Mary Cassatt, The Bath, c. 1891, Drypoint and soft-ground etching in yellow, blue, black, and sanguine

Happy Mother’s Day to all you moms out there! I’m lucky to have an incredible mother and mother-in-law—exemplars of kindness, generosity, and hardwork—and to be surrounded by so many strong and inspiring women, friends and family alike. The subjects of American painter and printmaker, Mary Cassatt (1844-1926), often took the form of her family, including her sister Lydia—her intimate portraits capturing both the social and private lives of women, and most notably the connection between mother and child. Highly influenced by her mentor and fellow Impressionist, Edgar Degas, Cassatt’s figural compositions demonstrate an impressionistic palette, while drawing from Japonism simplicity and color-blocking techniques—visible in 1960′s ukiyo-e, Japanese wood-block prints. Cassatt’s honest, yet not overly-sentimental portraits, act as timeless glimpses into the bond between mother in child.

Mary Cassatt, Maternal Caress, c. 1891, Color drypoint, aquatint, and soft-ground etching

Mary Cassatt, The Child’s Bath, 1893, Oil on canvas

Mary Cassatt, Gathering Fruit, c. 1893, Drypoint and aquatint in color

Mary Cassatt, Mother’s Kiss, 1890-1891, Drypoint and aquatint on laid paper

Pablo Picasso (Spanish, 1881–1973), The Grasshopper from the illustrated book Eaux Fortes originales pour textes du Buffon (Histoire Naturelle), print executed 1936, published 1942, Aquatint, etching, and drypoint

Talented Wisconsin-born filmmaker and wildlife-lover, Jordan Brown, was recently featured in the Washington City Paper, for his stunning footage and stills of the hidden world of insects, his subjects captured in Washington D.C.’s Rock Creek Park. Check out “Oh, You Bitty Things: Jordan Brown Documents the Lives of D.C.’s Bugs” by David Frey, at the Washington City Paper’s Arts Desk.

Jordan Brown, A Jumping Spider Seeks Shelter

Jordan Brown, Firefly Larva

Thanks to Domaine, I’ve also developed a new artist crush, for the botanical mixed media works of Simone Shubuck. Check out her stunningly layered compositions at Taylor De Cordoba.

Simone Shubuck, Compartment For Beliefs, 2012, Mixed Media on paper

Simone Shubuck, Believe It, 2012, Mixed Media on paper

Simone Shubuck, Steath Grandma Speak, 2013, Mixed Media on paper

Simone Shubuck, Godie Top, 2012, Mixed Media on paper

Mary Cassatt (American, 1844-1926), Feeding the Ducks, c. 1895, Drypoint and aquatint, with monotype inking, in color on cream laid paper

Spring finally reared its head in Milwaukee this weekend, and the city was out in fully force. The new apartment is steps away from both Milwaukee’s RiverWalk, which runs along Downtown’s Milwaukee River, and the Hank Aaron State Trail, which though 10 miles in total, is also a perfect shortcut from our apartment to the city’s Lakefront. I love that despite the fact that we’re in the middle of the city, we can still catch a glimpse of our agrarian neighbors. This week’s sighting, the most delicate, Cassatt-worthy duck’s nest, right on the river boardwalk.

Well, more rain and chilly weather for us Wisconsinites. Turning to Raoul Dufy’s  (French, 1877-1953) vibrant florals, until Spring heads our way.

]]> http://goodoldmodern.com/2013/04/24/watercolor-bouquets/feed/ 2 display_image.php kbrown5 http://goodoldmodern.com/2013/04/22/historic-third-ward/ http://goodoldmodern.com/2013/04/22/historic-third-ward/#comments Mon, 22 Apr 2013 12:00:18 +0000 Kelly@GoodOldModern http://goodoldmodern.com/?p=1684 Continue reading →]]>

Émile Bernard (French, 1868–1941), Iron Bridges at Asnières, 1887, Oil on canvas

It’s been three weeks since the big move, and the new apartment is starting to feel like home. We’ve made the compulsory ‘new apartment Ikea expedition’, have nailed down the best local take-out restaurants, and are unpacking those last few neglected boxes. Bernard’s painting, Iron Bridges at Asnières, reminds me a great deal of our new neighborhood, industrial yet tranquil. This Sunday we spent the morning exploring the area, with a stroll along the river, through Milwaukee’s Historic Third Ward, and a little grocery shopping at the Milwaukee Public Market. The Public Market hosts a selection of independent merchants with artisan and ethnic products, where the husband and I picked up some dinner staples for the week, along with a little inspiration (goat cheese & asparagus stuffed chicken breast? yes, please.) I think we have a new Sunday tradition in the making.

Arthur B. Davies (American, 1862–1928), Spring Landscape, Pastel on gray paper

Kees van Dongen (Dutch, 1877–1968), Place Vendome, 1918–20, Oil on canvas

I’ve always adored this work, Place Vendome, a permanent resident of The Mrs. Harry L. Bradley Collection at the Milwaukee Art Museum. Although Dutch-born French painter and printmaker, Kees van Dongen, is most renowned for his sensual female portraits, I find myself drawn to his charmingly vibrant scenes of bustling Parisian streets, crowded racetracks and teeming seascapes. Van Dongen remained committed to the short-lived Fauvist style throughout his career, his subjects emerging from strong painterly strokes, and stretches of bold unblended color.

Kees van Dongen, Maria, 1907–10, Oil on canvas

Kees van Dongen, At the Racetrack, 1950s, Oil on canvas

Kees van Dongen, Leaving the Opera, 1903, Watercolor

Kees van Dongen, Portrait de Femme (Pochoir for menu for diner in Miramar, Cannes), 1933, Pochoir

Kees van Dongen, The Beach at Deauville, 1945–55, Oil on canvas

Kees van Dongen, Avenue du Bois, ca. 1925, Oil on machine-primed canvas

Pierre Bonnard (French, 1867-1947), The Dogs, 1893, Lithograph in black on ivory wove paper

We’ve started the search for a new furry family member! Though the husband grew up with a Lab, and I grew up with English Cocker Spaniels, we’re considering starting a new tradition, and are looking for a Miniature Schnauzer. They’re supposed to be great apartment dogs, spirited and playful, yet sweet and fairly relaxed. This weekend we’re meeting our first schnauzer—now to decide if the breed is for us!