CATHERINE MAMOLA

A Passion for Art History

2012-02-09T08:11:00.000-08:00

I am fascinated by art history. I find it incredibly interesting to study artists of the past and the historical context in which they lived and worked. Who influenced them? What was happening in the world at the time? What were their limitations?

Something in me came to life when I read the poem below for the first time . It sparked a curiosity that still drives me today in my unrelenting pursuit to learn about the artists that came before us. I’d like to share it with you in the hopes that it will inspire you and initiate, or reinstitute, the appreciation of human creativity.

A Worker Reads History by Bertolt Brecht

Who built the seven gates of Thebes?

The books are filled with names of kings.

Was is the kings who hauled the craggy blocks of stone?

And Babylon, so many times destroyed.

Who built the city up each time? In which of Lima's houses,

That city glittering with gold, lived those people who built it?

In the evening when the Chinese wall was finished

Where did the masons go? Imperial Rome

Is full of arcs of triumph. Byzantium lives in song.

Were all her dwellings palaces? And even in Atlantis of the legend

The night the seas rushed in,

The drowning men still bellowed for their slaves.

Young Alexander conquered India.

He alone?

Caesar beat the Gauls.

Was there not even a cook in his army?

Phillip of Spain wept as his fleet

was sunk and destroyed. Were there no other tears?

Frederick the Greek triumphed in the Seven Years War.

Who triumphed with him?

Each page a victory

At whose expense the victory ball?

Every ten years a great man,

Who paid the piper?

So many particulars.

So many questions.

Lineage

2011-09-26T05:11:00.000-07:00

Lineage is defined as a group of individuals tracing descent from a common ancestor. As an artist, I am of the lineage of Frank Vincent Dumond. Dumond was my mentor’s teacher’s teacher. In other words, I am a student of John Phillip Osborne whose teachers included Arthur Maynard, a student of Frank Vincent Dumond.

Frank Vincent Dumond taught at the Art Students League in NYC for nearly 60 years from 1892 until his death in 1951. He was academically trained in Paris at the Academie Julian studying with such artists as Gustave Boulanger and Jules-Joseph Lefebvre. Dumond had a positive influence on countless students. Not only was he an outstanding teacher who is described as charismatic, patient and humorous he also developed a palette that has left a legacy to future generations of painters.

The prismatic palette is a premixed palette that enables students to begin to understand value and color relationships, which is a keystone to understanding how to paint the prismatic flow and progression of light. There are a myriad of light effects in nature caused by the weather, the time of day, the time of year and the changing atmosphere. The goal of the painter is to render these changes convincingly. This palette is invaluable to the beginner as it demonstrates this progression. I will continue to discuss this palette over the course of this blog.

I have a deep respect for teachers/mentors that pass down their knowledge. Dumond is quoted as saying in the publication The Harmony of Nature: The Art and Life of Frank Vincent Dumond, “We are all in a strange forest, and because I have been here longer, I am to guide you part of the way.. I will tell you what I think is ahead.. from there it is yours to go on”.

Frank Vincent Dumond (1865-1951)
Top of the Hill

The gift is your desire

2011-09-17T11:54:00.000-07:00

Many artists say that they have been drawing and creating art since they were very young. The belief is that they were born with this innate ability. They were born with this special talent. I have always wanted to be an artist. I wondered why I wasn't born with "the gift". Richard Schmid writes in his book, "Talent... don't worry about whether or not you have it. Just assume that you do and forget about it". He enabled me to overcome my feelings of inadequateness. For many years I did not pursue my dream of becoming an artist because of this misconception. For those of you that say "I wish I was an artist" I believe that is your gift. Your desire to make art - the gift is your desire.

Welcome!

2011-09-17T11:52:00.000-07:00

I am starting this blog as a means to communicate my thoughts on painting and my life as an artist. My hope is to inspire other artists and share my insights on what I've learned so far on my artistic journey. Below is a quote that applies to all people but has special meaning to the aspiring artist:

"Keep away from people who try to belittle your ambitions. Small people always do that, but the really great make you feel that you, too, can become great." ~Mark Twain