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About Me

I am just a girl with a love for art of all kinds. I recently made the switch from trying to pursue a career in fine arts to a career in the graphic arts, however, I will always have such a soft spot for fine arts. The thing I love most about art is that everyone can have their own opinion and different works mean different things to different people. It is such a subjective thing which is why I love it so much. My thoughts and analysis' are entirely my own and I always welcome an open discussion!

"Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life"

-Pablo Picasso

Ashleigh

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Vincent Van Gogh

Vincent Van Gogh Starry Night Over the Rhône 1888 Oil on canvas 28.5 x 36.2 in

Starry Night Over the Rhone is by famous painter Vincent Van Gogh. This painting depicts the Rhône, which is a major river that goes through Europe and the city that runs behind it. In this painting, the city looks to be exquisitely illuminated with bright, warm pigments of yellow to portray the light in their homes. It is a very dynamic painting that really allows the viewer’s eye to travel and soak up the many different components of the painting. From the background of the town and the light seeping through the windows, to the reflection of this light on the river directly contrasting with the much mellower yellow of the sky and the more deliberate ships and figures, this painting is mesmerizing to look at it. Also, the contrast between the heavy, dusky blues and vibrant yellows adds to wonder that one may feel when looking at this painting. All in all, it is truly a spectacular painting with many elements and techniques that really bring it to life. 

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Exekias Achilles and Ajax Play a Game of Dice 540-530 BCE Terracotta amphora 28.4 x 14.4 cm

I love this piece, I believe that this piece tells a beautiful story because I believe that this piece goes deeper than just Ajax and Achilles playing a game of dice. I presume that this vessel shows how even in something as catastrophic as war, it is so important to take time for oneself to sit back with a friend and do something simple, such as playing a game of dice. I also believe that Exekias is trying to convey the idea that even heroes need to take a break and find time to relax, he is trying to paint the picture that heroes are just like us. Exekias may also be trying to convey not to let one’s guard down too much during that relaxation with the inclusion of the figures holding the spears, ready for battle. Overall, I think that this piece evokes a sense of familiarity within the viewer since most people can relate to playing something simple like a game of dice or cards, since that is a break from the normal day to day, much like the heroes had a break from the war.

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Dale Chihuly

Dale Chihuly Merletto Basket Set 2019 Blown glass 11 x 18 x 14 inches

The Merletto Basket Set was created in 2019 and is a series of wide-mouthed asymmetrical shapes with several smaller pieces carefully placed inside. The piece pictured is 11 x 18 x 14 inches and is inspired by Northwest Coast Indian baskets and their beautiful sagging forms. The simplicity of this piece with Chihuly reducing the objects to their basic asymmetrical shapes is wildly innovative. The basket employs the glass technique of Merletto, which gives it the delicate strands that are embedded within the piece. The delicate strands allow for a very intricate feel that advances this piece beyond the elegant shapes. The piece has such a graceful fluidity to it that it easily captivates an onlooker’s attention. Additionally, the piece has almost a hypnotic quality that allows the viewer to get lost in the supple folds of the piece. The baskets delicate feel further adds to its simple beauty and is a testament to Chihuly’s ability to create interest from minimalism.

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Sophie Reinhold

Sophie Reinhold Irresolvable Conflict of a Logical Expression, 2022 Oil on marble powder on jute 70 7/8 x 59 in

Irresolvable Conflict of a Logical Expression by Sophie Reinhold follows Reinhold’s usual medium where she works with ground marble and then scraps out the marble in some places and then in the negative space, she utilizes oil paint. Irresolvable Conflict of a Logical Expression is very characteristic of her style with the very muted pastel colors and very precise cutaways. Reinhold really creates interest in this piece by her use of abstraction. Upon closer inspection, one may find the illusion of a face, along with letters, and numbers woven together with organic shapes. All of these elements create a very dynamic piece that really captures the onlooker’s attention. She manages to beautifully juxtapose the recognizable with the unrecognizable. Compositionally, this piece is put together masterfully and Reinhold’s employment of lines and ability to weave color and shapes in a painterly way to create intrigue is truly a testament to her skill as an artist.  

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Landline 2018

Analysis and Opinion on Artist Sean Scully

            Personally, I think that Sean Scully is successful in what he tries to convey through his paintings. I think that if one stand and looks at one of Scully’s paintings it is almost impossible to not feel something, which I think is what makes him successful. I thoroughly enjoy his employment of color and the way he paints it on. I like that I can feel his soul in his paintings, as if he used his paintbrush as a lightning rod for everything he was feeling. It feels powerful when you’re looking at it. I think that the stories behind the paintings often help the viewer further resonate with them. Most people know what the sea looks like, or more importantly what looking at the sea makes them feel, and to capture that essence in a painting with merely painted lines is a magical quality. I think he captures this feeling quite well, especially in his painting Landline which really conveys quite a calm feeling.