Silver Scene Columnist
Wow, another beautiful week in southwestern New
Mexico. Humidity is not usually one of our weather
standards, but this week it was humid and my plants are
reveling in the unexpected long-lasting moisture in the air.
Having recently downsized, I was looking in my soon to-
be-studio-but-presently-a-storage-building for a painting
that I want to be sure I make room for in the house. It was
then that I realized that the humidity was not doing the
painting any good at all. It’s a wonderful watercolor/pen and-
ink painting on paper of Native American dancers.
Although I am not usually that thrilled with representational
artwork, this painting, which was given to me by my brother, really amazes me with
minute details — the individual strands of hair, beaded moccasins, and fringed clothing
that the artist captures are awesome.
While the colors are bold, the delicate brushstrokes and fine lines belie the cheeriness
of the colors and give the piece a more serious, meditative feeling. I have seen examples
of representational artwork on paper or canvas that are so painstakingly created that they
could be photographs. Although I appreciate the work that has gone into this type of art,
I have to admit that it often leaves me cold. Personally, when I am drawn to artwork it is
usually because it either tells me a story, shares or implies an emotion through the use of line, color, or brushstroke, or blows me away with its striking composition.
A painting, drawing or sculpture of a person, animal or object that is lacking evocative
color, sensitive line, or a strong composition just doesn’t do it for me, no matter how
incredibly lifelike it is.
It takes more than draftsmanship to create fine art, and, often, moving from “excellent
drawing skills” to “inspired artist” is simply a matter of time and lots of practice.
American artists Joseph Decker and Thomas Eakins knew how to passionately render
paintings of everyday scenes, creating an intimate bond between art and viewer. Decker’s
1888 still-life painting called “Still Life with Crab Apples and Grapes” captures the
simplicity of fresh fruit, using starkly defined edges and lush colors to provoke mouthwatering
responses from his viewers.
Eakins, on the other hand, creates luminous skies and horizons, and loosely painted,
but still detailed visions of sailboats to capture the attention of his viewers. Here in
southwest New Mexico, we have many fine artists who have become adept at getting our
attention with their representations of land, human- and animal-kind on canvas, paper or
three dimensions.
I hope you enjoy the accompanying photos of some of what I call “hyper realistic”
paintings of Lois Duffy. Duffy is a master at capturing each and every line, freckle or
wrinkle on the faces of her chosen models. Her paintings are painstaking renditions of
the human experience and those experiences are clearly visible on each and every face she paints. If you have a chance, check out her work and see realism at its best. Whether or not representational art is for you, I hope you take some time to get out and see some
art this week.