ART APPRECIATION/ARTSPRING 2015

GAYLE JACKSON

Final Presentation

5-9-15

Comfort & JoyArtist Tom Clark

About the Artist

Dr. Tom Clark is the lead artist for Cairn Studios

Born in Elizabethtown, North Carolina Associate Professor of Religion, taught

courses in theology and religious art Best known for his gnome and wood spirit

sculptures

How it’s made

Once art piece is approved it goes to the mol-makers.

A master mold is made and then the piece is hand cast.

The mold life is limited and the original is usually destroyed during the casting

This means a limited amount of pieces They are then sanded and washed in a

special solvent to prepare them for painting.

2

All painting is done free hand with specially blended paint by individual artisans

After it is fully cured and dried it is antiqued. This is a very lengthy process.

It is then sprayed with a special stain, buffed and then hand lacquered with a special sealing agent.

The piece is then numbered and certificate of authenticity made

My personal impression

This piece was given to me by a very dear friend who collects Tom Clark gnomes.

It depicts two women who seem to be enjoying each others company

I am drawn to the earthy colors and how the sculpture has so many different looking textures

I like the detailed work especially the facial features

Young Lady with Gloves

About the artist

Tamara De Lempicka - Polish Art Deco artist Her techniques were said to be novel,

clean, precise and elegant Lead a bohemian lifestyle Moved to the United States in 1935 Moved to Houston, Texas in 1962 after the

death of the death of her second husband to live with her daughter Kizette

Moved to Mexico in 1978 Died March 18, 1980

My analysis

The focal point is her eyes under the brim of her hat

Lines are both straight and curvy and it seems that the dress is clingy and sensuous

There seem to be geometric shapes that are sharp and soft at the same time

The hair is styled in locks that are straight lines but also give it a wavy effect.

The value of the shading gives structure to the arms, hat, face, gloves and the dress by deepening on the outside and lightening as it pulls away from the edges

2

There is texture which makes the dress look silky and clingy. It helps define the shape of the dress as it outlines the body

On the gloves the texture deepens the material to distinguish the fingers. The brim of the hat cast shadows on the face and hair so that the painting is not flat looking

The color of the dress in its different shades of green contrast very well with the whites and grays’ and lets the skin tone shine and not look washed out.

3

There is symmetry in the way you see both gloves and at the same time the balance of her hat with the ruffles on the opposite shoulder.

The different hues of the green on her dress emphasize the folds, and the changing hue on her hair gives it depth.

The cropping at the thighs keeps the painting balanced.

striking green color and how sleek the dress looks.

Conclusion

I own both of these pieces, Comfort and Joy is an original and Young Lady with Gloves is a copy.

I have watched Tom Clark sculpt many pieces online . We got to ask questions and he is a very personable and nice man. I have several signed pieces – he used to tour and you could bring 2-3 pieces for him to sign when you purchased an item. (my husband met him)

I would like to one day see an original painting by Tamara De Lempicka

Works Cited :

http://www.tamara-de-lempicka.org/ http://www.cairnstudio.com/tcbio.shtml http://www.wikigallery.org/wiki/

painting_68885/Tamara-de-Lempicka/Young-Lady-with-Gloves%2C-1930