Humor In Art

Since witnessing some of the grand masters at the Chicago Art Institute and the National Portrait Gallery of the Smithsonian Institution - I have come to realize the special importance portrait art holds.  Portraits not only inform us of  individuals, but of particular  habits, customs, classes and cultures.  A moment in time which serves to educate future viewers about a family member or a cultural revolution.  The styles vary - from classical to abstract, oil paint to clay - but the need to communicate the idea of existence - ‘I was here’ is universal.  Historically, most portrait artists were tradesmen- their ability to record images on canvas or stone was their livelihood, and their patrons the rich and powerful.  Today, portrait artists intent maybe be different, some may create for commissions , some create upon inspired whim, but the result is the same - a moment in time, a person in time, recorded for future family and cultures to observe, speculate and learn. 

Anyone who has owned a dog knows that although they lack verbal communication skills (besides barking, of course), dogs have a unique way of expressing emotions through their faces and eyes. A dog owner can easily recognize when his dog is happy, sad or begging for a treat. And every dog certainly has a classic face – a signature expression that is so quintessentially him.

Unfortunately, most owners outlive their dogs, and many like to remember their beloved pets by their unique, adorable faces and expressions. Dog sculptures can capture those expressions in greater detail than photographs can; these personalized collectibles are priceless when it comes to remembering your beloved dog’s playful nature. If you’d like to own a timeless memorial of your dog, look into commissioning a sculpture from a talented artist who specializes in dog sculptures.

Many times, multi-dimensional people are compressed into one-dimensional images. While photographs are mostly accurate representations of how people look, they are flat and fail to completely convey their attitudes and personalities. Further, technology allows even the least tech-savvy person to manipulate photos – why not smooth a laugh line here, erase a scar there? Some may view these manipulations as improvements, but some forms of art find joy and humanity in those small details. They are not imperfections, but rather characteristics that make every individual unique.

Custom sculptures of people and pets, like those done by artist Elaine Brewer-White, emphasize and celebrate each subject’s unique, loveable characteristics. She creates sculptures that capture the humor and humanity in life, making them perfect ways to immortalize your friends, family members and pets. Think of what you most love about a parent or child. Is it his smile? The way his eyes crinkle up when he laughs? No matter what unique characteristic you treasure most, a custom sculpture can capture it beautifully and become a heartfelt keepsake for you and your loved ones.

For those of us who have parents now in their sixties, seventies, or even older, it can feel like there isn’t a gift we haven’t given dad before on his special day. Now and then, it’s nice to receive a gift that is one of a kind and possesses real uniqueness. This Father’s Day, consider portrait sculptures for dear old dad. A portrait sculptures is a unique creation designed in the image of the old man himself. It is a keepsake to be treasured for lifetimes to come, and even to remember dad long after he passes. In the not so distant past, nobles would often have their own image created in a painting or sculpture, but now this service is available to all people, not just those of royal blood. Portrait sculptures make a great gift for Father’s Day, and are guaranteed to be a gift that dad has never received before.

With Father’s Day fast approaching, now is the time to seek out a sculptor and have a portrait sculpture made for dad. He’s sure to love his image immortalized, and will treasure it for the rest of his life.

Whether having a portrait sculpture created or requesting a custom sculpture for the home, it’s important to choose a sculptor whose artistic ability mirrors the desire result. Most sculptors will have a sculpture gallery comprised of either actual sculptures or photos, illustrating their own creations. Through researching an artist’s sculpture gallery, it’s possible to discover their own sculpting style. Every sculptor has a different style; some might strive for realism, while others might have a different perspective that will shine through to their art. When requesting a sculpture, it’s essential to check out the artist’s sculpture gallery beforehand, and ask questions about how they would design your sculpture.

Artists that don’t have a sculpture gallery are probably amateurs or are ashamed of their work, so be sure to avoid these if at all possible. However, also realize that all artists start somewhere, and who knows, a sculpture from a budding artist might wind up a priceless piece if they become the next Michaelangelo!

