Degas and Cassatt, Partners in Crime

As college student, I studied Renaissance Art and its non-conformist painters, the Mannerists. When I first viewed Parmigianino’s work, “Madonna with the Long Neck” , I found it so unsettling. It violated all the Renaissance compositions that reflected harmony and a sense of balance. The Madonna is extremely distorted and the baby on her lap…

Through the years, I have read quotes that inspire me and give me added confidence to paint.  Here is one by Mary Cassatt: “I live alone, and I love my work.” Let’s hear it for solitude!

As I sit regarding the blank white canvas, I am struck by the quote by Anne Tucker.  Even though we (as professional artists) have made canvas after canvas, the blank canvas still ‘rquires courage.’   Once I asked my son why he wished to travel to exotic places, he said, “Mom, I’m just a blank…

‘Painting is easy when you don’t know how, but very difficult when you do’.   Edgar Degas Friend of Mary Cassatt (who I quoted yesterday).  Realistic painters.   She, although single, is noted for her mother and child subject matter.  Degas is often associated with his ballet dancers, among other subjects.

Eve Hesse’s works were called brilliant, eccentric, and loony by critics.  I was privileged to give a few presentations at conferences held in Canada and Ireland, hosted by the International Word and Image Society.  I missed the deadline for the conference held in California, but I put together a proposal about the relationship of text…