
Hi Debi,
I prefer #1, for the grace of it, and because it is lees crowded and busy, though I do like the colors of #2.
As for the artists: I have no clue on #1, and also think it's Jackson Pollock for #2.
I like this daily game, it's fun!
Unworthy!!! Oh you are a tease young Debi!
Nice piccies and sorry but I do not know who the artists are, go on give us a clue! Are they either a man or a woman? Do they have legs and arms? Do they breath? Am I getting close?
I prefer one (covet it) and am guessing Georgia O'keefe, but would not bet the farm. Other one has to Jackson Pollock. Betting the farm.
The leaves look like small birds, very graceful poetic image - glad you cropped and did not delete.
There is something to seeing the full frame, but I know crop. Heck, I destroy reality (sometimes).
May I link your blog?
Look, I havent't got a clue about the American artists, but interesting reading their quotes.
No 1 looks (to me, I may be weird) like an American Indian headdress in a cold climate.
I like No. 2 the best. It is maybe unworthy, but it is kind of a weed hell, tangled, firey colours, strong black shapes. A little bit more interesting than the other place. Weed heaven, which may contain insipid and boring weeds like a boring seedy grass (which I don't even know the name of).
I prefer #1, I like the open airy look of the leaves and branches against the sky. Don't put my name in the hat but: I think one of the artists is Peter Hurd and the other is Henrietta Hurd.
I guess Pollack for #2, but I cheated and googled the quote for #1, so I know who the artist is but I won't say.
As for the photos, I adore #1. At first I thought the leaves were birds. Even after I realized they were leaves, I still see little birds!
Number 1, and I see the birds too!
No idea on the quotes sorry:) I do know who Jackson Pollock is though!
Today I took 16 photos of the same subject and posted one..sometimes segements are post worthy as these ones show. I love the simplicity of the first photo as it is now.
I think the second one is Jackson Pollock and that is also the image I prefer. I have no idea who the first artist is, but then again, I don't vote for that image either. I like the business of the second one.
The first one reminds me of Harper, the second one I'm not so sure - but I think the quote is Pollock so I go with everyone else on that.
Can't choose. I like both, but they are so different - one on a solid background one not - the contrast is too great for me to choose.
Definitely no. 1 on this one, Debi. I like the white space between the branches. And the horizontal lines are calming. They remind me, for some reason, of ocean waves, which I always find calming.
Audubon/Pollock?
Ok, I'm ignorant. Audubon was 19th century and French, but he was an American citizen.
Thank you everyone for voting!
Diane, I noticed that problem, but you are right, it was in Google's hands, not much I could do about it. And your guess of Pollock was right!
Nelda, if you love simplicity, I think you'll love the Artist #1. Simplicity was his forte.
Windy, no more anxiety for you, dear. You've got plenty going on enough. Thank you for voting.
Neda, you do love filigree and do it so well. And you got BOTH artists right. I believe the only one who did. Bravo, YOU!
Kris, I'm glad you like the game and play. I like the game too.
Martin, Martin, Martin. You do make me laugh.
John, you get to keep the farm. I bet you are a good poker player. And I'm proud you want to link to my blog.
Bev, that's the problem with weeds -- no one loves them enough to know their names (except expletives). Poor things. Glad you liked them.
Mom, now I'll have to keep an eye out for something that reminds me of the Hurds. It won't be easy, though, as they were more...I don't know what I mean...varied in style. May have to just go up to Hondo sometime to get the right one. Want to come?
Andi, I saw birds too ;) And I wondered if some smart chickie would google the quote. ha But you were honest and didn't give it away.
Lisa, did you see any n-e-s-t-s? ha When I see feathers, leaves, or nests these days I think of you.
Frances, you are another smart one! You and Neda both got the artists right. I'm amazed, really. I thought I was stretching too much on Harper and no one would know him. Glad he is better known than I thought. I love him.
D.C. You'll see in the subsequent post that I changed the orientation so those lines would be horizontal, but didn't think about too much why I did. Maybe you have pointed out why I did that. It's more calming.
Anon, oh Audubon! I hadn't thought of him, but sadly, no. However, it might be fun to keep an eye peeled for an Audubon-ish shot. Would have to be in PERFECT focus.
By a landslide it is #1, with its little "birds," clean white spaces, and calming horizontal lines. All the names and those that guessed an artist (rightly or wrongly) got their name an extra time in the hat for each guess. (Except Anon. You stinker, you.)
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