"The
horizon, though in actuality a dividing line, must become, in a
painting, a place where sky and land meet and mesh and become seamless."
It's stick season in Vermont. It's cold and dark and gray. However, the work of artist Wolf Kahn reminds me that there is beauty and color in the forest all year long.
Wolf
Kahn's artwork makes me feel calm and centered. If I can't go out for a
walk in the woods, looking at his paintings and pastels of forest and
mountain landscapes is the next best thing. Although Kahn primarily
lives and works in New York City, when looking at his work it is obvious
that he also spends time in Vermont. Kahn has a part-time residence in
Brattleboro!
Wolf
Kahn is a German-born artist who combines realism with an art style
called "color field." Color field painting is when the color is the
main subject of the piece of artwork.
First
and second graders looked at examples of Wolf Kahn's trees and
landscapes. We used chalk pastels to create color field backgrounds,
then add trees and other landscape elements.
Here
are some examples of first and second grade art inspired by Wolf Kahn.
In addition to the peaceful subject matter of these landscapes, many
students noticed the effect that blending the chalk pastels had on them.
Don't you feel calmer already?
