My Apologies To Anthropologie / Channelling Paul Klee
“Art does not reproduce the visible; rather, it makes visible.” ~ Paul Klee
The Passing Time
I’ve been laying low the past while. Last month I suffered a concussion playing hockey and I’m still pretty foggy. I haven’t been able to watch TV, be on the computer, or exercise. To pass the time, I’ve been rediscovering my art books … and I created the above image.
Channeling Paul Klee
Paul Klee is one of my favourite artists and I’ve always loved flipping through his books. His ideas and artwork really connect with me. Some of the titles of his paintings are like snippets from a whimsical song and I’ve always been fascinated by his use of colour, shapes and personal symbols. Below are a few of his inspirations behind my image.
Paul Klee Images: Ancient Harmony (top left), Ad Marginem (top right), Ad Parnassum (bottom left), Comedians’ Handbill (bottom right)
Van Gogh’s Mosaic Brushstrokes
I have a few gorgeous coffee table books of Van Gogh’s paintings. His creations of night skies are mythical and legendary. A major inspiration is his brushstrokes in the painting Starry Night Over the Rhone. I’ve enclosed the image below with a zoomed detail. Check out those big blue brushstrokes … they reminded me of pasted “collaged” squares.
Photo Collage and David Hockney
A few years ago I also purchased a beautiful book called Hockney’s Pictures. I was familiar with Hockney’s photo collage imagery, but I was really blown away by some of his recent paintings. Seriously, check them out. It might be a wonderful surprise. Enclosed below is one of his photo collage images.
My Apologies to Anthropologie
My sister loves the clothes from Anthropologie and my wife started receiving their printed catalogues. I was really impressed by the art direction, photography, colours and textures. To create my image, I started snipping out swatches and glueing my colour chips together. Below are some of the wonderful imagery that I hacked up. Once again … My apologies ;-P
Copyright Note:
I only own the copyright for the top image. I do not own any other images in this blog post. They are shown for research and educational purposes only.
Jade’s Little Hamsters
Jade loves it when I line up her stuffy hamsters. She loves it even more when I draw them.
Steppy’s House at Grandma’s House
Jade created a fun drawing for Grandma and hung it up on her fridge.
Last Drawings Before Bed
Jade draws everyday … from morning till night. Often, she wants to doodle before going upstairs for story time. I asked her about this particular image. She simply stated, “It is a big loving family.”
Our Magical Wedding
While at Grandma’s place, Jade and I looked at old photo albums.
Jade especially loved our wedding album.
After we paged through it, Jade immediately started drawing.
It was so cool seeing her so excited about this magical day.
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Tomorrow is our family’s 13th wedding anniversary.
I’m so grateful for our lifetime of love together.
Here’s a photograph of our first dance as husband and wife.
Claire and Fashionable Steppy
Steppy has been a huge influence on Jade.
While at Grandma’s, Jade’s cousin Claire drew this beautiful picture of Steppy (above).
For some reason, Claire also fell in love with Steppy and now owns the same stuffy.
And of course, she’s also named her hamster “Steppy”.
Why is Steppy so fashionable ???
Maybe it’s Steppy’s small size ?? … the small hearts ?? … that soft pink colour ??
Maybe it’s because Steppy will always cheer you up and make you smile :-)
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Related Link:
“Steppy” Steps Into The Spotlight
Claire and Jade with Matching Dresses
Sonia’s Strawberry Dream
At Grandma’s, Jade had a chance to re-connect with her older cousin Sonia.
Lots of times, I’ll see an expression on Jade’s face and I’ll think of Sonia.
Above is a surreal drawing made by Sonia.
Below is a photo of Sonia when we went to a favourite Vietnamese restaurant.
Grandma’s Art Gallery
Lots of new art on Grandma’s fridge.
My daughter Jade, her cousins and myself drew voraciously at Grandma’s place.
Visiting Grandma’s Home
We just came back from Grandma’s home in Saskatchewan.
Grandma is “old school” and doesn’t have any cable tv or internet connections.
Because of that, we spent a lot of time drawing, going to to the playground, etc.
Jade had a wonderful time seeing all her cousins, aunts, uncles …
And Jade especially loved seeing her Grandma again.
Fly High Butterfly
Two of many reasons I fell in love:
· Her humour & imagination.
· Her incredible drawings.
She’s a wonderful mother … Our daughter is so lucky.
Drawings For Jade 