Tag: Design

Angelica Kauffmann

On By ResaIn Making Her Mark60 Comments

It was an extreme pleasure to view 2 of Angelica Kauffmann’s paintings at the Making Her Mark exhibit, at the Art Gallery of Ontario (AGO).

Sappho Inspired by Love

1775 – Oil on Canvas

Born in Switzerland in 1741, Angelica studied under her father, muralist Johann Joseph Kauffman. By 12 years of age she was considered a prodigy, could sing (soprano) and was soon fluent in German, Italian, French and English.

In the early 1760s, a transient life travelling through Switzerland, Austria, and Italy, as her father’s assistant, introduced her to classical and Renaissance art. She also became familiar with the emerging art movement, Neoclassicism.

In this painting-

“the Greek poet Sappho – (around 630-around 570 BCE) – known for her poetry about desire between women – collaborates on a verse with Cupid, the god of love.” -AGO

“Translations of Sappho’s erotic poetry circulated throughout the 1700’s, contributing to her reputation as a historical touchpoint for female and queer poets.” – AGO

In 1765 Angelica was elected to Rome’s Academia di San Luca, in recognition of her works.

Accompanying Lady Wentworth, Angelica moved to London in 1766. Here she became the demanded portraitist for aristocrats and royalty.

In 1767, she married a fraudulent Count Frederick von Horn, clergyman. Later that same year, Angelica found herself abandoned. The imposter had been found out and fled the scene.

Telemachus Returning to Penelope

circa 1771 -Oil on Canvas

In 1768, Angelica Kauffmann and Mary Moser, became the only female painters among the founding members of London’s Royal Academy of Art. Her work showed regularly at the Academy for the next 16 years.

Angelica formed a personal style of painting women from classical history and mythology. This strong brand of hers evolved from the reality that women were not permitted, excluded from life drawing classes.

In the 1770’s, she became part of a team painting interior designs for  Robert Adam. A Scottish architect and designer, he, with his brother James, transformed English Palladian Neoclassicism into the airy, light, elegant Adam decor.

Telemachus, the son of Odysseus and Penelope, is now a man and a warrior. He has aided Odysseus in slaying the unwanted suitors of Penelope, and is back at home in Ithaca.

In 1781, at 39 years of age and after the death of von Horn, she is remarried to the Venetian painter, Antonio Zucchi. He succeeds Angelica’s father as her business manager.

The marriage contract guarantees her the rights to her income.

She retired to Rome in the early 1780s with her husband, Antonio Zucchi.

In 1782 Angelica Kauffman opens an internationally attended studio beside the Spanish Steps (a Baroque stairway in Rome, connecting the Piazza di Spagna with the Trinità dei Monti church.) It becomes the “In Place” for intellects.

In 1787, Angelica Kauffman becomes a dear friend of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe. She paints his portrait and becomes part of Goethe’s innermost circle.

Angelica Kauffmann died in 1807. She had become exceedingly famous by that time; so much so that Antonio Canova (prominent Neoclassical sculptor), directed her funeral. It was inspired by the funeral of the Renaissance master Raphael.

Click on banner to view research links.

Photos taken by © Resa McConaghy – May 14, 2024

Art Gallery of Ontario – Toronto, Canada

To view all posts from the Making Her Mark exhibit, click on the banner at the top of the side bar.

A female artist in the 18th century, Angelica Kauffman’s liberation was an onerous victory.

Bricks’n’Nicks on 26!

On By ResaIn Nick Sweetman, Street Art139 Comments

🎉 HAPPY NEW YEAR! 🎉

Hi there! I’m Bricks, and that there back-up pigeon behind me is Nicks. We’ve been rhabdomancing around the hood, searching for this year’s water supply, but what do we find instead?

Nicks– Slogans, advice, info, euphemisms, catchphrases, idioms, shibboleth, jargon, information, direction, reminders … like –

OR

Bricks -So, while we are walkin’ the walk and gettin’ the straight street talk, we figure we might as well pass it on to you humans. After all, you need it more than we do.

Nicks – Yeah, you humans need to chill out!

Bricks – That’s right. Slow down and Inhale/Exhale!

Nicks – Be Kind -Unwind!

Bricks – Of course some of the information can be disturbing.

Nicks – You mean like this one?

Nicks – How can anyone on the planet be illegal? Yet, we need to be reminded?

Bricks – Yeah, the reminders can be pointed. BUT some messages are more positive Euphemisms, like –

AND

AND

AND

Nicks – Well, are they euphemisms or advice or sayings?

Bricks– You’re makin’ me think to hard, and thinkin’s like work. You know what they say!

Bricks – But of course you’ll just keep asking questions, makin’ me think. You just can’t stop!

