Comparative Study: The Beauty in

Nature
My Comparative Study focuses on the nature aspects between two artists
who share an appreciation for a natural world that is expressed in different
mediums. The two artists being compared are Andy Goldsworthy and Julie
Briede Ibar about their concepts within their pieces, the different techniques,
styles, and qualities of their work. They each focus on the natural aspects of
their work and find an aesthetic appeal to objects in nature.
 Evaluation of Cultural Significance of Andy Goldsworthy
Andy Goldsworthy is a British artist who works with nature
to develop wonderful pieces of artwork. Goldsworthy has made
art in several places throughout the world. His goal is “to
understand nature by directly participating in nature as
intimately as he can”, which is shown by the materials he works
with twigs, leaves, stones, ice, snow ,and thorns. When
Goldsworthy constructed his work he was more focused on the
relationships that the people had with the nature around them.
He believes that he can teach himself and the audience how life
is affected by particular ecological systems. Through his work,
you are able to have a more personal connection and use all of
your five senses. Art & Ecology:. (n.d.). Retrieved October 24, 2017, from
http://greenmuseum.org/c/aen/Issues/goldsworthy.php
Copy Of Andy Goldsworthy Nature And Art - Lessons - Tes Teach. (n.d.). Retrieved
January 25, 2018, from
https://www.tes.com/lessons/S-P7Kb1FIYOCpg/copy-of-andy-goldsworthy-nature-and-art
Interpretation of Function and Purpose: The unity in this piece
Annotation of “Refuge D’Art” by Andy Goldsworthy fits together nicely as if
each piece of stone was
This work uses form meant to connect with
to enhance its 3- the next piece, creating
dimensional shape on this curved form to the
how massive this sculpture.
artwork is based off
of the background
clues and shadows.

There is lots of texture

formed in this piece by
the ridged edges of the
stones even though
they are stacked in a Artist: Andy Goldsworthy
way that looks smooth. Title: Refuge D’Art
Medium: Ephemera
(n.d.). Retrieved October 24, 2017, from
http://www.morning-earth.org/ARTISTNATURALISTS/AN_Goldsworthy.html
(n.d.). Retrieved October 24, 2017, from http://www.refugedart.fr/?la=en&rr=&ind=&his=
Interpretation of Function and Purpose:
Annotation of “River Rock Finished with Gold Leaf” by Andy Goldsworthy
In this piece a lot of emphasis
is drawn onto the yellow rock
in the center of the river due
to the bold yellow color,
making the rock really stand
out.
This piece shows great
contrast with its background
due to such a bold yellow
color of the rock, as it’s
compared to the background
of the photograph where the
colors are much calmer and
suttle.
This piece represents a lovely
balance as the rock is placed in
the center of the photo
capturing an equal amount of
green displayed in the
background and how the river
is flowing down towards the
viewer
There is space shown in this
piece by the depth of the trees
represented in the photograph
Artist: Andy Goldsworthy as well as the foreground and
Title: River Rock Finished with Gold Leaf where the bright, yellow rock
Date: October 15th, 1991
is placed.
Medium: Ephemera
(n.d.). Retrieved October 24, 2017, from
http://www.morning-earth.org/ARTISTNATURALISTS/AN_Golds
worthy.html
 Interpretation of Function and Purpose
Annotation of “Incredible Serpentine Tree Roots” by Andy Goldsworthy
The unity overall in this
The form in his piece is
piece fits well with each
smooth and crafted with
other as the piece represents
curves and features that
the tree roots and connects to
compliments the piece all
the tree as if they were the
together.
actual roots.

