1. What is Art?
Mr. Knutson

2. Art in Your World
The urge to create art has existed since the cave people
Visual arts satisfy human need for
Celebration
Personal expression
communication

3. Art in Your World
We can learn about places and people that we may never see or know
What can we learn from looking at this painting?
Vincent Van Gogh. Houses at Auvers Oil on Canvas /4 x 24-3/8”

4. Art in Your World VanGogh’s mood based on his color choices.
Sense of movement created with short-choppy brush strokes.
Texture help to show his love for nature.
Vincent Van Gogh. Houses at Auvers Oil on Canvas /4 x 24-3/8”

5. What is Art?
A Work of Art: “The visual expression of an idea or experience created with skill.” (Ragans, 2000)

6. What is Art? ART is Communication.
A language used to express ideas and feelings that everyday words can’t express.
The arts cross language barriers.
In order to understand and appreciate art to the fullest extent, one must learn to perceive.

7. What is Art?
Perceive: “To become deeply aware through the senses of the special nature of a visual object.” (Ragans, 2000)
More that just looking at something.
Close examination.
One attaches meaning to what they perceive.

8. What do you experience when you look at this painting?
Meyer Straus. Bayou Teche Oil on canvas. 30 x 60”

9. The Purposes of Art People use(d) art to record ideas and feelings.
No different in prehistoric times than it is today.

10. Functions of Art Personal Functions Express personal feelings
for example…….

11. Edvard Munch Tragic childhood Mother died when he was very young.
Sister died when he was 14.
Subject matter of this painting shocked viewers.
Message: Appreciate what you have.
Edvard Munch. The Sick Child Oil on Canvas.
46-3/4 x 47-2/3”

12. Functions of Art Social Functions
Reinforce/enhance shared sense of identity.
Family, community, civilization (Family portrait)
Celebrations/festive occasions.
Parade (costumes, uniforms, floats, dances)

13. Functions of Art Spiritual Functions
Expression/reinforcement of religious beliefs.
for example……

14. Lascaux Cave Paintings
Not just a record of events.
Many believe that these paintings and/or events had ceremonial purposes.
Lascaux Bulls. Cave paintings in Lascaux, France.

15. The Sistine Chapel
Much of the art created during the Renaissance was commissioned by the Catholic Church.
Michelangelo Buonarroti. The Creation of Adam Detail from the Sistine Chape Ceiling

16. Functions of Art Physical Functions
Constant search for new ways to create functional art.
Focus on new and interesting forms.
Frank Lloyd Wright. Falling Water Bear Run, Pennsylvania

17. Functions of Art Educational Functions
Pictures often were used to provide instuction to those who could not read.
Symbols on signs provide information.

18. Functions of Art Educational Functions (continued)
During the Middle Ages, artwork often illustrated
Biblical stories.
Stories about rulers.

19. Functions of Art (Ed Functions, continued)
We can learn about people from the past
What they wore
How they looked
Status
Values
Hans Hoblin. Anne of Cleves Tempera and oil on parchment /8 x 18-7/8”

20. Why do Artists Create? Artists are driven by:
Sense of wonder
Curiosity
Fear of making mistakes suppresses creative impulse.
Often work intensely for long periods to achieve goals.

21. Why do Artists Create?
Impulses and responses that drive artist vary

22. Roger Brown. Hurricane Hugo. 1990. Oil on canvas. 48 x 72”
Leo F. Twiggs. Gate from East End Suite Batik. 24 x 20”

23. Where do Artists Get Ideas?
Artists “are create individuals who use imagination and skill to communicate in visual form.” (Ragans, 2000)
Problem solvers
Many different sources of inspiration
Natural/cultural environment
Within oneself

24. Sources of Artistic Ideas
Nature
George Inness. The Lackawanna Valley. c Oil on canvas /8 x 50-1/4”

25. Sources of Artistic Ideas
People and Real World Events
This couple’s determination was meant to reassure those shaken by the stock market crash during the Great Depression.
Grand Wood. American Gothic Oil on canvas.
29-1/4 x 24-1/2”

26. Sources of Artistic Ideas
Myths and Legends
Based on “The Odyssey” by the Poet, Homer, Bearden depicts scenes from the story.
Romare Bearden. Return of Ulysses Serigraph on paper.
18-1/2 x 22-1/2

27. Sources of Artistic Ideas
Spiritual and Religious Beliefs

28. Sources of Artistic Ideas
Creative Techniques
Thomas Hart Benton. The Sources of Country Music Acrylic on canvas. 6 x 10’
Benton was Jackson Pollack’s teacher.
Jackson Pollack. Cathedral Enamel and aluminum paint on canvas /2 x 35”

29. Sources of Artistic Ideas
Artists of the Past
Pablo Picasso. Las Meninas (after Velazquez) Oil on canvas. 6’ 4-3/4” x 8’ 6-3/8”
Diego Velazquez. Las Meninas (The Maids of Honor) Oil on canvas. 10’5-1/4” x 9’

30. Sources of Artistic Ideas
Ideas Commissioned by Employers
Graphic artists
Architects
Sculptors
Artists in general

31. Ideas for Your Own Work Re-visit the sources previously discussed.
Keep a sketchbook
Make quick drawings of your ideas as they come to you.
Make notes about ideas
Use it to practice skills and techniques
Keep your sketchbook with you and
USE IT FREQUENTLY

32. References Ragans, Rosalind. Arttalk. Woodland Hills, CA: 2000.
carolinaarts.com/wordpress/tag/greenville-sc/
faculty.smu.edu/sweisenb/
artsnap.org/2010/05/