In a time when institutional racism is so embedded in our society, it is our duty as art consumers to look past the white-washed media and dig a little deeper. There are countless talented Black artists in all different art mediums, but only a select few are given the recognition and prestige that so many deserve. Instead of going along with the unfortunate status quo of the art world, we need to pick up that slack and give these hardworking Black artists the attention that has been withheld from them for far too long.
Read moreBreaking it Down: Defund the Police
That phrase might sound scary and daunting to a lot of people. Cries for defunding America’s police are something that have grown in volume during this most recent social movement. But it can so easily be misconstrued or blown out of proportion by those who don’t fully understand the logistics behind the statement.
Read moreBreaking it Down: Black Lives Matter
Sitting down to write this entry, a million thoughts enter my mind about the current state of our nation and its citizens. These are unprecedented times filled with anger, exhaustion, and a desperate need for reformation. Sometimes, it can all feel very overwhelming. I think what is most important right now is to educate ourselves as much as possible about the horrific systemic racism that plagues our country and the all-too-important movement that has spread globally these past few weeks.
Read moreHow To: Survive Self-Isolation
It is no surprise that we are living in completely unprecedented times at the moment; the COVID-19 pandemic has affected virtually every household throughout the world, with most people smartly quarantining themselves in their homes, anxiously waiting for these dark times to pass.
Read moreCan Art be Considered "Bad"?
Recently I found myself in a heated debate about whether any and all forms of art can ever be considered objectively bad. I was casually talking with a friend about new music, when she brought up Justin Bieber’s new song “Yummy”—a song that many have criticized to be some of his worst work creatively. Her face grew in disgust as she continued to express her hatred for this song and claimed that anyone will agree with how terrible “Yummy” is.
Read moreOur Art Hunt So Far...
Here at Studio Hill, we love to take advantage of the beautiful and historic art by which we are lucky enough to be surrounded. Throughout our long and tedious journey of becoming a unique addition to the art scene here in New England, we have explored many other places and art exhibits around us to gather inspiration and meet new and exciting people. During our visits, we took the time to capture pictures of anything that caught our eye, made us think, or simply piqued our interests aesthetically.
Read moreBest Fall Activities in Connecticut
Fall is officially upon us, and with that comes the dreaded Daylight Saving Time where we lose an hour of sun every afternoon. Because it now gets dark by 4pm and the unforgiving winds of the season are in full force, most people are opting to stay indoors this time of year and cuddle up with a warm blanket. However, while you are avoiding the sting of fall weather, you are also missing out on some fun-filled activities that are going on all around Connecticut. New England is notorious for embracing the Fall and making it as uniquely enjoyable as possible, so the next weekend when you are tempted to stay inside and bypass the season completely, instead, we encourage you to step out of the house and into the wonderfully colorful and vibrant atmosphere of a Connecticut Fall.
Read moreBest Home Decor Books of 2019
Whether you are a budding interior decorator or someone simply looking to spice up their homes for the new season, interior design books are always helpful and entertaining to have on hand. And although it’s easiest to scroll through Instagram on the #homeinspo page to get ideas, there is nothing quite like curling up on a particularly cozy couch and flipping through the oversized, colorful pages of a real deal home decor book. From displaying it on your coffee table for guests to browse to reading it in bed to find that perfect new look, home decor books are a necessity for all.
Read moreFrida
Much like the film Loving Vincent, which was talked abut in an earlier blog post, Frida deals with the professional and private life of a renowned artist, surrealist Mexican painter Frida Kahlo. Although the film was not created with animation and real canvas paintings as was Loving Vincent, Frida dives deep into how the artist got started, her most famous works, and even incorporates some inspirations from her work into the film.
Read moreHow-To: Combat Writer's Block
Writer’s block, or a block from any type of creative activity, can seem in the moment to last forever. It can be the most frustrating feeling to be completely stunted in your mind when all you desperately want to do is create. Although it may seem like there's no way out of it, there are actually some steps that anyone can take in order to combat and push through writer’s block.