The texture of this piece

looks smooth even though
the piece is made out of sand The movement in this piece
and represents the idea of allow your eyes to follow the
roots which are not smooth. stands as they weave through
each other, moving your eyes
Artist: Andy Goldsworthy on the photographic images
Title: Incredible Serpentine Tree Roots side to side as well as straight
Medium: Ephemera (tree, sand)
(n.d.). Retrieved October 24, 2017, from down.
http://www.morning-earth.org/ARTISTNATURALISTS/AN_Goldsworthy.html
Incredible Serpentine Tree Roots by Andy Goldsworthy. (n.d.). Retrieved October
24, 2017, from
https://theartstack.com/artist/andy-goldsworthy/incredible-serpentine-tr
 Analysis of Formal Qualities of Andy Goldsworthy
• He connects his final products to the materials he used as well as the
“River Rock Finished surroundings of the photo in each piece. “Incredible Serpentine
with Gold Leaf” Tree Roots”
Goldsworthy used found objects to create
He provides emphasis on
ephemera pieces that develops a connection with
some of his pieces by
the beauty of nature and the materials that he
using natural light and/
used.
or color like “River Rock
Finished with Gold Leaf”.
In this piece, he uses
yellow to emphasize the Goldsworthy’s use of form creates a powerful
rock being covered with impact of how the piece is viewed due to the fact
vibrant color leaves that the size of his pieces tend to be quite massive.
compared to the
surroundings having
darker ones.
His pieces are simplistic
which brings out more of
the beauty of each piece he “Refuge
creates. D’Art”
Evaluation of Cultural Significance of Julie Briede Ibar
In nature she finds balance and patterns while she is
continuously studying the world around her. She tends to
creates forms that are realistic but are also imaginative and
mystical.
She was involved with WVA (Wisconsin Visual artists. The
purpose of WVA and her reason of becoming involved is to
encourage visual arts in Wisconsin where others are able to
discover their passions for art. Being involved also helped show
her love for creating art. She believes that “Nature provides the
elements that you need for a good painting: color, contrast,
positive, negative space, texture and design”.
(n.d.). Retrieved October 24, 2017, from http://wisconsinvisualartists.com/index.php
(n.d.). Retrieved October 24, 2017, from
http://wisconsinvisualartists.com/public/article_full.php?user_id=534
Artist's Statement. (n.d.). Retrieved October 24, 2017, from
http://www.julieibar.com/public/view_text.php?user_id=3
Interpretation of Function and Purpose:
Annotation of Autumn Swirl - by Julie Briede Ibar This piece represents line
design by the leaves
The movement in this wrapped in water causing
piece is in a scanning the reflection of the light
motion as you first look to produce white lines.
at the cluster leaves at
the bottom and then scan
your way up and back
down the artwork.
The color is shown by
High emphasis is shown how the water absorbs
through the bright colors and reflects the light as
of red and yellow in the well as the contrast
leaves. The use of color between the bright red
catches the viewer's
Artist: Julie Briede Ibar leaves and white lines
Title: Autumn Swirl being reflected.
attention. Medium: Wrapped Canvas
Wings, W. (n.d.). Julie Briede Ibar Artwork. Retrieved October 24,
2017, from
http://www.wildwings.com/DirectionsWEB/webcart_category.php
?catid=IBARJULIE
Interpretation of Function and Purpose:
Annotation of “Next Wave” by Julie Briede Ibar There is a slight repetition in
this piece where the rocks
are being stacked and the
This piece has a pleasant colors blue and light brown
amount of balance to it as the are continuously being used.
rocks are stacked in the The colors that are used
center of the canvas. compliment each other with
the overall look of he piece.

There is a use of value in this

piece based off of the light The movement of the piece
shades of the water compared directs your eyes straight to
to the harsh tones of the sand the stack of rocks and then to
and shadow. the background of the waves
crashing.

Artist: Julie Briede Ibar

Title: Next Wave
Medium: Wrapped Canvas
Wings, W. (n.d.). Julie Briede Ibar Artwork. Retrieved October 24, 2017, from
http://www.wildwings.com/DirectionsWEB/webcart_category.php?catid=IBARJULIE
Interpretation of Function and Purpose There is an emphasis in this
piece when first viewing
“Winter Morning” because
Annotation of “Winter Morning- Chickadee” by Julie Briede Ibar
one's eyes are drawn to the
This piece shows great warm color of red in the
contrast between the white background behind the bird.
and black on the bird
allowing the bird to really
stand out, especially on the
background which contains a The space in this piece
variety of shades of oranges primarily focuses on the bird
and yellow. as its the center of the
painting where nothing else
The colors in this piece are is being compared to the
warm and inviting, making bird.
the viewer want to continue
looking at the piece. Overall
Artist: Julie Briede Ibar
the piece has a calm feeling
Title: Winter Morning- Chickadee
to it. Medium: Wrapped Canvas
Wings, W. (n.d.). Julie Briede Ibar Artwork. Retrieved October 24, 2017, from
http://www.wildwings.com/DirectionsWEB/webcart_category.php?catid=IBARJULIE
Analysis of Formal Qualities of Julie Briede Ibar
• She enjoys artwork that is able to transport her to that specific place in the painting , containing
that feelings of being there once before.
• She tends to work with flat colors and builds off from one color by adding layers on top of one
another.

• Ibar creates pieces in nature because she finds that she is able to
develop a better constructed piece of artwork.

• Several of her pieces uses either bright colors to catch the audience's
eye or one main color in various shades.

• She likes to present her work to an audience of children due to the what they notice right away and
how they continue to carry that curiosity about the piece of artwork.
• She doesn’t let specific pieces of her image get into the way, such as an animal, which emphasis the
details that are put into each piece.
 Comparing Cultural Contexts
Andy Goldsworthy
• International artist from England
• Uses natural materials that are found
• Work is created out in the open, is in a public place
• Used a variety of different materials that are found in nature: twigs,
leaves, rocks and more.

Both
• Inspired by nature
• Generally works with the same
form being canvas or sculpture.

Julie Briede Ibar

• Local artist from Milwaukee
• Creates oil on canvas artworks
• Work is secluded, and prefers her work to be viewed by children
• Generally sticks to the basics of what she knows, which is working with
painting nature scenes into canvas using oil paints.
Comparing Formal Qualities
• She uses line to create a sense of movement

• Color is used to emphasis specific aspects of the

Andy Goldsworthy
piece.

Both • Repetition is slightly used with the use of color.

• Both primarily
• Her works are smaller and is able to be
focuses on the use
transported.
of space

• Both share
movement,
• Uses form in several of his pieces to create a specific effect contrast,
emphasis, space
• Uses texture that provide detail in his pieces and balance in
their artworks.
• Unity is used to show the craftsmanship of his work.

