Monday, February 28, 2011

The Passionate Art of Edouard Manet

Edouard Manet is one of my favorite men of the art sphere. The passion of this man's painting is so strong. And the brash modernist realism is exciting and briskly remarkable. The painting entitled 'The Absinthe Drinker' (1858) engulfs one in a grand stretch of thoughtfulness with its portrayal of a sleek and wily soul there in the vigorous Paris back streets. 'Spanish Guitar Player' (1862) encapsulates a sort of homage to the Salon cadre and it works with its delicate soothing sophistication. Edouard Manet was a tasteful member of High Society and his art charms people in a unique way much akin to the scintillating paintings of Claude Monet. Of course, Claude Monet much like Edouard Manet, has the ability to engage one's inner soul in such a truly invigorating way. The clever Manet got intensely into the ranks of the impressionists a bit later. A tremendous masterpiece of Manet's is 'Bar at the Folies-Bergere' (1882). This work has a little bit of it all...the barmaid, trapeze artists, couples....it is a sensual joy that is remindful of the reading of the very acerbic and marvelous literary radical, Gertrude Stein. Manet seems to prove over and over that unique art should indeed be very sincere. This imaginative soul is a joy with his art that provokes one in such a good way, intellectually.

Saturday, February 19, 2011

Piet Mondrian: Artist of Huge Modern Ideas

I love modern art that is bold and blazing contemporary. One of my favorite painters is Piet Mondrian (1872-1944). His art is so mind-blowing...indeed he took artistic traditionalism and turned it upside down. An interesting fact is that the artist was intensely fascinated with the spiritual aspect of life. Perhaps, this passion propelled him more so into the picaresque modernism that transpired in his work in his later years. In 1912, he moved to Paris and got himself heavily influenced by the aesthetes, i.e. the art of Braque and Picasso. Soon, he broke away from painting that was representational. After a while, Mondrian began a periodical called 'De Stijl.' In this periodical he wrote his essays that described his theory of art, and in a quite unique provocative essence of innovativeness, he came up with the term "neoplasticism." His unique word use was not too much verbosity, but instead amazing, intense feeling. I have always been fascinated with Piet Mondian's unusually bright colors though admittedly in his later years he seems to have progressed thoughtfully into a quite clever use of more and more white and of course black lines. There is a strong sense of higher math about his work and his artistic creations seem often to encapsulate a profound sense of higher science and art fused into a blend that had much intricate enjoyment for the viewer. His design concepts like those of Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque have an engaging and remarkable strength and in a sense so much marvelous spiritual intensity that the person seeing Mondrian art can indeed achieve a wonderful sense of joy for herself or himself. Composition N0. 10. 1939-42 (An oil on Canvas) is one of my particular Mondrian favorites. Since I am more and more interested in a spiritual great sense of definitive meaning like the beautiful words of Proverbs 3:5 ("Trust in the Lord.") I find the dynamic powerful qualities of the art of Piet Mondrian with all his neoplasticism and modernism especially thrilling.

Saturday, February 12, 2011

The Eagles make Fantastic Music...YEAH!

Fine. Fine. You're fine. That is the soul talkin'...cause when you listen to The Eagles, all is right with the world. This lovely Saturday I listened to two specially magnificent favorites of mine....'Life in the Fast Lane' and the great one...'Take it Easy.' What truly right on and so fantastic music! The sound of the mighty Eagles is so WONDERFUL!

Monday, February 7, 2011

'Casino' 'Goodfellas' represent real art!

Martin Scorsese is a film director who has the amazing ability to create movies with so many complex cultural layers. When you view his cinematic art you are quickly awash in his intricate and so overpowering flooding world of a myriad of marvelous details designed to make you identify intensely with the characters and get you enmeshed in their at times virulent goings-on. Two amazing works of Martin Scorsese ...'Casino' and 'Goodfellas' ....especially have strong, passionate appeal. Of special note is the remarkable acting work Scorsese gets from the engaging soul Robert De Niro in these two films. It is unique how these films illustrate the brittle machinations of the gangster souls so well. There is a grande guignol brashness about this duo of films. It has without a doubt strong appeal to all levels of modern society. Indeed the appeal of Scorsese film styling is potent for both women and men. I find the psychological interplay between the brusque Joe Pesci and the rather suave Robert DeNiro in 'Goodfellas' especially marvelous. My arcane mind tells me perhaps I should not get too amused by somewhat vile film stuff but then again just like reading some vigorous untamed Rabelais material I find Scorsese film art having intense, delightful appeal. In 'Goodfellas,' the work of Joe Pesci and Robert De Niro is memorable for its strident cinematic forcefullness.

Saturday, February 5, 2011

Keith Urban: A Music Man of Real Style

Keith Urban has a great, haunting voice. His music can truly delight one's soul. Listened this windy and chilly Saturday to a super song of his...'You'll Think of Me.' What a marvelous voice and clever guitar technique Keith Urban has. Good music like this can draw fans from so many walks of life. This man, married to the remarkable actress Nicole Kidman, is a great one. It is terrifically fascinating to get with the program and truly enjoy the thoughtful music of Keith Urban. The man has a lot of style as some of my service buddies used to say a long time ago.

Friday, February 4, 2011

Tom Petty: Sounds That Really Touch You

Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers have a music style that is loaded with gigantic emotion. That's a super ingredient to have in one's music. The best thing about Tom Petty Songs is the fact they have a strong "hook." They really get you. Listened to two solid Tom Petty numbers today....'Free Falling' and "Don't Come Around Here Anymore.' On this so rainy, rugged weather day the giant sounds of Tom Petty and his people were just the right thing for me.

Wednesday, February 2, 2011

'Gettin' It On' Dance Songs...WOW!

Fine, kickin' so hot dance songs like 'Soul Man' and 'Hold On I'm Comin' by Sam and Dave are so much fun. And Lord, they make you want to get up and dance. There is so much sly energy in the mighty "hot" music of the incredible Sam and Dave. Listening to the happy, smokin' hot songs of Sam and Dave today while floating around doing errands...well, it was a gas. Slick and sexy "hot" music makes me feel so good. Wowee...Yeah!

Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Albert King, Stevie Ray Vaughan: Greatness

Rough edge, strong blues music can draw people in, fast. Two true greats in the big, blues business are the terrific Albert King and the man of fiery blues talent, Stevie Ray Vaughn. Heard a great number from Albert King and Stevie Ray Vaughn, today. It was 'Don't You Lie To Me.' This blues number really cooks. Another slammin' hard, good tune by Stevie Ray and Albert was their rendition of the mighty fine song, 'Stormy Monday.' That tune has plenty of good, kickin' style...it serves up sensual guitar stylin' like this Georgian really cherishes. It is a sleek and interesting day here in Metro Atlanta. As Proverbs says, I am trusting in the Lord and I am feeling so good.

Nice Writing

THE GOOD terse writing of Ernest Hemingway is a real joy.  He does not use too many adjectives.  His 'Torrents' is a fine tome.