After winning the Artist's Challenge posted by @nod, I had the daunting task of choosing an artist for the next challenge. This task proved harder than I expected. Do you know how many amazing artists there are in this world?! Originally I considered choosing an artist who works in 3D, such as a sculptor. It was an intriguing idea to take something 3D and interpret it as a 2D photograph. But in the end, it seemed a bit complicated, so I decided to choose an artist I fell in love with during my undergrad days as a Fine Arts major, Pierre Auguste Renoir (1841-1919). And having just seen some of his beautiful paintings at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts, it seemed an appropriate choice.
Renoir was one of the foremost painters in the Impressionist movement. His effervescent paintings were less detailed than some of his contemporary counterparts. He liked to capture moments of high excitement, like couples dancing or friend enjoying lunch on a canopied boat. Warmth, physical delight, and an intense joy of life are the perpetual themes of Renoir's work. As a result he rarely used black (opting for navy and dark brown instead), so that his pictures became the embodiment of the fundamental theme of Impressionism, the enjoyment of the moment in light and air.
You can read more about Renoir at www.ibiblio.org/wm/paint/aut/renoir
or by googling the artist's name in your search bar.
I found several sites featuring his artwork through google as well, but most of the addresses were long enough to stretch from here to the moon and back, so I am assuming that most of you are internet savvy and can find them on your own. If you have trouble finding pictures of his paintings, please post something here and I will try to get you an address that is more specific.
The rules of the artist challenge are fairly simple: study the artist's work and reproduce that style in one of your own photos (ideological approach) or replicate one of the artist's pieces (a literal photographic copy). In other words, you may decide to take your own photo using Renoir's techniques with light and color. Or you may choose to copy one of his paintings, such as "Girl With a Watering Can", as closely to the original as possible. I will be looking for the photos that best capture the essence of Renoir no matter what approach you use. One writer said, "Renoir took snapshots of real life with his paintbrush so that they were full of sparkling color and light".
Due to the fact that here in the US (where I live) we are heading into a long holiday weekend, I've decided to give you some extra time (ok, it's really for me because I'll be out of town!), so entries will be accepted from midnight (12 AM) EST on August 29, 2012 until midnight (12 AM) EST on September 9, 2012.
Tag your photos AC-Renoir
Renoir said, "Why shouldn't art be pretty? There are enough unpleasant things in the world." I hope you find the challenge inspiring, uplifting and pleasant. I look forward to seeing what you come up with!
Ann LeFevre @Olivetreeann
Thank you all for your well-wishes on the last artist challenge. I thought you might like to see what I did as the baton was passed to me. Pass the word along to all you think might like to participate!
@olivetreeann This sounds great, there is an account for the artist challenge, if you put this up on there all those that are following the artist challenge will get it on their thread.
@mummarazzii I have a feeling you'll be able to find another one before the challenge is out. @hopess13 @sinikka
I'm looking forward to seeing your pictures!
Great reminder. While it doesn't do justice and I'm amazed at some of the other entries - here is my spin on some of his work. It is a combo shot of two of his works.
@sassik What a beautiful shot! I really wish you'd gotten it in before the deadline. Thanks so much for sharing it though- it certainly has the spirit and joy of Renoir!
@olivetreeann Yes, I should have gotten my act together sooner, but hey, sometimes you've got to take your time. I loved that this challenge inspired me :) Thanks for thinking of Renoir - my favourite also when I was in high-school.
Now you've got some decisions to make - hard task!
All the best to you Ann!
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Thank you all for your well-wishes on the last artist challenge. I thought you might like to see what I did as the baton was passed to me. Pass the word along to all you think might like to participate!
t wait to see what I can do with this challenge, thank you!
@hopess13
@sinikka
I'm looking forward to seeing your pictures!
I don't know who opened the account, maybe @peterdegraaff can help you with it
@olivetreeann Thank you very much!
@salza Sally, great processing on the flowers.
Got me going (finally...) thought I'll still share it for fun :)
Now you've got some decisions to make - hard task!
All the best to you Ann!