• Larger pieces of work is created to catch the viewer's eyes. Julie Briede Ibar
 Comparing Function and Purpose:

Andy Goldsworthy Both Julie Briede Ibar

• Focuses on ephemeral pieces • Generally creates work

• Both artists are inspired by
only on canvas using oil
• Uses natural resources that he finds the beauty nature and the
paints
when creating artwork aesthetic appeal.
• Focuses on creating
• As time pasts his work will disappear • Cares deeply and has an
pieces with animals such
appreciation for the
as birds and other
• Most of his artworks decay due to natural world
landscape pieces.
being ephemeral pieces.
 Comparing the Use of Materials and Concepts
Both
Andy Goldsworthy
• Uses bright vibrant colors to draw attention and
emphasize the piece.

• Mainly primary color are used such as reds and yellows

Julie Briede Ibar

• Works with natural • Paints a specific part of

material that he finds in nature such as the birds
nature to create ephemera that live in it.
pieces
• Contains lots of strong
• Uses aesthetics to appeal personal connections
the viewer with each piece.
 Connections to Personal Art compared to Goldsworthy
The piece “Gone with the Wind” was inspired by
Andy Goldsworthy work and his use of technique. In
my piece one can see how found objects are used to
create form in both of our works. My piece was inspired
by the use of bright color that is seen in “River Rock
Finished with Gold Leaf ”, where yellow emphasizes the
piece. This is demonstrated in the center of my work as
well by having vibrant yellow tips.
In my research I found that Goldsworthy would
focuses on accentuating the beautiful aspect of nature
and how the work he creates won’t last as time passes.
Therefore when creating my piece I focused on the
same idea of my work fading away over time. Both of
“Gone with the Wind” our works were created outside which reveal how
weather impacts how long our pieces last.
 Connections to Personal Art compared to Goldsworthy
Summertime Sadness was
inspired by Goldsworthy work
“Incredible Serpentine Tree
Roots”. I was inspired by the use of
balanced that is represented in his
work being quite symmetrical. In
my piece I focused on that same
aspect of unity and symmetry. The
movement in our pieces are also
also similar as one’s eyes are
attracted to the center of the piece
“Incredible Serpentine
Tree Roots”
Although this specific
piece of Goldsworthy doesn’t
represent his use of emphasis,
it was still incorporated into
my work. This is emphasized
through the vibrant hues in
the leaves on the trees as well
as the sky in the background.
The use of these colors are eye
catching and complement the
shades of blue in the water. “Summertime Sadness”
 Connections to Personal Art compared to Briede Ibar
“Gone with the Wind” is also
The objects the were obtained also
inspired by Briede IBars work,
demonstrates the sense of fall as
especially “Autumn Swirl” because
leaves were painted in Briede Ibar
of the use color and objects used.
works and crumbled leaves were
The hues used are warm colors of
used in “Gone with the Wind”. I
red, orange, and yellow. These
focused on my technique and the
colors symbolize the season of fall
process of creating my piece. The
hence the title of Briede Ibar piece.
layout of which colors go where
The grey shades of the rocks also
was crucial to enhance the
connect to my piece as the
emphasis of having bright yellow in
pavement that my piece is made
the center. Like Briede Ibar having
on is the same tone. Overall the
one bright leaf, I demonstrated this
palette used in our pieces were
through one of my center petals
identical creating works focusing
being slightly pulled away from the
on nature in two different ways.
“Gone with the Wind” rest of the petals.
Connections to Personal Art compared to Briede Ibar
In “Summertime Sadness” I focused the
movement of the piece being a main focus as it’s
flowing towards the viewer which was inspired by
“Next Wave”. Briede Ibar also demonstrates
movement in the background of her work. The
color usage for the water contains the same hues
of light blues and white to emphasis waves
crashing.
My piece was inspired by the unity of her work
and how symmetrically balance the piece is. “Next
Wave” is simplistic, having the main focus being the
“Next Wave” stacked rocks and waves in the background which
correlates to my piece focusing on the movement of
the water and the use of color in the background of
“Summertime Sadness”
the orange and red leaves on the trees.
Connections to Personal Art compared to Goldsworthy and
Briede Ibar
My works compared to Goldsworthy and Briede Ibar
focus on the beauty of nature which is presented in multiple
forms. Goldsworthy work is a 3D form on art that changes
overtime which inspired my piece “Gone with the Wind” but
also connects to Briede Ibar work due to her use of vibrant
colors. My work shows emphasis through the center of my piece
that is inspired by both Goldsworthy work as well as Briede Ibar
work using shades of red and yellow.

“Summertime Sadness” is a landscape piece that

Goldsworthy and Briede Ibar both create. My piece is a drypoint
print which demonstrates more of Briede Ibars works as they are
made on canvas. In my piece I incorporated the use of being
symmetrical and well balanced that can be seen from both artist
inspirations. “Summertime Sadness” demonstrates more of an
illustrative piece, containing intense colors that catches the
viewer's attention.