Bricks – Won’t Stop!

Nicks – That’s right! So, are we doves, Bricks? I want to be a dove? Can we be doves?

Bricks – YES! We are doves; big, fat, colourful street doves. But why do you care?

Nicks – Because I want to wish everyone PEACE & LOVE in this New Year!

Bricks – Well, that’s a dream.

Nicks – If I can dream it, I can live it!

Bricks – I’m down with that!

Pics taken by Resa – May 23, 2025

Toronto, Canada

Bricks’n’Nicks artist:

Heartfelt Best Wishes

On By ResaIn Holidays140 Comments

Solstice, Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanza – whatever you celebrate, or don’t, have a good one!

This is posting on the Solstice, so I put it first. Hanukkah ends the next day. Then it’s Christmas, then Kwanza.

It began with a spotting from the streetcar. On an unused building, there are 2 wonderful nature scenes. They are what Trent (rip) named “Indoor Outdoor Art”. Painted in a studio, then coated with a clear protective coating, the paintings are finally adhered to a building.

The beautiful spirit woman drove me nuts to return on the first cloudy day. Due to the sun, (even on a cloudy day) the protective coating and the black background, I could not capture any images of the woman (my fave part) without reflections.

Left: cloudy day/ normal aperture opening. Right: black cloud day/ aperture closed amap

I returned twice more. The last time it was black sky. Even at that, the reflections were stubborn, so I closed the aperture to the extent the camera allowed. A dead on shot of her face close up, was difficult.

  • The reflections made me crazy, so I hit the black point in editing and got this.

This image is on the east side of the building. There is a narrow path between it, and the patio of the restaurant next door.

On the west side of the building, is the man spirit painting. It too is along a narrow path, but was easier to capture due to the angle of the sun, and not having a black background.

His colours are fantastic.

Pics taken by Resa – July & October, 2025

Toronto, Canada

The Artist: Joseph Sagaj is a Canadian indigenous artist, Anishnaabe of the Sturgeon Clan from the remote community of Neskantaga.

You can see my feet and legs reflected in the signature.

This head appears emerging out of the trees and into the water in the first scenic shot of the post!

This is my last post on GLAM this year. My old computer died, and now I need to spend some time catching up visiting!

Jesus – Paintings by Women in the 16th & 17th centuries

On By ResaIn Making Her Mark108 Comments

Josepha Ayala

Portuguese: 1630 -1684

Josefa de Ayala, aka Josefa de Óbidos, was a novelty. She was celebrated after her death; the only woman known to have worked as a painter in Portugal, during that period.

The Christ Child as Pilgrim – 1676 – Oil on Canvas

Josepha learned to paint by helping her father, Baltazar Gomes Figueira. In her lifetime, Portugal was monetarily unstable and often at war. However, much of her artwork was for patrons in Coimbra, a wealthy area boasting a university.

At 29 years old, her parents gave written permission for her to be to be a Donzela emancipada. (emancipated woman). She remained unmarried and independent for her entire life.

She received many commissions, during her lifetime. However, Josepha was wealthy from real estate investments and was able to refuse work at the Portuguese court.

She signed many of her artworks, as Salvator Mundi. Thinking this was a male painter attracted clients, and prevented her from being forgotten over time.

Lavinia Fontana

Italian: 1552 -1614

Born in Bologna, died in Rome; Lavinia Fontana painted in the Mannerist style she was taught by her father, Prospero Fontana.

Holy Family with Saints Margaret and Francis – 1578

An important portraitist in the late 16th century, she also produced many religious paintings. Lavinia was celebrated for the vibrant colour and detail of the clothes and jewels her subjects wore. She also became one of the first women to render publicly funded, large scale figure paintings.

In 1577 Fontana married Gian Paolo Zappi. An inferior painter, he pivoted to becoming her business agent.

Some of her paintings are signed with her married name.

Lavinia was the mother of 11 children.

Enjoying the patronage of the family of Pope Gregory XIII, Lavinia painted portraits of much of the elite.

 In 1604 she painted the Martyrdom of St. Stephen, for San Paolo Fuori le Mura in Rome. An altarpiece and her largest work, it was destroyed when the basilica burned down, in the fire of 1823.

This is an oil on canvas painting, and there were at least 2 others by Lavinia Fontana in the Making Her Mark exhibit. I’ll show those at another time, with a few more tidbits of her extraordinary life.

In the meantime, should you be interested to learn more about her, you can check out the links at the end of this post, search her online or in libraries.

Barbara Longhi

Italian: 1552 – 1638

Known primarily for her religious paintings, Barbara Longhi’s work can be difficult to differentiate from her father’s work. Her father, Luca Longhi, was a renown painter and miniaturist. Barbara began her art journey, by assisting him with altar pieces.

