Artellus "Art From Earth"

The calendar paintings from "The Very Rich Hours of the Duke du Berry" are probably my most favorite medieval artworks. These paintings, representing the months of the year, are part of a "Book of Hours" which was painted by the Limbourg Brothers in the 1400's.
The painting for "April" (shown here) is an example of the style that has influenced my work in many ways. I particularly love the deep azure colors of the sky behind the castle darkening up into the constellations arching across the top. "Azur d'outreme", an ultramarine blue paint made from crushed Middle Eastern lapis-lazuli was used to paint the brilliant blues.
Another aspect of these paintings that always attracted me is the way the figures are painted. The faces are pale and almost bland, but there is so much rich ornamentation in the fabric of their clothing.

Here is one of my paintings that has elements inspired by the rich colors and fabrics in medieval art.

Stay Cosy © 2004 Marilynn Flynn
Two cats snuggle before a mullioned window in winter

I had the honour of seeing this portrait of Henry Tudor (Henry VII) in person when I visited the National Portrait Gallery in London. It is one of my favorite medieval portraits. It has all the elements of medieval paintings that attract me - the beautiful color of blue in the sky, the arched top, the strange pale face of its subject.
I have always been fascinated by the smarmily-sinister expression on his face.
The National Portrait Gallery website states that "The portrait was probably painted as part of an unsuccessful marriage proposal". Unsuccessful? Gee.......I wonder why????

Here is one of my space art paintings in a style inspired by this portrait.

Dreams On Mars © 1997 Marilynn Flynn
A woman gazes dreamily out of a gothic-arched window. Is she dreaming of being on Mars, or is she already there? Only her cat knows!

This gorgeous medieval book contains amazing examples of illuminated manuscripts - featuring highly ornamented lettering and illustrations.
This picture shows the Canon table from the book of Kells. Canon Tables were devised by Eusebius to indicate which passages are shared in multiple Gospels. The Canon Table shown here appears on Folio 5 of the Book of Kells.

Here is another of my space art paintings that has elements inspired by medieval art. In addition to the use of the arch shape - which in this painting was inverted to form a bowl, I used metallic colored paints to give the stars and other areas the look of having been illuminated with gold leaf.

Cosmic Cauldron © 1995 Marilynn Flynn
This painting was launched to the space station MIR as part of "Ars Ad Astra" the first art exhibit in orbit and remained there for nearly four months before being returned to Earth

Perhaps the subject for another lens, another time....