Today we are sharing a short conversation, comparing two paintings of people playing cards together. Ruth and I explore the role of games in human interaction. The paintings reflect very different types of human connection, even though the card game centers the art. Both paintings are called The Card Players. The first is by Lucas…
Connections: An Arting Conversation
In this conversation, Ruth and I look at the importance of connection – between friends, rivals, lovers, work colleagues, family, community – with the environment around us. We look at the following paintings, supported by Mark Van Doren’s poem the Rivals. Here are some questions to stimulate conversation. Or add your own questions or comments….
Our Internal Selves and the External World: An Arting Conversation
Here is a short 10 minute conversation Ruth and I had about the complexity of our internal lives, and how the external world influences it and pushes at it. The conversation was stimulated by a comparison between the Falling Man by Max Beckmann with Street Scene with Garbageman by Karl Vinzenz Tratt, complemented by part…
What’s in a Name? The Start of a Conversation
After years of looking at and discussing art with Ruth in our Arting endeavors, I have come to really appreciate the time artists take to name their art. And resent it when they don’t. I know the reasoning as to why they might not – so as not to bias what we see, letting us…
Experiencing Art in the Moment and Beyond: Wherever You Are
In a previous post, I wrote about how strong autobiographical themes can permeate and focus the work of many artists. Now, I wonder about the influences and possibilities within you, how you can experience and perhaps express your artful capacities in the moment and beyond. Spur of the Moment A friend told me what she…
Duality as Part of the Human Condition: An Arting Conversation
In this conversation, Ruth and Shari look at duality and how it shapes what it means to be human. We used Both Sides Now by Joni Mitchell as the poem that ties it all together, a reminder that songs bring poetry and depth into our every day lives. Its a really interesting array of art….
Inspiring Awe: An Arting Conversation
In this conversation, Ruth and Shari discuss the role of art in inspiring awe. To us, experiencing awe is critical component of being human, one we need to nurture. We are happy to share the full conversation here. Scroll below the video for an image of each pairing, and a set of questions we’d love…
How Arting Changed Me For the Better
On a trip to Boston, I visited the Boston Museum of Fine Arts (BMFA) by myself. I usually visit museums with others, even if we view art at our own pace. Before Arting, I only went alone when traveling, mostly to pass the time. Yes, I was traveling and went to the museum to pass…
Expand Your Powers by Enjoying Art
What arting conversations give you. Some people tend to be glued to their phone,some play sports, some immerse themselves in hobbies, and some delight in goodconversation, as I do. There generally is a focus of some kind in most chosen pleasures.Yet, the capacities that are used may be passive, repeated or just familiar. They includethose…
Sustaining Love: An Arting Conversation
In this conversation, Ruth and Shari take on the subject of love. We’ve created a lot of interesting juxtapositions with the art pairings. It was such a rich topic, we are sharing the entire conversation. Scroll below the video for an image of each pairing, and a set of questions we’d love to engage with…