Patti Friday: Art

Showing posts with label Art. Show all posts

Monday, July 28, 2025

What Is Decorative Arts?

What Is Decorative Arts?
By Patti Friday

If you’ve ever admired a beautifully crafted chair, an intricately glazed vase, or a hand-stitched tapestry and thought, “That’s more than just practical—it’s art,” then you’ve had a brush with the decorative arts.

So, what exactly are the decorative arts?

Decorative arts refer to artistic disciplines that focus on the design and aesthetics of functional objects. Unlike fine arts—think painting or sculpture, which are often purely expressive—decorative arts blend beauty with everyday use. They live in the in-between space where art meets life, where function flirts with flair.

This umbrella term includes furniture, ceramics, glassware, textiles, wallpaper, metalwork, jewelry, and more. Whether it’s a 17th-century French mirror with gilded curves or a hand-thrown mug with speckled glaze from your local potter, it belongs to the decorative arts family.

Historically, these arts were often dismissed as “craft” or “applied arts,” especially when created by women or anonymous makers. But in recent decades, there’s been a collective reawakening to their value—both cultural and artistic. Museums around the world are giving decorative arts their rightful spotlight, and collectors, designers, and creatives are embracing their tactile charm.

What makes the decorative arts so special is that they are deeply entwined with our daily rituals—sitting, sipping, writing, dressing, dining, gathering. They are not just to be looked at in a gallery but to be touched, lived with, passed down, and loved.

So next time you set the table with a vintage plate, admire the carved leg of an old cabinet, or wrap yourself in a woven throw, remember: you’re surrounded by decorative art.

And isn’t that a lovely way to live?

Here is a comprehensive list of the major categories and types of decorative arts—arts concerned with both form and function, where aesthetics enhance everyday objects. This list spans materials, techniques, and traditions from around the world and across history:

Furniture & Woodwork

Cabinetmaking
Carving (wood, bone, ivory)
Inlay (marquetry, intarsia)
Upholstery
Turnery (lathe work)
Gilded furniture
Veneering
Lacquerware
Parquetry (decorative flooring)

Ceramics & Pottery

Earthenware
Stoneware
Porcelain
Majolica / Faience
Raku
Delftware
Terra-cotta
Glazing and decorative finishes
Hand-painted ceramics
Molded ceramics
Studio pottery

Glass Arts

Stained glass
Cut glass / Crystal
Blown glass
Pressed glass
Etched glass
Fused glass
Mosaic glass
Lampworked glass
Glass beads

Textiles & Fiber Arts

Weaving
Embroidery
Tapestry
Quilting
Lace-making
Knitting / Crocheting
Macramé
Felting
Rug and carpet weaving
Batik
Ikat
Tie-dye / Shibori
Appliqué
Spinning
Dyes and textile printing (block printing, screen printing)

Jewelry & Personal Adornment

Goldsmithing
Silversmithing
Enameling (e.g., cloisonné, champlevé)
Beading
Gem cutting (lapidary)
Cameos
Costume jewelry design
Hair jewelry (Victorian mourning jewelry)
Filigree
Niello
Chain making

Metalwork

Ironwork (wrought, cast)
Brass and bronze casting
Pewterwork
Tinware
Silverware / flatware
Gilding
Engraving
Repoussé and chasing
Damascening
Tool ornamentation
Armor and weapons (ornamental)

Lighting & Fixtures

Chandeliers
Lanterns
Candelabras
Sconces
Lamps (including oil and electric)
Lamp finials and bases (often ceramic, metal, glass)

Interior Decoration Elements

Wallpaper design
Textile wall hangings
Decorative plasterwork
Ceiling medallions
Molding / cornices
Decorative tile (e.g., Moroccan zellige, Dutch tiles)
Mirrors and frames
Room dividers / screens
Curtains and drapery
Fireplaces and mantels

Tableware & Domestic Decorative Arts

Porcelain / china
Crystal glassware
Cutlery and silverware
Serving trays
Tea sets / coffee services
Pitchers / ewers
Vases and urns
Table linens (decorated cloths, napkins)
Napkin rings
Centerpieces and compotes
Salt cellars

Paper & Book Arts

Calligraphy
Bookbinding
Illuminated manuscripts
Marbled paper
Origami
Papercutting
Decorative stationery
Scrapbooking / albums
Paper quilling

