Examining Claude Monet's "Valle Buona near Bordghera"

This is the second artwork I examined for my midterm. While my first painting was looking at Jackson Pollock's (an American painter) Portrait and a Dream, this is examining one of my favorite European artists. 

When I saw Claude Monet’s Valle Buona, Near Bordighera that he painted in 1884, I knew I wanted to write about this piece. Monet is one of my favorite, second only to Van Gough, so I knew that it would be a joy to write about one of his paintings. Even though I had seen Van Gough’s Banks of the Seine with the Pont de Clichy in the Spring, I opted to write about Monet’s piece instead, mostly because I knew I wanted to write about Pollock’s Portrait and a Dream, another man with a tragic background that left this world far too soon.

Monet created Valle Buona, Near Borgdihera with the use of vibrant colors. As an impressionist painter, Monet uses visible brush strokes and emphasizes on the colors and the feelings evoked, not necessarily the lines and contours that dominated the painting world at this time. As the name suggests, this is an impression of the scene, not an exact replica. By gazing at the painting, the viewer can feel the same sense of peace that Monet surely felt as he was looking at this landscape.  The beautiful blue of the mountains is set into contrast by the foreground, the vibrant greens and yellows of the brush. The sunlight filters through the blue sky, adding light and shadows to the scenery.

Valle Buona, Near Bordigherg is a peaceful and serene painting of a beautiful landscape. Monet was one of the founders of the Impressionist movement, this painting is painted in this style. While not nearly as famous as his paintings from his garden at Giverny and his paintings of the water lilies, this is a painting that certainly can hold its own.  While Monet’s most well-known paintings are from his garden in Giverny, he also has several paintings that were inspired by his many travels. Like his other paintings, Valle Buona, Near Borgdihera was created using Monet’s preferred medium: oil based paint.

Many of Monet’s paintings are simply looking at the natural world around us. Especially in a time when we are surrounded by so much technology and life can be superficial at best, seeing a painting that takes the time to focus on the natural beauty of the world around us is like a breath of fresh air. Even though this was painted more than 100 years ago, the same theme is quite apparent: the world around us is beautiful. While it may not have had such an important subject when Monet painted it, seeing the world in its natural glory is not something many people today take the time to see. The peacefulness that is evoked is a simple message to how peaceful and relaxing the world around us can be.

 Claude Monet is undoubtedly one of the leaders in the Impressionist movement. After examining Valle Buone, Near Borgdihera, I have a new respect for the way Monet was able to convey emotions with what, at first glance, is a simple scenery painting. As someone that has always admired Monet’s use of colors and the way he evokes emotions in the simplest painting, I have been amazed at how looking further into the history of the man and the painting have increased my respect for him.

Examining Jackson Pollock's "Painting and a Dream"

In my Art Appreciation course, the midterm assignment is to visit a local art museum and pick out four paintings, one from an American artist, one from a European artist, and two from other cultures, and write an analysis of these pieces of art. The next four posts will be my analysis of the art I have chosen. So enjoy reading my midterm split into four pieces! 

Jackson Pollock’s Portrait and a Dream is a beautiful oil painting Pollock completed in 1953. Portrait and a Dream was finished just three years prior to Pollock’s death in 1956. I was struck by the way this painting is not only simple, but after looking, the meaning of this painting and its purpose becomes increasingly sad and complex. While the abstract self-portrait is at first hard to understand, after looking at the black lines on the left and the black and red and orange mass on the right, it is possible to come to see the meaning in the chaos.

Pollock once described the painting on the left hand side was a portrait of himself, the portrait on the right was a portrait of himself “when I’m not sober.” While the left side is simple black and white, the right is a mess of colors and motion. The haphazard lines in both paintings show the way Pollock knew he was spiraling out of control, turning into a violent and uncontrolled mess. The right portrait is attacked with the colors he used, irrefutably alive even through the mess and chaos. The border separating the two speaks of his discomfort in much the same way that Van Gough used color to try to communicate the way he saw the world.

Portrait and a Dream was created during a time in Pollock’s life when he fell prey to his alcoholism and most of his paintings were the abstract images that were but a cry for help. While this was created in the downward spiral of Pollock’s life, he “believed the mess inside of him was somehow communicable and beautiful” (Jones). Only three years after this painting was completed, Pollock died in a car crash while drunk. While this painting was made at the height of his painting career and was even called “the greatest living painter in America” this was also during the time when his alcoholism and temperament had worsened (O’Neill).

