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Thomas Kinkade’s
"Hidden Arbor" is a painting done in the style of realism, yet it has a
slightly surreal touch. Still, it demonstrates many of the elements
and principles of art. The colors are vibrant, a wonderful combination
of warm colors (for example, the red in the flowers) and cool colors (for
example, the light blue in the water). "Hidden Arbor"’s surreal touch is
contributed to partly by the lighting found in the painting. The
shadows and highlights contribute greatly to the mood. "Hidden Arbor"’s
mood is one of peace beside running waterfalls. It also gives the
viewer the idea of man’s unity with nature, with the delicate gazebo beside
the equally delicate waterfalls. This harmony, or blending of elements
(the defined lines and shapes of the gazebo and the undefined color of
the waterfall), is admirable. These two subjects of the painting,
the waterfalls and the gazebo, create balance in the picture. Neither
subject overpowers the other. The repetition of the red flowers on
both the left side and the right side (on the rocks) creates rhythm and
adds to both the balance and harmony.
I like this painting
because it feels so fragile and delicate, as if made of colored glass.
It doesn’t feel like you could walk into it. If I could, I wouldn’t,
for fear of breaking it. Any living being to enter the picture would
spoil its perfection. The scene is meant to be looked at, not experienced.
This fragile flawlessness is contributed to by its slightly surreal lighting.
I would like to hang this painting in my home, where I could always view
its gracefulness. |