While some people would argue that cave paintings are the oldest forms of what we could call art, others believe that at the same time cave paintings were conceived, our ancient ancestors indulged in sculpture.  There are sculptures dating back much further than most paintings, with much of the reason being a sculptures being more resilient to aging.  It’s quite possible there were sculptors in the ancient world, but their sculpture techniques were so unrefined that we might not even recognize their attempts at art from a hewn rock.  Despite having unknown origins, the sculptor is one of the most celebrated artists throughout time with a positive place in almost all cultures.  There were sculptors throughout the Greek and Roman empire, in Asia, in the Americas, and in most societies throughout the world.  These ancient sculptors would become even more famous in our time for their work back then as it was preserved for thousands of years. 

There are hundreds of renowned sculptures that date back thousands and even tens of thousands of years.  These sculptors were prominent figures in their societies, and would provide the inspiration to all the sculptors of our modern era.

Clay has long been used as a material for creating sculptures, and because of its malleable nature, can be crafted into a wide range of shapes.  Clay becomes malleable when mixed with water in certain proportions, and while the clay remains wet, it can be shaped and sculpted with ease.  When the clay dries out, it can crack and become rigid.  When fired in a kiln, there are permanent chemical reactions that occur within the clay to prevent it from becoming soft and malleable again.  In ancient times, clay was used for making pottery in various cultures.  Clay is distributed throughout the world, and most often there are numerous layers of clay right below the ground’s surface.  Because of its wide distribution, clay was used to create bowls, dishes, tools, and all kinds of living essentials in ancient cultures.  Clay was also used in art to create clay sculptures and other pieces.

When clay dries, it becomes near impermeable to water, and because of this it was often used in bricks to create structures such as houses.  We still use clay in modern times to create barriers in dams or landfills to prevent toxic substances from seeping into the ground.

The hearth is one of the most important locations in the household, and one of the focal points of the family.  The mantle above the hearth and the objects placed upon it can speak volumes about the character of the family members.  Most people place pictures, sculptures, or ceramic artwork above the mantle as these pieces can express the most important aspects of family.  The pictures on the mantle should celebrate the family’s most cherished moments, and sculptures and ceramic pieces should represent the family’s opinions about art and life. 

For example, the pictures on the mantle might be from a memorable vacation, a romantic getaway between husband and wife, or just a holiday event.  Nobody wants to look at those bland pictures taken at a professional photographer, so leave those out!  The sculptures and ceramics on the mantle should also reflect family life.  Think of what kinds of objects reflect the family’s style; is it traditional, contemporary?  Think about your heritage; is it an important part of the family?  What colors represent the different family members?  You might even think about custom sculptures of each individual family member!

Let’s face it, whether it’s a mother, father, significant other, or just a close relative or friend, it’s no fun giving someone special a gift they could purchase themselves.  It’s important to have a personal gift for all those special people in life, and when it comes to personal gifts, it’s best to think creative.  Art makes a wonderful gift for a special person.  In addition, personalized art makes it a one of a kind piece.

Here are some options to consider:

~Portrait~ You can find custom portrait artists or painters in most larger cities, and these people can compose a unique piece of art from a picture or from a session with the subject.  Having a self portrait is a time honored tradition that traces back to a time before photography. 

~Custom Sculpture~ Clay sculptures are unique pieces of art that will be remembered for generations to come.  Portrait clay sculptor professionals are also common in most cities, or take a look around online.

~Ceramics~  While not quite as personal as a portrait or portrait sculptor, an original ceramic creation can be just as personal and enjoyable.

To be in the throes of inspiration is a wonderful thing.  My heart races, my mind steam-lines, my mood is elevated - how exciting to know that the well has indeed not dried up.  Having lived a life in the arts for over 25 years, I have occasionally wondered if inspiration would always be a constant companion.  Sometimes, like a lot of artists, I think that the best may have come and gone.  I get tired, discouraged - and the doubts creep in.  No stack of books, trips to museums, or bottles of wine seem to charm the muse to come out of hiding.  Then — when I least expect it — an idea!

Stay tuned — photos to follow — the progress from thought to fruition!!   Elaine Brewer-White