Thursday, June 30, 2005
Introducing: First Print Edition of "Amazon Dreams"
Drummer Hill Press has published a short run of archival quality gyclee prints of the painting "Amazon Dreams" by the artist Robert Ballard. Each 8 X 10 inch print is an original work of art, hand signed and numbered by the artist.This edition of prints of this outstanding painting marks the entry of Drummer Hill Press into the field of fine art publishing. For information regarding pricing and availability, send email to kay.ballard@att.net.
Wednesday, June 29, 2005
Untitled
Tuesday, June 28, 2005
An Observation
I am fascinated to observe that some of the paintings in my collection are less photogenic than others. That is certainly true of the David Kelly painting, "In Need of Therapy" that I posted today. In person, the actual painting is complex and energetic. Its photo posted below is rather "blah". All of my paintings and works of art have been photographed by the same talented amateur photographer who has used a decent digital camera. No matter. Some of the works in The Kay Ballard Collection are simply more photogentic than others.
A friend of mine asked me, "Would anyone really feel comfortable buying art on the internet? Isn't art something that you have to see in person before you could know whether you like it enough to buy it?" As I told her, I myself have purchased art on the internet. Unquestionably, it is somewhat risky unless the work of art can be returned. However, I have rarely been disappointed.
Tomorrow's post will be another favorite--a painting by my ex-husband, the artist Robert Ballard. It is an excellent painting, very compelling, but for some reason not terribly photogenic.
A friend of mine asked me, "Would anyone really feel comfortable buying art on the internet? Isn't art something that you have to see in person before you could know whether you like it enough to buy it?" As I told her, I myself have purchased art on the internet. Unquestionably, it is somewhat risky unless the work of art can be returned. However, I have rarely been disappointed.
Tomorrow's post will be another favorite--a painting by my ex-husband, the artist Robert Ballard. It is an excellent painting, very compelling, but for some reason not terribly photogenic.
In Need of Therapy
Monday, June 27, 2005
Yellow Devil
Sunday, June 26, 2005
Leon Redbone
Saturday, June 25, 2005
Dream 7
Friday, June 24, 2005
Mark Rothko
At one time (30 years ago), Mark Rothko was my favorite artist. I found his works to be absorbing, soothing and mystical. They magically drew me in even though they were totally abstract and completely lacking in narrative.
Tastes change. Four or five years ago I was surpprised to realize that I no longer enjoy Rothko's paintings in the same way. When I look at them now, I simply don't feel the same sort of energy."The Thrill is Gone".
Nonetheless, I still find both the artist and his work interesting, so I relished the opportunity to read a book of his essays recently published by Chris Rothko, his son. I borrowed the book from a generous friend who had received it as a gift from his daughter. The book is called The Artist's Reality Philosophies of Art. It is likely that Rothko wrote the essays in 1940 and 1941 and that he wrote them with the intention of turning them into a book. All of these years later, due to the efforts of his son who is "actively involved in managing the Rothko legacy," they have indeed become one.
So today, as a treat to myself, I set aside the time to read the book.
Couldn't do it.
I found the book totally inaccessible, not the least bit engaging or enlightening. A big bore. Perhaps I lack the necessary intellectual tools to understand and enjoy Mark Rothko's writing. Regardless, my time with the book added little or nothing to my ongoing art education. However, I did enjoy seeing the color plates of several of his early works from his family's private collections. They had the sort of rawness and intensity that I respond to in paintings these days.
Tastes change. Four or five years ago I was surpprised to realize that I no longer enjoy Rothko's paintings in the same way. When I look at them now, I simply don't feel the same sort of energy."The Thrill is Gone".
Nonetheless, I still find both the artist and his work interesting, so I relished the opportunity to read a book of his essays recently published by Chris Rothko, his son. I borrowed the book from a generous friend who had received it as a gift from his daughter. The book is called The Artist's Reality Philosophies of Art. It is likely that Rothko wrote the essays in 1940 and 1941 and that he wrote them with the intention of turning them into a book. All of these years later, due to the efforts of his son who is "actively involved in managing the Rothko legacy," they have indeed become one.
So today, as a treat to myself, I set aside the time to read the book.
Couldn't do it.
I found the book totally inaccessible, not the least bit engaging or enlightening. A big bore. Perhaps I lack the necessary intellectual tools to understand and enjoy Mark Rothko's writing. Regardless, my time with the book added little or nothing to my ongoing art education. However, I did enjoy seeing the color plates of several of his early works from his family's private collections. They had the sort of rawness and intensity that I respond to in paintings these days.
Thursday, June 23, 2005
Balloons
Manic Soup
Wednesday, June 22, 2005
Thespian
Tuesday, June 21, 2005
Roadside Religion Redux
The link below was to an NPR website that had posted the book's introduction. Since the link is no longer operable, here is specific information:
Roadside Religion : In Search of the Sacred, the Strange, and the Substance of Faith by Timothy K Beal, published by Beacon Press, May 2005.
Roadside Religion : In Search of the Sacred, the Strange, and the Substance of Faith by Timothy K Beal, published by Beacon Press, May 2005.
Roadside Religion
This new book features public installations, discovered alongside highways throughout the Amercian Southeast, that express the personal "outsider" religious views of their creators.
More Where That Came From
Monday, June 20, 2005
Man With No Muse
Brief Welcome Message (Testing)
Sunday, June 19, 2005
Mad Mom
Saturday, June 18, 2005
From Rags to Riches
Friday, June 17, 2005
Sunflower
Thursday, June 16, 2005
Untitled
Oil on canvas by Alyne Harris. (I call this "Helen and Kay in heaven".)
Wednesday, June 15, 2005
Woman With a Book
Tuesday, June 14, 2005
Large Flag
Monday, June 13, 2005
Flying Pig
Sunday, June 12, 2005
Where's the Baby Agnes?
Saturday, June 11, 2005
Rocket Girl
Friday, June 10, 2005
Flower Girl
Thursday, June 09, 2005
Oval Woman
Wednesday, June 08, 2005
Self Portrait
Tuesday, June 07, 2005
Crazy Painter
Monday, June 06, 2005
Pugilistic Pretty Boy
Sunday, June 05, 2005
Women's Ceremony
Friday, June 03, 2005
Paul Has a Green Thumb
Thursday, June 02, 2005
Monet Painting Poplars
Flame People
Acrylic over oil on canvas by Eddie Breen. This is one of my four paintings by the nation's foremost piggyback artist.
Wednesday, June 01, 2005
Amazon Dreams
Acrylic on masonite by Robert Ballard. This is my favorite among many cherished works.
