Topic: How now brown cow

[fishhead]

Yes, thats right

[tramp]

never knew about him
looks like he has a good eye

[azuredesign]

A conservative painter with a good hand, reminded me of Norman Rockwell in his subject matter. I really liked the work of his dad, N.C. who was born in our town.

[toycollector10]

"Some critics dismissed Wyeth's art as that of a mere "regionalist." Art critic Hilton Kramer was even more direct, once saying, "In my opinion, he can't paint."

Another washed up-so called critic. Those that can, do, those that can't, criticize.

[azuredesign]

"Some critics dismissed Wyeth's art as that of a mere "regionalist." Art critic Hilton Kramer was even more direct, once saying, "In my opinion, he can't paint."

Another washed up-so called critic. Those that can, do, those that can't, criticize.

What do you call those who criticize critics??

[okie]

Seeing his work in person is a lot different from seeing it in books or on the internet.  I saw an exhibition of his work, including the Helga pictures and it was pretty amazing.  When you see the Helga picture with the braids, the detail just jumps out at you.  Nobody has to tell you that her sweater is wool.  It is obvious that her hair hasn't been washed in at least a week.  When someone can convey that kind of information in a dry-brush watercolor, they have to have one heck of a lot of talent.

http://www.andrew-wyeth-prints.com/helga.html

[750goes]

Hey Azuredesign

critics who critisize critics - are called  - - "bigger pricks"

[azuredesign]

Seeing his work in person is a lot different from seeing it in books or on the internet.  I saw an exhibition of his work, including the Helga pictures and it was pretty amazing.  When you see the Helga picture with the braids, the detail just jumps out at you.  Nobody has to tell you that her sweater is wool.  It is obvious that her hair hasn't been washed in at least a week.  When someone can convey that kind of information in a dry-brush watercolor, they have to have one heck of a lot of talent.

http://www.andrew-wyeth-prints.com/helga.html

Nicely put! I appreciate the technical prowess, I just don't find much inspiration when looking at his work. Just my .002

[azuredesign]

Hey Azuredesign

critics who critisize critics - are called  - - "bigger pricks"

Thanks for your point of view. If we're going to be all polite about a particular subject and not voice a personal opinion, what's the point of writing? Did you write just to try to antagonize me, or do you have any opinion concerning Andrew Wyeth?  If you want to speak to me personally, you're welcome to pm me.

[toycollector10]

I didn't mean to offend anyone but I was making the point that if you don't paint (but of course you definitely know what you like) and you are an art critic, you better have some credibility.

The critic is this case does have credibility, but, he doesn't paint and his estate will be a lot less that the 50 plus million that Wyeth left. 

Which to me means that he put his foot in it.

[azuredesign]

I didn't mean to offend anyone but I was making the point that if you don't paint (but of course you definitely know what you like) and you are an art critic, you better have some credibility.

The critic is this case does have credibility, but, he doesn't paint and his estate will be a lot less that the 50 plus million that Wyeth left. 

Which to me means that he put his foot in it.

I can't agree with you if you're saying that because he was wealthy, Andrew Wyeth was a great painter, nor that my opinions concerning fine art mean less than if I were better heeled.  What kind of cred does it take to offer a personal opinion?

As it turns out, I do have some experience with studying and making art, and talk about subjects related to design and execution frequently with the other 3 people in my family, who all work in the art world, and a host of friends who make art and are passionate about it.

None of this means anything except that I am glad you are interested and moved enough by Andrew Wyeth's art to hassle me because I am not. That in itself is a good indictment for calling him an important artist in my humble and well criticized opinion.

[azuredesign]

Seeing his work in person is a lot different from seeing it in books or on the internet.  I saw an exhibition of his work, including the Helga pictures and it was pretty amazing. 

http://www.andrew-wyeth-prints.com/helga.html

 You're either into his art or art in general or you're not.

 I've seen quite a few of his work in person. The detail is truely amazing (every blade of grass is painted, every hair,etc).  The Helga pictures really capture a certain "feel" to them (for lack of a better word =?). Read my link posted above and get a better feel for the real story behind "Christina World" painting. The painting takes on a new meaning when you know the story behind it.

 The whole family is full of painters

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Wyeth_family

Thanks for taking the time to explain what you're thinking.

I think what I was responding to was the difference between being an illustrator and a painter. If you appreciate the handiwork, but are not moved by the subject matter, is that fine illustration or fine art? Does the difference between the two even matter? Does art need to convey or provoke emotion?

Did you understand what Christina's World was about before reading about it? I didn't at all. I always thought it was about creating a pastoral landscape with a central figure.
Do you get a sense of what Christina was like. Without knowing the back story, do you feel what she felt or thought about, or what Wyeth felt when he saw her dragging herself from place to place?   I can't say that I see or feel any of that. A vague sense of saddness, maybe. But is that for Christina, or pithy nostalgia for simpler times past?

I really don't know. In the end, I completely agree with you. I think art should be subjective, it should either hit you or not. I don't want to have to think about it, I just want to respond. I just didn't find much in the stuff I've seen of Andrew Wyeth's to get excited about.

[azuredesign]

I agree with you.

I remember seeing a few of the Sister Wendy series. I thought reasearch was wonderfully detailed, although I remember wondering if the way she reacted to art was similar to mine.

I'm smiling as I write this in rememberance of the series of art history courses I took in college. In a dark auditorium, in an overstuffed reclining chair, last class of the afternoon, huge screen with slides and a professor with a baritone voice characterizing the paintings. Even without the herbal enhancement which was a frequent part of my college experience in the early 70's, it was a lovely way to pass the time!

[Uncle Ernie]

I'm a schlub- I've done a little this / a little that.
I don't like the elitist esoteric classist pseudo-intellectual masturbation of deciding what's art, what's craft, what's what.  I've seen simple designs that had to be art because i was so moved by the beauty.  I've seen "art" that seemed to be art because the azzhats in the room told me it was. (Excuse me?)  Several of the "illustrators" I've seen, I consider artists.  Some of the artists I've seen, I consider hacks- but you gotta love the way they bamboozled folks into giving them so much money!

Sorry about Mr Wyeth.  Mostly I remember rooming with an apprentice of his who hated me and finally moved because I was going through my "come home late and throw up in the garbage can I kept by the bed" stage.  
The both of them- I enjoyed marvelling at the technique, but the subject matter never did much for me.

What do I know?

[upperlake04]

I'm smiling as I write this in rememberance of the series of art history courses I took in college. In a dark auditorium, in an overstuffed reclining chair, last class of the afternoon, huge screen with slides and a professor with a baritone voice characterizing the paintings. The herbal enhancement  was a frequent part of my college experience in the early 70's, it was a lovely way to pass the time!

Damn hippy  ;
  Being a full-time career artist I thought I might add my 2 cents, and to be clear I looked up the word 'art' in the dictionary. 16 distinct meanings when used as a noun and 11 when used as a verb!   
  I think I'll pass.

Edit - UE sneaked in ahead of me and said it better.

[Ecosse]

Ditto here upperlake on UE's words. Attempts at defining art is almost as bad an idea as starting an oil thread.

Loved a lot of Wyeth's work and I'm glad his passing is not overlooked here.



OK, let's continue the art chat... in that totally awesome art thread. 

[736cc]

Interesting, one of his very last works was a motorcycle, painted in 2008.
http://www.andrewwyeth.com/

[azuredesign]

That, I like!