(«Jazz valenciana»/Francisco Bravo Cabrera/Derechos Resesrvados/All Rights Reserved)
Siempre tiene que haber algo nuevo. El arte nunca se puede detener y además el pintor se tiene que redimir con cada cuadro que haga. Por eso digo que el arte es la búsqueda Este cuadro es uno de los que terminé al final del verano (2024) y está hecho en mi estilo el surreal-expresionismo. Lo que busco es captar, de alguna manera, la intensidad, la energía, el movimiento y los colores que se le presentan a los que van a ver un trio de jazz en un sótano cualquiera de nuestra ciudad. Los colores, cuando juegan con y entre las luces de un escenario (por muy pequeño que sea), se mueven ante nuestra vista. Tambien hay que recordar que no estamos siempre viendo la misma cosa. Los músicos se mueven y un gran movimiento conlleva mil micro-movimientos que no notamos pero que son los que crean la nueva posición que adquieren… Así es el jazz, así son mis cuadros.
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Got to have something new. Art never stops, and the painter must redeem himself with every painting he creates. That’s why I say that art is the search. This painting is one of those I finished at the end of summer (2024) and is done in my style of surreal-expressionism. What I seek is to capture, in some way, the intensity, energy, movement, and colours that present themselves to the eyes of those who go see/listen to a jazz trio perhaps in in any basement club in the city. Colours, when they are reflected in and with the stage lights (no matter how small the stage may be), move before our eyes. It is also important to remember that we are not always seeing the same thing. The musicians move, and a large movement implies a thousand micro-movements that we don’t notice but they are what creates the new position the players have acquired… Such is jazz, such are my paintings.
(«Jazz valenciana»/detalles/details/Derechos Reservados/All Rights Reserved/Francisco Bravo Cabrera)
(Art by Francisco Bravo Cabrera/All Rights Reserved)
Once more I am faced with the stupidity of the so-called «modern world» and her strange ways. I took out my old Doors albums and searched for «People Are Strange«, a very interesting song that truly describes society, the society of the 1960’s (in the US) when the song was written by Jim Morrison and guitarist Robby Krieger (released in 1967 in the album Strange Days), and it certainly fits as a vivid and clear description of our society in 2024!
Manipulation, control, the command to «obey», the puritanical ideas, the religiosity, the ignorance, the political correctness and all the other stupidities that are being taught today are destroying the individual freedoms that people have fought so hard to gain. «They» (and there is a «they» and it is not a conspiracy theory, it is a fact) have told people that nudity (and I am not referring to pornography) is wrong and should not be found on YouTube, Instagram or the other «social media» websites. Fine, they can say whatever they like, but the problem is that people have believed them! Good grief!
«They» have also said that certain words cannot be uttered and if you do you will be tarred and feathered and run out of town (or out of social media). And people have believed them! The US is a country of immigrants. I remember living in New York City back in the «good old days» among Jews, Poles, Puerto Ricans, Italians, Blacks and the Irish and we all called each other names and no one ever got offended! Now, because we are told that it is politically incorrect, people get offended. How stupid is that!
And I am not saying that one should go around downgrading anyone or spewing racial slurs with evil intent, but come on! Where is the humour in life? Where is the faith and trust in your fellow man? Cannot you trust that these words (which I will not mention for fear of being censured) are just words, said in jest, in friendship and without evil intent? And you see, I feared mentioning them, and I should not fear, but because of the idiots in society, I must.
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La version en castellano solo dice que es una reverenda estupidez decir españoles y españolas cuando uno habla del conjunto de los españoles. Dejémonos de idioteces que la vida es corta, hay que beber más vino, comer más cerdos ibéricos y aplaudir a más toreros… olé!
