As a visual artist with an affinity for words, I know there are a lot of talented artists out there who are also great writers. So to honor the written word and to prove that blogs are not archaic, I am going to alternate introducing you to artists through interviews with introducing you to artists through their words by sharing blogs, articles and other writings with you. With the artist’s permission, of course. Welcome to ARTish Words

In this first ARTish Words episode, I want to celebrate the life of one of my absolute favorite artists who passed away on Christmas Day —Wayne Thiebaud. Like a piece of chocolate cream pie, Thiebaud’s work makes me feel grounded and content, aware of contrasting flavors and textures, simple but decadent, a bit of nostalgia mixed with a hint of optimism. 

In this episode, I share a blog post from Maryland painter Jennifer Kahn Barlow, who learned from Thiebaud that “food images can be art and phthalo blue can have a prominent place on an artist's palette without overwhelming it.” 

We will also hear the words of Laguna Beach artist Hedy Buzan who shares insight on Thiebaud’s work as being “simultaneously accessible and deep, rooted in art history and slyly funny, idiosyncratic yet universal.” Hedy also shares her observations about Thiebaud’s last exhibit, “Clowns.”

And finally, we get a brief introduction to the Slow Art Day movement and this year’s events on April 2, 2022. 

I am always on the hunt for good writing. If you have a favorite artist blog, please share it with me:  [email protected] 

Mentioned:

• “Wayne Thiebaud, Playful Painter of the Everyday, Dies at 101,” by Michael  Kimmelman, New York Times, 12/26/2021(read) 
• Interview, “Wayne Thiebaud, Draftsman,” Morgan Library & Museum, 2018 (watch)
• “A Fellow Painter’s View of Giorgio Morandi,” by Wayne Thiebaud, New York Times, 11/15/1981 (read)
• Slow Art Day (learn)  
• 2022 Slow Art Day Venues (discover) 
• “Slow Down, You Look Too Fast,” by Trent Morse, ARTnews, 04/01/2011 (read)
• “Slow Art? It Will 'Blow Your Mind,’” by Anna Bailey, BBC News, 04/05/2019 (read)

Find Hedy Buzan:
Website:  https://hedybuzan.com/
Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/hedybuzan

Find Jennifer Kahn Barlow:
Website:  https://www.jkb-art.com/
Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/jkb.art/
Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/jenniferkahnbarlowart/

Find Me, Kristy Darnell Battani:
Website:    https://www.kristybattani.com
Instagram:  @kristybattaniart

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