The BLUES? …No, I am not talking about depression here or “singing the blues”. I’m discussing a cheerful subject: All those wonderful shades of blue in nature and in art. Coincidentally, my very first musical composition at age 13 was entitled “Shades of Blue”. That was when I discovered the Blues Scale (which has some blue notes in it). Blue has always been my favorite color and now that I’m an artist, it’s an important element in my paintings.
Here’s one:
And here’s another:
Most humans derive a sense of calm from the color blue. It reduces stress and brings a tranquil feeling. “Picture yourself in a boat on a river” or gazing up at a magnificent cloudless sky. Or on a beach, contemplating a panoramic scene of a seemingly infinite ocean. Feels good doesn’t it? And blue has often been associated with trust, peace, relaxation, security, confidence and wisdom. Chase away those bad blues with the good blues!
The buyer of my painting, “Blue Cloudscape” was drawn to it by the peaceful feeling it gave her.
Cave paintings didn’t usually have blue, but there are exquisite examples of ancient blue art. How about this 4000 year-old Egyptian sculpture?
“Blue hippo with decorations of aquatic plants. Made of faience with blue glaze. Middle Kingdom.(2033-1710 BC)”
There were some famous blue paintings throughout art history. In the more modern era, Pablo Picasso had his celebrated BLUE PERIOD (1901-1904) when he cranked out numerous mostly blue works.
Here is one I always enjoy seeing at the Art Institute of Chicago.
Vincent van Gogh made these notable contributions to the catalog of ‘Famous Blue Paintings”.
And the MOST famous blue painting of all time!!!
DRUM ROLL PLEASE. . . . . . . . . . . . .
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Oops….JUST KIDDING!
Speaking of famous images… Here’s the NASA image of our “Home, Sweet Home”. Since this photo is so recent, almost all humans that ever lived did not realize that we inhabited a BLUE WORLD. (It’s actually a series of photos stitched together, back when only NASA could do that. Now it’s a basic Iphone function.)
Explore the Universe of ART
with Scott Steelman
The place to look at some cool BLUE glass sculpture is the Website of Dale Chihuly. He is the preeminent glass artist in the world. And you still have time to check out his current exhibition at Crystal Bridges Museum of American Art in Bentonville, Arkansas. See more about the NEW Chihuly Exhibit Here. Pictured below are some of his blue works.