Art Lovers discussion

The purpose of this topic is so we can ask questions, comment or make suggestions for the group. We have a section for book suggestions found under Books Re: Artists and their Work, so any of those suggestions and questions can be addressed there. But here, this topic is open for any suggestions for the moderator (me), or to get feedback from the group or anything else, really, that you don't know where else to comment!

Rebecca, you came up with a wonderful suggestion for the next poll. You suggested the question "why might one go to a certain museum? Perhaps because it contains a certain piece, where the museum is located, the history, etc...". I think I will post that poll the first of February as to give the group more time to answer the most recent poll--Would you like to create a new 'Art Lovers News Corner' each month? (thank you those of you who have already voted!) Now we can give the group a 'heads up' to prepare to answer the next poll! Thank you for the suggestion!

Just a reminder, anyone is welcome to make a poll themselves or you can continue to leave me suggestions for a new poll. If you would like to remain anonymous, just send me a message :) Or you may address the suggestion here under this topic. To create a new poll, see on the right of the polls 'create a new poll'. There you can post your question, upload an image (optional) and list the answers.

I wish we had a file or at least a thread where we can post and discuss Art in Books-especially children books

That would be a great topic, Amal. Would you like to start a thread under the folder 'Books Re: Artists and their Work'? I am looking forward to reading and learning about the different illustrations in books!

Heather wrote: "That would be a great topic, Amal. Would you like to start a thread under the folder 'Books Re: Artists and their Work'? I am looking forward to reading and learning about the different illustratio..."

Ok, thanks :)

Would it be possible to create sections for each artist to facilitate finding threads about them: Bronzino, Degas, VanGogh? or Mannerism, Post-Impressionism, Renaissance, etc.? I'm not sure what categories to create because it does continue to have us compartmentalize which could restrict communication. If there were a search feature that would be good...hmmmmmm

Forgive me if I over-looked it, but is there a thread to talk about art-history in general? Not exactly focused on one time period or artist, but a place to talk about the progression of art, how far it's come, and if/when it should go back.

Just a thought . . . Is anyone currently producing artwork?
In reading O'Keeffe's biography it showed the progression of how her art developed over time. I used to paint in a small studio where all different artists were working on their own work. It was great to walk around and get their feedback, discuss techniques, inspiration, etc. I miss it. I haven't done it for 3 years due to some major health issues & all my "stuff" has been put away for the time being. Reading her biography has been inspiring.

Do you think it's possible to do something like "What Inspires you in YOUR creative process?"

Carol, I created a topic under the folder Talent of the Members labeled just what you said: "What Inspires you in YOUR creative process?"

Rebecca, no, you didn't overlook anything. We actually haven't started a topic or thread regarding Art History. Would you like to create the folder? or you can just start a new topic under the General folder if you'd like. However you want to do it, I think it's a great idea! If you have any further questions, or would like me to create the folder, just let me know.

I want to bring this thread to the top of the folder so that if anyone has any questions or comments, they can feel free to post them here. I could always use new ideas! Let us all know what you are thinking about the group.

It seems that everybody is outside enjoying the summer weather!

I hope you would offer another group read in the fall (I missed the Rape of Europa.) Maybe if others would like to do it, you could put together some books (or we can suggest) and put up a poll?

In one post, Jonathan had brought up the author Henry Adams –

(Pictured above with Ken Burns photographing Thomas Hart Benton’s Missouri mural in Jefferson City, for the film on Benton that came out in 1989.)


I was looking online for a book on Viktor Schreckengost and discovered Adams' book on this exceptional artist -- Viktor Schreckengost: American Da Vinci by Henry Adams, 2006, 144 pp.



I was just wondering -- if anyone in this group wanted to do a group read by Adams? The Intertwined Lives of Thomas Hart Benton and Jackson Pollock runs 416 pp. and Eakins Revealed runs 608 pp. The others run 150 or less.

Here’s his site with books -- http://henryadams-cleveland.com/publi...

That's a good idea Carol, to do a group book read. I will open up this thread for member suggestions on what book they would like to read and we will do a poll.

Might I recommend Rizzoli's "History of Beauty" by Umberto Eco as a group read? It has been available in hardcover since 2004 but will be released in paperback this September.

In this book, acclaimed Italian author Umberto Eco explores the ever-changing concept of beauty, from the ancient Greeks to today. The book features a running narrative, abundant examples of painting and sculpture, and excerpts from writers and philosophers of each period discussed.

Here is the page if you want to check it out:

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10...

"History of Beauty" looks like a good book, I already have it on my to-read list, and I like Umberto Eco anyway. Thanks for the suggestion.

Hi, Heather -- great idea -
There are any number of books I'd be interested in reading with the group -- and some, of course, I probably wouldn't.

Rape of Europa, which I now have
Gombrich's Art and Illusion
Robert Hughes,
Another volume of Richardson's Picasso --

but it might be hard to find something that everyone hasn't read -- maybe best to just let Jonathan pick one...

(Kidding, but not completely) --

Sorry I've been off-list for awhile -- can't say I've followed the discussions much -- and though I'm overwhelmed with other things right now -- and other reading -- the right book would be a lot of fun to read with this group. It's hard to express how much I've learned from all of you since my initial forays into art back in February...

TWO BY ROBERT HUGHES --
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Goya by Robert Hughes, 2006, 448 pp.
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/27...

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American Visions: The Epic History of Art in America by Robert Hughes, 1999, 648 pp.
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30...


