This month’s sidebar worth mentioning

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As anyone who has taken the time to randomly look at art blogs, soon discovers that there are many exceptional artists, easily humbling ones own art. So for the last few months that I have selected an artist of exemplary qualities with a link on my sidebar, along with a noteworthy exhibit at a museum, I have noticed not too many of my visitors took notice.


What I failed to realize is that the greater majority of sidebars are static and visitors pay little attention, except for the blog roll and ‘Follower’ widget. Even though I had recently redesigned the sidebar to just the essentials, I soon discovered this was not enough for visitors to pay attention to the sidebar. Therefore from now on, I will post on the first of each month my recommended highlights, beginning with this month, March.


The selection process is based on work that I personally enjoy or find interesting, while equal consideration is also given to the artistry, quality of craftsmanship, and consistency of the artists work, along with the technical abilities. With so many qualified individuals, the process is never an easy one, even if I were to change it to a weekly event.

Bateau à Giverny

2009 © Dianne Poinski

This months selection is fine art photographer and artist Dianne Poinski, who’s hand coloured black and white prints have a romantic old-world charm of a time when photography emulated a painters vision.

What attracted me to her work is Dianne’s fine display of artistic sensibilities, the selection of subject matter and how it is composed within her viewfinder. Her prints have a nice tonal value and a good balance between what parts are hand coloured or not, all of which come together in her completed artwork.

Dianne Poinski — Hand colored Photography

When you visit her blog you will find not only beautiful photographs, but also numerous posts of interests with subject matters ranging from creating hand coloured prints to marketing issues concerning any artist, regardless of the medium. Dianne writes with honesty and a pure sense of clarity, speaking to us with confidence, but also revealing her vulnerability with equal honour. A visit to you blog and website is well worth your time.

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The Art of Painting

Johannes Vermeer van Delft 1665/1666, Inv.-Nr. GG 9128

Recently Katharine of Katharine Cartwright Studio discussed an artist's 'pilgrimage' in connection with the book ‘Art Without Compromise’ by Wendy Richmond, who believes major art exhibits are designed to maximize attendance by appealing to the lowest common denominator, thereby are lacking in intellectual and cultural nourishment. Wendy believes a pilgrimage to see a single work of art creates a stronger connection to the art and in return enriches her with intellectual and cultural nourishment. So this month for my selection of a museum exhibit, I have selected the Kunst Historisches Mueseum of Vienna, where an exhibit centers around a single painting, Vermeer’s ‘The Art of Painting’.


The exhibit is curated by Dr. Sabine Pénot and Mag. Elke Oberthaler, who focuses on a single painting that Vermeer kept in his studio as a show piece for his potential buyers. The exhibition studies Vermeer’s use of pigments, binding media and technique, including the use of an optical instrument known as a camera obscura with which Vermeer reportedly constructed his paintings, along with the props found in the painting are also reviewed.


Loans from various museums and private collections, together with historical documents from the Dutch archives, we are given an in-depth view of the painting. Rounding out the exhibition, additional paintings, sculptures and films by contemporary artists are who were inspired by Vermeer’s ‘The Art of Painting’ are also featured.

Kunst Historisches Mueseum of Vienna

The exhibition runs from January 26 thru April 25, 2010 and though I will not be able to see the show, I believe it is an event that should not be missed if one is in the area, as it is a very different kind of exhibit.

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Song of the River

As I bring this post to a close I wish to mention that Roxanne E. Stout of ‘River Garden Studio' has recently published ‘Song of the River’, a small book featuring her writing and art about the nature and wildlife along the Klamath River. Do have a look on her blog, where she displays numerous excerpts from the book.

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If you have not visited The DIRECTORY, please have a look as I keep updating regularly with new links to resources for artists of all medium. Of note I would like to point out Project Guttenberg, where you can download for free more than 30,000 ebooks for your computer, iPhone, Sony Reader, Kindel or other portable devices. If you add yourself as a follower of The DIRECTORY, you will receive monthly updates as to what is new and if you feel this is a valuable resource, please add my banner to your blog with a link to The DIRECTORY, as this would be very much appreciated.

The DIRECTORY