The benefits of studying art in depth
A Family Affair by Bruce K. Lawes.
This story was featured in the May 2020 issue of Southwest Art magazine. Get the Southwest Art May 2020 print issue or digital download now–then subscribe to Southwest Art and never miss another story.
WELCOME TO our special May issue, with which we mark the 49th anniversary of Southwest Art. We’re closing in on our 50th birthday in 2021, but in the meantime, we took a moment to look back at the past year’s issues and select some of our favorite individual artworks. It was no easy task, considering that we published 30 Artists to Watch columns, nearly 100 previews of events, 30-plus artists’ profiles, and at least a dozen portfolios showcasing well over 100 artists altogether. That’s easily more than a thousand images that have appeared in our pages—what an abundance of creativity we have had the privilege to share with you!
Choosing just a handful of those artworks as personal favorites is both a pleasure and a challenge, and I’ve found that the decision-making process does two things: first, it forces me to slow down and look very closely at each artwork; second, it helps me clarify the elements of art that resonate most with me, teaching me a little bit about my own tastes. I’ve learned, for example, that the surface texture of a painting is something that always stands out to me, regardless of the subject matter depicted. I’ve also learned that I love—among other things—winter landscapes and scenes with boats.
Personal preferences aside, though, the process of slowing down and looking closely at artwork is such a rewarding endeavor. Doing so in person, of course, is ideal, but even studying pieces on a printed page or digital screen is a joy. Studying an artist’s color choices, compositional decisions, brush strokes, and other aspects of a painting reveal nuances that a quick glance can never offer.
Consider the compelling painting shown here by Bruce K. Lawes, which we didn’t have room to include in our profile on his work (see page 50). Check out the magnificent patterning and textures that make up the elephants’ skin, from their ears to their trunks to their bodies. Notice the shapes of the dappled sunlight that dance across the head of the elephant on the left. Finally, take a moment to appreciate all the different lines running through the composition that delineate the overlapping bodies, and how your eye follows those lines around and across the image. It’s one more example of the great skill and creativity that artists bring to their work, which we get to enjoy when we take the time.
This story was featured in the May 2020 issue of Southwest Art magazine. Get the Southwest Art May 2020 print issue or digital download now–then subscribe to Southwest Art and never miss another story.
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