Surface Decoration & Mixed Techniques

Gilding (gold leaf on wood, paper, metal)
Mosaic
Decoupage
Encaustic decoration
Faux finishes (e.g., trompe-l'œil)
Painted furniture
Stenciling

Other Cultural & Traditional Decorative Arts

Icon painting (religious objects)
Totem carving
Kintsugi (Japanese art of repairing pottery with gold)
Bone, horn, and shell carving
Aboriginal dot painting (on objects)
Native American beadwork
Eastern European pysanky (egg decoration)
Inuit soapstone carving
African textile dyeing (e.g., adire, kente)
Mexican Talavera pottery
Scandinavian rosemaling (decorative painting)

Note: Many decorative arts overlap with crafts, folk art, and design, and the line between decorative and fine arts is increasingly blurred in contemporary practice.

Sunday, June 29, 2025

Key Traits of a Wonder Tender and Manifesto

Here are the key traits of a Wonder Tender — distilled from the essence of myth, meaning, quiet awe, and soulful care:

Core Traits of a Wonder Tender

Attentive Presence
- Listens deeply, notices the sacred in the small.
- Practices stillness as a way of seeing more clearly.
Curator of Awe
- Finds wonder in clouds, silence, wrinkles, stories, and shadows.
- Keeps childlike curiosity alive — not naive, but reverent.
Meaning Maker
- Weaves ritual, symbol, and metaphor into daily life.
- Feels the mythic in the mundane and honors it with intention.
Gentle Guide
- Walks beside others without leading or pushing.
- Helps people rediscover their own inner compass.
Ethical Dreamer
- Believes compassion, beauty, and justice are acts of spiritual integrity.
- Tends to values like they are living things.
Myth-Literate
- Speaks in archetypes and symbols, not to escape life, but to deepen it.
- Uses stories to heal, connect, and expand understanding.
Soft Resistance
- Moves slowly in a world that demands speed.
- Offers stillness and meaning as quiet rebellion.
Sacred Minimalist
- Chooses less, but with depth.
- Believes simplicity can be an altar.
Inner Gardener
- Cultivates wonder in self and others.
- Knows that awe must be watered, protected, and sometimes rekindled.
Keeper of the Flame

Holds space for grief, joy, mystery, and transformation.
Protects the fragile spark of what truly matters — in all beings.

A Wonder Tender isn’t a title. It’s a way of moving through the world with open eyes, soft hands, and a strong heart.

A Wonder Tender is someone who nurtures awe — a gentle guardian of the sacred, mysterious, and beautiful aspects of life. Rather than chasing enlightenment or answers, they care for the flame of curiosity, reverence, and meaning.

What a Wonder Tender Is:

A curator of awe – tending to small, fleeting moments with attention and gratitude
A keeper of inner light – honoring dreams, myths, symbols, and emotions
A soft guide – helping others reconnect with wonder through presence, not persuasion
A meaning gardener – planting ideas, stories, and rituals that grow into deeper truths
An ethical dreamer – living by values rooted in reverence for life and connection

A Wonder Tender might be:

A writer who crafts metaphors like sacred lanterns
A teacher who creates rituals out of questions, not just answers
A friend who listens as if your story is a myth unfolding
A seeker who finds beauty in the cracks of everyday life
A researcher with a hunger and relentless passion for knowing.
A photographer who feels compelled to document everything.

They don’t claim to know — they care.

Each ritual is gentle yet powerful — meant to anchor you in wonder, connect you to your inner mythmaker, and turn everyday life into sacred practice.

Wonder Tender Ritual Practices

(with writing, poetry & photography as core tools)

1. Dawn Pages of Devotion (Writing)

Each morning, write three slow pages — not to be productive, but to meet yourself. Let it be prayer, poem, blur, or memory. Title each entry like a sacred scroll.

Prompt: “What is my heart whispering before the day speaks?”

2. Myth Mapping (Writing + Photography)

Take a walk with your camera. Capture five images. Later, write a myth or short fable inspired by what you saw — a cracked sidewalk, a crow’s flight, a forgotten chair.

Prompt: “If this image were a symbol in my life’s story, what would it mean?”

3. Altars of Light (Photography + Ritual)

Create seasonal or emotional altars in your space — using natural objects, candles, old letters, found images. Photograph them in soft light. Let them become visual poems of feeling.

Sacred twist: Change the altar at each moon phase. Honor grief, joy, longing, or hope.

