I have stared at this painting for quite some time. There is a lot to unpack from this one if you have any interest in hand tools. This image is of a very organized workshop of a master craftsman plying his trade in the early 19th century. I feel he is consulting with a client … Continue reading Interior of a Mechanic’s Workshop
Tag: art
Wandering Minstral
Here is a painting by the Scottish artist John Burr (1831-1893) of an itinerant fiddler playing for a family in a Scottish lane probably trying to make enough money to eat or maybe even receive some food for his entertainment. I can't help but think the father looking out has a skeptical look; possibly wondering … Continue reading Wandering Minstral
The Chart of Hand Tools
I rarely (I mean almost never) go out of my way to endorse a product of any kind but while considering the upcoming holidays I came across this link I saved a while back. I think it would be perfect for the workshop and is a work of art in its own right. I can … Continue reading The Chart of Hand Tools
The Golden Rule of a Minimalist Homestead
“Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful.” Wise words from William Morris. This is the mantra that drives the entire vardo project. I try to keep this in mind for every thing I add and every part I build. Otherwise, isn't it just junk?
The Wheel House
A ‘tender, post-apocalyptic love story’... I want to revisit this minimalist performance art piece with you for the weekend. Extremely clever, "acrobatic virtuosity," street performance. https://vimeo.com/109732643 from the Acrojou website: "A tender post-apocalyptic love story..." - Kate Kavanagh, review, The Circus Diaries A gently comic dystopia, set in a different time where everything has a … Continue reading The Wheel House
The Graces of Archery
Satire on archery from 1794. More at the British Museum.
My Kind of Travel
On the road in France. Looks like he might be getting a little hassle from the local gendarme. More images of travelers and wagons can be found here: The Caravan in Art.
Luigi Prina: A Fantasy Artist of Straight Out of My Dream World
I was thinking last night about a remarkable artist I first read about in The Blinking City, Luigi Prina. I posted about him before but his work never ceases to amaze me. Mr. Prina has been an architect for over 50 years but his model building is a real combination of inspired art and fantasy. … Continue reading Luigi Prina: A Fantasy Artist of Straight Out of My Dream World
Study of a Banjo Player
William Sydney Mount, another pointless art excursion
My strange tendency, as an art-admirer, is to sometimes over-analyze a painting, not only as the Art itself, but also as a documentation of time and place. In historical paintings, it's fun to look for the details and pick up some lost history along the way. There may be interesting clues in what the artist … Continue reading William Sydney Mount, another pointless art excursion
Comrades
Comrades, the 42nd Highlanders (copy of a lost earlier painting by the artist) 1894, by Robert Gibb. This image is extremely moving and poignant. The scene is of the 42nd Regiment of Foot (later called the Black Watch), during the Crimean War winter campaign of 1854-1855. The dying man on the ground is whispering his … Continue reading Comrades
Seek Solutide
“Nourish yourself with grand and austere ideas of beauty that feed the soul… Seek solitude.” "I must work alone. I think that going into society from time to time, or just going out and seeing people, does not do much harm to one’s work and spiritual progress, in spite of what many so-called artists say … Continue reading Seek Solutide
The Tiniest Motor Vardo?
A true micro vardo created by Iosu Vakerizzo, a visual artist, musician, film maker and more. The video below is a stop-action of him setting up and taking down his moped powered one man caravan. A very clever contraption I would love to see on the road. http://youtu.be/VNcJxmXxEIg Interesting, if nothing else.
Woodworking by Mike Jarvi
This video has it all; raw logs, chainsaw, lumber mill, cutting, chopping, steaming... It's a remarkable process to watch. http://youtu.be/q3utt2Y5aH0 See more of his work HERE: http://www.mikejarvi.com/ WARNING, LOTS OF NOISY POWER TOOLS!
Traveler’s Life
Getting back to our theme of traveler's, caravans, and other wanderers of the world... a few images from Pascal Dagnan-Bouveret a French Naturalist Painter of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. I believe I would enjoy siting around this campfire. Once a common scene, now virtually lost in an era of loud, fume-belching machinery. … Continue reading Traveler’s Life
Music is Magic
Ainu Art and Archaeology
Ah, Ainu. What an interesting people.
Carved knife by Japanese artist Kaizawa Toru
The Sainsbury Institute for the Study of Japanese Arts and Cultures will be holding a Friends Event on Monday, 23 February 2015 from 6:00-7:30pm. The Event will be held at the Sainsbury Institute in Norwich, England and is entitled Ainu Art and Archaeology. Two talks will be given; one by Professor Kato Hirofumi (Professor of Archaeology, Hokkaido University Centre for Ainu and Indigenous Studies) entitled Tracing the Emergence of Ainu Ethnicities using Archaeological Data. The other talk is by the artist Kaizawa Toru and is entitled Conflict and Amalgamation between “Tradition” and “Ainu”.
The Sainsbury Institute invites you to join them –
…for an evening in the company of two distinguished guests who will introduce us to two fascinating aspects of the distinctive culture of Japan’s northern island, Hokkaido. The historical trajectory of Hokkaido is very different to the other main…
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Medieval Caliper
I believe this is my new favorite blog. A remarkable archaeological illustrator with some very interesting artifacts. I never even considered the antiquity of sliding calipers. I hope she puts more illustrations up sometime!
Late medieval wooden artefact: caliper, found in latrine in Gdansk, Poland. Hand drawing by Helena Michel, pencil on paper technique.
Ilustracja archeologiczna późnośredniowiecznej drewnianej suwmiarki, znalezionej w latrynie podczas wykopalisk na terenie Centrum Dominikańskiego w Gdańsku. Rysunek odręczy na papierze, autor: Helena Michel
Archery in Art; David Teniers the Younger
Painted when the common man still met at the butts for an afternoon of shooting and relaxation. Then hopefully, off to the pub for a pint. I love to scan old images for the details. Some nice redware jugs, probably for beer, a great little bench, and clothing details for the historical-minded. Most interesting to … Continue reading Archery in Art; David Teniers the Younger
Caravans in the Art World
I have started a separate Blog Page to house the caravan, vardo, Rom, Gypsy, Traveller, and nomad art from my collections. Any contribution links are welcome as are comments. We all had to start somewhere.
Preindustrial Craftsmanship 