Sunday, April 6, 2008

Sunday Art Review: Focus on Faces

"Focus on Faces" is the subject of this week's Sunday Art Review. The ultimate face ever painted, in my opinion was the Mona Lisa, by the great Leonardo DaVinci. Since art is so subjective, I thought I'd mix things up a bit and bring together a variety of differing styles for this week's installment. My Sunday Art Review feature has become quite popular over the past few months. Traffic to the site spikes on Sundays and I tend to receive a number of e-mails regarding the artists or pieces I share. This weekly blog series has now been referenced by a newspaper in Nashville, TN as well as a few other sites on the Internet as an unpretentious presentation of art. So thank you to those of you who have e-mailed me regarding prior Sunday Art Review posts. Now, onto "Focus on Faces":

above: "The Conjurer", by Palm Springs artist DJ Hall. I've seen this in person at the Palm Springs Art Museum it is actually two large pieces that are next to each other for the complete scene. This speaks "friendship" to me.

above: "Isidro In My Shirt" by Los Angeles artist Tony de Carlo.

above: "Girl in the Field", artist unknown (sorry for the slightly blurry photo). She seems troubled to me, or at least preoccupied.

above: "Miss Joan Crawford", artist unknown. I've always liked this portrait, she seems so elegant.

above: "Anne Churchill", by John Henry Byrd. The red shawl really makes this piece.
Do any of these faces speak to you? Which face do you like best? Comments are always welcome and appreciated.
-Rick Rockhill

19 comments:

Anonymous said...

I like the Isidro guy best, he has a handsome face, and looks genuine.

Tea said...

Congrats on being mentioned in the paper for your art presentations here, Rick!
Mona Lisa always fascinated me. I think also the one of Anne Churchill. Old paintings are amazing to study. Trying to figure out what that person was thinking, what type of life they lived etc.
I`ve been catching Dancing with the Stars a bit. It was mainly in waiting for the Bachelor to come on afterwards. But it`s actually fun watching them dance.

tea
xo

Anonymous said...

I love the Joan Crawford picture. I agree - she does look elegant. Although I wouldn't turn down the Anne Churchill picture either. Just beautiful!

maryt/theteach said...

Rick, you might want to check out my series of posts "Bad Art Friday" at Answers to the Questions :D

The fish that plays the psychic doctor on your side bar is a beta.

Empress Bee (of the high sea) said...

well of course the mona lisa! but i also love the conjurer. you feel like you could step right into it...

smiles, bee
xoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Unknown said...

I LOVE your Sunday Art Reviews. I always look forward to them! Keep 'em comin'! ;)

All of those paintings are phenomenal. It's amazing how not just one style can capture one's interest. Art is definitely subjective.

I'm quite partial to "Girl in the Field". There's something so wistful in her expression.

"Isidro in My Shirt" catches my eye too.

Marlupe said...

I agree with Suze, I like the Joan Crawford painting. This is probably my favorite blog to read on Sundays, rick!

Mona said...

Isidro guy is very interesting. & so are each one unique in its own special sense...They capture the expressions beautifully! All of them!

Lilian said...

Congratulations for being recognized as a contributor to art by a newspaper, that's great! Regarding your question, the portrait that intrigues me the most is "Isidro"... I immediately thought, why is he posing so openly? He seems to be so comfortable with himself and with the artist painting him. He gives a sense of selfconfidence, at least to me. Happy Sunday!

OldLady Of The Hills said...

Well, to be honest...I don't like any of the except The Mona Lisa.
Joan Crawford's head looks completely out of proportion, to me...lol!

Sorry Rick....

Oh the John Henry Byrd is nice!

Anonymous said...

I like the Anne Churchill painting best, it's so classy.

whimsical brainpan said...

"Isidro In My Shirt" has a very intense look on his face.

CRUSTY MOM-E said...

Joan Crawford grabs me from the art!!Something about the way she's gazing ..

Btw, congratulations on the article mention! I think that's fabulous!!

have a nice weekend!
Sincerely,
Elizabeth

snowelf said...

I like the first one, actually. I love the bright cheery colors and the happiness about it. :)

--snow

elasticwaistbandlady said...

Anne Churchill. Why? Because she's smiling without showing her teeth.

I bet she had a toothache like I do right now. :(

kenju said...

I like all of them, but the one I like the least is Isidro. The other color and pattern in the portrait is distracting for me.

I saw Mona Lisa in person in Oct. 2006 and I was struck by how small the painting is; having always thought it must be large. Funny how that can fool you!

Anonymous said...

I've always wondered what the fascination with the Mona Lisa is. It is a cool paiting, but to be the most famous painting ever...I'm not sure I get it.

Olivia said...

I like the Girl in the Field. I see serenity in her face.

Joan Crawford is indeed elegant but feels overbearing.

Anne Churchill is plain but my pleasure is in the simplicity of her white muslin dress and red pashmina.

The Ambiguous Blob said...

Girl in the field is the only one I'd consider hanging in my fortress. I choose her.

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