I am very fond of this watercolour which hangs in my livingroom. It’s a painting of my grandmother’s place done 9 years before I was born and It brings back many happy childhood memories whenever I look at it. I can actually get totally lost in it, so from my perspective it is wonderful. Is it any good technically? Amateurish? I put this in GQ as I am looking for a knowledgeable critique rather than an uniformed opinion such as my own. Thanks.
A little simple but charming-- not “rank” amateurish-- there’s some skill here-- and nothing humiliating or particularly tasteless about it, as long as it’s not huge (like over 2 feet wide). Seems a little dated-- something 50s kitch about it. Not a bad watercolor. Not horrendous. It’s fine-- leave it up.
Dr. Capybara, art historian.
It’s only 10’‘x12’’ and dated 1951. When I look at it I see a 6 year old me running about the place. Thanks for your input.
Do you like it?
That’s all that matters. Art is in the eye of the beholder. You only get into debates about technique and style if you want to sell it.
My father is an amateur painter. I have some of his paintings in my home. I like them. I don’t care what some curator would think.
I think it’s lovely. There are many well-established watercolour painters who use a minimalistic style like this. Also, when art can evoke emotions such as it does in you, that’s when you know it’s good art. Perhaps reframe it with matting that compliments the blues and greens in the painting, to help give it a more updated look.
Sort of a pedestrain work. Certainly not bad. The solid blue sky is a little week. The figures are handled deftly.
Like six days or so?
IANAart critic but I like it a lot. Givien it’s history and special aspects to you and your family I think it is a great work. I’d display it proudly.
It’s certainly not ugly, so I’d go ahead and hang it. Especially since it’s of so much sentimental value. Technically, I think I it’s not bad but not brilliant. I’d still display it anyway.
There’s something about it that makes me think the painter was a working commercial artist. It reminds me of advertising of a certain vintage, particularly in the handling of the figures. Know anything about the artist?
Very nicely rendered with a nice feel about it. I imagine that the artist is no amateur at all - look at the number of green tones in the foilage, the consistency of the shadows and the use of the white paper (particularly with the side of the building facing the croquet players). If I stumbled across this in an antique shop it would be going home with me. I like it a lot.
Even though you’re looking for informed opinions, they’re still opinions. So off we go.
Moved. samclem GQ moderator
It’s evocative, isn’t it? Not just of your personal memories, but I would think that most of us could put ourselves into that pic. A bright summer’s day, enjoying being outside with the family (I presume) etc. It’s very American, to my mind.
I like it. I would hang it somewhere-be careful that you don’t hang it somewhere in direct sunlight; that could fade the watercolors. I like the simplicity of it–it avoids sweetness by the vagueness of the figures, IMO.
That’s what is important.
FWIW, I like it as well.
I think it’s very charming. And knowing the history makes it all the more so.
When I look at it, I wish I could go there.
Never judge a personal work like this against the aesthetics of ‘art’. What matters is that it’s a special place to you, drawn by a special person. How ‘good’ it is is completely irrelevant. I have a refrigerator covered in my daughter’s drawings to attest to that.
Or ask yourself, if someone here said, “Oh, that painting isn’t very good. Quite amateurish.” would you take it down and throw it away?
Art is supposed to inspire emotion and passion. Your painting does that in spades, because of the special circumstances surrounding it. Mission accomplished. Keep it for the rest of your life, and display it wherever it makes you happiest.
I’m not an artist, but I run a site with nearly 11,000 artworks on it and so I get to look at a lot of art. That doesn’t make me an expert, but I like to think I have a feeling for what “works”, and this one seems to “work” for me. It’s sort of got a modernist Art Deco feel to it, but there’s also something about it that says “Hopper”, maybe the colours, or the style of the house, perhaps. Not a bad work at all.
Thanks for all the nice comments. As so many have said, the main thing is that I like it and that it evokes so many memories but I was also curious about it from a technical standpoint and I appreciate the informed opinions. The figures had a “commercial artist” kind of look to me too and that’s what got me wondering. The signature although clear is one of those where the first letter is decipherable then is just a line. Thanks again.
I was going to suggest the same thing. Reframing it could do wonders I think.
Art is completely subjective. The fact that it conjures up memories of your grandparents and the good times you had with them makes it invaluable. I think it’s charming!