breath of art iii
TRANSCRIPT
THE BREATH OF ART
A Creative Project Presentationby
Ben Davis
Student At
Cedar Valley College
THE BREATH OF ART
There is a legend of an old artist, a man of ancient face, yet nimble and sensitive hands who was most respected for his
portraits. His landscapes were inspiring and his works of still life drew
contemplative pauses from all who passed by; but it was his portraits… especially the eyes which caused his
audience to stop and gaze intently as if expecting a nod or greeting from the
picture.
THE BREATH OF ART
It was said that he painted the eyes last,
and the final strokes before he signed his
name were the small, almost
imperceptible “glint” that he painted into
the eyes. These infinitesimal specks of
light were the source of his fame and
genius; yet no one had ever witnessed the
last touch of his brush on the canvas.
THE BREATH OF ART
Even his most ardent patrons and models
were not allowed on the other side of the
easel for those final moments.
Bystanders, he did not allow and any
comment or question was answered by
an authoritative wave of dismissal.
Silence reigned supreme, until one day,
as he painted the portrait of a fallen hero
–
THE BREATH OF ART
–it was the son of an aristocrat who had
chosen the hardship of a soldier’s life
instead of an office of comfort and safety.
During one heated battle he drew enemy
fire so that his general might escape
unscathed, and in doing so he paid the
final sacrifice.
THE BREATH OF ART
It was his youngest sister who slipped
unnoticed into the parlor as the legend
placed the last strokes of the brush. As
the eyes suddenly brightened and
sparkled, the child caught her breath and
in a whisper said “How do you make him
live.” It was not a question, it was a
statement of awe and reverence;
THE BREATH OF ART
…but spoken without tone or voice, the
whispered words took the form of a
petition and the artist turned slowly. His
gaze softened as he noticed the tears on
the face of the child.
THE BREATH OF ART
He spoke, “Before I touch their eyes , I stop
and breath, then just as I touch their eyes…
I exhale the last breath onto the canvas.
As the Creator did with Adam, so I do with
this art. This is my homage from one artist
to another. And so, they live.”
“SPACE IS THE BREATH OF ART.”
– FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT
“A LONG LINE OF ARTISTS…”
The fundamentals of art start
here: The Line
“This decides the shape of the
future…”
FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT
Falling WaterBuilt In
1936 –1939
Stretches out over
a 30 ft. waterfall.
FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT
Making the
straight line
conform to
it’s
surrounding
s.
FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT
Dignify the form,
color, and the line
to create
harmony between
the balance and
poise of the
materials.
FRANK LLOYD WRIGHT
…He positioned
the elements and
forms in such a
way as to
respectfully
acknowledge the
origination of the
materials.
M.C. ESCHER “A DIFFERENT PERSPECTIVE”
M.C. ESCHER
In 1922, M.C. Escher
began his fascination
with the Regular
Division of the Plane
during a visit to the
Alhambra, a Moorish
castle in Granada, Spain.
Throughout WWII and
during his time in
Switzerland, he
continued his hobby by
drawing 62 Regular
Division Drawings. In his
lifetime he would draw a
total of 137.
M.C. ESCHER
His passion for the
Regular Division of the
Plane was extended by
using some of his
drawings to be the
basis for other
hobbies, namely,
carving beech wood
spheres.The art process of the Regular Division of the Plane involved
taking an element – a drawing, or wood carving - and then
separating a part of that work and reattaching it to another place
on the original art. This eventually created a piece that was
symmetrical and could be matched and interlocked with identical
pieces creating intricate patterns.
M.C. ESCHER
“I am always wandering around in enigmas. There
are young people who constantly come to tell me:
„You, too, are making Op Art.‟ I haven't the slightest
idea what that is, Op Art. I've been doing this work for
thirty years now.”
SPACE & DETAILS
If you have an eye for details… remember… space is a detail
too.
JACK DAWSON
“God Is In The Details”
The artist chooses an underlying message and then hides the message in the artwork. The tone, spacing, and details guide the viewer to
hidden meaning.
