Art: Will Only An Original Do?

I commented on another blogger's recent post that I have few photographic images of artwork in my home. So not true! I've realized that much of my "art" are images captured by friends that I've framed and hung. I have just a few pieces of original paintings- though I am working on adding to my collection! The challenge is that I always felt a little "cheesy" buying prints of famous pieces. Especially those with brushstrokes in an attempt to emulate the original.

My recent discovery of Raoul Dufy (1877-1953), however, reminds me why people buy prints-- for the love of the art.

Dufy artist was born in Le Havre and began working at the age of 14 at a coffee import company. He was able to study art, however, through evening classes at Le Havre Ecole des BeauxArts at 18. Five years later, he attended the Ecole Nationale des Beaux-Arts in Paris under scholarship.

One of the most fascinating things to me is the variety of mediums Dufy used- oil paintings, water colors, drawings, wood carvings, and textile designs- as well as styles. Monet, Matisse, and Cezanne all served as sources of influences to Dufy.

The Mississippi Museum of Art is hosting an exhibition of Raoul Dufy: A Celebration of Beauty through July 5. (You might have seen Veranda Magazine's feature on the exhibition).

These are just a few samples of his work. Interestingly, it seems that one can find some relatively affordable pieces of his work.

And a personal note- we've been without Internet access all weekend, so I am way behind on blog reading! And check out my new header- from Jean Sanders! Oh- and I owe StyleCourt for my discovery of Dufy. I clicked on her Eudora Welty phototography reference and it took me right to him!