Art for Depression

On this week’s Art Doctor, we talk about depression. Or, rather, one particular aspect of depression that isn’t often mentioned: existential angst. I started thinking about this when talking to a friend. She struggles with big mental health issues, and has almost her whole life. So any coping mechanisms that most people use day-to-day aren’t […]

The Art Doctor is In!

Last November I started a YouTube channel called the Art Doctor. I probably should have mentioned that. In any case, here’s my latest video, which is a special one for International Women’s Day on the 8th of March! And here’s a link to my channel! For those of you who are new around here, check […]

The Railway Station

This week on The Art Doctor (my alter-ego!) we look at a fantastic and detailed Victorian painting by William Powell Frith. Check it out below: Here is the best image I could find of the painting – I’d love an even higher-res version at some point, but Getty Images wanted to charge me $600AUD for […]

Uncanny Art for Uncanny Times

Which eerie Rossetti couple are YOU? Take this quiz to find out!  Art can help us process the strange feelings inside, the ones that we can’t even articulate, but are lurking under the surface of our conscious mind. I know I’m not the only one to have noticed this: suddenly the whole internet is full […]

How to Frame Your Art

Framing is a vital step in displaying art, but one that most people gloss over. After all, how hard can it be? Get yourself a cheap-o $5 frame and shove the item in there. Presto! But, if you want to have things look right, and more importantly preserve your framed item, it might need a […]

10 Ways to Fill Your Empty Walls

Nothing strikes me with horror like an empty wall. Perhaps that’s why I became a Victorian art historian— they loved clutter. However, I know many people who have next to nothing on their walls. Some of them are dedicated minimalists, and that’s their aesthetic. But others want to put something there, but are unsure. What […]

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12 Tips for Visiting an Art Museum

As an art historian, my friends and family often ask me to come with them when they visit a museum. Of course, I’m always delighted. Museums are my happy place. But I realise for many people museums are intimidating. They feel like they need permission to enter the hallowed halls of culture, or a guide […]

It’s Not Censorship, it’s Just That #TimesUp

The critics are missing the point: Manchester Art Gallery has attempted to contextualise, not to censor. A rare but potent controversy has awoken this blog from its sweet, toddler-induced slumber. Even rarer, a modern, political discussion is being had in the Victorian art world. (We Victorian art historians don’t often make the news!)  It appears […]

Art Attack Roundup for 25 August 2014

In the world of art, as in life, there are only two kinds of news… The Bad News The Delaware Art Museum is selling off anything that isn’t stuck to the wall. Well, it’s not quite that bad yet. But their director, Michael Miller (who was formerly employed by DuPont and has no arts background) […]