Renaissance to Goya

Santa Fe doesn't get many big art exhibitions, but currently Renaissance to Goya Prints and Drawings from Spain, part of the collection of The British Museum is showing at the Santa Fe Museum of Art. Unfortunately, no non-flash photography is allowed, but I purchased the catalog, which is also available on-line through the British Museum. So, if you want to see this amazing collection, you have to go to The British Museum website or order the catalog. In this show, there is a large selection of etchings by Francisco Goya. For those not familiar with this master, Wikipedia says:

Francisco José de Goya y Lucientes (Spanish: [fɾanˈθisko xoˈse ðe ˈɣoʝa i luˈθjentes]; 30 March 1746 – 16 April 1828) was a Spanish romantic painter^[1] and printmaker regarded both as the last of the Old Masters and the first of the moderns. Goya was court painter to the Spanish Crown; throughout the Peninsular War he remained in Madrid, where he painted the portrait of Joseph Bonaparte, pretender to the Spanish throne, and documented the war in the masterpiece of studied ambiguity known as the Desastres de la Guerra.^[2] Through his works he was both a commentator on and chronicler of his era. The subversive imaginative element in his art, as well as his bold handling of paint, provided a model for the work of artists of later generations, notably Manet, Picasso and Francis Bacon.^[3]

Now, what makes Goya such a transitional figure in this collection, is that his work shows such incredible emotion and is a stark commentary on his times: politics, war, and the culture in general. When one looks at the prints and drawings from the earlier periods in this collection, although they were masterfully executed, they displayed the formality of still life paintings and reflected religious themes. Below is a piece attributed to Bartomeu Coscolla, The Veronica of the Virgin c. 1398.

By the 16th c. perspective and foreshortening was in full use, but religious themes were still predominant in Spanish art. This work by Antonio Pereda y Salgado, Saint Ildephonsus Receiving Chasuble from the Virgin Mary c. 1640-60 continues that theme.

Goya stormed onto the scene with passionate and sometimes grotesque interpretations of what he saw of his world. By his time, French court paintings heavily influenced Spanish art, and Goya's often caustic statements of religion and politics continue to surprise and intrigue us to this day.

Prints and drawings are often not taken seriously by the general public as they are sometimes the first step before a finished painting. However, whether a "sketch" prior to painting or a singular stand-alone work, they are masterworks of draftsmanship.

Speaking of prints, but in a much simpler and more Mod fashion, be sure to check the new pillow covers at StudioLizzy on Etsy.

Black and White is Hot

Black and White is hot this spring. Retro style prints, graphics, and minimalist black and white are punched with bright color accessories (especially red). Profiles are prim, layered, or aggressive, but all hark to the classicism of this combination that simplifies dressing and looks sophisticated in casual to the most formal wear.

Lizzy knows that this timeless look, introduced by Coco Chanel, works as well at home as it does on all of the fabulous women to pack a lot of black and white into their wardrobes. The best part of this combination is that it can carry so many fun, bright punch colors as well as wonderful neutral like ivory, tan, and buff.

Check out StudioLizzy on Etsy for new prints with neutral centers and more fun black and white prints. Be sure to check today’s Facebook page, www.facebook.com/cynthiacavanaugh05.

*Photos courtesy of T:The New York Times Style Magazine

New Lizzy Pillow Covers

Today’s blog is to introduce new Lizzy pillow covers. I have a new design: Lizzy’s Shopping. She’s been shopping on her bike, has picked up everything she needs for dinner, except for the most important item: 

All  of my new covers have a neutral center and I have some fun new prints to surround Lizzy, including eye-popping red to accent the black and white.

The script is larger on all the new prints and I’ve included the gallery name where Lizzy is showing off Chloe.

These are all very modern prints, but since I’m a firm believer in mixing styles, I like them anywhere, indoors and on a patio. Lizzy prints immediately bring conversation and are the perfect accent pieces to liven up any room.

Because Lizzy cares about this world, remember that 10% of all Lizzy sales dollars are donated to the Espanola Valley Humane Society www.evalleyshelter.org. Please visit my Facebook page (always interesting things there) www.facebook.com/cynthiacavanaugh05. Follow me on Twitter at StudioLizzy, and of course, see all of my pillow covers at StudioLizzy on Etsy!

Block Printing

This week’s tutorial is about block printing. Block printing is an ancient method of creating a print onto fabric or paper as a singular motif or as a repeat. Wood blocks have been carved for thousands of years and the blocks themselves are works of art.

This beautiful wood block is Indian and would generally be used on wonderful Indian cotton.

Blocks have been used to create detailed works on paper. For multiple colors, a separate block needs to be carved for every color. In printing, each color is applied separately, so registration points are made so that each color is aligned properly to sit next to its adjoining color with no space between.

Now, for a simple lesson on block printing just one color onto fabric. We use a linoleum block to easily carve our design into.  Trace a design onto the block, and using carving blades specifically made for linoleum blocks, carve around the design and into the lines to create a relief.

Mix the color that you want to use on your block. Speedball^TM now has a wonderful ink that doesn’t emanate the fumes of typical inks and requires just five days to “cure”. Color is mixed on a glass plate so that the roller used to apply the ink to the fabric or paper has plenty of room to roll across the ink.

The ink is rolled onto the relief that was carved from the linoleum block. The ink needs to be quite heavy on the block.

The block is then applied to the fabric and a mallet is used to “hammer” the print onto the fabric.

Turn the fabric and block over so that back of the fabric is facing up and peel back the fabric from the block.

Hang in a place out of sunlight to “cure” for five days. Press the fabric with a dry warm (not hot) iron, and you’re ready to use your beautiful block printed fabric!

To see examples of block printed fabric, please see my Lara line of pillow covers in my Etsy shop, StudioLizzy.

Be sure to check out today’s Facebook page: www.facebook/cynthiacavanaugh05.