David Friedrich, Painter

David Friedrich

David Friedrich, a french painter of the romanticism period and is one of the fathers of the romanticism period. His pieces consist of a large amount of emotion; his pieces inspire a lot of artists who followed the romanticism movement. I appreciate the passion involved in his paintings and entails a huge deal of the emotion the artist is depicting. One of the more particular pieces that consist of this is, "The wand above the mists" it shows a figure standing on a cliff that is above what seems to be a sea; the sea appears to clash with the rocks, the figure also seems to be swaying with the wind. This piece gives me a heroic feel towards the figure, the horizon of mountains and clouds help give it a classical feel. 

Most of his artworks involve this sort of central feeling that gives the overall element of heroism. The passionate feel gives an inspiring feel that drives a sense of heroic feel or devotion from the viewer. The fact that you as the viewer can get a sense of energy from his paintings make them quite remarkable. Not many painters can dig that feel of energy from their viewers as David Friedrich. The idea of a romantic painting derived from the concepts David Friedrich, was implimenting in his paintings. The brush work as you notice is a strong element in constructing a romantic feel to painting. This technique captures the emotional aspect.

Lastly, an element that I noticed with most if not, all his paintings is that the central figure is not involved with the viewer. This concept lets you believe that the figure is undergoing the emotion of the painter; the ability to make this figure a compliment to this emotion or in conflict with it makes the painting able to depict the particular emotion. Even when David Friedrich, depicts nature, nature is not directly involved with the viewer. Instead, nature is involved with the emotion being portrayed.   

   

Van Gogh, Painter

Van Gogh

Dutch Post - Impressionist painter, Vincent van Gogh, was a brilliant painter and perhaps one of the most famous. His paintings entail a great deal of emotion that most viewers can relate to rather it be a vivid, bright and welcoming painting, or a dark, gloomy and grim picture; Van Gogh knew how to attract the eye of his viewers. The most appealing factor about his paintings is the technique he uses which, seems to be an unorthodox brush stroke one that is repetitive and gives the technique a characteristic of a mosaic feel. 

One thing I appreciate most about this artist is the fact that he painted with emotion. Being a victim of mental illness, it can be assumed that Van Gogh used art as an outlet to portray his particular mood or trial he may have been dealing with at that particular time in his life. During his career it is said that he underwent many dilemma's in life aside from his mental condition. 

a Particular painting that many maybe familiar with is The Starry Night, this painting was done towards the end of his life before he committed suicide. This painting was done by him from the window of his hospital room. the picture is uniform and gives the viewer a feel of liberation. The structure is a bit grim feeling giving the over all feel of the picture a sense of contradiction in the aspect that you are welcomed into this setting but thrown off by the shape of this structure. You can also say this picture gives you a , "wave" of emotion. Van Gogh is a monumental figure in the art world today, his unusual technique that works uniformly makes his style, "Van Gogh".   

Eugene Delacroix, Painter

Eugene Delacroix

Eugene Delacroix, a french painter whom of which, was a strong figure for the romantic period of art. His artistic style captures the emotion of his figures; also his technique is the use of loose brush strokes to capture this emotion. Eugene Delacroix was known as a history painter, history paintings include a central figure in which the theme of the painting is based upon. His embarkment on romanticism closely followed Neoclassicism painting which caused a lot of conflict about what was appreciated at the time.

I personally admire paintings and especially those of which were done during the romanticism period. The beauty of the loose brush stroke technique completely captures every emotion the painter is trying to tell the reader. Also his ability to capture the central figure allows the viewer to study what emotion the painter is trying to depict. Eugene Delacroix, was always a painter perceived as an inspiration to those who are becoming well known painters as well as those who are already prestigious. 

During this time French painters were the leaders of art, especially painting. Eugene Delacroix was world profound and his painting set a standard that many wished to achieve. His influence to deliver painting from the Neoclassical period to the Romanticism period was truly remarkable and a success. Another element I appreciate about this particular type of painting is the ability to capture the timeframe at a stand still through these picturesque brush strokes.

