Henry Thoreau said:

"There is no power to see in the eye itself, anymore than any other jelly ... We cannot see anything until we are possessed with the idea of it, take it into our heads, and then we can see hardly anything else."

Sir Frank Dicksee
The Mirror, 1896
37x46

Sorry Mike, I didn't mean to keep you waiting for a response so long. I had to get ready for the "home boutique"event and that same evening received out of town guest, who just left this morning.


I totally agree with your remarks about the lay person.
Since we were entertaining we visited the Getty on Monday. I was just amazed at the amount of people who crowded into the room to view Impressionistic paintings versus the amount of people who came to view the William Bougerau exhibit, when his work was on exhibit there.

When the Impressionist first started with their unconventional ways of painting, the traditionalist where the first to shun the new ideas, followed by many art critiques, who had to give there two cents of opinion of what constitutes good art. After much negative hype the tables have turned to such a degree that the Impressionist are better known to the layman then many of the traditional Salon painters.

This supports the argument that other artist are the one's who will be the least likely group to offer support when a fellow artist decides to break the rules and head for something unconventional. Time and exposure to new ideas shapes our opinion of what becomes acceptable in art.

I agree further with you that as an artist we have to follow what feels right to us. I am a traditionalist myself, but every ones in a while I will see something that breaks every rule I try to adhere to, with such great success that I even get impressed.

When the rule breakers have a solid understanding of drawing, color theory and composition, the resulting work can be refreshingly new. For lack of a better comparison, I would compare them to really good drivers who have turned stunt drivers. These people all have the solid background on how to drive, but by trying out new ideas and trial and error they make their vehicles do what they want them to. Of course what we, the casual observer don't see, are the way they have manipulated the engines, tires, chassis, etc. to impress us with their skills. By innovative ideas and by doing things that the majority of us would look at as impossible these few are able to command our attention and respect for what they do.

Artists need to gain solid foundations by learning to draw, understand color theory and composition, etc. Then when the necessary skills are obtained , we should encourage the development of new ideas and new ways of doing things, rather then go on the defensive and try to talk artists out of their new ideas. I admire those who are willing to risk and be true to their ideas. Those who can follow their heart with passion are those lucky ones, who will show us new ways of looking at the world.

This first painting is how William Blake looked at the world (or saw the world being looked at) in 1794, The Omnipotent.

The next painting by Lady Laura Alma-Tadema - Sunshine, could have been better, I think. What could have been a very nice scene is spoiled somewhat by the way the face has been diminished on the window side by what looks like the little girls hair. I think this could have been much better if she had left the line of the face cleaner with a higher contrast. The face is now too confused with the hair and other non essential elements.

What else am I to do, the World Series is rain delayed ...

This is by an Iranian painter Morteza Katouzian, the painting is titled "Red Alert". I am sorry, but I don't have a better scan.

Notice how the relative emptiness on one side adds to the feeling of inbalance, things being not right in the world of these figures. Composition wise, he chose not to make them the focal point on the canvas, yet the eye of the viewer keeps going back to the figures, because of the formal triangle composition, which unites the figures and give them higher visual impact.

This artist has the skill to render the human form, but he deliberatly chooses to give the figures an almost transparent feel. The color choices are deliberate, the figures being in soft values in comparison to the almost neon red clouds, add to the sense of danger for the threesome.

Here is a artist that in my opinion breaks many of the rules. Still he was able to create a work that is both sensitive to the plight of the individuals and yet jarring due to the setting he conveys. The artist made his statement and followed his heart!

I take a different view of the composition.

I feel that the artist broke no rules but used them in a different way. There is the strong triangle and he uses the rule of 3's, dividing his canvas into thirds. The strong reds juxtaposed to the human figures create an interest that plays back and forth.

Thank you Enzie for posting such a beautiful piece that illustrates just how well good composition can work.

I look at it this way -- there are story lines, themes, and messages; they can be poignant, disturbing, or wistful, but I don't think the Gods of composition get involved in such matters. I think there's is more the work of shapes and relationships. Also, I don't think they much get into the style business either. Even highly impressionistic work must deal with these same compositional issues. True, the edges may be less defined, but masses and their relationships to one another would still come in to play, especially when we step back and let some of those stylized components fall away.

And too, I hope anyone reading my remarks understands that they are always in the form of a question and up for challenge. If I really step in it I hope someone will come forward and set the record straight. Of course they'll be no fruit cake for Christmas, but you shouldn't consider that, yours is a solemn obligation to the horde and throng.

Even an argument can be well composed ...

Mike--

This post is tremendous...thanks for your generosity and industry in keeping it going for awhile.

I've been downloading the examples to my swipe file as fast as they come up. New treasures every day.

Best--TE

Thank you Tom.

I've learned a lot from the research, I think.

Horde and Throng also thank you (Twins, brother and sister from my fifth marriage. Good kids, love crowds).

Everyone should know by now to take much of what I say with a few grains of salt.

John, now I have to go reread about the rule of 3's! Thanks for pointing that out....

Mike, I have to join Tom in thanking you for the treasures you undig. There are several painting that are just awesome, which I had never seen as well.

I am curious if you wouldn't mind what you have learned from your research. Of course it will be taken with a grain of salt! :D

Mike, I have come back to look at that Dicksee painting at least ten times (and like Tom, finally swiped it). (And what a wonderful thread this is, thank you!)