About This Exhibition
Carl Holty was born in Freiburg, Germany, in 1900. When he was a baby his family moved to the United States. As a teenager, Holty took art classes and made cartoons for the local newspaper.
As an adult, he focused on painting colors, lines and shapes. He is considered a modernist. Like other modern artists, Holty did not try to create realistic drawings or paintings. He wanted to create something new that had never been made before.
Close Looking
Take a moment to look at the painting “Two Women Bathing.” What is something you notice about it? One thing that may stand out is the vibrant color palette (PAH-let). A color palette, sometimes just called a palette, is the range of colors used in one painting or by one artist.
Carl Holty was very interested in experimenting with color. He said “My biggest difficulty has always been to accept the material limitations of painting. After all, when we think or dream of colors … I am always dismayed to find myself confronted with colored grease.” (Oil paint is grease with color added to it.)
What do you think Holty meant? What is the difference between the colors you imagine and the colors you find in a box of paint or markers?
Many of Holty’s paintings are inspired by something from the physical world. Take a closer look at this painting. Can you spot a horse and rider?
This exhibition includes several of Holty’s horse and rider paintings and drawings. Look carefully at the other examples of this subject, below. How are they different? How are they the same?
This painting, the untitled harbor scene and “Two Women Bathing” are examples of abstract paintings. They are abstract because they do not look exactly like the things we see in the world. Can you tell what the other paintings are about? Read the titles if you need a hint.
A color palette, sometimes just called a palette, is the range of colors an artist uses. Now it is your turn to create using your own palette!
You will need the following supplies included in the art kit (or found at home).
- Canvas panel
- Tissue paper in assorted colors
- Mod Podge
- Paintbrush
- Scissors
- Newspaper or kraft paper
Directions:
- Start with a layer of newspaper or kraft paper to work on for easy clean-up.
- Empty your bag of tissue paper onto the table. Spread out the pieces so you can see lots of different colors. Select colors you like and start putting them next to other colors. Your palette is ready when you have about 6 colors that look nice together.
- Paint a layer of Mod Podge on the canvas. Then glue down the background color.
- Choose another color of tissue paper. Rip or tear larger pieces as needed to get the shapes you want.
- Paint another layer of Mod Podge on top of the glued-down tissue paper. Add the next layer of shapes and colors.
- Continue layering Mod Podge and tissue paper.
- When you are finished adding tissue paper, paint one final layer of Mod Podge over the top and let dry. Trim around the edges of your canvas if needed.
TIP: Use plenty of Mod Podge between each layer of tissue paper.
We’d love your feedback! Please take a few minutes to complete a survey about this program.
Family Day art kits are sponsored by Heyward Allen Motor Co., Inc., Heyward Allen Toyota and the Friends of the Georgia Museum of Art.