Saul Bass, Graphic Designer

Saul Bass

Saul Bass has proven to be an inspiration amongst many graphic designers including myself. His style is quite unique, he comes from the "New Wave" era which entails a punk rock feel while still maintaining the principles of Swiss design. His art pieces are unique in the idea of the time in which they began to surface the design world. 

His concepts use a quite a bit of contrast that depicts the message from the illustration. His works give you a grunge feel a style that was mostly used by, David Carson, while using this feel he also incorporates a clean feel to allow his messaging to be clear and concise. One of his most noticeable works is the AT&T logo that is identical to a globe, that has a number of lines arranging the shape. Also the Bell logo is quite distinguishable amongst consumers and designers.

His use of tile sequences were also a, "Saul Bass" brand of design. You can notice this through the logo design for ATT&T. This concept has to do with a repetitive shape that is often inconsistent. He uses this to build shapes that are representative to the message he is trying to portray.

Marian Bantjes, Graphic Designer

Marian Bantjes

Women graphic designers are hard to find. The graphic design industry is mostly lead by men. But one inspiring grahic designer artist that I found who happens to be a woman is, Marian Bantjes he design work incorporates elements of typography. Typography which is a personal favorite of mine, is the concept of design through the use of words; using words to illustrate your concept. 

The artwork that Marian Bantjes, produces is quite complex yet inviting to the eyes of many. Unlike the Swiss design style which involves, simplicity. Her concepts mainly involve the viewer to actually read the artwork and look into its complexities to appreciate the overall concept of the design. Marian Bantjes has become a well known graphic designer who is paving the way for many women who have the desire to become a designer themselves.

Marian Bantjes provides many concepts most of which have a script feel to them. The use of swirls and circles gives her concepts a more feminine approach most of which you may not notice in the design industry these days. The use of these swirls provide a bit more of depth to her designs and also contrasts with her message intended thus, making the overall design concept readable and complex.

Harmony Hammond, Sculptist

Harmony Hammond

I appreciated this artist because she designed with a meaning, she spoke through her work. The artist ability to speak women rights through her art I found appealing. Not many women artist at least beginning are able to portray messages such as she did. Meaning her voice is heard more over than your beginning artists and the messages she portrays are intriguing. Though I personally am not a fan of sculpture only because I have never taken the time to appreciate it. 

Her speech was fascinating she was clear and concise. She understood her message and didn't seem to get lost in her belief's. She knew what message she wanted to deliver and did so well. She conducted herself in a professional manner all the while letting the audience know she is just as human as they are. Sometimes I feel artists who are well known and recognized become lost in what their personal mission is when they first set out to become and artist. 

Lastly, Its always fun to hear a woman's idea about art because it gives you a broader spectrum about art and its point of views. It is inspiring to learn different artists belief's about art and even more so a woman's approach.

Swiss Style Graphic Design

Swiss Style

Swiss style graphic design was a vital movement for graphic design which, took place during modernism. The design style originated in the late 1920's and early 1930's. The style is best defined as, "design with subtraction". I find this design style most compelling to me because it involves a clean and concise design element that allows the consumer or appreciator to better understand its language and message. This is done in through the upmost simplest elements a designer can possibly come up with. Most recently in my design methods I have found myself using this particular design regimen.

Its favored by many because of its use of typography; though many appreciate an illustration most people find themselves appreciating art not though art galleries but through design campaigns. The Swiss style was founded by a group of artists, of those artists the one that Americans were mostly exposed to was Paul Rand. Many of his designs incorporate design at its simplest. One thing that most people may not appreciate is that though the design maybe simple and subtracted they often see this style as "lazy"; but the attractiveness and simplicity makes the design readily identifiable as well as quickly read. The idea is to pose a message on the go. 

This artistic style took on like a wild fire. Many incorporated this idea not only through language art but, living art as well. Living art meaning the way furniture was designed, the way people wore their clothing, and the way houses were designed. This art style also inspired many branches of the Swiss style.