4. The Quiet Poem (Poetry)

Choose one small, ordinary moment each day — the steam from a mug, birdsong through glass, a tear not yet cried. Write a 4-line poem. Keep it private.
This is your daily devotion to the beauty of noticing.

5. The Wonderwalk (Photography + Meditation)

Go for a 20-minute walk with your camera. No goal but this: See the world like a child who believes in fairies.
Photograph shadows, symbols, gestures of nature. Then write one line of poetry for each image.

6. Ancestral Letters (Writing)

Write letters to mythic ancestors — real or imagined. Write to Gaia, Sappho, Rumi, your grandmother, or your future self. Ask them for guidance or tell them what you’ve learned.

Prompt: “What wisdom do I carry that wants to be remembered?”

7. The Candle Question (Ritual + Writing)

Each night, light a single candle. Ask one sacred question aloud. Write freely beneath its flicker.

Examples:

What is sacred today?

What story am I living in?

What must be grieved to be whole?

8. Photopoem Fusion (Photography + Poetry)

Choose a photo you’ve taken — ideally one filled with mystery or subtle emotion. Write a freeform poem across it (physically or digitally).
This is your soul speaking in both light and word.

9. Seasons of the Self (Photography Series + Journal)

Track your inner life like the seasons. Each solstice or equinox, take a self-portrait — not for vanity, but for witness.
Journal what is being born, dying, shedding, or blooming within.

10. The Wonder Binder (Creative Archive)

Keep a physical or digital “tender’s grimoire” — filled with poetry, quotes, photos, symbols, pressed leaves, and fragments of dreams.
This is your sacred document, your growing myth.

A Wonder Tender can be found across time, culture, and form — in writers, poets, photographers, artists, and quiet cultural voices who tend to awe, beauty, truth, and mystery with care.
Here’s a list of Wonder Tenders, both living and departed — souls who gently shaped the world through presence, meaning, and reverent creativity:

Writers & Poets

Mary Oliver – Her poems are daily prayers to the wild and wondrous.

Rainer Maria Rilke – A soul-tender whose letters and poems cradle deep existential mystery.

Ross Gay – Celebrates delight with radical softness and joy as resistance.

Ocean Vuong – Blends pain and grace into lyrical wonder.

Kahlil Gibran – Spoke of love, loss, and the sacred in the everyday.

Patti Smith – Punk priestess who writes like a mystic in denim.

Clarissa Pinkola Estés – Myth-loving storyteller who nurtures the wild soul.

May Sarton – Her journals are contemplative masterpieces of solitude and truth.

David Whyte – A poetic philosopher of presence and courageous living.

James Baldwin – Saw into the soul of a nation with fire and tenderness.

Photographers & Visual Seers

Sally Mann – Explored mortality, myth, and family through haunting images.

Dorothea Lange – Saw the dignity in struggle; tendered truth with her lens.

Vivian Maier – A mysterious observer of small wonders in everyday life.

Francesca Woodman – Made her inner world mythic through haunting, poetic images.

Minor White – Believed photographs were metaphors for the spirit.

Artists, Cultural Icons & Visionaries

Fred Rogers – A quiet revolutionary of empathy and wonder.

Albert Einstein – Not just a scientist, but a philosopher of mystery and awe.

Hilma af Klint – Painter of the unseen spiritual world, ahead of her time.

Leonard Cohen – Poet-songwriter of beauty, brokenness, and grace.

Georgia O’Keeffe – Found sacredness in bones, flowers, and desert silence.

Carl Jung – Tended the deep inner mythic self of modern psychology.

Thich Nhat Hanh – Whispered the sacred into every breath and bowl.

Anaïs Nin – Journaled the mythic feminine and the inner tides of becoming.

Emily Dickinson – Reclusive guardian of inner galaxies, word by luminous word.

Yoko Ono – A conceptual dreamer turning fragments of grief into global art offerings.

These Wonder Tenders weren’t necessarily loud, powerful, or perfect.
They nurtured the unseen — through metaphor, image, ritual, and kindness.

Manifesto of the Wonder Tender

I do not seek to conquer truth,
but to cradle it.
To warm the quiet flame of mystery
and guard the sacred hush between answers.

I walk with bare feet across the stories of the world,
feeling for the symbols buried in soil and skin,
listening for the forgotten music
between logic and longing.