Virgin Mary & Infant Jesus – ca – 1575-80

She expanded beyond her father’s teachings by studying the works of Parmigianino and Correggio. Barbara painted primarily religious images, including several depictions of Madonna and Child with Renaissance style and features. I’m intrigued that parted drapes exposing landscapes was one of the elements.

Giorgio Vasari commended her for having “purity of line and soft brilliance of colour”.

Her ability to capture human interaction kept her one of the few successful career women of her day.

The Art Gallery of Ontario has obtained this  42.5 × 34 cm. oil on canvas painting for its permanent collection.

” Longhi’s painting, alongside two other gifted paintings by women artists (Mary Ann Alabaster (1805–1879) and Rosa Bonheur (1822–1899)), extends the AGO’s holdings of European Art by female artists three centuries deeper into the past.” – AGO

Click on the banner to go to resource links.

Photos © taken by Resa McConaghy – May 14, 2024

Something Fancy

On By ResaIn Book Reviews354 Comments

by: Robbie Cheadle

In Robbie’s words:

"but I have moved on to drawing and painting,
which now dominate my artistic life."

"This book is a celebration of my cake and fondant art phase of life"

And what a fantastic phase it was! Just check out her “Jack Frost” cake above! I was so inspired, I drew the “Jacquie Frost” Art Gown below.

I’m just learning how to do white, so did a rendition of icy-blue white with window frost effect.

Of course there’s more to the book than cakes! There’s recipes and background history of both how fancy desserts and their recipes came to be, with a focus on:

Christmas Cakes

Okay, so that’s another kind of cake, but it is Christmas soon, and I just had to show off Robbie’s Tiered Rainbow Fairies Christmas Cake!

Which leads me to another Art Gown drawing inspired by the above cake; The Rainbow Fairies’ Art Gown.

Robbie says – “The ice cream fairies cake is a very happy one for me.”

Well, I can add more happy!

More! There’s poetry. There’s photos. There’s fondant art. There’s heart.

And there’s Gingerbread!

If there is anything that could be constructed out of gingerbread, Robbie has engineered it.

To the left is her gingerbread Chapel.

To our right, is her gingerbread Windmill.

There are a lot of gingerbread creations in the book, but these two are the inspiration for my Gingerbread Art Gown, below.

Ginger models the Gingerbread Art Gown.

This lovely 100+ page book can set you up nicely for the oncoming holiday season, or any celebration that comes your way.

About Robbie Cheadle

South African author, photographer, and artist, Robbie Cheadle, has written and illustrated seventeen children’s books, illustrated a further three children’s books, and written and illustrated four poetry books. Her work has also appeared in poetry and short story anthologies. .

Robbie also has two novels and a collection of short stories published under the name of Roberta Eaton Cheadle and has horror, paranormal, and fantasy short stories featured in several anthologies under this name.

OR – Just click on Something Fancy above, and go directly to its Amazon page!

Something Fancy is available in book or ebook formats!

You can find her books on Amazon sites around the globe. Just search “Robbie Cheadle” for children and youth books – “Roberta Eaton Cheadle” for adult books.

Visit Robbie on her blogs! Roberta Writes and Robbies Inspiration

Visit Robbie on her YouTube Channel to watch her bake, and get some tips! 


Gal-lery I

On By ResaIn Faces, Street Art206 Comments

Thank you Lauren for thinking of me and taking these fab shots of beauty for me!

It’s a wonderful feeling to be thought of!

This gorgeous wall painting was taken by Lauren at Baydreamer Writes in late October, when out at a Mexican restaurant. I love it!

I also love Cora’s Quest (her first children’s book) and King Copper, Ever So Gently and More Than Coffee (fine poetry collections). Head to her site for the links to grab one of these gift-able books!

I’ve done reviews of all of her books. Just put the title into the “Search” engine not too far down the sidebar, and go to it.

MONA OF KENSINGTON

“This iconic Kensington Market mural is finally complete — 43 years after it was painted on a dare.”

She’s miserably hard to shoot up high and through wires, but she’s always been there. With her wonky eyes, she was there on my first shopping trip to Kensington.

When I started collecting street art, I did take pics of her. However, she was crumbling & in b&w. This summer the original artist returned and finished her. Here’s an article about it!

Faces in Waiting

The first stunning multi-colour face was on a Magic Mushrooms shop.

✨

✨

This second face is on a shipping container used as a shop. A row of these container businesses line the Dundas West Skateboard Park “DUNBAT”

✨

The third face was on a restaurant in Yorkville in 2020. It’s gone now.

THE VIOLINIST

I’d love to learn to paint white on black!

WOW! Watch Lindsey dress during the performance. Stunning!

