Interpretations of Chagall's Flowers

Petals, copyright Nina Leung, 2013

It was very fun being limited to Chagall's palette this week. I believe limitations like that make for a better creative experience. I often do this with my students or my son to force them to think only of what they're making and not worry so much about choice. Sometimes choices lead to confusion.

I've definitely simplified the elements of Chagall's Flowers. Some radiating forms, loose lines, and organic shapes. You'll notice I really only focused on the flower part of the painting and completely ignored the bird and the couple. I just didn't find those parts as interesting to explore. The expressionist forms are much more exciting to me.

Swirling, copyright Nina Leung, 2013

Waves, copyright Nina Leung, 2013

Blue Form, copyright Nina Leung, 2013

copyright Gio Leung, 2013

Another wonderful interpretation from Gio. He enjoys color very much, as you can see here. With kids his age it's hard to keep them from using every color in the paint box, particularly at the same time. I gave him two colors at a time which helped prevent him from making "mud". The masking helps create a little bit of form. I helped him with the masking, but everything else is his alone.

Interpretations of Niki de Saint Phalle

Buried Forms, copyright Nina Leung, 2013

I concentrated on creating works that had a lot of white, contrast, and organic shapes. The basic elements of the work of  Niki de Saint Phalle are here as well as some additions from the inspirations I found this week.

Orchid Forms, copyright Nina Leung, 2013

Here are the orchids from the Natural Wonders post. I promised to try making a painting (this is pastel, actually) based on those beautiful spotted orchids. The petals are simplified and made into forms, but I kept the coloring and loose symmetry.

Glass Snake, copyright Nina Leung, 2013

This snake could be a copy of one of Niki de Saint Phalle's sketches for her perfume bottle. I really love that perfume bottle. Wouldn't this design make a beautiful stained glass window?

Hollow Form, copyright Nina Leung, 2013

I had to do something more sculptural. Niki de Saint Phalle did so many sculptures of Nana. This watercolor is a simple form that looks sculptural.

A Maze Lava, copyright Gio Leung, 2013

A work by the amazing Gio. My 3.5 year old son taped a piece of paper to a table, masked lines on it and colored in the empty spaces with oil pastels. This was after looking at some Niki de Saint Phalle works in the book Niki de Saint Phalle.

Interpretations of Rousseau

Swirling Green, copyright Nina Leung, 2013

Rousseau's tropical atmosphere is fun to mimic and interpret as my own. I loved using rich colors and a lot of greens. Just as Rousseau does, I wanted to make everything look fertile and juicy and rich. That's what I was going for. My 3.5 year old son, Gio got involved as well, making a Rousseau-inspired collage. He enjoys making art with me!

Nourishing Leaves, copyright Nina Leung, 2013

Rousseau's Blooms, copyright Nina Leung, 2013

Linked Leaves, copyright Nina Leung, 2013

Feathered Tropics, copyright Nina Leung, 2013

Rousseau's Collage, copyright Gio Leung, 2013

Interpretations of The Rose

Socotra Flower, copyright Nina Leung, 2013

I tried to mimic the atmosphere of The Rose in these paintings and drawings. They are inspired by Jay DeFeo's remarkable painting and the other images and subjects I've explored this week. The drawing above is all about Socotra Island. I imagine the plants needing to change and evolve in unusual ways in order to survive. 

See if you can figure out what images or feelings inspired which paintings/ drawings.

Radiations, copyright Nina Leung, 2013

Segmented Sections, Copyright Nina Leung, 2013

Striated Home, Copyright Nina Leung, 2013