Tim's Vermeer
July 22, 2014
Back in 2011 I taught a class in San Antonio, TX. Leslie Tucker Jenison was kind enough to put me up for a few nights. On that visit, she brought me to visit her husband Tim's workshop. His workshop is several huge warehouses, by the way. He had a number of fascinating projects going on -- one involving pinball machines and one involving Vermeer.
In case you don't know, Vermeer was a Dutch painter, probably most famous for the painting "Girl with a Pearl Earring."
In the art world he has always been hailed as a master of light. He seemed able to capture light in a way that no other painter could.
Vermeer was so ahead of his time that a lot of people have questioned how he did it. Several people posited that he may have used optics. Unlike many other painters, Vermeer's artworks have few underpaintings. There are no sketches or studies.
Leslie's husband, Tim, is an inventor, a film professional, and a computer guru. He set out to prove that Vermeer used science to create his art.
When I visited his workshop, he was in the midst of the project. And he and his friend Penn (of Penn & Teller fame) were making a documentary about the experience.
Check out the trailer:
Well, a few weeks ago I finally watched the documentary and it is so fabulous! Fascinating and stimulating and just really really great.
When I was there in person and I peeked into the room that he had created in order to test out his optics theory, I was impressed. But it wasn't until I watched the movie that I truly understood everything that had gone into creating that room. It's mind blowing.
I think the documentary asks some important questions about artistry. What is the art of painting? Composition? Dedication? Ability to paint realistically? Methodology?
If you have a chance to watch Tim's Vermeer, do. I give it two thumbs up. I believe it's in some theatres and definitely available on Netflix.
Thanks for stopping by!
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P.S. Tomorrow I'll be on HSN! The schedule is always up for a change, but I'm currently scheduled in the 8am and 2pm EST slots! Tune in if you can! It helps my nerves to know that there are friendly people out there watching!