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Creative Borrowing: How visual artists make old ideas new
Painters who borrow from other painters are inspired by the challenge of taking master works a step further. The practice of appropriation is a legitimate exercise in creative circles, one that often fosters innovative...
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Rainer Maria Rilke: Branding a Poet's Life
The writings of Rainer Maria Rilke include poetry, letters and journals that thoroughly document his personal struggles and triumphs as one of Europe's most important literary figures. Rilke's self-fashioned,...
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Paul Klee's Angels
Paul Klee produced a series of drawings and paintings that feature angels. These creatures appear as half-human, half-divine beings, with obvious flaws and shortcomings. Over 30 of the awkward angels were created...
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Beauce: Art Pottery from Quebec, Canada
Established in the 1940s, the Beauce ceramics factory began as a government project designed to train young farmers in pottery production. The Ceramique de Beauce produced a range of art objects and functional pieces...
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Looking at Art—How to Apply Goethe's 3-Point Critiquing Method
Goethe's three-question method for analysing a work of art can help you develop a critic's discerning eye. Whether you admire or abhor the painting in front of you, the answers to these questions will give your opinion...
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Bonnefanten Museum in Maastricht, the Netherlands
The Bonnefanten Museum is a unique contemporary building that dominates the east bank of the Maas river in Maastricht, The Netherlands. The design of the post-modern museum is a late example of the theatrical style of...
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Romantic Landscapes: Exploring the Picturesque
The Romantic movement developed a new way of looking at landscape. Guide books from the late 1700s directed tourists to specific sites where views were "picturesque." By looking at the scenery reflected in the dark...
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Westergasfabriek in Amsterdam: From Industrial site to Cultural Centre
The Westergasfabriek in Amsterdam is a model for heritage preservation and adaptive reuse. A former industrial site was restored, renovated and refurbished to function as a contemporary cultural centre and recreational...
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Longwy: Art Pottery from France
Longwy ceramics, made in France, were first created as cloisonne look-alikes. The vivid enamel colours painted on earthenware became a signature style for Longwy art pottery - one that continues to appeal to collectors...
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"The Paper Garden: Mrs. Delany begins her life's work at 72" a biography by Molly Peacock
Mary Delany (1700 - 1788) was an amateur botanist who invented a method for creating paper collage images of flowers and plants. The biography "The Paper Garden" by Molly Peacock charts the story of Mrs. Delany's...
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The Paisley Shawl: Threads of history
Paisley shawls made in Scotland during the 1800s became a popular accessory throughout Europe. Their history charts the transformation from an exclusive item worn only by the elite to a mass-produced, affordable...
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Confessions of an Ex-Expat: The Dream vs. Reality
Life as an expat can be full of surprises—both good and bad. My experience as a Canadian living in Montevideo, Uruguay ended with a one-way ticket homeward bound.
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Repetition in Art: Boring or Beautiful?
Artists use repetition to instruct, move and delight the audience, but does it work better on the ears or the eyes?
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Teatro Colon: Marble, Music and Turmoil
Teatro Colon in Buenos Aires is considered one of the most magnificent opera houses in the world. This article traces the history of the building, its architecture and the politics that have affected artistic...
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Carl Poul Petersen: Master Canadian silversmith
Carl Poul Petersen is regarded as a master Canadian silversmith of the 20th century. From his early work as an apprentice to Georg Jensen in Denmark, to his late-career creation of the Stanley Cup hockey trophy in...
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Collecting Imari Porcelain
Collecting antique Imari porcelain has been a hobby of mine for several years. The unique characteristics of the Japanese ceramics made for export to Europe are described here, along with an outline of Imari's...
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A Cultural Walking Tour of Montevideo, Uruguay
This is an illustrated tour highlighting the historic landmarks, plazas and streets of the old city of Montevideo. Explore the rich culture of the Uruguayan capital.
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I'm a world traveller, art collector, nature lover, writer and photographer. I enjoy writing about collectible treasures, history, literature, art and architecture. Cities with a wealth of cultural heritage and fine museums are my favourite travel destinations, although my home base is located in a quiet village on the Atlantic coast.