Friday, January 24, 2014

Staging a Matisse Still Life Photograph

I'm taking a nine week online class called Studying Under the Masters. The course features a different artist each week. Week 1 was Matisse, and learned a lot about his still life style, which feature vibrant colors, a lot of patterns and (often) women. I was thinking about doing a Matisse-style art journal page, but then I decided to try to stage and photograph a still life in the Matisse style. The photograph up top is what I came up with.  I'm pretty happy with it, and I think it does reflect Matisse paintings like these:
What do you think? Can you see the similarities? 
Here's my set-up shot:
 
I used a flowered skirt and three scarves for the backdrop, arranged on a chair. The frugal still life photography class definitely influenced this shot as well. It's fun to combine classes, isn't it?

13 comments:

sky-blu-pink said...

I love Matisse for his colours and bold style. You have captured him beautifully in your still life.

Missus Wookie said...

I like how you've combined art journaling people with the still life and Matisse class. Combining classes and challenges is always fun.

Karen said...

Definitely see the similarities. Sounds like a great class!

Janet Ghio said...

I am taking that class too. I like your choice of patterns for the background and also the blue vase that you have added. Nicely done. Are you going to paint your still life? I set up a Matisse style still life and painted it.

Cheri said...

You've definitely captured the Matisse style well. And I always figure if you can knock out assignments for two or three classes with one project, life is good!

scrappyjacky said...

Definately his style.

Lizzie said...

Hi Rinda! I'm having a quick "catch-up" (again) while waiting for Mr LizzieMade to be ready to carry on with the spring-cleaning of our bedroom (the dust those builders left behind1!!!).

I've just read a few of your recent posts. What a variety! Paintings and photography experiments - art and chickens... New hens (I think the Buff Orpingtons should have old-fashioned "English" names - like Henrietta (or Hetty), Mabel, Clarissa... that sort of thing!).
And visits from blog friends! Lucky you and lucky Alison. It sounds like a lovely day. I was sad to miss you when you came over to UK in 2012... Maybe I'll be in your area one day and we can catch up over a cup of tea.

Have a good week and enjoy the chickens - or their eggs anyway ;-)

Melissa said...

I can definitely see the inspiration for your colors & objects choices. Yes, it's fun to combine what we're learning in different classes.

~*~Patty S said...

Fun seeing the various people participating in the Masters class...
You have indeed captured Matisse's essence in your lovely still life Rinda!
I have enjoyed playing catch up with you over the last couple of days...
you are into such a variety of interesting and thoughtful projects...
thank you for sharing
Happy Weekend to you and yours
oxo

Sian said...

It really gets me thinking about how the artist has used colour and props when I look at your set up - very interesting and informative. I hope you do a few more of these!

Abi said...

What a clever way to look at art! So beautiful. I like the combination of colours and patterns in your photo.

I have been having a bit of a catch up Rinda and I love your photos of the chickens in the last post!

Carola Bartz said...

Great idea to take a still life photograph instead of painting. I like it - and it is VERY creative!

Miriam said...

Yes definitely Matisse in your still life. What fun to be able to work through the two classes together.