(«Luna Azul»/Francisco Bravo Cabrera/All Rights Reserved)
On the bridge over blue waters running peacefully, warriors, priests, princes and kings are floating in the molecules, that give life to the water, that creates the river and gives movement to reflections. Fantasy, Like the smoke from my Gitanes, gives life to the characters who represent, who recite my poetry, who engage us in the game called history that never ends, or that perhaps one day, when the moon abandons our earthly sky, it will…
(Dora Carrington with her cat/photo by unknown photographer)
This is a phenomenal artist that I had never heard of until she was mentioned in an Almodóvar movie: Julianne Moore as Ingrid, tells Martha, played by Tilda Swinton, about her next book, a biography of Dora Carrington, in a scene from The Room Next Door by Pedro Almodóvar (Artnet News).
But I am glad to have found out about her and I think you will too…
(Dora Carrington and Litton Strachey/photo by unknown photographer)
Ok, so what can I say about Dora… She was born in Hereford, UK in 1893. She won a scholarship to attend Slade School of Art of London where she met many people that would prove to be very important in her life. However she was practically unknown during her lifetime as she did not exhibit and did not sign her paintings. She is remembered as being associated with the members of the Bloomsbury circle, especially with the writer/biographer Lytton Strachey.
Carrington chose to end her life with a gun in 1932. She was greatly depressed after the death of Strachey from cancer. Her life with Strachey was made into the 1995 film Carrington. Emma Thompson played the role Dora Carrington.
Although she was unknown and her paintings are rarely, if ever, exhibited (and they should) I find this artist very interesting and her work quite fascinating.
(“Red”/Francisco Bravo Cabrera/Derechos Reservados/All Rights Reserved)
FLOWERS? FLOWERS FOR ME? (Chapter 1)
Flowers for me dearest lady?
For me who has shunned your love, your looks, your gentle touch? Better leave those flowers, lady, lying on a grave out there than in my hands that do not care, and that have never touched your skin. Or is it that you don’t seem to adore these precious flowers and to while away the hours you now have brought them to me?
C.2024 – Francisco Bravo Cabrera – 25 NOV 2024 – Valencia, España
FEATURES by VALENCIARTIST today presents a magnificent artist from Wales, Sara Allwright, known to many of you here in the WP blogosphere. You can find her and follow her blog, Sara Allwright Fine Art which I am sure you will find interesting and entertaining. But now here is a bit of background on Sara. In her own words:
I left school at 15 years of age, without any formal qualifications, direction, or plan. After several years of going to night school I gained my qualifications in Art & Design and Psychology. I then went on to receive a BA (Hons) Painting & Critical and Contextual Studies degree.
I spent 20 years as an Art and Design lecturer in Higher Education; which I thoroughly enjoyed…engaging young minds into the world of art and creativity.
I now spend my time painting, and I’m in the process of writing my ‘memoir’. I have exhibited and sold my art work in various exhibitions and galleries. Most notably, the ‘Royal Cambrian Academy’, Conway. Wales, the ‘Albany Gallery’, Cardiff. Wales, & ‘The National Waterfront Museum’, Swansea. Wales. Once I have completed my ‘memoir’, I will endeavour to have it published.
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SARA’S INTERVIEW
VALENCIARTIST: As a visual artist, how have you prepared for your profession and how far do you wish to reach with your art?
The art world can be fickle, and I soon realised I needed to find a way for my art work to be seen. I completed a number of courses; WordPress for Business, SEO for Business, Social Media for Business, & Excel for Business (to calculate my vast earnings from selling my art)! I have now joined the wonderful world of ‘blogging’. Primarily, I paint for me, but I would love for my art to be seen, hung on many walls, admired by as many people as possible. Once completed…I would be thrilled If my ‘memoir’ were to be published.
VALENCIARTIST: Understanding that artists are usually well trained and educated individuals with ties to the community and internationally, as well as many connections to the news media (well informed), do you believe that artists (of all genres) have a duty to speak out publicly reference political, economic or social issues that affect one’s country or community? Or internationally?
No, I don’t think artists have a ‘duty’ per se. Or should feel obligated to speak out publicly. But I think it’s important that artists have free reign to produce work that may be seen as controversial, or pushing the boundaries. Work that highlights environmental, social, and political issues, to engage in relevant and pressing topics. As with any art form, if it elicits a response, it creates a dialogue.
VALENCIARTIST: What do you consider art to be?
