When I first saw 's template photo for this week's #LMAC contest,
I thought immediately of Andrew Wyeth's Christina's World.
I can't show the painting because of copyright restrictions, but the picture can be viewed in this YouTube video:
Christina's World is almost as readily recognizable as Edvard Munch's The Scream. Both pictures affect the viewer viscerally.
The Scream
Image credit: Edvard Munch, National Gallery: Public domain
The woman pictured in Wyeth's painting was Christina Olson. She lived on a small farm next to Wyeth's country home in Cushing, Maine (USA). Christina suffered from a degenerative disease and could not walk. Because she refused to use a wheelchair, she crawled about her property. Wyeth once described her as a "wounded seagull".
The Olson House
Image credit: Pixabay
Christina lived with her brother, Alvaro. Together, brother and sister eked out a living on their farm. Wyeth became friends with the Olsons, and made them subjects in many of his paintings.
Eventually, Wyeth used the upstairs of the Olson house as a studio. He was inspired to paint "Christina's World" as he watched Christina crawl across the grass one day.
The Power of Christina's World
In the early years of Wyeth's career, the art world dismissed him. Wyeth himself described the disappointing debut of Christina's World as a "flat tire". Over time, many critics came to regard Wyeth's work with greater respect. The symbolism and emotional content of his paintings were appreciated.
Today, while some still disparage his work as 'realistic', others have described him as one of the greatest American artists. His paintings are said to have more depth than mere photographic realism. He has been described as a Magic Realist.
"Magic Realist painters," according to the website The Art Story, "evoke the mysteriousness and uncanniness of everyday reality".
New York Movie, Edward Hopper
Image credit: Edward Hopper, 1939. Public domain
Edward Hopper, an American oil painter, water colorist and printmaker, is considered a Magic Realist.
Nighthawks, Edward Hopper
Image credit: 21 January 1942: completed by Edward Hopper, 13 May 1942: bought by Daniel Catton Rich, director of the Art Institute of Chicago, for 3,000 US$ Public domain.
Der rote Gürtel, Alexander Kanoldt
Image credit: Alexander Kanoldt,1922. Photo by Oliver Kurmis. Public domain
Alexander Kanoldt was a German artist who began his career in the early twentieth century as part of the German Expressionist movement. Eventually his painting evolved into what is considered Magic Realist.
In Autumn, L. A. Ring
Image credit: L. A. Ring, 1885. Public domain
Laurits Andersen (L. A.) Ring is one of my favorite painters. According to the Nordic Museum, he is "among the most significant figures within Danish and Nordic art". Elements in L. A. Ring's work are similar to elements in Wyeth's work. Both artists painted stark rural scenes in their respective countries. Each often features incongruity in their work. Although I have not see the term Magical Realist applied to Ring, his art is described (by the Scandinavian Standard,) as being "almost photographic in it’s framing", and as having a "strange realism".
The painting, Gleaners, featured on my profile page, is his.
My Collage
In my collage, Christina, the "wounded seagull", soars. She is not constrained by gravity. Wyeth stands in front of the Olson house and paints the balloon-liberated Christina.
Change of Direction, Thanks to
It was only after I read a reply by that I realized a setting sun was the suggested theme for this week's challenge. So I had to scrap the collage I had been working on:
.
There was no place for the sun in that picture. I changed direction, and am very pleased I did.
Elements in My Collage This Week
Besides 's template, I added:
A balloon from Unsplash, credit: Andrea Junqueira
A female figure from Pixabay, credit: UnBox Science
A painter from Pixabay, credit:edmondlafoto
The Olson house from Pixabay,credit: MaineCoast
The shoes on Andrew Wyeth's feet came from Paint 3D
I used Paint, Paint 3D, and Gimp to extract, insert, and resize elements. I used Gimp to adapt color.
Thank you, for the adventure in art. And, to everyone who reads this blog, join in. Most of us who participate are not 'artists' in the professional sense, but we are artists in our hearts. There's even a school, for those who want to improve skills. Our teacher is the talented and gracious
. Rules for participation, and amazing collages can be found on
's blog.
Thank you for reading my blog