I tend to wonder like a garden —
watering questions, pruning cynicism,
inviting both wild bloom and slow decay.
I believe awe is not a luxury,
but a necessity of the soul.

I carry no commandments,
only lanterns.
I do not preach, I pause.
I do not demand belief, I invite presence.
My compass is care.
My altar is attention.

In a world that rushes,
I remain — still enough to witness.
Still enough to notice the myth within the mundane,
the divine within the daily.

I believe in meaning that breathes.
I believe we are all stories —
becoming, unraveling,
being stitched back together
by love, loss, ritual, and reimagining.

I am a Wonder Tender.
Not here to lead you.
Here to walk beside you
as you remember the way.

Monday, January 20, 2025

Canadian Naïve Art (Primitivism)

Naïve Art, also known as Primitive Art or Primitivism, refers to a style of art characterized by simplicity, childlike perspective, and a lack of formal artistic training or techniques. It often emphasizes bold colors, strong outlines, and a direct approach to subject matter. This style typically includes elements like exaggerated perspectives, intuitive compositions, and a focus on everyday scenes or folklore themes. Here is a comprehensive list of Naive Art Artists.

Historically, Naïve Art emerged in the late 19th and early 20th centuries as a reaction against the complexity and formalism of academic art. Artists sought to return to more spontaneous and genuine forms of expression, often inspired by folk art, children's art, or non-Western artistic traditions.

Prominent Naïve artists include Henri Rousseau, known for his lush jungle scenes, Alfred Wallis's nautical works of St. Ives and Grandma Moses, famous for her nostalgic depictions of rural life in America. Naïve Art continues to influence contemporary artists who value its authenticity, directness, and emotional resonance.

Canadian Naïve Art is a unique and vibrant expression of the broader Naïve art movement, characterized by its portrayal of Canadian landscapes, rural life, and cultural heritage. These artists often share the defining traits of Naïve art, such as simplified forms, bright colors, and a sense of untrained creativity, but their work is deeply rooted in the Canadian environment and traditions.

Notable Canadian Naïve Artists

Maud Lewis (1903–1970)
One of Canada’s most famous Naïve artists, Maud Lewis painted cheerful, colorful scenes of rural Nova Scotia, including fishing boats, animals, and landscapes. Despite severe arthritis and financial hardship, she created her works on small surfaces, even using house paint. Her iconic, whimsical art has become a symbol of resilience and joy.
Alcide Morin (1917–1996)
A Quebec Naïve artist, Morin focused on the rural traditions and everyday life of French-speaking Canada. His works often depicted winter scenes, village festivals, and farming life, capturing a sense of nostalgia and community.
Horace Champagne (b. 1937)
Though best known for his pastel works, Champagne has occasionally ventured into Naïve-style paintings. His works often feature pastoral landscapes of Quebec and the Maritimes, reflecting a love for Canada’s countryside.
Yvonne Bolduc (1915–2001)
Bolduc is celebrated for her intricate depictions of Quebec's rural life, including family gatherings, festivals, and domestic activities. Her art is highly detailed and imbued with a sense of storytelling, echoing the region's folk traditions.

Characteristics of Canadian Naïve Art

Focus on Nature and Landscapes: Many Canadian Naïve artists draw inspiration from the country's vast and varied landscapes, including forests, rivers, mountains, and rural scenes.
Folk Traditions: The art often reflects local customs, stories, and cultural heritage, especially in Quebec, where folk art traditions are strong.
Whimsical and Optimistic Themes: Like other Naïve art, Canadian Naïve works frequently exude a sense of joy, simplicity, and charm.
Seasonal Imagery: Given Canada’s distinct seasons, artists often depict snowy winters, vibrant autumns, and lush summers.

Legacy and Appreciation

Canadian Naïve Art holds a special place in the country's artistic history, celebrated for its authenticity and connection to everyday life. Works by artists like Maud Lewis have gained international acclaim, inspiring exhibitions, films, and books. Naïve Art continues to resonate with collectors and art enthusiasts who appreciate its honest, unpretentious beauty.

Sunday, December 22, 2024

Photography Creative Process and Having a North Star as Inspiration for a Body of Work

For a photographer, having a North Star as inspiration for a body of work means identifying a central theme, idea, or emotional core that guides their creative process. This metaphorical "North Star" serves as a point of focus, ensuring that every image within the collection aligns with the overarching intent or vision. Here's how it might manifest in practice:

1. Defining the North Star

The photographer begins by identifying what inspires them: a concept, a question, an emotion, or a personal experience.
For example:
- Conceptual North Star: Exploring the passage of time through urban decay.
- Emotional North Star: Capturing resilience in communities facing adversity.
- Personal North Star: Documenting a journey of self-discovery or cultural heritage.

