Posts from Kyra Duffley

There is a flame of creativity that flickers within us all. A burning compulsion to grow, make, build, program, write, dance, or sing. It may be the smallest spark or a roaring fire, but nonetheless this flame of creativity warms the soul. This warmth nurtures us, bringing peace and healing. 

Foreward:

This episode is a pretty big departure from the normal “structure” of Beyond the Frame. This is for a few reasons, and I want to share those with you. I like to try to give extra context with these blogs when I can and this is an episode that I think deserves a little extra context.   Read more

Intense heat radiates from the giant ladle of molten steel in the center of the work. It illuminates the scene, a light source of its own. That heat is palpable as you approach the piece yet the workers on the left seem all too calm and cool. They stand mere feet from the mold in the foreground that’s surrounded by a cloud of steam and flashes of burning metal that float, glistening in the air. This scene feels surreal, almost fantastical – not one you’d expect to find just down the road. 

Making a Big Impression

One of the things I love most about studying art is seeing works in person after I’ve had the opportunity to get to know them online or in a textbook. One of the many reasons for that is scale. I like to see if the expectation I had in my head matches the real piece. So after coming to The Mariners’ and getting to learn about some of our Thomas Skinner paintings through our online catalog, I knew I had to see them in person. They were bold, bright, colorful, and dynamic – but what I didn’t realize… is how big they were.    Read more

Let your eyes soften, and take a deep breath. Picture a happy memory or a moment. In this second of subconscious awareness, what do you see? Is it crisp and vivid, or soft and a little blurry? What do you feel? Happy or wishful, possibly something more visceral? An excited flutter in your chest or a slight prickle of the hairs on the back of your neck? What is it about this moment that left a lasting impression on you?

Think. Feel.   Read more

Everything in this universe has a life cycle – even inanimate objects, concepts, or institutions, though they may look different from that of a living being. But there’s always a beginning – a spark or an idea. There are stages of growth, life, aging, and ultimately – an end.

The Story of the Ship is a story of life cycles. In this circa 1924 series by Harry Neyland, the artist uses 5 small oil on panel paintings to illustrate the creation, life, and demise of this vessel. But there are two life cycles directly associated with this series.    Read more

As the day slows and comes to a close, the final sunbeams dance across the canvas catching and illuminating the edges of figures that are still hard at work. These same figures were warmed and welcomed into the day by the very first of the sun’s rays. 

Creating Unity

Much like the way these men work together towards a common goal, color, light, composition, and subject matter work together to create an overall harmonious feeling in the work. This feeling is one of unity, a core principle in art. In Gifford Beal’s ca. 1930 oil on canvas, “Hauling Nets” or “Piling Nets on a Wagon” the artist has created unity through the skillful use of all of these elements: color, light, composition, and especially subject matter.    Read more