SOMETHING TO CROW ABOUT
Princess Buttercup and Grammy were welcomed to the Teddy Bear Tea at the Florence Griswold Museum by one of the "Scarecrows At The Museum".
The crow was there to help us if we were cornfused.
The table was set for tea. We dined on peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, cupcakes and
haystacks.
Almost everyone, got a rug and sat on the floor for story time.
After story time, we were off to the kitchen to do "projects".
Next we went outside to visit the "Scarecrows at the Museum".
Willard MaizecalfA little fairy stopped to gaze at Willard Maizecalf
This scarecrow was based on the life and work of Willard Metcalf, using natural objects
similar to those Metcalf may have found as walked the Lyme countryside.
Frida KahlcrowKahlcrow is in bed, representing the artist's year of bed rest after an accident
during which time she decided to become an artist.
Magpie MagritteWhat is he painting? Why it is the Lieutenant River landscape, complete with fluffy clouds.
Belgian Surrealist Rene Magritte challenged people's perception with his paintings which blurred reality and dreams. His painting often included giant apples, clouds, and bowler hats.
Magritte's paint box.
Scarecrow Scotty and His Boo-st FriendThis boy and beagle were favorite models for Norman Rockwell. They were featured in a series of paintings depicting the four seasons in New England.
Wilde Childe and Sillie TillieThese scarecrows are based on Lyme Art colony artist Childe Hassam and Matilda Brown.
Both artists are pictured in The Fox Chase which hangs over the fireplace in the dining room of the Griswold house. Painting en plein air, without a shirt, Hassam's skin would often burn in the summer sun, inspiring a paint color called "Hassam Pink".
Wild Childe's easel.
Madame Pompadour SpaventapasseriThis scare crow is based on the style of Italian Painter Amedeo Modigliani.
His figures were often painted with stretched faces atop long necks with blank almond-shaped eyes. This scarecrow represents Modigliani's portrait of a South African poet.
Spaventapasseri is "scarecrow" in Italian. (Sorry her face got cut off.)
The RamblesThe Princess and her new found friends explored the stickwork sculpture
created by Patrick Dougherty.
Oh to be young again!
Indiana CrowThis scarecrow is based on the work of Robert Indiana, an American sculptor and painter.
He created sculptures from items that he scavenged among old building and crumbling piers near his New York studio. These are the same things used to create Indiana Crow.
Crowlotta GrisiThis scarecrow represents the work of the French Impressionist Edgar Dega.
Degas captured the movement of ballet dancers in many of his painting, drawings, and sculptures. Carlotta Grisi was one of the most famous ballerinas of the time.
Paul CrowguinThis scarecrow is based on the French artist Paul Gauguin, a friend of Van Gogh.
Gauguin traveled to Tahiti and was inspired by local Polynesian art, especially ceremonial masks. Gauguin made wooden sculptures and carved wood blocks to make prints.
Notice that that Crowguin has no ears.
Wassilky CordinskyThis scarecrow is based on the workof Wassily Kandinsky, the Russian born artist who made some of the first modern abstract paintings.
POP!CORNThis scarecrow is based on the Pop artist Andy Warhol.
Warhol is famous for turning everyday items into art.
Jack The DripperThis scarecrow is based on the American Abstract Expressionist Jackson Pollock,
famous for his action paintings created with paint dripped, splattered, and thrown onto large canvases. Pollock used sticks, basting syringes, egg beaters, and stiff brushes to splatter paint on his canvases.
ChriscroThis scarecrow is based on the work of Chriscro and Jeanne Claude, a husband and wife team known for large scale environmental art. They are famous for orange fabric, and wrapping whole bridges, buildings, and trees in cloth and rope.
Strawsby MatisseThis scarecrow is based on the work of French artist Henri Matisse.
Matisse is know for his use of pure color and strong pattern.
Strawsby's pockets held many treasures that introduced young visitors
to Matisse's life and work.
Alberto Giacrowmetti
This scarecrow is based on the sculpture Walking Man by Swiss artist Albetto Giacometti. He was known for his spindly metal figures.
Mondrian ManComposition in Re, Yellow, and Boo!
This scarecrow is based on the Dutch artist Piet Mondrian. The artist simplified his
interpretation of nature to basic lines and shapes. He often limited himself to the primary colors plus back and white.
Marc StrawgallThis scarecrow honors the work of French painter Marc Chagall.
Strawgall is dressed like one Chagall's painted musicians.
Kornshucka HokusaiThis scarecrow is based on the self-portraits painted in ink by the Japanese artist Katsushika Hokusai. His innovative woodblock prints, such as The Great Wave, influenced the art of French Impressionists.
Glittering GusThis scarecrow is based on the work of Gustav Klimt, the Austrian-born painter and leader of the Art Nouveau style. His favorite subjects were the beautiful women of Vienna.
GammycrowThe Princess took the last picture as she directed Grammy to stand behind the tree and be a scarecrow.
Information from the "Scarecrows At The Museum" brochure.
