Let’s OCCUPY ART and let it fill our spirit.
Pick one painting.
Let its story come to you.
Here’s my choice:
“Lift the Veil” by Stanka Kordic
Who is this child?
What placed that expression?
Waiting? About to grasp something from the artist? Tired of sitting? Assessing?
Let Tracy Chevalier explain this challenge:
.
Stanka Koric’s mystical child OCCUPIED me today.
Which one will you sit with?
Soul Dipper 
The little girl is stunning.
I imagine she is thinking “Hurry, this is not what I call FUN…. I WANT to plaaaaaay!”
To me, she is a child who is wise – an old soul. As I thought about the story it might present, a title came to mind, “Aged in Youth”. I think she could tell me great secrets. 😀
The painting you chose is marvellous. I don’t know Stanka Kordic.
The Tracy Chevalier’s talk and how she copes with Gallery fatigue is so interesting, and her description of the three paintings is so fun. I’ve never seen “The boy building the house of cards” or “Anonymous.”
I chose the painting “Las Meninas” a 1656 painting by Diego Velázquez which I saw at the Prado in Madrid last month.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Las_Meninas
Oh my goodness, Rosie, didn’t you pick one thick with story! Had you known about the painting before you saw it? It is fascinating.
For me, Stanka presents a mystery and depth in her portraits. When I view her paintings, I constantly question who the people are, what relationship they have with Stanka, and what is on their minds? Stanka has an excellent video on her site that made me appreciate her work even more. (I linked her site under the photo of the painting.)
Love the painting you chose. Am enjoydc the vid very much.
Happy Occupay Thursday, dear Amy.
The approach certainly appeals to me. I think I’ve secretly been wanting to view paintings in just that way and thought it was almost disrespectful.
Me too!
I’m amazed you understood that comment – so many typos – a hint to myself to stop when it gets late, eh?
Happy day, Amy. Thanks for all you share.
Nice presentation. It’s always helpful to understand an artist’s biography to know what the art is conveying or it does leave one rather empty and disconnected.
Yes, understanding aspects of the artist does add to the painting. On Stanka’s website, she has a video that addresses her approach and it certainly helps me appreciate, not only the beauty, but what she has put into the work.
This reminds me, Totsy, I wonder if you are seeing any works of art in Arabia while you are there.
Wonderful painting!
Lots of food for thought today, Amy, thank you so much for posting this. My children taught me how to view museums and art galleries. They would go very quickly round and take in the pictures or pieces which reached out and grabbed them. I joined in and it was my key to loving such places. My camera helps too: I hate walking past stories, but I can freeze frame them for later research. I don’t make up things but there is always something, some shred of information to tell us more. My favourite of all time – well, one of them? The Cholmondeley Sisters, which hangs in the Tate Gallery. There’s a picture to fuel a thousand tales. I feel sure it was painted as a conundrum. Wikipedia has them here: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/6/6a/Elizabethan_Sisters_Babies.jpg
So, Kate, you’ve been using this technique for a while! Hurray for your children. When I was a young woman hitchhiking around Europe, I was sensible enough to go to a number of museums. I was awed – almost an overdose of fine art. The most famous ones were often too far away for my liking and I was in a hurry to find familiar works. I didn’t have the appropriate appreciation for so many of the other pieces.
Thank you for introducing me to The Cholmondeley Sisters. Conundrum is a great word for my original impression. I only looked for a few minutes, but will do some research.
Hi Amy. Beautiful choice of art. Enjoy your day. 🙂
I will enjoy my day. And you keep working on that great work of art – you!
What a lovely message and beautiful painting, which I haven’t seen before – thank you for sharing, Amy. Here’s to telling stories 🙂 xo
Hey Naomi – What a pleasant surprise to find you amongst our Occupy! It seems you have been continuously growing and expanding – not only with life and work, but with pets. I’ve signed up for four different volunteer roles which I am enjoying, but have had to shuffle time accordingly. I’m not on the blogosphere as much which is far better for one’s health and well-being! 😀
Haunting image, Amy. I love the idea of the art occupying me…don’t know that I’ll be able to join in as I’m hosting at dVerse and in the midst of remodeling. Maybe, though.
Yes, haunting fits the feeling the child presents for me, too, Victoria. I’m dashing around today as well…two volunteer events demand my attention today. Take care – we’ll stay in touch regardless…
Great thoughts Amy~ to me the child is very very bright and is thinking, “oh yeah?”. She knows better. As for me, today I will focus on the landscapes of Wyeth. Broad and expansive.
Wyeth would be a welcome addition to my household any day, Tammy. Actually, a close friend is married to an artist whose work brings Wyeth to mind. (I don’t think an artist really appreciates hearing that sort of comparison all the time – this artist smiles quietly.)
Since you and I enjoy as much quality food as possible – just listened to the CBC news warning folks about the drought bringing a significant increase to food in 2013. Isn’t that a loaded statement?!