JACK DAWSON
Peace In The Midst Of The
Storm
The use of local
color and value
within the hues
creates a sense of
the wind and rain.
The atmospheric
space is
heightened by the
far lightening
strike. The small
bird safely tucked
away in the center
JOSEPH JANSEN
Attention to detail affects not only the line
and it’s form, but also the hue, value, and
intensity of the form. Especially light and
shadow.
The texture of
the medium upon
a canvas may be
just a whisper,
but the brush
and pallet knife
can speak so
well…
JOSEPH JANSEN
Shepherds In A LandscapeJansen’s Use of the Line
TABLE & VASE
In this
photograph there
is strict
adherence to the
line in the tiled
floor, the back of
the closest chair
hints to the curve
of the vase, in
which the circle
is completed in
the wall
medallion.
TABLE & VASE – DISCONTENTED
In this
photograph the
far chair is turned
toward the
window. The light
from the window
illuminates the
wall and casts
shadows behind
the chair. The
overall tension of
the scene is no
longer focused at
the table but
outside the
TABLE & VASE – CONFRONTATION
In this
photograph the
far chair is turned
toward the
viewer. The light
illuminates the
vase and wall.
Shadows to the
right of the far
chair. One chair
faces the viewer,
the other rests on
three legs
awaiting the
outcome of the
THE BREATH OF ART
Introductory Prose
Davis, Ben L. 2013
The Breath of Art.
PowerPoint Presentation, May 2013
Mountain View College
Art Works Cited:
Falling Water
Wright, Frank Lloyd. Falling Water. 1934, 1938, 1948
American, 1867 - 1969
Ohiopyle, (Bear Run), Pennsylvania
House. Reinforced concrete, stone.
Climate: temperate, Context: Rural
Style: Expressionist Modern
www.greatbuildings.com/buildings/Fallingwater.html
Exterior Image: joshblackman.com
Interior Image: www.okeanosgroup.com
THE BREATH OF ART
Art Works Cited:
Relativity
Escher, C. M. Relativity. July 1953
Dutch, 1898 – 1972
Woodcut
www.meridian.net.au/Art/Artists/MCEscher/Gallery
Image: www.mcescher.com
Symmetry-Fish and Frogs
Escher, C. M. Symmetry-Fish and Frogs. 1949
Dutch, 1898 - 1972
Pallet
www.friendsofart.net/en/art/mc-escher/fish-and-frogs
THE BREATH OF ART
Art Works Cited:
Symmetry-Watercolor-70-Butterfly
Escher, C. M. Relativity. Date Unknown
Dutch, 1898 - 1972
Watercolor
Image: www.xaxor.com/oil-paintings/1401-m-c-escher.html
Peace in the Midst of the Storm
Dawson, Jack E. Peace in the Midst of the Storm. Date Unlisted
American, 1950 – present
Private Collection
Oil on Canvas
Image: http://www.jackdawson.com
THE BREATH OF ART
Art Works Cited:
Shepherds in a Landscape
Jansen, Joseph. Shepherds in a Landscape. Date Unknown
German, 1829 – 1905
Private Collection
57 X 37.5 inches
Oil on canvas
Image: www.1st-art-gallery.com
Table & Vase
Davis, Ben. Table & Vase. 2013
American, 1965 – present
Digital Photography
THE BREATH OF ART
Art Works Cited:
Table & Vase – Discontented
Davis, Ben. Table & Vase – Discontented. 2013
American, 1965 – present
Digital Photography
Table & Vase – Confrontation
Davis, Ben. Table & Vase – Confrontation. 2013
American, 1965 – present
Digital Photography
Additional Notable Graphic Images:
Frank Lloyd Wright: www.biografiasyvidas.com
C.M. Escher: http://www.mcescher.com
Mono Lisa partial: www.theartnewspaper.com
Eye In Detail partial: www.creativewebbiz.com
Unnamed Art “Man‟s Face in Garden” www.google.com