Challenge - AnArt4Life

A Message from Tendai Makufa: "Be Stong in Creating Your Dream"

Catching up today with Tendai Makufa who encourages all of us to: "Be Strong in Creating Your Dream".

AI Powered Images

Yesterday in the May Mailbag the AnArt4Life blog took a very tentative step into the world of AI generated images - highly contenious I know but let's be brave and start to learn a little more about this rapidly growing application from the computerised world.

Landscapes

Robert Barker: Inventor of the "Panorama" Image

The itinerant portrait painter Robert Barker coined the word "panorama", from Greek pan ("all") horama ("view"), in 1792 to describe his paintings of Edinburgh, Scotland, shown on a cylindrical surface, which he soon was exhibiting in London, as "The Panorama".

Inspiration

Johanna Hildebrandt Series: The Survivors

It is very obvious when you study Johanna Hildebrandt paintings that she is not only inspired by the Australian landscape and wants to recreate it in her vision but she is deeply commited to her love of all the creatures who inhabit this world.

Australian Artist

Johanna Hildebrandt Series: Enhancing Artistic Talent

Whilst a good dose of Artistic DNA is probably essential to the making of an artist, training of some kind, be it done formally or informally, is essential. Today we look at Johanna Hildebrandt's training background & how it helped produce the breadth and depth of talent in this artist.

Gardens

My Brother's Garden: Part One

My brother is also an artist - but unlike me he doesn't paint but rather he plants! When I visit his garden in Northern New South Wales it has the same effect on me as the first time I saw the French Impressionist paintings in the Jeu de Paume museum.

Challenge

Painting starts with ideas

Observation is an essential part of being a better painter. As you move around in your world try to record some of what is around you. Encourage your children to discover new shapes, patterns, colours in their world. Today I encourage you to copy one of my paintings.

Exhibition

The World Reimagined: Part Three

Today we complete a small showcasing of some of the "globes" from "The World Reimagined" exhibition at the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich where 36 of 103 unique globes were on display exploring the history, legacy and future of the Transatlantic Trade in Enslaved Africans.

Exhibition

The World Reimagined: Part Two

Continuing the posts showcasing the exhibition of "The World Reimagined" held in the Summer of 2023 at the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich.

Exhibition

The World Reimagined: Part One

Whilst in the UK this year I was fortunate in being able to see "The World Reimagined" exhibition at the National Maritime Museum, Greenwich where 36 of 103 unique globes were on display exploring the history, legacy and future of the Transatlantic Trade in Enslaved Africans.

Scotland

Iona , the Abbey and St Columba

Today in the penultimate post from my cruise around the Scottish islands I will show and tell you a little about the religious community on the island of Iona which dates back to 563!

Challenge

The Remarkable Community of St Kilda

I am back "onboard the lovely MS Island Sky" and taking you into the Outer Hebrides to learn a little about a tiny island and how its inhabitants lived for over two thousand years until May 1930 when various factors, including WWI, brought about the evacuation of the then remaining 36 inhabitants.

Scotland

Beginning the cruise: Fair Isle and Noss Head

Our beautiful ship - "Island Sky" - is small enough to be able to get into the remote indented coastline to see amazing natural beauty and wildlife and to reach places which date back in time thousands of years to the Iron Age. Today - Fair Isle, Shetland, Scotland.

War Art

Reflecting on Australia's Involvement in the Vietnam War: Part Two

Today is a very special day in Australia and here on the AnArt4Life blog we want to acknowledge the contribution so many Australians made to helping the people of Vietnam during the war that wracked their country for so long.

Scotland

Bonny Scotland and the painting by Ian Morrison, Alberto Morrocco and David McClure

This is the continuation of a story about a painting "Broughty Ferry, Dundee" 1964 painted by Ian Morrison, Alberto Morrocco and David McClure. A mystery which needed to be solved.

Inspiration

Philippe de Kraan and "The Gathering" Part Two

"The Gathering" by Philippe de Kraan is a mammoth of a painting in size, detail and the incredible effort it took to bring it out into the light for all to see and enjoy.

Challenge

Philippe de Kraan and "The Gathering" Part One

A rare insight into the work involved in creating a painting measuring 198cm x 305cm when International Australian artist Pilippe de Kraan tells just how much "blood sweat and tears" go into being an artist of this quality.

Photography

Colin and Pam Morris show how to be Inspired by a Painting

Aritsts - painters, sculptors and photographers can all be inspired by a scene, an object, a person and of course animals. But in this post we look at some photographs which were inspired by paintings.

Challenge

The ART UK Volunteers

If you live in the United Kingdon, love "all things art" and have a little time to spare - this post is for you.

Reflection

Cape Horn

Reflecting on courage is always a good thought to have. In line with our series on the remarkable sailing ship era - illustrated with great skill by Australian artist Robert Carter - we take a look and a deep breath as we take in the coast of Cape Horn.

Flight

UK here I come thanks to Leonardo da Vinci and other brains like him!

I am off to the UK for two months and as I prepare I think of the remarkable brains throughout the centuries who made international travel so easy. Today let's acknowledge Leonardo da Vinci and his dream of flying.

Narrative

Let's Close the Gap with Tendai Makufa

As I said recently to Tendai - his paintings bring joy to my heart and to the heart of others. Even though behind the images and messages are startling statistics of inequality Tendai is working with every inch of his body and mind to "make a difference". Please applaud this remarkable artist.

Tribute

ANZAC DAY 2023

To Australians & New Zealanders ANZAC DAY is one of the most important days in our year. Surrounded by the tools of his trade and memories of those he loves, Rowdy Wylie creates a visual narrative that takes us back in time across the world to an unforgiving environment - lest we forget.

How to Draw and Paint

Copying

Copying is as important to a painter as practising scales is to a pianist. I have talked about the importance of copying before. But today I'm going to try something a little different and get you to pick up a pencil and do a little sketching using my favourite aids.

Challenge

Rut Brea's Story

Recently Rut in Arizona joined us as a subscriber and as happens with some subscribers a correspondence began. Rut's story is one of fleeing from a revolution and having to give up a passion to paint and play the piano to earn money to provide for her family .

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