by Bob Martin | Nov 24, 2009 | Art, Creativity, Culture, Learning
What seems like a life time ago, I can remember going to the library as a kid with my school and the librarian
J. C. Leyendecker
reading to us an exciting tale of adventure. After reading a paragraph or two she would would turn the book towards us so that we could see the wonderful illustrations painted by N.C. Wyeth. As a kid Wyeth’s paintings along with J.C. Leyendecker, Norman Rockwell and others
The Death of Robin Hood-N.C. Wyeth
helped open up the world for me with visual representation pirates, celebrities and families. It was possibly my first introduction to paintings as well a visual look of what life might have been like outside of my own neighborhood. It hard to believe in this period of FB, Twitter and Google, that there was a time when a kid looked forward to those weekly visit to the library to learn about history, culture and art.
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by Sandy | Nov 10, 2009 | Blogroll, Creativity, Exhibits, Museums
If you like baubles, bangles and beads, (or, you’re just a rock hound) the Legion of Honor Museum in San Francisco will excite you with “Cartier and America”.
“Cartier came to fame as the “King of Jewelers” during the Belle Époque for his beautifully made diamond and platinum jewelry created for the courts of Europe and Americans of the Gilded Age. “
An example of the Cartier genius is shown here – “Tutti Frutti” Necklace, 1936 Paris – made with platinum, white gold, sapphires, rubies, diamonds and emeralds. (I think this can be worn today and it would fit right in).
“Cartier and America” – December 19, 2009 — May 16, 2010
Legion of Honor – Lincoln Park
34th Avenue & Clement Street, San Francisco, CA
by Bob Martin | Nov 6, 2009 | Art, Artist, Creativity, Education
Of course we are thinking that there may be a trickle down effect. We’ve been concerned that art work was going in the direction of quietly listening to music at home (digitized with pictures). Art is an investment, true, but it is a pleasure to look at that can enjoyed at any price level. Support your local artist and buy something that you will treasure for ever.
“Tonight’s results were clear vote of confidence for the art market,” said Simon Shaw, Head of Sotheby’s Impressionist and Modern Art Department in New York. “We wanted to put together a sale with works that were not just of great quality but were also presented with attractive estimates. I think the great depth of bidding we saw this evening is a testament to that strategy. Tonight was the first time since May 2006 in New York that we exceeded our top estimate, proving what we have seen consistently this year, that there is an enormous appetite for works of art of great quality.” from Art Knowledge News 11/4
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by Bob Martin | Nov 6, 2009 | Creativity, Dance, Directors, Live Performance
Eventually Cirque du Soleil will create a show about each of us, but until then it is Elvis that is up next. 
Starting next month in Vegas at the MGM Mirage’s City Center. The show is being directed by Vincent Paterson best known as a choreographer. It will most likely be as spectacular as the 100 Elvis sky divers, just not as dangerous to people on the ground 😎 .
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by Bob Martin | Oct 18, 2009 | Art, Arts, Entertainment and Music, Creativity, Culture, Exhibits, Galleries, Museums
There are great history lessons contained with in the biography of an artist and the work that he or she produces. The first major 
exhibit of the works of the Armenian born Painter Arshile Gorky will be at the Grand Opening Cafesjian Center for the Arts from Nov. 8th to January 31 2010.
“The stuff of thought is the seed of the artist. Dreams from the bristles of the artists brush. As the eye functions as the brain’s sentry, I communicate my innermost perceptions through the art, my worldview.” – Arshile Gorky – “Abstract Expressionism”, by Barbara Hess
Gorky and his family fled the Armenian Genocide in 1915 when he was thought to be about 10 years old and eventually was able to migrate to the United States in 1920. His paintings tell me a lot about his life, what he he knew and what he wanted to find out his own life.
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by Bob Martin | Oct 13, 2009 | Actors, Art, Creativity, Live Performance
Baghdad’s theater re-opens with a night time performance of “To enjoy the sweetness you must taste the bitterness” a play directed
Photo: AFP
and performed by Iraqis. The impact of war or any kind of violence is devastating to any community regardless of its size. What may go unnoticed amongst all the destruction is the difficulties in creating, sharing and viewing of art. Being unable to renew ourselves with what art brings to our “souls” and “culture” is a great loss, but some how people are able to overcome. The title of the play is ironic and true, but was it really necessary to have to swallow so much bitterness?
** Post header – Oil painting by Wasima Al-Agha **
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