tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148647148793397155.post2410930345162401276..comments2024-03-26T16:11:44.515-04:00Comments on All Things Ruffnerian, a Design Blog and More: The Anatomy of a Family PaintingMark D. Ruffnerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09241533547309049140noreply@blogger.comBlogger30125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148647148793397155.post-4380189615701567142012-10-10T17:11:07.130-04:002012-10-10T17:11:07.130-04:00Thanks for thinking so, Mr. Jeffery.Thanks for thinking so, Mr. Jeffery.Mark D. Ruffnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09241533547309049140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148647148793397155.post-32352455784708558522012-10-10T00:09:23.308-04:002012-10-10T00:09:23.308-04:00this still life is quite awesome.this still life is quite awesome.MrJefferyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04657422824565425948noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148647148793397155.post-9244923523762535712012-09-26T07:19:13.443-04:002012-09-26T07:19:13.443-04:00Thanks, Kevin!Thanks, Kevin!Mark D. Ruffnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09241533547309049140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148647148793397155.post-66640878880743595892012-09-25T22:26:56.859-04:002012-09-25T22:26:56.859-04:00Oh how I can relate, my father was a sunday painte...Oh how I can relate, my father was a sunday painter as well and you know it's actually a nice painting.Hollywood forever, Kevinhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16608998958466509181noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148647148793397155.post-28171958536528600262012-09-25T11:03:22.260-04:002012-09-25T11:03:22.260-04:00Thanks, Anyes. My parents knew that I liked that p...Thanks, Anyes. My parents knew that I liked that painting a lot, and it ended up as a birthday gift to me. That, too, is a happy memory.Mark D. Ruffnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09241533547309049140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148647148793397155.post-89177106381263827112012-09-25T10:28:16.692-04:002012-09-25T10:28:16.692-04:00Hello Mark,
What a treasure, in every possible way...Hello Mark,<br />What a treasure, in every possible way. Wow -talk about family heirloom(s), you brought tears to my eyes.<br />Anyes<br />XXAnyes K. Busby - Studio Vignette Fine Arthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00989650562190771548noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148647148793397155.post-65807936376114338882012-09-25T07:48:19.108-04:002012-09-25T07:48:19.108-04:00Our mistake - we think we misread it.Our mistake - we think we misread it.Jane and Lance Hattatthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16831890261259302647noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148647148793397155.post-68945411135212538552012-09-23T15:35:55.786-04:002012-09-23T15:35:55.786-04:00Dear Yvette - Thank you for enjoying the posting. ...Dear Yvette - Thank you for enjoying the posting. My dad understood how to cast shadows because part of his architectural training was in making architectural renderings. The experience stood him well whenever he painted a still life.Mark D. Ruffnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09241533547309049140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148647148793397155.post-10480549098993168402012-09-23T13:03:29.955-04:002012-09-23T13:03:29.955-04:00Oh Mark, how fortunate you are to have this wonder...Oh Mark, how fortunate you are to have this wonderful reminder of your dad in your family. Your dad was very talented in his own quiet way. I love, especially, how you've shown the actual items depicted in this still-life. Just a lovely tribute. Thanks so much for sharing these bits and pieces of your life with us. Yvettehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08919246184376538331noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148647148793397155.post-33606484588057925062012-09-22T12:07:43.316-04:002012-09-22T12:07:43.316-04:00Thanks, Barbara.Thanks, Barbara.Mark D. Ruffnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09241533547309049140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148647148793397155.post-75845508845512160792012-09-22T07:57:36.006-04:002012-09-22T07:57:36.006-04:00Good morning, Mark. You never fail to delight...ye...Good morning, Mark. You never fail to delight...yet this post is even more of a treasure than usual. So enjoy reading your thoughtful and meaningful blog.Barbarahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02155269771812977294noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148647148793397155.post-38743163168452171222012-09-21T14:54:07.942-04:002012-09-21T14:54:07.942-04:00Hello, Erika,
Thanks for visiting my blog and enj...Hello, Erika,<br /><br />Thanks for visiting my blog and enjoying my Dad's painting. It never had so many viewers, and I know he would be pleased to see all the feedback.<br /><br />I have visited your sumptuous site, and look forward to going back to view and read your postings in depth!Mark D. Ruffnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09241533547309049140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148647148793397155.post-42723083893997879982012-09-21T13:11:32.746-04:002012-09-21T13:11:32.746-04:00Hello hello, I'm delighted to have stumbled up...Hello hello, I'm delighted to have stumbled upon your blog! Your father's painting and the objects featured in it simply humm with the magic of history-- beautiful and touching. Thank you for sharing it-- I look forward to reading more of your posts!<br />Best regards from a like-minded new friend,<br />Erika from parvumopus.comParvum Opushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15464815622667738686noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148647148793397155.post-86396843924939906022012-09-20T20:22:53.950-04:002012-09-20T20:22:53.950-04:00Hi, Loi - As I think back on all the elegant posti...Hi, Loi - As I think back on all the elegant postings of your blog, I know that your own collectibles could be assembled into a very handsome still life. I can see it now — books, creamware, pods and pine cones, and perhaps a small topiary on the surface of a Gustavian table. It would be a celebration of neutral tones with one shot of bright color, perhaps a contemporary book.Mark D. Ruffnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09241533547309049140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148647148793397155.post-55846748241231975422012-09-20T19:12:29.511-04:002012-09-20T19:12:29.511-04:00Mark -
