Travel Stomach, mixed media , by Clay Ketter.
If only walls could talk ...... Well, some of them do, especially when artists capture the essence of these beautiful old walls, transforming something so mundane into works of art.
Photograph by Clay Ketter
Photograph by Clay Ketter
Gretchen Papka was captivated by the weathered walls she discovered during her travels in Italy.
Select Metal No.III. Mixed media, photo, encaustics, oils on panel. Gretchen Papka
"My work is inspired by bold architecture, textured walls, utilitarian objects and beauty. Each of these is revealed and celebrated in layers of beeswax, resin and color while subtle details are mysteriously hidden. " - Gretchen Papka
Select Metal No 6. Mixed media - photo, encaustics, oils on panel. Gretchen Papka
Wallwork - No I. Encaustic, paper, oil pigments with found materials on wood panel. Gretchen Papka.
Laurie Ann Pearsall "collects images, objects and stories that relate to change over time, more specifically, that relate to how people create a home, both metaphorically and figuratively speaking. My work depicts an intuitive interaction between these collections and my state of mind and spirit at a given moment.I begin with a gathering of concrete visual references: photographs of crumbling or dismantled homes, rusted remnants of cast-off objects from construction sites; flattened boxes and containers. These things are the imprint of a vacated dwelling, the debris of daily living. Like pieces of evidence whispering, “ I was here”, I use these images and materials as my foundation to create responses to my own search for home."
Reforms III. Mixed Media by Laurie Ann Pearsall
Photograph by Margaret Ryall
Margaret Ryall has been photographing the layers of history in torn wallpaper since 2006. Her Remnants series formed a solo show last May and can be seen here.
"I think the best thing about my wallpaper photos is the natural layers that are created by tearing back to the final layer of board. It is so much like looking back through time."
Photo by Miquel Bohigas Costabella
On Flickr I found the most wonderful photographs of walls with a history. Those by Miquel Bohigas Costabella are stunning.
Scarred, scratched, spattered, speckled and stained. Peeling, flaking, gouged, crumbling and collapsing.
Miquel Bohigas Costabella
Miquel Bohigas Costabella
There are 16,000 Flickr Groups with walls in the title. Scrawls on Walls, Talking to a Brick Wall, Peeled and Patched Walls, Paper Wall, Up against a Wall, Dirty Walls, Mirror Mirror on the Wall, Plants on Walls. A feast for the eyes of the wall obsessed. It's worth visiting Pixmaniaque's Flickr sets, here,
a huge fan of the 'decaying wall', these examples are fabulous and the artist Gretchen Papka is just amazing! thanks again Robyn xxo
ReplyDeleteEveryone of these photographs is inspiration for a piece of textile art Robyn - thank you for the ideas.
ReplyDeletewow! (that's all, just 'wow!' : )
ReplyDeletexo
You've done it again, Robyn. Everytime I visit my brain makes more neural connections!
ReplyDeleteYour blog has been amazing lately. I'm really enjoying the exquisite images. Thanks!
ReplyDeletethese are just gorgeous. of course I am partial to crumbling splendor, but these are just divine images! thanks for this!
ReplyDeleteWonderful stuff. I like the look of things in layers, not bothering to remove all of yesterday's paint or plaster, but just overlaying with something else. The decaying results are much more beautiful and a sort of patina of time you'll find nowhere else.
ReplyDeleteSpent some wonderful time here loving these walls...visited Laurie's blog too! Can't be said better...WOW!
ReplyDeleteI am particularly drawn to weathered walls and decay as well. These are incredible photos.
ReplyDeleteThese are gorgeous. I see so many human features in the first piece. Is that weird?
ReplyDeleteyour work is stunning!!!!
ReplyDeleteBello bello!!!
love and light
solange
that second one is like a boro textile...
ReplyDeleteGlad you're all enjoying the weathered walls!
ReplyDeleteThanks for introducing us to these great artists, Robyn. As to the weathered walls, my partner, Simon is a photographer and whenever we go anywhere, he spends half his time with his camera pressed up against a crumbling wall or piece of wood! I just stand like a twit, smiling at bemused passers by! However, they do look beautiful, as your post shows.
ReplyDeleteYou've done it again...another wonderful, inspiring post. I love buildings and architecture so these images really appeal.
ReplyDeleteAbout to check out the links now!
Jacky xox
Hi Robyn
ReplyDeleteI found you on Debrina's blog and happy to see someone who can see art in weathered walls. I think I know of some here and there, I feel the need to hunt them down now. Thanks for the inspiration!
Thanks fro including me, Robyn - I suddenly feel not so alone! I have been obsessed with such imagery inspired literally by the photography I do here in Mallorca, but metaphorically by having had to move sooo many times. I am excited to see others who have a similar sensibility. I am hanging an exhibiton this week- so check out my sites for even more new work in this vein. Laurie
ReplyDeleteYour blog has such beautiful interesting this, a feast for the eyes! Hope you have a lovely Sunday
ReplyDeleteCarolyn ♥
ps. having a little giveaway if you want to pop over
Love it!
ReplyDeleteyour blog is like therapy for me. love where you take us!
ReplyDeleteI really love this pictures!!!
ReplyDelete"Weathered Walls" is such a beautiful collection of textures and mystery... thank you for all the links... once again you fill me with ideas... Roxanne
ReplyDeleteJust popped over from Blu's blog. VERY interesting blog you have here will visit again :-) TF
ReplyDeleteyou are in my head again...
ReplyDeletelove this post.
am coming across a lot of authentic crumbling living buildings twined with nature here. they need documenting.
going to check links
thanda
Love, love the post!!! Wow!
ReplyDeleteThanks for including my work in your post Robyn. I couldn't wait to get to a computer once I returned from my trip tonight.
