artist - Shelley Beatty

Nativity contemporary style.

September 19, 2014 by shelley

Nativity in a contemporary style by Sebastian Bergne

Nativity contemporary style

I could not resist this nativity!

I also loved the artist’s, Sebastian Bergne, explanation of the design…from his web site (I even left all the English spellings.):

“The scene of the holy couple, shepherds, wise men and attendant livestock – which is not in fact biblically accurate – has become so widely reproduced that it can now be understood even by a simple arrangement of blocks, as a recent wave of minimalist nativity sets has shown.

Sebastian Bergne’s Colour Nativity is five identically-sized wooden columns – which stand in for the wise men, Joseph and shepherd, each in their characteristic colour – alongside a shorter blue block for Mary and a white oblong for the baby Jesus. A slender golden pillar completes the set as the Star of Bethlehem.

“The project makes use of our learned experience from exposure to thousands of images, toys and Christmas cards over the years,” says Bergne. “Each of the characters is recognisable by its colour, proportion and place in the composition.”

Continuing his research into the meaning and use of colour in objects, Sebastian Bergne has designed a contemporary nativity set. Each of the characters is a minimal wooden block that is recognisable by its colour, proportion and place in the composition. The project makes use of our learned experience from exposure to thousands of images, toys and christmas cards over the years.

The hand crafted and painted beech wooden blocks are stored in a box that completes its character as a toy set with a difference. Set size: 135x260x35mm

Following the original edition of 6, this one set of the second edition of 250 sets are currently available only through buysebastianbergne.com”

In its box:

Sebastian Bergne nativity

Chicago for the Congress of Neurological Surgeons

February 15, 2013 by shelley

Bob and I headed to Chicago for his annual CNS (Congress of Neurological Surgeons) meeting being held at the McCormick Convention Center. This year for the first time we stayed at the University Club in Chicago. Here’s how they describe their “enduring tradition of excellence” …

“It began rather modestly, more than a century ago, when a small group of college alumni formed the founding charter. Their goal was a simple one – to create an environment in which excellence thrives and develop a place where they, their guests and all future members could draw upon the sustaining values of a common educational experience. Here, at the corner of Michigan Avenue and Monroe Street at the eastern gateway to the city, they established a permanent residence for their shared ideals. Through the generations, this magnificent 12-story structure has provided a stimulating atmosphere where members conduct business, gather socially and expand culturally.”

Library at the University Club in Chicago

Biggest blackberries ever.

All in all it really is a beautiful place. I spent a great deal of time using the library as I had to prepare three presentations on church history to give to a youth group as soon as I got back in Kansas City. The library was beautiful…Fortunately, I took this next picture with my cell phone so I do have a picture of these, but for breakfast on my granola I had the biggest black berries I had ever seen…Some more pictures of the University Club:

The University Club of Chicago is a private social club located at 76 East Monroe Street at the corner of Michigan Avenue in downtown Chicago, Illinois

Outside of Chicago Club.

Informal dining area.

Formal dining area.

Inside of University Club.

When not in the library I would walk across the street and visit the art museum…one of my favorites and a few of my favorite masterpieces of art…

Art Institute of Chicago.

On the Terrace, Renoir,1881

American Gothic- this one was on tour last time I visited the musrum.

American Gothic- Grant Wood- this one was on tour last time I visited the musrum.

Seurat 1884-Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte

Nighthawks 1945 by Edward Hopper

Thanksgiving 1935 by Doris Lee
Loved the “quaintness” of this one.

A few more nativities from around the world….

February 10, 2012 by shelley

NATIVITIES FROM AROUND THE WORLD

A nativity from Zambia:

Wire and Twine Nativity from Zambia.

This Nativity is made from wire and twine by George and Faith Mushipi, who are house parents for the Children’s Resource Center, an orphanage in Lusaka, Zambia. George bends five different kinds of wire and wraps the twine for the Nativity stable and figures, while Faith hand-stitches the colorful clothing and stuffs the figures with wool. The standing figures measure 7 inches tall. The stable measures 11.75 inches tall to the top of the angel.

The couple jointly cares for the 25 orphans on the property. George is responsible for the social development of the children, while Faith does the cooking and cares for the children’s emotional and physical needs.

Wool nativity from Bolivia

This Nativity from Bolivia is made from handspun, handwoven sheep’s wool that is dyed using natural pigments. The figures are fashioned after the traditional dress of Andean shepherds and Inca royalty. Mary and baby Jesus are depicted in traditional Aymara clothing. The 10-piece set includes Mary, Joseph, baby Jesus, two shepherds, a llama, a cow, and three wise men. The standing figures measure approximately 8 inches tall.

Pastor Mendoza lives in a small community, a 2-hour walk from the village of Sorata. Over the past 20 years, he has concentrated on becoming a reliable and accomplished doll maker. His wife and 5 children also help in the making of the dolls and Nativities. In this way, his children grew up learning artisan techniques.

Pastor’s community is very united, with each family focusing strongly on agricultural production. The main crop is corn, yet peas, beans, and potatoes are also popular crops. In Pastor’s community, the men take turns carrying out the responsibilities of leading the community. At the end of the year, the community responsibilities will be redistributed. Pastor doesn’t yet know what he will be asked to do for the coming year, or if he may have some time off from community duties.

Until recently, Pastor’s village did not have electricity nor a road going to it. Those in the positions of responsibility in the community spent much time and energy in the official requests for these improvements, which have proven fruitful. It is now much easier to get produce to market using the new road. With electricity it is much easier for the children to do homework or the parents to do their handcrafts into the evening hours.

I purchased these nativities from the website www.worldnativity.com.

This next nativity is by a US artist, Hiliary Pfeifer, Bunny With a Tool Belt. She has become quite recognized as an artist since I bought my first nativity made by her.

Nativity by Hiliary Pfeifer, Bunny With a Tool Belt.

This is a cloth nativity from Ghana:

Cloth nativity from Ghana.

And finally a fun nativity from Mexico that was given to me by my friend; Ellen Duckworth.

Mexican nativity.

Additional nativities can be seen at this post and this one.