So wonderful to know that talent runs in yo...Mark -<br />So wonderful to know that talent runs in your family!! I love still life paintings with books. It's quite personal and tells a lot about the owner / artist, etc. Many of my books are garden related. Thank you for sharing this special and handsome painting. You are lucky to have it along with many of the items featured.<br />Cheers,<br />Loi Woodside Parkhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13981644571968878448noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148647148793397155.post-21849862778498363462012-09-20T16:57:51.725-04:002012-09-20T16:57:51.725-04:00Hi, Theresa - I'm only guessing that the vial ...Hi, Theresa - I'm only guessing that the vial is a European interpretation — I really don't have any information on its history, and of course it's too late to ask now!Mark D. Ruffnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09241533547309049140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148647148793397155.post-80645133641660894232012-09-20T16:53:17.005-04:002012-09-20T16:53:17.005-04:00Hello, Parnassus,
First of all, I thank you for r...Hello, Parnassus,<br /><br />First of all, I thank you for reading the date more carefully than I did! The Reynolds books do date to 1873, and I've made that correction to the text. Thanks again.<br /><br />The date of the painting itself is "73," 1973.<br /><br />I enjoy the symbolism that you've read into the layout. I think that my father included the Lucite paperweight because he would have enjoyed the challenge of painting different textures and sources of reflections. He did other still life paintings that included cut crystal, old bronze figures and shiney silver. Mark D. Ruffnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09241533547309049140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148647148793397155.post-30457850500226310992012-09-20T16:40:22.193-04:002012-09-20T16:40:22.193-04:00I agree with your observation, Stefan, it's as...I agree with your observation, Stefan, it's as much a portrait as a still life.Mark D. Ruffnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09241533547309049140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148647148793397155.post-62702087294338254742012-09-20T14:53:59.620-04:002012-09-20T14:53:59.620-04:00I love the story behind this painting. How wonderf...I love the story behind this painting. How wonderful that you have at least some of the pieces used in the still life. I truly love the perfume vial...even if it is a European interpretation!Theresa Cheekhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11429069123185290732noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148647148793397155.post-82304337683362719102012-09-20T13:28:33.026-04:002012-09-20T13:28:33.026-04:00I agree it's a treasure! I'm particularly...I agree it's a treasure! I'm particularly impressed with how well be captured the reflections in the vase, the pipe and especially the lucite cube. It's quite masterfully executed.An Urban Cottagehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08666212353075804092noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148647148793397155.post-63958692293631957962012-09-20T12:54:05.980-04:002012-09-20T12:54:05.980-04:00Hello Mark, Such a personal heirloom is the great...Hello Mark, Such a personal heirloom is the greatest type of memento. It is also a very attractive still life; your father (unsurprisingly) was an accomplished artist. I particularly like the progression of colors and the way the brown book and pipe work with the paneling to tie the picture together. The inclusion of the modern Lucite piece prevents it becoming an old-time stage set, and allows brilliant effects of dispersion of light and looking through the refractive plastic.<br /><br />Your father seems to have built in personal symbolism. I can't quite read the date, but is it 1945? The dandelion seeds perhaps are a metaphor for a world in disintegration, and trapping it in Lucite reflects your father's (and others') attempts to preserve it and keep it together. In this light, it is ironic that the Lucite was not sufficient for this task, and the seed-ball deteriorated anyway. The fact that Volume 1 of the Reynolds is upside-down is surely not accidental.<br /><br />It is fantastic that you have so many of the items represented. The oxblood vase and the enameled vial look good enough that they should be checked out, beyond their value as heirlooms. The date in the Reynolds book looks like 1873 to me; that would also accord with the binding style and the VR (Victoria Regina) logos. <br />--Road to ParnassusParnassushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08958901307538141468noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148647148793397155.post-5112128950716898052012-09-20T12:15:22.388-04:002012-09-20T12:15:22.388-04:00It seems more of a portrait than had it been of yo...It seems more of a portrait than had it been of your father himself. What a delightful keepsake and inheritance :-)ArchitectDesign™https://www.blogger.com/profile/01481754380363676771noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148647148793397155.post-50809874977990272422012-09-20T10:55:47.677-04:002012-09-20T10:55:47.677-04:00Dear Kirk,
The colors are very complementary and ...Dear Kirk,<br /><br />The colors are very complementary and in fact for a number of years the color scheme of my living room was those exact colors. Many interior designers decorate around a painting that way, but I think I did it rather subconciously. In any case it was always a focal point . . .Mark D. Ruffnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09241533547309049140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148647148793397155.post-50416231195278995942012-09-20T10:50:45.537-04:002012-09-20T10:50:45.537-04:00Alistair Cooke was always a great favorite of mine...Alistair Cooke was always a great favorite of mine. I've never been a keen TV watcher (there hasn't been a TV in my house for years), and when I was first out on my own and had a TV, I had a self-imposed house rule: I would never choose TV over an invitation or the possibility to do something in "real life." And I say all this to admit that the exception was for Alistair. Anything else would have to be scheduled around his "America" series.Mark D. Ruffnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09241533547309049140noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-148647148793397155.post-49867273772518768012012-09-20T10:43:38.990-04:002012-09-20T10:43:38.990-04:00Hello, Jane and Lance:
The jar with the ox-blood ...Hello, Jane and Lance:<br /><br />The jar with the ox-blood glaze is not celadon, which is a glaze with a very subtle green color. My father collected both the ox-blood ceramics and celadon ceramics.<br /><br />Thank you for appreciating that reflective light; my father had a good understanding of the principles of light due to a rigorous training in architectural drawing.<br /><br />The painting hangs in my study, over my computer, and I'm able to enjoy it even as I am typing this comment to you!Mark D. Ruffnerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09241533547309049140noreply@blogger.com