Antonio Donghi, 1897-1963, Painter of Theater

I love the paintings of Antonio Donghi. About five years ago, my friend in Milan sent me an art book (which is now out of print), written in Italian, of Antonio Donghi's work.

Donghi painted during the time period of 1920 through1950- images of men, women and children on stage and behind the scenes. There are actors, singers, musicians, harlequins, jugglers, animal acts and pierrots. His style is refined with a subtle sense humor. There is a surreal, narrative quality to his work, yet he shows nothing out of the ordinary. This is the life of the theater and those who inhabit it and their relationships to each other. It's a quiet study of the people who perform for us.

Donghi, to me, is a kindred spirit. My book on this great, but obscure artist, is one of my most treasured possessions.

For more images: Antonio Donghi

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"Durga in Montana" by Tricia Cline 2006
While I was down in Santa Monica this past weekend, I discovered a fascinating gallery near the Applegate Gallery on Main Street. It's called Obsolete. They had the most amazingly eccentric things such as antique mannequins from Spain and Italy and wooden artists' models from 18th century France. But, they also had contemporary artists showing there who had an innate sense of the old and whose work blended right in with the collectibles. Tricia Cline was one of them. Here's a sample of her porcelain sculptures.

Check out the website: OBSOLETE

I Was a Teeny-bopper

This is what I looked like as a teeny-bopper in college.
I have that dreamy-eyed expression of a young girl
relaxing on her Florida spring break.
I was not a painter that year.
I was just a party girl.
My head was empty waiting to be filled.
There were no cats or pierrots.
I liked to dance all night.
I tripped over my flip flops.

"Summer Show"- Monkey Love

I will be showing "The Teaser", "The Nibbler" and "The Examiner" (all new paintings from the Monkey Love Series) in the "Summer Show" at the Applegate Gallery in Santa Monica. Here is the information for those who might want to attend the opening:

www.amycrehore.com

New Monkey Love Painting # 8

"The Teaser" Copyright 2006 Amy Crehore

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Sketch for "The Teaser" by Amy Crehore

Here's a sketch for my latest monkey painting which I will post very soon.

"The Teaser" Copyright 2006 Amy Crehore

Pierrot Family Portrait

It's time for another hokum image! The Pierrot is traditionally a love sick clown in white dating back to the 16th century Italian Commedia dell'arte. Here is an image from a vintage French postcard which I find rather charming.