Introduction

  The Virgin of the Rocks (1st) The Virgin of the Rocks (2nd)  Leonardo da Vinci created 'The Virgin of the Rocks' in the beginning of his career after he moved to Milan. It was one of his first commissioned pieces intended for a dramatic alter piece that would include a wooden statue of the Virgin Mary in the chapel of the Immaculate Conception. Leonardo's first pieces was started in 1483 but after money conflicts, Leonardo ended up selling his piece to someone else and it now sits in Louvre, Paris. The second version of  'The Virgin of the Rocks' was officially completed in 1508, many years later.  Da Vinci presents Mary in a more natural and humble form, placing her on the ground instead of the usual throne and contributing to the movement of Humanism. There are no hard lines shaping the bodies and Mary is sitting in a way that allows her to appear more approachable and nurturing, her hands give the appearance of grace as she nudges the baby, John the Baptist, to...

Heat Wave no.2 by Collin Kelly's is a painting that reminds me of southern California. Kelly uses high value with his colors and uses texture to emphasize his vision of heat. He uses texture with his brush strokes that are thick and short allowing for the appearance of a hot day. Below the palm trees Kelly uses horizontal lines to give the illusion of distance and calm. Although there is an odd amount of trees on each side, Kelly still ensures to use symmetrical balance in the palm trees that give a sense of equilibrium in his painting. Furthermore, Collin uses contrast against the sky, palm trees and buildings. His light and dark hues along the smoother strokes of texture highlight the palm trees and allow for the painting to be appealing to the eye.  Collin Kelly doesn't have a backstory for this painting but it really reminds me of San Diego and California in general. How the city looks on hot summer days and the peace and calmness of when the sun is setting and the city wil...