Side chair, Herter Brothers, 1879, American Decorative Arts.j


 

Harley E. Warric

 Harley E. Warrick (October 5, 1924 – November 24, 2000), was a barn painter, best known for his work painting Mail Pouch tobacco advertising on barns across 13 states in the American Midwest and Appalachian states. Over his 55-year career, Warrick painted or retouched over 20,000 Mail Pouch signs. When he retired, he was the last of the Mail Pouch sign painters in America. The Mail Pouch signs have become iconic and some of Harley Warrick’s work has been exhibited by the Smithsonian Institution. Though he was not the first or the only Mail Pouch barn painter, he was the most prolific and famous.




Herself, Robert Henri, 1913,

  



Robert Henri painted Himself (1924.912) and Herself (Irish terms of endearment for a husband and wife) during a summer trip to Ireland; the canvases depict the fisherman Johnnie Cummings and his wife, Biddy. The rich hues and thick, lush paint add depth to the works, while the figures’ elusive expressions and informal poses give them a brusque, forthright quality. Each portrait reveals a distinctive character and, according to Henri, was meant to be a dynamic example of “humanity in the making, in the living.” Walter H. Schulze Memorial Collection

Interesting



 

10 Best Watercolor Paper for Painters of All Skill Levels

 10 Best Watercolor Paper for Painters of All Skill Levels

By Margherita Cole on November 10, 2021

 

Best Watercolor Paper

Between its portability and beauty, it's no wonder that watercolor is one of the most beloved mediums for artists. And while choosing the right set of paints and brushes is important for watercolors, finding suitable paper is just as vital to the creative process.

Do you need help finding the best watercolor paper for your artwork? There are a couple of things you'll want to consider before you make your choice. For instance, deciding which format you want the paper in will have an effect on your experience. Loose-leaf paper is a convenient choice for experimenting techniques, as you can buy sheets one at a time and cut them down smaller.

However, purchasing blocks may be better if you're inclined to travel, as the packaging protects the paper from bending or tearing. Similarly, pads of paper are a popular choice to have in the studio as it is easy to remove the paper when needed.

Arches paper is a favorite among watercolorists, calligraphers, and other artists. They are made in France with 100% cotton fiber and make the perfect canvas for vibrant and long-lasting paintings. All of their paper is acid-free, pH-neutral, gelatin-sized, and air-dried.

If you're a student or an artist looking for a value watercolor pad, then Canson's XL Watercolor Pads are some of the best. It features 30 sheets of 140 lb (300 gsm) student-quality paper that is an ideal surface for watercolor and mixed-media work.

Another great value pad for beginning watercolorists and students is the Bienfang pad. At an economical price, it provides 15 sheets of 90 lb (243 gsm) paper that are perfect for refining techniques and creating practice paintings.

Winsor & Newton Professional Watercolor Blocks includes 20 archival-quality sheets of 140 lb (300 gsm) paper that have an ideal surface for displaying the natural transparency of watercolor. This paper is available in cold press, hot press, and rough finishes.

The name Sennelier is synonymous with high quality, and their watercolor blocks are no different. Made of 100% cotton, this paper is acid-free and 140 lb (300 gsm). It is available in a variety of unique sizes that are perfect for landscapes and portraits alike.

If you want paper that's a shape other than a square or rectangle then Yupo‘s round pad is an ideal choice. Each pack contains 10 sheets of 74 lb (200 gsm) paper that are all waterproof, non-absorbent, and extremely durable with a smooth surface.

Another staple brand in the watercolor world is Grumbacher. Their pad of paper includes 12 sheets of 140 lb (300 gsm) cold press watercolor paper that is perfect for wet and dry lifting techniques. It includes a cover that can easily fold out of the way as you work.

Fabriano is an established brand known for its high-quality art supplies. Their watercolor paper is machine-made in Italy from 25% cotton and 75% alpha cellulose. This combination creates a surface that feels like 100% cotton rag at a much lower price.

Instead of buying a pad or block of paper, you can also purchase a large sheet of paper and cut it down to your needs. Blick Student Watercolor Paper is economically priced for students and beginner painters. It is 90 lb (243 gsm), making it ideal for practice work.

Have you ever heard of black watercolor paper? That's because Legion Stonehenge Aqua Black Paper is the first of its kind. One pad includes 15 sheets of 140 lb (300 gsm) black watercolor paper that is pH-neutral, acid-free, lignin-free, and chlorine-free.

Margherita Cole is a Contributing Writer at My Modern Met and illustrator based in Southern California. She holds a BA in Art History with a minor in Studio Art from Wofford College, and an MA in Illustration: Authorial Practice from Falmouth University in the UK. When she’s not writing, Margherita continues to develop her creative practice in sequential art.

The Gargoyle of Notre Dame overlooking Paris, 1910


 

Photo by Charlotte Brooks


 

New York City Jeffrey Ladd, 1995 Brooklyn Museum Photography


 

gustav klimt


 

Byzantine glass chalice, part of the loot of 1204, now at St. Mark’s Basilica Treasury, Venice


 

Bottle, 1700–1800, American Decorative Arts.


 

I live in a small artists-type colony in West Virginia










 

Fantastic


 

There you go.


 

Dance like no one is watching

 


Loie Fuller  was an actress and dancer who was a pioneer of both modern dance and theatrical lighting techniques. She choreographed and performed dances in burlesque (as a skirt dancer),in vaudeville, and circus shows.

An early free dance practitioner, Fuller developed her own natural movement and improvisation techniques, experimenting with a long skirt, choreographing its movements and playing with the ways it could reflect light.





Fuller came to the attention of Henry Cyril Paget, 5th Marquess of Anglesey AKA Lord Paget nicknamed "Toppy",  a British peer who was notable during his short life for squandering his inheritance on a lavish social life and accumulating massive debts.

Paget, who adored being called "the dancing marquess" in the press took Fuller’s dance one step more and came up with his own version of the Butterfly Dance, wearing a voluminous robe of transparent white silk would be waved like wings.

Paget was the eldest son of the 4th although rumors persisted that his biological father was the French actor Benoît-Constant Coquelin. When his father died in 1898, he inherited his title and the family estates (30,000 acres) with an annual income of about $20,000,000 in today’s value.

He quickly went about the business 0f spending every cent of his inheritance.   He renamed the family's country seat Plas Newydd as "Anglesey Castle" and converted the chapel there into a 150-seat theatre, named the Gaiety Theatre where he took the lead in opulently costumed productions ranging from pantomime and comedy to performances of Oscar Wilde's An Ideal Husband and Shakespeare's Henry V.





Not happy with that, he took his theatre company on tour around Britain and Europe. His wife obtained a decree of divorce the marriage was later annulled due to nonconsummation. He was okay with that since the end of his marriage gave Paget more freedom to enjoy his self-indulgent lifestyle.

By 1904, despite his inheritance and income, Paget had accumulated debts a massive debt and was declared bankrupt. His lavish wardrobe, particularly his dressing gowns from Charvet, and jewels were sold to pay creditors.

Paget died in in 1905 Monte Carlo following a long illness, with his ex-wife by his side. The London Times reported that he was, wide and far, well liked by one and all and that despite his oddities, never brought any harm to anyone but himself.