#ellenorartstudio

Ellenor Art studio took inspiration from The Olympics in Tokyo that was held in 2021 instead of 2020 due to the global pandemic. The group looked at artists have made works about pools including seminal pieces by David Hockney. Other artists included Michael Andrews, Matisse and the tiles he made, https://news.artnet.com/art-world/top-7-best-artworks-inspired-swimming-pools-580022

‘Tree of Life’, May 2021

In memory of V.

One of the members of our group sadly passed away early July 2021, and this is the last piece of artwork they made, so wanted to show it again in memory of them and as a tribute to their artwork. They were an integral part of the group, and really found a way to communicate how they were feeling via their artmaking. This was their beautiful ‘Tree of life’.

Ellenor art studio looked at decoupage and the history behind the technique. You can try this easily at home, you don't need fancy materials. You just need a pot or a box, some cut outs of your favourite things, these could be from a magazine or Sunday supplement, or like this member of the group who bought a book from a charity shop and cut out the birds and stuck them to the pot. You can see how effective and simple this is. You can use clear PVA glue like they did or 'Modge podge' which is specially made for decoupage enthusiasts. Some art and craft shops sell a lot of things for decoupage but if you want to do it cheaply, just an old box, pot, PVA glue that is clear and an old paintbrush will do.

Ellenor Art studio looked at composition in art i.e. where you place subject or object on paper/canvas. The group looked at why it is important where you place things in your artwork, and how it can change the mood of the piece or aesthetics. What is your eye drawn to and why? A good example of balance in a painting is Da Vinci, 'The Last Supper', and then theres the 'rule of thirds' which can really help to understand why you may focus on something in an artwork.

Some elements to take on board are:

•Colour i.e. is the eye drawn to light in the painting or darkness of a shape or person?

•Line, how do the lines divide the painting?

•Shape, using shapes as focal points in your composition, overlap shapes or separate or rotate them.

•Balance i.e is it symmetrical or assymetrical?

•Rule of thirds this can really help with drawing or painting a landscape or taking a photo

•Positive and negative spaceTake The Great Wave of Kanagawa for example by Hokusai. If you google this there are some great clips on youtube here: •https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=num4qcqTqGU

•A good definition of rule of thirds: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2OIdcc5Rg8

Ellenor Art studio looked at the idea and symbolism behind The Tree of Life and were invited to paint their own. As you can see, all very personal and beautiful representations to each member of the group. Some of the artists we looked at included Gustav Klimt and 'Tree of Life' 1905, Tohaku Hasegawa, Pine Tree, 1580 and his 'maple tree' painting, Avond (evening) Red Tree, Piet Mondrian, 1908, The Bonaventure Pine, 1893 Paul Signac, Apple Tree I, 1912 Gustav klimt and Pink peach tree,1888 Van Gogh amongst others. There is also a contemporary twist here you can see ´Contemporary art using trees: https://artrepublic.com/blogs/news/485-top-5-trees-in-contemporary-art-html