Passions of an Odd Chick

Tuesday, January 6, 2009

Klimting



Oh MY! I just had a major head rush.


I could feel it coming on several weeks ago.

It all started around Christmas when my niece, Hollie, mentioned an artist of whom she had been inspired while in art school named Gustav Klimt. I didn't recognize his name right off although I would have recognized his art, especially "The Kiss" which is one of his most famous paintings.


(click the image to see the cool manipulated techniques)
Anyway, I go home and look him up - my heart starts beating a little faster when I recognized the artist and that he has always had a way into my head that I can't explain - and apparently my niece had felt the same. What is it about certain art and artist that connects a person cerebrally?

I ordered a used book so I can wallow in this particular art. (Okay, my non-artist friends - there are people out there that are totally getting this? Surely it relates to any other total crush you've had on something!) SO THEN, I devour the book, mostly the art first, like a starving man, knowing that later there will be hours of exploration.
AND THEN, THEN... I take my own art to Flickr and start manipulating it to look like a Klimt of sorts. Now this is not Klimt -ish - he would have left the facial features in tact but used symbolism to get the rest of the painting. But I can see it and a new paradigm shift occurs for me, and that's all that matters.

I know it's a small thing in the game of life - but to have a real delicious morsel that you give yourself that awakens that sleeping giant heart within you, a mysterious new pathway that leaves you holding your breath as you rush forward, a breakthrough while on the edge of your chair, that lets you play like a child in your own little playhouse, that sets you free from every other care ..... just for minutes.... isn't a great life, in part, measured by those creative moments??? I hope you found one of those moments for yourself today!

9 comments:

Karin Bartimole said...

Very cool! I especially like the effect on the blouse in the woman's portrait - very Klimtesque :) I do enjoy playing with my art in the special effects department of photoshop, but applying a specific artists style is a whole lot of fun, I see!
Great that you found an extra connection with Hollie as well - I love seeing how one little spark leads us to another and another and another....

Ruth Hull Chatlien said...

I'm so glad you had this discovery. Someone else whose blog I read really likes Klimt too.

Unknown said...

I love Klimt, also...his colors, his dreamy faces, all the little shapes that make up his paintings. I've had the same type of experience with his work. I've ordered used books and devoured them, too. I can only hope a little of his style rubs off on my work.00------------------=]

Unknown said...

Sorry- my cat stepped on the keyboard!

Unknown said...

AMAZING! How fun! And yes, you've given me inspiration. I fall in love with your writing every time I visit:-)!

L'Adelaide said...

I love Klimt and his use of pattern and color...interesting how the software changed your painting so drastically! I still like the original angel the best however. :) It's nice that you were able to make a new connection with your niece too!

Steve Emery said...

Wonderful!! I am so glad you found this connection. Klimt is one of the artists that drives me crazy, too - I can't get enough. Klimt, Schielle, Nolde, Hundertwasser, and a local artist named Jane Filer (interestingly we drew our nudes last night in the "Jane Filer Studio" - named for her I think because she has done so much teaching at the Arts Center). And I like the experimenting you did with the photoshop on your paintings. That was fun and bold, too. I'll be watching for Klimt to show up in your subsequent paintings. There might be some of him already in Varano... That pattern in his halo, and those star-like images on the left...

butterfly woman said...

Well,l I am a new visitor to your blog. And am so glad I stopped by. I too love Gustav Klimt and so loved your writings about him and that ah hah moment you get when you connect on some deep level. Your art is magical already, your figure drawings blow me away. So I found one of those great moments today, just coming here and finding a like mind.
P.S. I love Klimt's gold touches.
I will be back to visit. Hope you stop by my blog and say hi too.

butterfly woman said...

Linda,
I also stopped at your blog, it's beautiful site, love your work but somehow cannot access it to leave a message.
So I will keep trying. I do like the site here and the followers. All your artwork is breathtaking, speaks to my soul.