2. Storytelling Through Imagery

The North Star acts as a compass for storytelling, helping the photographer build a cohesive narrative across the body of work.
Example: A photographer inspired by the theme of "light and hope" might focus on how natural light interacts with everyday life in different settings, from a bustling city to a quiet countryside.

3. Consistency in Style and Technique

To reflect their North Star, the photographer might adopt a specific style, color palette, or technique that reinforces the theme.
Example:
- A dreamy, soft focus for a body of work exploring nostalgia.
- Stark black-and-white contrast for a project about societal inequality.

4. Deepening the Connection

A photographer might draw on personal experiences, historical research, or cultural references that resonate with their North Star.
Example: If the inspiration is "resilience in nature," the photographer could capture plants growing in unexpected places, such as cracks in concrete, symbolizing survival against odds.

5. Inviting the Viewer Into the Journey

A strong North Star ensures the body of work communicates effectively with the audience, evoking curiosity, emotion, or reflection.
Example: A series on "the human connection to water" could include images of people in various interactions with water—ritualistic, recreational, and survivalist—encouraging viewers to reflect on their relationship with this vital element.

Case Study Examples

Sebastião Salgado: His North Star for Genesis was documenting the planet's pristine landscapes and the relationship between humanity and nature.
Cindy Sherman: Her self-portrait series focuses on identity and representation, guided by a North Star of exploring societal perceptions of women.
Steve McCurry: In his work, the North Star often revolves around capturing the beauty and resilience of the human spirit, as seen in his iconic Afghan Girl.

When a photographer aligns their body of work with a clear North Star, the results are often deeply resonant, unified, and enduring.

The North Star, Polaris, Ursa Minor, The Little Bear

The North Star, also known as Polaris, is a bright star in the night sky that is located almost directly above Earth's North Pole. It has significant cultural, navigational, and symbolic importance:

Astronomical Significance:

Polaris is part of the constellation Ursa Minor (the Little Bear) and is the brightest star in that constellation.
It is close to the celestial north pole, which is the imaginary point in the sky directly above the Earth's North Pole.
Because of its alignment with Earth's axis, it appears almost stationary in the night sky, with other stars seeming to rotate around it.

Navigational Importance:

Polaris has historically been used for navigation because it provides a fixed point to determine direction in the Northern Hemisphere.
Its height above the horizon correlates with the observer's latitude, making it a natural tool for estimating location.

Symbolic Meaning:

The North Star often represents guidance, constancy, and direction. It is frequently used as a metaphor for a clear vision or goal that keeps one oriented.

A Photographer's North Star

Pursuing a curiosity. Being creatively restless.

For a photographer, having a "North Star" symbolizes a guiding principle or core purpose that directs their creative vision and career. It’s a metaphor for staying true to one’s values, passion, and unique artistic voice in a field that can be full of trends and distractions. Here’s how this concept could manifest for a photographer:

1. Artistic Vision

The North Star represents the photographer's distinct style or perspective—what makes their work recognizable and meaningful.
For instance, they might focus on capturing raw emotions, telling untold stories, or highlighting overlooked beauty.

2. Purpose and Passion

It reflects their deeper reason for pursuing photography, such as raising awareness for a cause, documenting history, or expressing personal experiences.

3. Consistency Amid Change

Just as the North Star remains constant, a photographer’s North Star keeps them grounded despite shifts in industry trends or external pressures.

4. Navigating Challenges

When faced with setbacks or creative blocks, the North Star serves as a reminder of their “why,” helping them persevere and make choices aligned with their core mission.

5. Audience Connection

A clear North Star helps photographers attract an audience who resonate with their work, building stronger and more authentic connections.

Examples of a Photographer's North Star:

Documentary Photographer: Telling authentic human stories to inspire empathy.
Nature Photographer: Showcasing the Earth’s beauty to promote conservation.
Abstract Photographer: Exploring patterns, colors, and shapes to evoke emotion.
Portrait Photographer: Capturing the essence of individuality and identity.

Having a North Star ensures the photographer's work remains purposeful, impactful, and true to their core values.