I am marking my resumption of this Blog with a series of watercolours by Dong Kingman, 1911-2000, one of my favourite watercolour artists. He was a Chinese-American painter in the style of the California School ("The California Style of watercolor painting which flourished from the mid-1920's to the mid-1950's gave the traditional watercolor medium a bold new look.This new representational art, defined by a large format, free broad brush strokes, and strong rich colors, documented scenes and activities of everyday life on the Pacific Coast. California's cities and industrial sites, its beaches and harbors, and its vast open landscapes were interpreted by hundreds of artists using innovative new approaches to watercolor painting". www.calart.com)
You can double-click the pictures for a better view
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| 442 Combat Team at Leghorn 1976. I like the use of leaving parts of the paper white to convey bright sunlight. |
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| I can't find any information about this picture but I really like the use of vivid colour and the simplicity of the design. |
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| Rickshaws Under a Tree There is a strong Chinese influence (apart from the obvious subject matter) visible here. |
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South Street Bridge 1955.
Kingman worked in the film industry and many of his images appear to be on film-set locations. Sometimes cine equipment can be seen in the paintings. I'm not sure if that applies here but it definitely can be seen in the final picture below.
Four Men on a Bicycle
For me, these paintings convey the pure joy of simply looking at them!
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22 comments:
Bazza, old chap,
I have been patiently staring at my computer screen waiting for your next blog to finally arrive.
Those watercolours by Dong Kingman, the illustrious Chinese-American artist, are a marvel to my eyes. I agree there is pure joy in simply looking at them.
Welcome back, good sir.
Gary
I love watercolors. These beautiful paintings really capture the hues of California.
Nice to see your blog back, Bazza.
Gary: Ah, Mr Reliable is first to comment. I am honoured. I hugely enjoy these paintings and I am pleased that you do too!.
Arlene: Thanks for the kind welcome! I don't think any other medium can express light so well. And these pictures are quintessentially Chinese-American.
Hi Bazza,
Firstly, welcome back!
Secondly, what wonderful paintings! I don't think that I have seen any like these before, but then again, I am not as worldly on art as you are.
A fine post to come back with! :)
J
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Thanks John. I think these paintings have broad appeal because of the simplicity and lack of pretension. Kingman is not well known and, frankly, there are better painters technically but I would always give house-room to one of his pictures!
Welcome back, bazza! And such pleasant pictures you've chosen for your return, very vibrant and, as you say, a sheer joy to look at.
Very Best Wishes and glad you have returned,
David.
Hi David. I am delighted that these lovely paintings seem to be so well liked. I'm glad to be back!
First of all, welcome back bazza, I hope you had a fine old time away. The paintings are lovely, I particularly like the Rickshaw one, there's such a light touch to them, I've always worked in thick oils or acrylics, I'm heavy of hand I guess, so it's good to see works like this. :)
Hello AC. Thanks for the welcome back. Lightness of touch is what epitomises many watercolour paintings. It seemed to be the perfect medium for Kingman.
Hi Bazza. I hope you've had a wonderful 'holiday' - I missed you.
Nice return choice! Kingman has always left me shaking my head. How can his paintings invoke all physical senses? His gift is so refined. I think the four really belong together; they're almost like a "four seasons" adventure.
Hi Dixie. At last! Someone who knows of Kingman. I like your four seasons idea - even if there are five paintings....
I only see four paintings!! Help.
Definitely five!
Well, Mr Bazza, I just read your comment on Starting Over, Accepting Changes. You presumptuously suggested I was phishing. Perhaps if you had scrolled up you would have noticed I was following up on a previous comment. I regularly read and comment on the blog. I genuinely care about the writer. I am not amused.
Hi Susan. I was referring to other comments which have now been removed and were phishing! Sorry for the misunderstanding :(
My sincere apologies, Bazza. I am not usually so crabby. If fact not often at all. Never wise to abandon ones principles. Lesson learned. sue
Thanks Susan - it's forgotten now!
Yay! You're back! I was greatly in need of cultural/ artistic mind expansion. I love the painting of the bridge. The lighting is divine. I have been busy with writing and art classes....and parenting of course. I hope you had a happy spring, Bazza!
Hi Rebecca. It's just like old times! I have had a wonderful spring - been very busy with young grandchildren. I seem to have a bit less time for Blogging but I fully intend to keep going as long as I still enjoy it.
Hope you are keeping well.
This is cool!
Hi Amos. Thanks for visiting and your appreciative comment.
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