A Geometry Lesson

Image by Martin Gommell

I have been using the "Rule of Thirds" for decades--ever since I took photography lessons as a college student. What, you may ask, is the "Rule of Thirds"? Explained simply on the PhotographyMad website, "The rule of thirds involves mentally dividing up your image using two horizontal lines and two vertical lines. You then position the important elements in your scene along those lines, or at the points where they meet."

There is a lot of research on this, but the bottom line (ha!, pun intended) is that the "thirds" distribution of shapes is believed by many to be the most pleasing to the human eye.

(c) Anne Blair Brown

Anne Blair Brown recently wrote an interesting post for the Oil Painters of America blog, talking about the Rule of Thirds. She gave an illustration(above) using one of her

You're Invited!

O faithful readers in the Charlotte area---come on down on May 6 for our Spring Open House~! I'd love for you to see my newest paintings in person!  Details below.

PLEASE JOIN ME FOR OUR SPRING OPEN HOUSE DILWORTH ARTISAN STATION Friday, May 6th, 2016 6 pm to 9 pm Lesley Powell Art Find me on the Top Floor--Studio #35 118 E. Kingston Avenue, in Charlotte's South End Spring has sprung, and the artists of Dilworth Artisan Station are opening their studio doors for an Open House. This only happens twice a year! I am co-hosting this year's event, with more than twenty-five artists participating. Here's who we are. Whether you enjoy art that is abstract or realistic, flamboyant or quiet, large or small--we have it all! This time we are featuring a special bonus. Most studios (including mine) will showcase selected works that are priced at especially affordable levels. Perfect for the starting collector, or even for gift-giving.  Live music, beverages and nibbles--come, and bring a friend And there's an elevator operator to bring you right up to the third floor!

Where to Park? The lot beside our building; spaces on the street; and in the overflow parking deck behind Carrabba's restaurant. Or be adventuresome and take the light rail! If you can't make it on May 6th, I am open any time by appointment. Just shoot me an email, or phone me at 704.609.0782 to set something up. I would love to see you!

Copyright © 2016 Lesley Powell Art, All rights reserved.

The Finish Line, Part II

"Looking toward Fish Beach, Monhegan"
(c) Charles Movalli

Today I am continuing with the theme of my last post, drawing on Charles Movalli's wonderful essay entitled "In Praise of Painterly Painters." Movalli compares two different approaches to painting, what he calls the "sudden" school and the "gradual" school. The "sudden" school of painters are so-called "painterly painters", who seek the fleeting impression rather than a detailed, finished rendition of the subject. Their work is

The Finish Line

"Jenny"
(c) Robin Wellner, 2016

Some of you may be familiar with the wonderful essay on painting entitled "In Praise of the Painterly Painters", written by Charles Movalli. Movalli writes about the difference between two approaches to painting. One approach gives "all the facts", and presents a smooth, highly detailed, finished surface. The other approach loves to see the brush strokes on the surface of the painting. Far from giving all the facts, this approach happily sacrifices detail in favor of spontaneity. It's this second school that we call "painterly" painters.

Self Portrait
Vigee LeBrun, 1781

The top painting is very painterly--by my friend Robin Wellner. Robin might tell us that it is not quite finished--but I love it like it is. Compare Robin's painting to the second portrait of a young woman by Vigee-LeBrun. The second painting is very much in the "Paris salon" school--which favors the smooth, detailed finish. Both portraits are lovely, though quite different.

Oil on canvas
(c) Robin Wellner, 2016

Movalli notes that the difference between these two approaches involves "the age-old struggle between those who define and those who seek the fleeting impression". Painterly painters seek the fleeting impression. They place far more value on spontaneity than on a detailed "finish". Painterly painters believe that an abbreviated style is best for capturing elusive effects and momentary sensations. Their paintings allow the viewer's eye to complete the work, and give life to it. In other words, the viewer becomes part of the creative process. To me, that is part of their magic.

For fun, I am closing with two more portraits, this time of men. The first, another by Robin Wellner, is very painterly. I love the way the brush strokes show Robin's "handwriting", and how spontaneous the work is. The second, below, is by the great Renaissance artist Sandro Botticelli. Truly beautiful. But one would not call it "spontaneous". Goes to show--there is room in this world for every approach to creating art. Viva la difference!

Sandro Botticelli, 1483