Wednesday, October 7, 2009

A Visit with the Granddaddy of Modern Chic


This painting inspires me, so I wanted to share it with you.
It's a scene in Nice, France, painted by Raoul Dufy in 1928.
Are you acquainted with Dufy?
I don't know much about art, but I know what I like, and I LOVE Dufy.

When he visited the States back in 1951, Time magazine called him "the granddaddy of modern chic." I can certainly see why.
He's well known for his watercolors...

Very nice, but I'm crazy about his oil paintings.

They speak JOY to me, and I love their childlike effervescence.
I'm pretty sure that's not an art term, but I don't care. His works just make me happy.
One day I'd love to see this one in person.

It's called La Feé Electricité, The Electricity Fairy. As you can see, it's a HUGE panoramic view of the history of electricity. He created it for the Pavilion de l'Electricité at the 1937 World's Fair, but you can find it now at the Musée D'Art Moderne in Paris.
It's at the tippy top of my list of things to see the next time I go to France. (I AM going, even if I have to stow away in a suitcase on my husband's next business trip!)

I love Dufy's work so much that I even attempted to copy it. (Gulp! Don't hate me, ghost of Raoul Dufy!)

The process just made me love him more.
The next one I want to try?

This is it. Don't you want to dive into those delicious colors?
How about diving into this delightful 1950's cartoon about Dufy's life instead? It captures his childlike joy perfectly!

Have a wonder-full Wednesday, y'all!
Love, Becky

14 comments:

LW said...

Wow!

Your copy is beautiful……
Great job.


Louise

Renee said...

The walls in the gallery, oh my. I love them.

xoxo

Anonymous said...

Your copy is GREAT! I wouldn't have known...that is great style.

Kelly H-Y said...

How have I never heard of him?! Love the vividness of his paintings. And, my goodness ... your copy is SPECTACULAR ... truly, you are talented!!!

Rebecca Ramsey said...

Thanks, y'all, but copying a painting really isn't as hard as you might think. You should give it a try!
Dufy's work will inspire anyone to pick up a brush and give it a try!

Tatieva said...

Quel dommage que mes leçons d'anglais soit si lointaines !
Raoul Dufy... nous aimons beaucoup sa poésie en France... c'est un grand artiste. Et ses couleurs sont magiques et inspirantes, je comprends que cela t'emmène à écrire...
Kisses from France,
Tatieva, painter

Paula Clare said...

Becky,
The cartoon was wonderful! How great that you can emulate this wonderful artist! I would sit for hours in the museum I'm sure! WOW!

Thanks for sharing your love for "all things Paris" with us!

lotusgirl said...

I really like the one with the Eiffel Tower that you're going to paint next. fun. Next time I go to Paris I may have to go see that La fée Electricité.

Adrienne said...

The cartoon was delightful!
I love his work.

Rosemary said...

Wow Rebecca,
I think your copy is pretty amazing!!
Great job!
Rosemary

judy in ky said...

I love his paintings, too. They are so colorful and lively. I appreciate childlike effervescence. If it's not an art term, it should be.

Cathy ~ Tadpoles and Teacups said...

Such beautiful, bright colors!!

Fete et Fleur said...

Rebecca! Your rendition of his painting is amazing. I wish so much I could paint.

Hugs!
Nancy

Unknown said...

Very cool, Becky! That art gallery with his work on the walls looks amazing!