LLOG BLOG #59: GIOTTO: THE MASTER AND THE STUDENT: WAS HE VERY GOOD AT THIS? YES.

“He’s actually a really nice dog. Go ahead and pet him.”
Pic courtesy of John L., Fruita, CO.

This week, the LLOG BLOG is taking a new path and is growing up a little bit. We are going to do a spotlight on one of the masters in Art history, Mr. Giotto di Bondone (1267-ish to 1337). Or just Giotto, as most people called him.

“The Beard Smoocher.” Giotto. Fresco. Sometime before 1337.

But first, what am I even doing? Let’s start this correctly:

ART: INTRODUCTION:

Once in a great while, there comes along a thing that is so influential and awesome that it changes the course of history. This is not that. But this is the world’s leading Log-based contemporary (& Historical) Arts and Culture on-line periodical.

I am Matthew Llogginsman, the editor of this and THIS is the LLOG BLOG. (crowds cheering angrily)

Matthew Logginsman. Editor of the LLOG BLOG.

Okay. Let’s get right to it this week. We have a LOT to cover this week.

ART: ARTIST SPOTLIGHT: GIOTTO.

“Angel that forgot his Superman Undershirt.” Fresco by Giotto.

We do not want to get gummed up in the details here, but it’s important to note that Giotto was one of the great influencers of many of the more-well known painters from the Renaissance. Like Michelangelo.

A lot of people say that he wasn’t that good of a painter, especially when compared to the likes of other, better artists in history. But he was pretty good.

There are many resources for you out there, if you are looking to find out more about the life and times of Giotto. However, we would recommend you borrow this large volume from your local library if you want a pretty well-rounded look at Giotto and his work as a painter and architect. It has tons of great pictures too.

It’s simply called "Giotto” by Francesca Flores d’Arcais (ISBN: 978-0-7892-1266-5)

“Giotto” The book. (Greg, I thought I told you to take all of these sticky notes off earlier this week..)

Okay, so let’s start at the beginning. Giotto di Bondone was born in…

Wait. Okay. Let’s take a moment and address the “elephant” in the “room.”

ART: ADDRESSING THE “ELEPHANT” IN THE “ROOM.”

As many of you have surely heard already, LMI Intl Resident Artist Steve Picasso has been contractually released from his position here at Logman Industries International, due to some problematic behaviors and press surrounding said behaviors.

Here at LMI Intl, we feel responsible to you, the consumer, to know the truth about what transpired earlier this week to result in the removal of Artist Steve Picasso from the LMI Intl family. So here’s the what happened:

First of all, on his first day, he went through the entire LMI Intl Creative studio: SF,CA and put post-it notes on everything saying he owned everything now. (see example above.) Annoying AF.

Then, Mr. Picasso went all wild about the famous cartoon program called “The Simpsons” early last week and blew a HUGE part of his studio budget on very expensive “The Simpson” themed things for “research.”

Simpson Arcade Game. (These are like $8000! Come on, Steve.)

Simpsons Collectable Chess game. (Steve, these are like $8,000! WTF, Steve?!)

Then he started doing some interesting work in the studio which our legal team started to get a little worried about:

“(Blank) (Blankson)” Wood burning. Steve Picasso. 2026 (Our legal team blanked out the title of this one.)

(Blank titleson). Wood Burning. Steve Picasso. 2026. (Legal team worried.)

All of this could have been managed internally, but then Mr. Picasso started posting all kinds of wacko things and the press caught wind of it:

Well. Unfortunately, this resulted in the removal of Mr. Picasso from all contractual obligations and LMI Intl properties. Don’t worry, we are fast-tracking a replacement for that artist in residence position. We are thinking about this artist from… Miami (I think.) (Barb, did he write on his application where he’s from?)

We will let you know next week. Okay, let’s get to reader mails:

ART: READER MAILS:

This week we had a ton of questions from last week’s Steve Picasso interview, which we had to junk per our LMI Legal Division. Sorry to those readers.

Okay, here is one we CAN put in this column this week:

Debbie N. from Granite Falls, ID writes:

“Dear Logman Industries, Look at this cool picture I took this week! It looks like a tiny house is balancing on four legs! But it’s just an optical illusion! Thanks and keep up the good work, Debbie N.

Picture by Debbie N. (Just kidding. It’s LMI. 2025.)

Oh, also, I was just wondering… what was Steve Picasso doing in South America before he started working at LMI? Just wondering.”

(Greg, I thought you went through these before sending them to my desk.)

Uh, Debbie, thanks for the pic and the email. Looks great. Looking at your picture, one may be reminded of some of Giotto’s architectural painting like this one:

“Very Small House with Angel Window and Extremely Nosy Neighbor” Giotto. Fresco probably.

And we cannot comment on your second question, Debbie. I’m sorry. We know the answer, but we’re not allowed to comment.

Okay… (typing noise) whaaaat do we have neeeeeext…

Oh, here’s one from LLOG BLOG Reader Brian M. from Seattle WA:

“Dear LMI Intl,

First, I just want to say how much I appreciate your complete, fair and comprehensive reporting on the world of Arts and Culture. You see, I don’t get a whole lot of exposure to Arts and Cultures day to day because I am a building inspector. It’s fun, but I’m often so busy at work that I don’t even notice the Arts and Culture all around me. Oh well. I have the LLOG BLOG. And that’s more than enough.

Anyways, my question this week is this: Why was Steve Picasso in South America?

Thanks and keep being an industry leader! _Brian M. Seattle WA.

Okay. Ummm.

Let’s move on to the LMI Sketchbook Section:

ART: LMI INTL SKETCHBOOK: A LOOK AT WHAT WE ARE WORKING ON:

This is one from the vaults, but it’s pretty good: