Spontaneity

[pjthompson]

Random quote of the day:

“Art is the illusion of spontaneity.”

—Japanese proverb



Disclaimer: The views expressed in this random quote of the day do not necessarily reflect the views of the poster, her immediate family, Key and Peele, Celine Dion, or Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. They do, however, sometimes reflect the views of the Cottingley Fairies.

 

Comments

[wayfaringwordhack]

I love both the quote and the art.

For the quote: I think I inevitably kill any spontaneity in what I do. I need to work on letting go, which is what I started with the charcoal sketching.

For the art: I know Monet painted in France, so it is natural that his paintings feel like France and it is perhaps stating the obvious to say so, but yes, I feel France when I look at his work, especially landscapes rather than just the tight looks at flowers, etc.

[pjthompson]

Well, the quote did say the illusion of spontaneity. :-D But I know what you mean. There is planning, but there's a certain amount of play involved. We Virgos have a problem with that sometimes, but also you have a very busy life. It's hard to find to turn the spontaneity on and off. I think exercise like the charcoal sketches are an excellent way of learning to play again.

And I'm sure the painting is in France. Sargent was an American but he spent most of his life in Europe. I didn't truly appreciate Monet until I saw an exhibit of his works some years back at the LA Museum of Art. The way he rendered light was just astonishing—something that just doesn't come through in prints. You could feel the temperature of the day, you could tell what time of day it was. Quite remarkable.

[wayfaringwordhack]

I know what you mean about the light, and about seeing stuff in real life before being able to appreciate it. I was that way with Gaudi. It wasn't until I saw his works in Barcelona that I saw the genius behind the "too-much."

[notasupervillain]

Oooo like this