PopCult Rudy Panucci on Pop Culture

Monday Morning Art: Thinking

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This week’s Monday Morning Art gives you a double shot of digital paintings I did of someone else’s art. Normally I don’t like to base my art on a work created by someone else, but when you’re standing next to a small-scale artist’s study of one of the most famous sculptures of all time, “The Thinker,” by Auguste Rodin, you can’t help but be a bit inspired.

Both of my original photos were taken at The Art Institute of Chicago last December, where I was probably standing way the heck too close to Rodin’s work. The lighting, combined with my inexperience with my then-new camera phone, gave me images that were far from ideal journalistically, but filled with opportunity artistically.

Above you see a digital painting done in sloppy oils over a shot that was nearly in focus. I liked the fact that the sculpture was still recognizable. I also liked the overall composition with the paintings arranged on the wall behind it.

Below you see digital painting over a very dark close up, as I held my phone above the sculpture and shot down. On this one I used thick digital paints to mimic the weird lighting effects and evoke the texture of the original sculpture.

With both images, click to see a bigger version. I don’t really consider this week’s entry my own art. It’s more a couple of variations on Rodin’s work, by a lesser hand.  The Rodin exhibit at the Art Institute runs through March 24, if you are so inclined to go look at the work of this genius in person.

Below the bottom image, you’ll find an embedded play for The AIR. We’ll post updates on this week’s programs tomorrow.

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