Read moreThe Great Mind of Yayoi Kusama
“One of the most important living artists to come out of Japan.” That is a common sentiment when talking about the legendary and multi-faceted Yayoi Kusama. Kusama, born in 1929, is a Japanese contemporary artist who works primarily in sculpture and installation, but is also just as involved in painting, performance, film, fashion, poetry, fiction, and other arts. Most of her work is based in conceptual art, with some attributes of feminism, minimalism, surrealism, pop art, and abstract expressionism. Her complex work is also often infused with autobiographical, psychological, and sexual content. If anything, Kusama’s art forces the viewer to think deeply about not only a societal/cultural idea, but also how her’s and the viewer’s own aspects of life are paralleled in the pieces of artwork.
Read moreGraffiti: Is it Art?
Graffiti, for people who aren’t familiar, is writing or drawings made on a wall or other surface without permission and within pubic view. It is mostly made as a form of artistic expression by some who maybe don’t have access to any other medium or outlet. Graffiti ranges from wimple written words to elaborate wall paintings and has existed since ancient times, with examples dating back to ancient Egypt, ancient Greece, and the Roman Empire.
Read moreHow-To: Cut out Distractions
When creating any type of art (paintings, sculptures, writing, photographs) there is always the challenge of distractions. From outside influences, like noisy cities or interruptive friends, to your own thoughts straying you away from the task at hand, it can be difficult to completely focus on your imaginative side and create something special and unique to you. Although it can get frustrating, there are some simple, yet effective, steps that anyone can take in order to make a distraction-free environment.
Read moreModern Architecture
What many consider to be Dame Zaha Hadid’s most prominent style, modern architecture, or modernist architecture, is based on new and innovative technologies of construction, particularly the use of glass, steel, and reinforced concrete. The central idea for this architectural style is that form should follow function. It is an embrace of minimalism and a rejection of ornament.
Read moreThe Greatest Female Architect
Dame Zaha Mohammed Hadid may not be the most talked about name in American households, but it certainly is well-known within the British, and specifically the Iraqi-British, community. Most notably known as the first woman to receive the Pritzker Architecture Prize, Hadid has accomplished many firsts as a female architect throughout her career, making it one of the most impressive architectural careers to date.
Read moreThe Oldest Inn in Connecticut
Connecticut has many historical buildings and significant architecture, but one that is most notable in the quaint town of Woodbury is the Curtis House Restaurant and Inn. Located on Main Street and famously known as the state’s oldest inn, the Curtis House has been open since 1754, with the building itself existing since 1736. Although not many question the historical significance and longevity of the inn, it is worth noting that another building, located in the town of Essex, has also claimed to be the oldest inn in Connecticut.
Read moreAlexander Calder and his Foundation
Alexander Calder is a well-known name within the art—specifically sculpting—community, however, it is much less known by most others. Not only is it artistically enriching and fulfilling to be familiar with Calder’s groundbreaking work, it is also important for those outside of that world to be aware of the impressive archival work and support towards art, which Calder has continued even after death, through the Calder Foundation.
Read moreLoving Vincent
A film came out in 2017 that pushed the boundaries of both the art world and film industry. It combined the two communities like no one had ever done before and turned out to be one of the most visually stunning pieces of the year. The name is Loving Vincent, an experimental animated biographical drama film about the life of painter Vincent van Gogh, and, more specifically, about the circumstances of his death.
Read moreGreek Revival and its Impact on America
One of the most common styles of homes and architecture in Woodbury and the surrounding areas is Greek Revival. The Greek Revival was actually the name of the architectural movement that took place in the late eighteenth and early nineteenth centuries, primarily in Northern Europe and the United States. The term was first used by Charles Robert Cockerell in 1842.
Read moreWoodbury: A Unique Community
Some may not know that the town of Woodbury, Connecticut has a very rich heritage. The town is located in Litchfield County along the Pomperaug River. The area was settled in 1659, and Woodbury was split off and named as a town in 1673. The Pootatuck Path, an early Native American trail, crossed what is now Woodbury’s Main Street (where Studio Hill is located). The town was named Woodbury in recognition of its function as a “dwelling place in the woods.” However, what was once an early agricultural community, today Woodbury is known for its Colonial-era homes and antiques.
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