Love ghe painting you selected..there is a story in those eyes.
And, for you, Charles, a poem! 🙂
To me the expression seems to be a kaledioscope of stubborness, anger and intention. But somehow this runs contrary to the way the palm is shown in a relaxed posture. Why is this I wonder.
Cheers
Shakti
PS. Hi Amy, Was on a two week vacation and love to return to ” Occupy Blogosphere.”
You bring another perspective, Shakti, and the story you conceive is yours. Hmmmm…I wonder what answer you will give.
I noticed your absence. You haven’t posted in a while. Hope you have returned rested and full of new post ideas. 🙂
I chose my favourite painting, one by van Gogh. http://crowingcronebewell.com/2012/07/26/occupy-blogosphere-july-26/
What a painting, Joss. I get all sorts of feelings from it. I confess that somehow, I have missed this one by van Gogh…
I bought an image of it when i visited the van Gogh museum in Holland.
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Hi Amy, I seem to be having internet problems ~ I can’t even see your link to Tracy Chevalier. The light in your picture is intriguing and the child seems confident and knowing. Her gaze is very challenging! One of my favourite paintings is ‘The Light of The World’ by Holman Hunt ~ I’ll link to that next Thursday.
I’ve just uploaded my piece for this week, a day late, I’m afraid ~ I did write it yesterday but I was very tired and it didn’t read quite ‘right’, so I’ve edited it and posted it this morning: http://taoofscrumble.wordpress.com/2012/07/27
Although I posted my piece this morning, the link still has yesterday’s date: http://taoofscrumble.wordpress.com/2012/07/26
Wightrabbit, if you couldn’t engage the video by clicking on the window, here’s the link to Tracy’s video: http://www.ted.com/talks/tracy_chevalier_finding_the_story_inside_the_painting.html. I look forward to your Light of the World post!
It’s a beautiful painting Amy aunty. When I first saw this painting, what I noticed is that, this little girl has hands, which are much stronger and longer than her age (what it seems like). Then I noticed all though she is stuck in between something, still there is no fear in her innocent eyes. Rather her eyes searching for a path to get out of it. Her hairs are not tied properly, it means she has no one to take care of her. Still she is ready to fight for her survival like a strong and mature person.
I am not sure if my interpretation is correct. But I love this painting, the way my eyes interpreted it for me.
Thanks a lot for sharing it.
Thank you, Arindam, for participating! The story you see is very interesting. Some of the comments show how we employ filters from our cultures and/or personal lives. I’ve also enjoyed the paintings that people cited as their favourite. I wonder what yours is! 😀
My favorite painting is “Shakuntala” painted by Raja Ravi varma. Here is the link- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Raja_Ravi_Varma_-_Mahabharata_-_Shakuntala.jpg
Amy aunty, I am not sure if you will like it. 🙂
Oh, Arindam, I love this painting! I’ve not seen it before – and it is so appealing to me as a woman. I see such closeness, naturalness, trust and authenticity. Thank you for coming back and sharing this with me. You see, I can draw a fabulous story from this painting – and I’m sure the actual story would be quite different. That doesn’t matter – it’s the fabulous feeling it gives me. Or you. Or any viewer.
Here is the story – http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shakuntala
Thank you! That was like some of the stories I grew up with (ours were called “fables”, if fiction, or “parables”, if religious). Were these stories maintained to provide guidance to people? Were they told to young people as they grew up?
The eyes of this girl remind me of Mona Lisa’s lips – they’re just as mysterious.
Hi Poch! Yes, she has a mystic about her – for sure. I saw the original Mona Lisa in Paris when I was at the Louvre. It’s so tiny, but what a blast of energy it gave off. I wasn’t prepared to feel zapped when I saw it!
I ran the slide show of the artist……wow…….. Pensive mood now, for some reason yet to be explored. Although there was one that made me think of a particular child–so that might be it!
And for me–I don’t know about Art. There’s my confession! LOL
I do know some things on canvas just grab and hold me.
Not one particular artist, not one particular style.
*laughing* Yes, I know I’m strange!
Hi Everyone! It’s been wonderful to read all of your lovely comments and interesting observations! In this piece, as with many, I merely begin with a spark of inspiration, and then allow the language to flow. In this, her expression, gaze, and hands held my attention. She is at once wise, and strong and confident, as children often are. She is lifting the veil of ‘this’ reality, to show us the ‘hidden’ reality, that most often, only the eyes of innocence can perceive. It is a golden world, filled with everything we need, right before our eyes. Thank you to all who commented, and to Amy for the honor of sharing my work. My best, S.
Thank you, Stanka, for bringing your light to the mystery. We are fortunate to have you with us – willing to share what inspired you. Who knows, perhaps in 500 years, someone will uncover this and be in complete awe! I hope so.
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