Pics take by Resa 2020-2025

Toronto, Canada

The artists: in order of appearance

Machy Art

Unknown -on a Magic Mushrooms shop

Mathieu Bories

JOY

On By ResaIn Murals, Music, Tributes177 Comments

Celebrating the Life of Trent P. McDonald

“Any moron can destroy, let’s create!” – Trent P. McDonald

That is a quote from our email exchange on September 18, 2025. We were working on a collaboration: his new song, some street art and a chat.

From Trent’s description on Youtube – The rainbow can mean whatever you want, but it is not about “Gay Pride” or anything, unless that fits you personally. I just think of rainbows as being the opposite of boxes.

We couldn’t quite settle on any of the samples I sent. Then I found a quadriptych in an alley in Cabbagetown. The colours were perfect for the rainbow he was using in his video.

Trent – I really love the dancers!  I followed the link you sent and also the link that they have, to more info about the mural.  It is all great.

Resa – It sounds like we should go with the Dancers. I’ve been thinking about it, too, and it does fit with your song and vice versa.

Trent – There is the freedom of the styles – from the kid’s drawings of buildings to the Matisse inspired abstract dancers, The color palette is great.  It is very dynamic; the sense of movement is fantastic – not being boxed in at all!  Free expression.

Trent – I am not sure if you want to get into the music nerd side of it, but some questions can centre around the time being in 7-4, 6-4 and 5-4 while most pop/rock music is 4-4 with a very occasional 3-4 (waltz-like).  

Moving Elevation is the official title

Resa – The quadriptych was painted indoors on canvas. They were coated and moved outdoors onto an alley wall of a dance school.

Trent – There is a lot to be said about street art vs “traditional” art.  It is interesting to have “indoor street art”.

Resa – I was thinking that, too!

Children worked with the artists and created the backgrounds.

Citadel & Companie is the dance company that commissioned this quadriptych.

Part of their program offers dance lessons to children.

“It is lit from the blue sky above, even if the sky is covered in clouds.”

The above words are Trent’s, from one of our mails. We were talking about why a pic he took, of a drawing of a trumpet he had done, tuned blue.

That sentence applies to much more than just a photograph. I see it as a philosophic metaphor. Music, in Trent’s life, was always a light from above.

Trent – “For the most part I try to be a very positive person – i.e., my Weekly Smile.  Although I have written some “protest” songs lately and will continue to do so, I want to do it from a positive angle.”

Ghosts

The last panel of the quadriptych seemed somewhat apart from the other 3, because of the figures. My initial thoughts were of dancing ghosts. They now haunt.

Fiyero, one of his dogs had just died.

Trent – And thanks, Resa.  Even though I drove down to the Cape yesterday so should be in a “happy place,” I’ll admit I am a little depressed today.

Resa – Take it easy out there, and be careful. We are not at our sharpest when grieving, or even just blue.

Trent –  Some could be an after effect of losing Fiyero – Some could be just going from being on 100% of the time to being off.  I have had some stomach issues that have nothing to do with stress that isn’t helping.  The news and what is happening in my country is catching up to me as I sit here.

I suggested posting on the 16th of October, or just after. That would give us time to finish the Q&A!

Trent – Oh, the date sounds good.  I will be off line from the afternoon of October 9 until maybe the morning of October 13.  The 16th is perfect.

Resa -Write me tomorrow, or anytime! It doesn’t have to be about the post. Anything you want to say is okay by me.

Music Maker

Trent and I found our palship because of music. Oddly, inasmuch as we both love music and had a special spot for John Lennon, it was equipment, the hardware that instigated out first chats.

As my hubs is a musician/composer/producer, I’ve watched music equipment come and go: evolve from analog to digital, from the McLeyvier (ahead of its time & developed by a friend of ours) to the Synclavier (of which Trent had one).

Trent – Hi Resa, So, I decided to go ahead and do the cover of “Have You Ever Seen the Rain.” I just sketched it all out in a notation program (writing the notes, etc.) and have started to play around with it on the guitar.  I changed keys again from what I do with my instructor to make the guitar part easier.  I bumped it a little higher, but still not what CCR did – John Fogerty had a very high voice!

Anyway, thought you’d be interested to know that I am doing this.  Most likely I will record over the weekend and put it out early next week.

This is what would have been our 5th post together. If you’d like to see the other 4, just click on the banner below. Trent did the drawing of John Lennon.

Pics taken by Resa – September 18, 2025

Toronto, Canada

The Artists:

& the children

Click on the children dancing on the left to go to Eden Remme Watt’s website

Click on the guy dancing by the CN Tower, (on the left), to read about Rebecca Remme.

Click pic to view obit and well wishes