http://davidkordanskygallery.com/artist/betty-woodman-draft/

Illusions of Domesticity – 2015

I appreciate the ceramic works by artist Betty Woodman because she offers so many possibilities with the medium of clay. Although she was originally trained professionally as a potter, over time her work has morphed into fantastic sculptures. I was first drawn to her work in my undergraduate studies when I first started out in a hand building class.  Her work demands the viewers attention and always receives responses… I made connections to her work after reading the last chapter. Drawing can serve as a departure for many avenues of the creative process!

I can remember using this book in my undergraduate studies as a resource, it was especially helpful when I was struggling in my first studio class/ painting from from observation. I made connections to the previous Vermeer literature we read in that Berger addresses  the painting” Woman Pouring Milk”. He states that “although the silence and stillness permeates the actual material…  what we make of that painted moment when it is before our eyes depends upon what we can expect from art, and that in turn depends today upon how we have already experienced ” (31). I feel like the same can be thought of with drawing, I feel that drawing can be intimidating for students. An older art teacher told me today that teaching the ” elements and principals” was outdated and should no longer be taught.  But I disagree, I can remember studying masters, when I was younger, Monet, Van Gogh, Renoir and other impressionists. This process, I feel, taught me to truly paint, form, objects, render light and shadows. Ways of seeing can be approached from multiple lenses I think….

I am still thinking about organic sculpture, these transparent sculptures titled the ” seaform series” are enhanced by beautiful ribbed stands of color. I saw the ” Chandeliers” in Las Vegas a few years back, they were installed in the ceilings of the Bellagio hotel- simply breathtaking.