TWO BY HENRY ADAMS --
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Tom and Jack by Henry Adams, 2009, 416 pp.
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/84...

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Eakins Revealed: The Secret Life of an American Artist by Henry Adams, 2005, 608 pp.
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/87...


ALWAYS WANTED TO READ --
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What Is Art? by Leo Tolstoy, Aylmer Maude (translator). 252 pp.
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/12...

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Turner by James Hamilton, 2009 Random House, 496 pp.
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/91...

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The Stranger from Paradise: A Biography of William Blake by G.E. Bentley, 632 pp.
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23...

These are all good suggestions. I'm fond of artist biographies and would be happy to delve deeper into some of Henry Adams's books. The Blake and Turner bios that Carol mentioned could also be interesting.

But if people are more into something theoretical, "The History of Beauty" or "Art and Illusion" would be fine with me too. I'm easy.

The book on Pollock and Benton is intriguing to me as well - but I'm willing to give anything a try --

I tend to read artist biographies. But I will do whatever book gets selected. It would be nice if the people who vote, actually participate.

We could alternate fiction and non-fiction.

“I never knew of but one artist, and this is Tom Eakins, who could resist the temptation to see what they think ought to be rather than what is.” – Walt Whitman.

Maybe we could something about Dutch landscape painting?

This Eco book looks interesting to me -- more so than a biography, especially if it is an artist in whom I am not particularly interested.
Rizzoli wrote: "Might I recommend Rizzoli's "History of Beauty" by Umberto Eco as a group read? It has been available in hardcover since 2004 but will be released in paperback this September.

In this book, accla..."

I think it's interesting, too.

I believe The Horse's Mouth is about a (fictional) artist.

Monica wrote: "Maybe we could something about Dutch landscape painting?"

Hi, Monica -- I recently bought this book and it was highly recommended -- but I don't recall exactly where:
http://www.amazon.com/Masters-Century...

there is also this one
http://www.amazon.com/Masters-Sevente...

Given some of the people who are on this list, it would be a very informative and interesting opportunity

One negative is that it's not easy to find copies.

AC wrote: "Monica wrote: "Maybe we could something about Dutch landscape painting?"

There's also this one, on Poussin, which Jonathan once recommended, and which I've dipped into --
http://www.amazon.com/Poussin-Nature-...

Hi everybody
Here's a few books to consider...

Rogues' Gallery: The Secret History of the Mogul and the Money that Made the Metropolitan Museum
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/48...

Joseph Cornell's Theater of the Mind: Selected Diaries, Letters, and Files
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/81...

Burne-Jones
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/98...

The Story of Art
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22...

Brunelleschi's Dome: How a Renaissance Genius Reinvented Architecture
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/14...

History of Beauty
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10...

Aubrey Beardsley
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/28...

Virtue and Beauty: Leonardo's Ginevra de' Benci and Renaissance Portraits of Women
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/14...

Giorgione
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26...

Richard Estes
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/22...

The Agony and the Ecstasy: A Biographical Novel of Michelangelo
http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32...

The Goya book by Hughes is great
all the books mentioned sound really good
so what's next? -
tempus fugit especially when You get my age

Somebody make a poll.

I'll make a poll!!

If you make a pool, ask people to vote for 2, or 3, or 4 -- say -- tht way some consensus might emerge...

Let me add two here though:
Gombrich Art and Illusion (already alluded to)
David Hockney by David Hockney -- (fascinating)

Otherwise -- as I suggested, just let Jonathan pick one...

2nd Jonathan making selection

Is that even possible on polls, to vote for more than one option?

Brunelleschi's Dome looks really interesting.

Personally, I'm not so keen on Jonathan making the selection. Some sort of poll or consensus pick sounds like a better idea to me.

Did Brunelleschi's Dome make the poll? I didn't see an option for it.

Where's the poll, Susanna? Is there a separate thread for that? I think I missed something...

Sorry. I'll add it.
I don't know how to allow people to choose their top five. Suggestions?

wait I'm editing it... just a sec

I don't know how to get back to editing the poll to add Brunneschi's Dome!
Nor to let people choose their top five...

Okay, I think I've found the polls - http://www.goodreads.com/poll/list/13... - but there seem to be two. One asks us to vote for a single title, the other says to vote for five. Which one do we use? I'm confused.

Sorry, Monica I did a poll, too. Seems we did it at the same time. I prefer to choose 5 in your poll, but I can't figure out how to vote for 5, I just voted for 1 and it wouldn't let me go back to the poll, or does it? I will delete mine if you want me to so it won't be so confusing.

Heather do you know how to make it so we can choose our top five?

No, I have no idea, Monica. :(

They can vote for 2 if they take both of our polls...I don't know

What do you want me to do? Leave both polls so people can vote twice? or I can delete mine.

Wasn't Heather was going to do the poll?

It looks like 9 of us are interested (out of 267 members.) Should we wait another week before doing a poll since some people who might have wanted to participate could be busy with the "back-to-school" routine or the holiday weekend? And where's Ruth?

So far majority of the books run 400-500 pp. (except Hughes American Vision with 648 pp.) How long will we take to read a book? Is roughly 100 pages a week too much for some?

It also appears that the majority of the girls prefer fiction where the guys (& me) like into non-fiction. Could we take turns each month regarding genre? For instance if the first book chosen was fiction, then the next month the book choices would be from the non-fiction list.