Tuesday, March 6, 2012

Concerts In The Garden




"Concerts in the Garden"   36" x 24"   Oil


For five weeks during the summer the Botanic Gardens are filled with beautiful music provided by the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra.  You can bring your picnic basket and relax under the stars while listening to the orchestra at the Concerts In The Garden Summer Music Festival.  There is a fireworks show every night.

As I was painting this I began flinging paint on the canvas to try to get the effect of bursting fireworks.   I was reminded of Whistler's "Nocturne in Black and Gold" - a painting of a fireworks display.  John Ruskin, the well-known art critic, was outraged when he saw this painting exhibited in 1877 and accused Whistler of "flinging a pot of paint in the public's face". Whistler sued him for libel and won.  It's an interesting story that you can read about here.


5 comments:

  1. James, that is a masterful display of beauty. As I scrolled down through the images, I could not figure out what you were painting, until the very last one. When seeing the final, I gasped. Now that is a wonder. Bravo!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Interesting read. Whistler may have won only one farthing, and suffered bankruptcy, but I'm, sure winning the lawsuit was worth it. I don't see why it should matter how the artist applies the paint if in the end the result is successful. Love your "Concerts in the Garden" - your fireworks are brilliant.

    ReplyDelete
  3. This one is amazing! Good job Papa- Lil' Gray says :)

    n n, ,e g fm,xcs.f ., d ./ ( this is him typing and laughing!!!)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That may be the best comment I've ever received!

      Delete
  4. Seeing this come to life was a treat. Thanks for sharing your process. The painting is amazing.

    ReplyDelete