Marie Laurencin: Enchanting Poses

21/07/2016 by Gary Kirkpatrick

Marie Laurencin, Enchanting Poses

Marie Laurencin 1883-1956 Paris

Marie began her art career studying porcelain painting in Sevres, then went to Academie Humbert, where she became a painter. She exhibited at the Salon des Independents and the Salon d’ Automne in the early 1910’s. In the 1920’s she was an important member of the avant guarde. Picasso was among her cohorts. She was a known bi-sexual, thus perhaps explaining some of her choices for subjects. She married a German, Baron Otto von Waëtjen, and lived in Spain with him during WW1. They divorced after the war. She was successful selling her art in the 20’s but the depression hit her business hard. In the 30’s she taught art.

Some o her paintings have an ethereal quality. The pastel like presentation as seen in this example is typical of this style, as is the subject matter, beautiful young girls in leisure.

She also painted in the Cubist style, and was also friends with Braque. Many of her works are now at a museum dedicated to her in Nagano Prefecture, Japan

From Torino (Turin) to Graz

18/07/2016 by Gary Kirkpatrick

From Graz to Torino (Turin)

July 10, 2016

From Graz you take a railroad operated bus to the train that carries you into Italy through the Alps; the bus avoids a much longer train ride through the mountains. The scenery alone makes the trip worthwhile. There are viaducts and tunnels galore. Human have inhabited this area for thousands of years, although it is well west of here,in the Oetztal Alps, where researchers unearthed the frozen body of a man who died in the mountains some 5000 years ago. For more information on that, go to http://abcnews.go.com/Technology/oetzi-iceman-mummy-alps-lyme-disease-lactose-intolerance/story?id=15816788

Drawings from Graz

09/07/201609/07/2016 by Gary Kirkpatrick

Drawings from Graz

Here are the pen and ink drawings I did on location in Graz, Austria, early June through early July 2016

This was done at the Kunstmuseum (above). The following several drawings were done at the Schlossberg Park near where we stayed:

The Semmering Railroad

07/07/2016 by Gary Kirkpatrick

The Semmering Railroad, designed and directed by the Venice born Carlo Ghega, is a UNESCO World Heritage Center (1998) that travels from Gloggnitz to Semmering. I was constructed between 1848 and 1854. At the. time the Semmering was a feat of engineering and the first mountain railway in Europe built on a standard gauge track. From your seat you see superb Austrian mountains, 16 viaducts and 15 tunnels, over 100 curved stone and 11 small iron bridges, as well as many mansions. All this in a journey of just 41 kilometers.

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04/07/2016 by Gary Kirkpatrick

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A terrific baroque building: Basilika Mariatrost, Graz (with sketches)

04/07/201604/07/2016 by Gary Kirkpatrick

A terrific baroque building: Basilika* Mariatrost, Graz (with sketches)

July 2016

The lovely Mariatrost Basilica is a baroque style building on top of the Purberg hill, a steep climb from the bus stop including some 225 steps. There’s a lovely view from the top- see my pen and ink sketch below- and what’s inside is a superb example of the baroque.

Salzburg

04/07/201601/07/2016 by Gary Kirkpatrick

June 2016

There’s enough to see and do in Salzburg, Austria for the three days we were there, although beyond that I am less optimistic. It’s certainly attractive enough for longer term living but a bit on the small side, and a good four hours from Vienna for more intensive living, and the winters are still cold and snowy enough to discourage any but skiers and ice skaters. A bit of background and then some highlights.

Schloss Eggenberg, Graz, Austria

26/06/201623/06/2016 by Gary Kirkpatrick

One of 600 paintings in the apartments of Schloss Eggenberg

A Baroque masterpiece and World Heritage Site, Schloss Eggenberg in Graz, Austria is a treasure of the Baroque and, to a lesser extent, the Rococo period of the Baroque epoch, which is the last development in the as well as the most complex and intricate of the period.

Here is a video slide show of our photos during the visit, which is only available as a guided tour, set to Mozarts’ Klarinettenkonzert (K. 622). The tour is in English as well as German.

Video: Paintings and Drawings Done at Palau de la Musica

16/01/202022/06/2016 by Gary Kirkpatrick

The paintings and drawings in this video slide show were done at Palau de la Musica, Valencia. They explore the state of mind we experience as music transports us to a semi dream-like state. The paintings and drawings in this video slide show were done at Palau de la Musica, Valencia. They explore the state of mind we experience as music transports us to a semi dream-like state. The music is Arco de Noe by Oscar Navarro, a Valencian composer. He was in the audience the day we heard this piece.

Graz’s Museums

20/06/201618/06/2016 by Gary Kirkpatrick

Graz’s Museums

For a city of a mere 300,000, Graz has a large number of museums. Boys will no doubt be attracted to the Armory, which holds an extensive collection of medieval armory worn by the knights. We skipped that one and instead have gone to the Graz Museum, Kunsthouse and the Museum in Palais. There are a dozen to visit on our annual 30 euro pass. (click ‘continue reading’ below)