Friday, November 26, 2010

art appreciation

Even though most Canadians have never been North, really North - Arctic North - we seem to have a certain connection with it. With the images, if not the actual place. It is a part of our consciousness. Those images from The Group of Seven and Inuit artists permeate our being, though I am certain that many of us could not name the artists who have created those images.

That part is not something to be proud of.

In the last two days we have lost two prominent artists, Doris McCarthy and Kananginak Pootoogook. Ms McCarthy was 100 and lived a full and exuberant life by the Scarborough Bluffs (in Toronto). When she retired form teaching at age 62 she had no idea that she still had so much living and creating ahead of her. She travelled throughout Canada and the world, but many of her more recognized paintings were of landscapes and the icebergs of the Arctic. Mr Pootoogook was born in a traditional Inuit hunting camp on Baffin Island 75 years ago, but when he moved to Cape Dorset (Nunavut) in the early 1950s, he became involved in establishing an art collective that showcases Inuit art. He was a sculptor and lithographer and is perhaps most recognized through his prints of wildlife.

Click here to see more examples of Kananginak Pootoogook works




and here if you are interested in seeing more of Doris McCarthy works.




All art is created with love and should be shared by all to enjoy and critique.
Our lives are made richer by the sharing of their gifts.

13 comments:

  1. Lovely paintings, though they're not my style.

    - Jazz

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  2. Wonderful art, most definitely my style.

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  3. Love them, of course I am a Canadian gal. I will check out their sites. Very sad to hear they have passed away. hugs.

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  4. Such an uplifting post! Someone expounding on the benefits of the arts!! Love it!!
    And the examples of their works are wonderful!!
    What awesome artist there were!!
    Hugs
    SueAnn

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  5. SueAnn: I find it sad (appalling, really) that we have a government that does not appreciate the arts as a vital reflection of our community and spirit.

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  6. I have to admit, these aren't my type of thing, I'm more into scenic paintings. But talent like this should be recognised massively and appreciated by all.

    CJ xx

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  7. Thank you for sharing these. I like the characterful Inuit prints, which I had never seen before, and I really enjoyed 'discovering' the art of the Group of Seven on a trip to Canada years ago.

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  8. Beautiful work... May the artists rest in peace.
    jj

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  9. I just love those Doris McCarthy paintings. I could live with that one of the fishing boats and nets on my wall! I followed the link, and was amazed to find she was such a wonderful painter at an age when most of us are thinking of just keeping warm and keeping going!

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  10. What a wonderful retirement Ms. McCarthy had! I love that seascape. I don't normally go for that style, but it really speaks to me. The deer scene is lovely as well.

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  11. Thank you for this post and sharing about these artists and their work! Hope I get to do art till my last day on earth:)
    I like all of their styles/approaches.

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