I consider art to be another form of communication. A voice which can be used as a vehicle for expressing, perceiving and understanding many aspects of life. Whether it be social problems, metaphors, autobiographical narratives, nostalgia of time or place, to the more abstract ideas. Art, is a subject, whether observed, listened to, touched, or read. It enables the artist to express or question our lifestyle, or society in general. Art is created in order to elicit some sort of response, emotion, or memory. The recipient will come to their own conclusions, or subjective opinions based on their own personal experiences, upbringing, lifestyle, and so forth. Art is beautiful, art can be ugly, art is powerful.
THE ART OF SARA ALLWRIGHT
(Original artwork by and property of Sara Allwright)
NOTA BENE:
If you are an artist, a writer, or in any manner involved in the world of art, you can also participate as a protagonist in FEATURES by VALENCIARTIST. All you have to do is reply with your email address so that we can send you the information.
FEATURES by VALENCIARTIST today presents a magnificent artist from Wales, Sara Allwright, known to many of you here in the WP blogosphere. You can find her and follow her blog, Sara Allwright Fine Art which I am sure you will find interesting and entertaining. But now here is a bit of background on Sara. In her own words:
I left school at 15 years of age, without any formal qualifications, direction, or plan. After several years of going to night school I gained my qualifications in Art & Design and Psychology. I then went on to receive a BA (Hons) Painting & Critical and Contextual Studies degree.
I spent 20 years as an Art and Design lecturer in Higher Education; which I thoroughly enjoyed…engaging young minds into the world of art and creativity.
I now spend my time painting, and I’m in the process of writing my ‘memoir’. I have exhibited and sold my art work in various exhibitions and galleries. Most notably, the ‘Royal Cambrian Academy’, Conway. Wales, the ‘Albany Gallery’, Cardiff. Wales, & ‘The National Waterfront Museum’, Swansea. Wales. Once I have completed my ‘memoir’, I will endeavour to have it published.
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SARA’S INTERVIEW
VALENCIARTIST: As a visual artist, how have you prepared for your profession and how far do you wish to reach with your art?
The art world can be fickle, and I soon realised I needed to find a way for my art work to be seen. I completed a number of courses; WordPress for Business, SEO for Business, Social Media for Business, & Excel for Business (to calculate my vast earnings from selling my art)! I have now joined the wonderful world of ‘blogging’. Primarily, I paint for me, but I would love for my art to be seen, hung on many walls, admired by as many people as possible. Once completed…I would be thrilled If my ‘memoir’ were to be published.
VALENCIARTIST: Understanding that artists are usually well trained and educated individuals with ties to the community and internationally, as well as many connections to the news media (well informed), do you believe that artists (of all genres) have a duty to speak out publicly reference political, economic or social issues that affect one’s country or community? Or internationally?
No, I don’t think artists have a ‘duty’ per se. Or should feel obligated to speak out publicly. But I think it’s important that artists have free reign to produce work that may be seen as controversial, or pushing the boundaries. Work that highlights environmental, social, and political issues, to engage in relevant and pressing topics. As with any art form, if it elicits a response, it creates a dialogue.
VALENCIARTIST: What do you consider art to be?
I consider art to be another form of communication. A voice which can be used as a vehicle for expressing, perceiving and understanding many aspects of life. Whether it be social problems, metaphors, autobiographical narratives, nostalgia of time or place, to the more abstract ideas. Art, is a subject, whether observed, listened to, touched, or read. It enables the artist to express or question our lifestyle, or society in general. Art is created in order to elicit some sort of response, emotion, or memory. The recipient will come to their own conclusions, or subjective opinions based on their own personal experiences, upbringing, lifestyle, and so forth. Art is beautiful, art can be ugly, art is powerful.
THE ART OF SARA ALLWRIGHT
(Original artwork by and property of Sara Allwright)
NOTA BENE:
If you are an artist, a writer, or in any manner involved in the world of art, you can also participate as a protagonist in FEATURES by VALENCIARTIST. All you have to do is reply with your email address so that we can send you the information.