Pollock’s Portrait and a Dream is looking inward, towards the human experience. Because Pollock has told us that this is a self-portrait, this is the way he sees himself, the audience knows that the main theme of this piece. At first glance, it may be difficult to see the beauty in the chaos of Pollock’s mind, after taking the time to look at the painting and understand what he is evoking, it is easy to see the complex way that Pollock views himself. He knows he is a mess. He knows he is falling apart. But he also can see the beauty that can come from chaos.

After looking into this piece more thoroughly, I’ve realized that there is more than just chaos on the canvas. I can see how Pollock was struggling to make it through his life. It is tragic that such a brilliant man died so soon, we can only wonder about what he would have been able to accomplish. After learning more about Pollock and this particular painting, I feel as if this is an even more powerful piece and I admire his talent even more for putting such an exposed, private part of himself out into the public eye.

Perks of Being a Wallflower

For my Mass Comm. class I've been assigned to write a movie review. Since it has been quite a while since I posted one here, I figured I would share it with all of you. 

One of my favorite books is Perks of Being a Wallflower. I've read this book more times than I can count and I've highlighted and written all over it. While it may be hard for anyone else to read, this book holds a special place in my heart. I've had this book through some of the toughest times in my life, and reading my commentary is like looking into the past. 

So, when I heard that Perks was being turned into a movie, I was thrilled, yet also hesitant. Would this movie be able to live up to my expectations? Would the actors be able to portray the characters as I have known them? Would the actors even look like I have always seen them? Would the writers and directors and producers cut out some of my favorite parts? Could this movie possibly be everything I wanted it to be? 

Maybe it wasn't everything I wanted it to be, but it certainly came close. As with all books, there were certain scenes and chapters that were taken out. But, since Stephen Chbosky is not only the author of the book, but he also wrote the screen play and was the director, I felt like these were all allowable changes. Yes, I loved the scene in the book when Charlie describes MASH ending and I loved reading about the relationship Charlie had with his sister and how he took her to get an abortion and I loved reading about how Charlie's relationship grew with his brother and sister. But, having all of those aspects taken out really does increase the focus on Charlie and his journey through his first year of high school. 

Logan Lerman was the perfect Charlie. He was quite and awkward and sweet. Lerman was really a shoe-in for the part. And after seeing him in a few other things (anyone remember his awkward, sweet, confused Percy Jackson?), I knew that he would make for a great Charlie. Emma watson as Sam... Well, she didn't do as bad as I thought she would. I know she was a perfect Hermione, but she's been in many an interview when she's been asked to do an American accent and it has been nothing short of painful. So when she was announced to play the beloved (and very American) Sam, I wasn't expecting much. After the first few scenes she was in, her accent improved and I was able to enjoy her portrayal as Sam. She was sweet, tough, loving, and theatrical. Emma was a great Sam, just try to hold out past her first few scenes). Ezra Miller as Patrick was just... Perfect. He was able to sarcastic and funny without once ever being a complete ass. He was sweet and sad and charming. Miller really did embrace Patrick.

This movie wasn't trying (and it really couldn't 'have) to focus on very aspect of Charlie's life and how he grew. This was a movie about growing as an individual. This was a movie about coming out of your shell. This is a movie about learning who you are. This is a movie about accepting all of the things that have happened to you. 

Fun. "Be Calm"

This week has been just crazy busy and I really don't feel like there are near enough hours in the day. Really, I've been feeling a bit overwhelmed with work, school, dance, and fostering lately. This song really seems to help. And I love Fun. and thought you should all enjoy one of their older, less well known songs.

Birthdays and growing up

Well, today is my birthday. And I've realized that I've left the part of my life when birthdays are fun and exciting.

Not to say that I wont be doing anything or that from here on out I'll dread having a birthday, but there are no more "fun" birthdays. I guess after 21, they really aren't that exciting anymore. Sure, you have your 30's, your 40's, and so on, but there really aren't anymore years that you're really looking forward to. As a child, your birthday is always a lot of fun and very exciting. When you're a teenage, you have the year you turn 13, the year you turn 16, and the year you turn 18. Then comes the year your turn 21 and that's always fun. But after that, there's really not a lot to look forward to.

Unless you're looking forward to Medicare or something like that. Then I guess you do still have another "exciting" birthday.

Its just a strange thought that I'm out of that stage of exciting birthdays and I'm growing up and being an adult. A year ago, I went to Austin for the weekend. This year, I'm in a house I own. Last year, I was working a job I hated and I never had enough work to keep me busy, this year I love my job and I'm busy all day. Last year I had hockey, this year I don't... But that's not a good thing. Anyways, its a crazy thought how much things can change in a year. And to see how much I've grown in a year.

I guess I really am growing up and becoming an adult.