ReplyDeletefantastic images. love the way you have composed these images of subjects most people wouldn't look twice at!
ReplyDeleteFree art!
ReplyDeleteI live in a city with lots of empty old houses and factories. And I always thought, how beautiful this decay is....As somebody who should guide tourists through our city I would seriously offer photo-tours through these old streets factories...the walls-they're paintings!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful post and reminder!
A feast for the eyes, thank you Robyn!
ReplyDeleteGreat comments! It was only recently that I discovered that there were so many people who appreciate the beauty of decaying walls as much as I do. (Actually I don't think I've met anyone here in my neck of the woods who enthuses over aging walls but people on Flickr and in the blog world certainly make up for it)
ReplyDeleteJo Archer, when I walk around photographing every rusty pipe or peeling door my daughter cringes. At least you smile like a twit :-)
How am I going to tear myself away from these shots?
ReplyDeleteI particularly love where those steps once were, but every shot is a great one. Thanks for another great show.
i imagine placing my hand against a sun warmed segment of each of these walls - just to feel them and the history they contain would feel like being a part of something. beautiful robyn...
ReplyDeleteLove the textures and earthy colors. And yes, love the aging walls - especially close up. Thank you for inspiring me yet again!
ReplyDeleteI like the circular tunneling effect of Laurie Ann Pearsall..
ReplyDeleteanother earthy collection of the urban...
Ah Robyn, I come hear to listen to you speak the language; to sit at your feet and learn of your vision and to enjoy the stories of the tribe. Blessings and gratitude to you.
ReplyDeleteMan...these are incredible. I got so excited looking at all this and it just got me thinking in a whole new way. That is what I LOVE about blogs...so much to see, so many new ideas, so much inspiration. Thank you so much for sharing. I will be back poring over all this stuff for hours.
ReplyDeleteah - walls and their stories. Like the drawings on cave walls. all connected, aren't we? thank you for sharing the wonderful art you discover!
ReplyDeleteI am intriqued by old wall, old wall paper, old graffiti, old paint...old lines from old lives...your not alone!
ReplyDeleteIt is just after 4 am still jet lagged, loving your blog,wanting to get on with some creating but still organising stuff, all the photos for one thing!
ReplyDeleteThose walls are so satisfying, but also I am so glad that you had such a good time at the beach.
Getting very hot here suddenly wondering how I and the garden will cope!
So textured and interesting with all the layers and depth! Wish I could use these walls as a backdrop for my Brass Tacks photo shoots.
ReplyDeleteSuch beauty in the most unlikely places!!
ReplyDeleteRobyn, These are so wonderful! there is so much emotion and beauty to be found in the most common places...just love the power and artistic quality of disintegration and layers. Thanks for always inspiring with your finds!
ReplyDeleteWonderfully inspiring post Robyn. I love the decay and detritus we get through the passage of time on architecture. I haven't time now to follow the links but I will be back for more. This is from someone who loves photographing rusty barbed wire fences.
ReplyDeleteRobyn,
ReplyDeleteWonderful post and I love all of these. Sorry it has been awhile since I have made a visit.. I will try to visit more often.
Take care,
Katelen
I feel vindicated! I thought I was one of very few weird ones who take pictures of crumbling bricks and aging plaster but apparently not - there are zillions of us if those flickr groups are anything to go by. Yay! I will now just smile to myself quietly when I'm snapping away and receiving some odd looks from passers-by because I know I'm in the company of many kindred spirits ;) Some really beautiful examples here Robyn, thank you!
ReplyDeleteI once had an art professor in college who said, "being a great artist is really about learning how to SEE." I couldn't agree more. I think your post proves this.
ReplyDeleteHey Robyn!!
ReplyDeleteThese wall are simply beautiful. Rustic, Inspiring, and Creative. I wish my walls in my room were that cool!
I've missed you!
Love,
Queeny
There's A Present For Your Blog on my blog.
ReplyDeleteGood morning, Robyn... I'm always so happy when I see that you've visited my site. Unfortunately, my blog writing has taken a hit the past few months... hopefully to be corrected soon. I have your blog in Yahoo window and love seeing a new message pop up... its all so textural, warm, human, connected. I love decaying walls. I love the history, but I mostly love the randomness of it. Have you ever done a post on tree bark? Probably so. Just stopping in for a moment - thanks for sharing so much with so many....
ReplyDeleteSo many stories live in those walls..
ReplyDeleteGives a whole new meaning to the phrase 'wall art' doesn't it? The textures and colors are intriguing. They really make me want to take a closer look. Once again Robyn, you find the best stuff.
ReplyDeleteRobyn, you've gathered an 'exhibit' so rich in textures, I know I'll be back to look at this post over and over. Pearsall's statement on how we make a home is intriguing.
ReplyDeleteSo much inspiration Robyn and so many wonderful links, thanks for sharing them with us. There just aren't enough hours in a day.
ReplyDeleteLove wall of course- no surprise.
ReplyDeleteAlready familiar with Clay Ketter but will definitely check out the other wonderful artists here.
p.s. took some wall pictures in Kyoto which I loved!
What a beautiful post indeed, with wonderful imagery. I liked going through again :)
ReplyDeleteDagdusheth Ganpati
i really appreciate the flurry of comments you left yesterday, i was surprised, nicely so. thank you!
ReplyDeletei have to say i've had a firefox tab open to this post nonstop. i may be doing a wall of a junkyard building in the next few months, something i've NEVER EVER DONE and find this inspiring even if i have no clue where to start or HOW. which i think is why i land here everyday and pop in.
you have a wonderful blog!
Thanks for select some of my photos in your blog
ReplyDelete