Sunday, August 26, 2018

Interpreting the Masters


Bafa members have chosen to view classical paintings and select one to interpret every two months as a design and composition challenge.  Sylvia and I kicked it off by selecting Vermeer's The Lacemaker (fig. 1), painted in 1655, to show the group how different interpretations can be (fig. 2-3).  Our next selection was Matisse's The Girl in the Purple Coat, painted in 1937 (fig. 4-17).  Jackie Stubblefield did a near perfect rendition (fig. 6) in acrylics - which she said is definitely not her style and was a big challenge.  Dot Collins' paper-pieced version was my personal favorite (fig. 7).

Because I had done an pieced abstraction of The Lacemaker (fig. 3), I wanted to piece something for Matisse (fig. 12).  However, I didn't feel I understood the master so I then did a series of watercolor-on-fabric postcards (figs. 13-17), focusing on mark-making, depth and detail as I went along.  I now understand why art students at the MFAH are always sketching the master paintings for in-studio classwork to gain insight into the master's mind and work.  I can't wait to do this again.



Vermeer  1665                                      fig. 1




Sylvia Weir                                          fig. 2


Connie                                  fig. 3



           Matisse  1937                           fig. 4             


Jean Aguilar                                     fig. 5


Jackie Stubblefield                   fig. 6


Dot Collins                                fig. 7


Sherry Walker                                    fig. 8


Kathy Risinger                          fig. 9


Sylvia Weir                                                 fig. 10


Dianna Eichorn                                         fig. 11


                            Angled    Connie                                         fig. 12                          


Making Marks 1                 fig. 13


Making Marks 2                fig. 14


Making Marks 3                   fig. 15


Making Marks4                      fig. 16


Making Marks 5                fig. 17










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