Richard Armitage and the Arts
Is it true that if a person is artistically inclined and talented in one way, they are more likely to be artistically inclined and talented in other ways too?
That is the question.
Judging by Mr. Armitage, the answer is yes, very much so. We all know he can act, so that's one just for starters. He has mentioned on several occasions that he plays the cello, and that, to me at least, makes him a bit artsy. If he was just into music like most people, he'd be strumming an accoustic or maybe even electric guitar from time to time, because that's the most common thing, really. Or play the piano. But a CELLO? That's pretty impressive.
If someone can play an instrument well, then they probably can sing as well, right? You'd think. With regards to Richard Armitage, from what I've gathered, he's said he's not a singer. However, listen to the BBC Radio 4 adaptation of Samuel Richardson's Clarissa and you'll ask yourself what he means by "not being a singer" because that is one incredible singing voice!
And if you can play an instrument and sing, you've obviously got rhythm, and if you've got that, you might be able to move quite well. Dancing? Well, the man's got that covered too, having taken dancing lessons and been in Cats and everything.
IS THERE ANYTHING THIS MAN CAN'T DO?!
Paint? There's an interview he did to promote The Impressionists, where he says that he has done a bit of painting as well. He also mentions that his favourite Monet painting (he played Claude Monet in The Impressionists) is one he saw in Paris, and it's the Houses of Parliament in the sunset, and how vivid the colours were. Unfortunately for us, Monet did a lot of paintings of the same subject at different times of day, so it's anyone's guess exactly which sunset over the Houses of Parliament Mr. Armitage was on about. It's not exactly like van Gogh's Sunflowers or da Vinci's Mona Lisa. Looking at a few different sunset Parliaments for comparison, I chose this one:
The way he's made the clouds and the colours of them are incredible, and the painting has its own life. Whether this is the painting Dear Richard spoke of, there's no way of knowing. However, if you want to know more about Claude Monet, the famed squirrel beard, paintings or The Impressionists, Phylly's blog is the place to go! :)
This post is part of FanstRAvaganza 2, a Richard Armitage fanblogging event running 14-21 March 2011. See all FanstRAvaganza posts from this blog.
This year's other participants: An RA viewer's perspective from 33°0'S of the equator, Avalon's Blog, CDoart, Confessions of a Watcher, From the Quill Tip, Me + Richard, Mesmered's Blog, Nevermind, Mr. Armitage, Phylly's Faves, RA Frenzy, The RA Fan Blog, RA Vids & Graphics, The Spooks Fan Blog, and White Rose Writing.
That is the question.
Judging by Mr. Armitage, the answer is yes, very much so. We all know he can act, so that's one just for starters. He has mentioned on several occasions that he plays the cello, and that, to me at least, makes him a bit artsy. If he was just into music like most people, he'd be strumming an accoustic or maybe even electric guitar from time to time, because that's the most common thing, really. Or play the piano. But a CELLO? That's pretty impressive.
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| (Thanks to Angelfish via Skully for this one!) |
If someone can play an instrument well, then they probably can sing as well, right? You'd think. With regards to Richard Armitage, from what I've gathered, he's said he's not a singer. However, listen to the BBC Radio 4 adaptation of Samuel Richardson's Clarissa and you'll ask yourself what he means by "not being a singer" because that is one incredible singing voice!
And if you can play an instrument and sing, you've obviously got rhythm, and if you've got that, you might be able to move quite well. Dancing? Well, the man's got that covered too, having taken dancing lessons and been in Cats and everything.
IS THERE ANYTHING THIS MAN CAN'T DO?!
Paint? There's an interview he did to promote The Impressionists, where he says that he has done a bit of painting as well. He also mentions that his favourite Monet painting (he played Claude Monet in The Impressionists) is one he saw in Paris, and it's the Houses of Parliament in the sunset, and how vivid the colours were. Unfortunately for us, Monet did a lot of paintings of the same subject at different times of day, so it's anyone's guess exactly which sunset over the Houses of Parliament Mr. Armitage was on about. It's not exactly like van Gogh's Sunflowers or da Vinci's Mona Lisa. Looking at a few different sunset Parliaments for comparison, I chose this one:
The way he's made the clouds and the colours of them are incredible, and the painting has its own life. Whether this is the painting Dear Richard spoke of, there's no way of knowing. However, if you want to know more about Claude Monet, the famed squirrel beard, paintings or The Impressionists, Phylly's blog is the place to go! :)
This year's other participants: An RA viewer's perspective from 33°0'S of the equator, Avalon's Blog, CDoart, Confessions of a Watcher, From the Quill Tip, Me + Richard, Mesmered's Blog, Nevermind, Mr. Armitage, Phylly's Faves, RA Frenzy, The RA Fan Blog, RA Vids & Graphics, The Spooks Fan Blog, and White Rose Writing.
I think he mentioned that he plays the guitar and the flute as well as having all those other accomplishments.
ReplyDeleteI bet he can write - he reports that he writes backstories for his characters .... wouldn't it be great if we could get a glimpse of some of the notes he has written about his characters.
Guitar AND flute? AND cello? Holy crap that man's too good to be true! *THUD!*
ReplyDeleteHe reads a lot so a guess is that he's not a bad writer either. I bet those backstories are a great read, regardless. Swoon.
I didn't know he could play guitar. But he is a singer and was a chorus singer and dancer in Cats. Maybe he believes he's not good enough to solo? Pretty sure he'd make a good writer. His old messages to the fan forums were surprisingly creative and thoughtful.
ReplyDeleteGreat post, and much more food for thought this week!
ReplyDeleteYes, the trained speaking voice and musicality suggests that a singing career would not have been beyond the realm, with singing training.
Do you think that what Mr. A has done, is to bring all those talents together (never mind the long gone "pigeon toes" , long limbs and big feet, to a choice,and incorporate all into the acting career? Why waste a VOICE, among other gifts?
fitzg
I think to be in musicals like Cats one doesn't only have to be a good dancer but a good singer as well. He understudied several characters, among them some with solo singing. Musical performers have trained voices, maybe not like opera singers (though his voice is described as baritone) but they are often much better than rock and pop singers.
ReplyDeleteI'm not so sure about painting, he maybe able to look convincing with a brush in his hand, but beyond that?
BTW I only discovered your blog thanks to the fanstavaganza and it is great. so much to read, not just RA related.
OMG Incredibly talented man. He has an amazing range of possibilities. Is it not to be too much for one guy?!
ReplyDeleteI also would like to read the backstories *thud*
It's remarkable how much talent this man has! I'm continually amazed. Now he can add "dwarf" to his CV!
ReplyDeleteI think he's artsy to the marrow. He is so inherently musical that all he is and does is a song. I really enjoyed your musings. Really spoke to me. :)
ReplyDeleteHe's such an accomplished man! Is there something he's not good at?!
ReplyDeleteI have often thought that I would have loved to read his backstory journal for Guy of Gisborne...sigh..
ReplyDeleteI too, am constantly amazed by his many talents! Speaking of the backstories he creates for his characters -- if he had a notebook where he wrote down his ideas - wouldn't that make a fabulous auction item for a fundraiser? Wow! Imagine the cat fight over that!!
ReplyDeleteBTW thanks for the shout out! :) I like your pick his favourite Monet painting.
All that and a bag of chips! Sorry, but my mind is still on the food. :D
ReplyDeleteI'll bet he can draw. In fact, I just assume that he can. It's been my experience that people who are musical quite often can sketch fairly well. I could be so wrong about that, but heck, I like dreaming about it. LOL!
Another great post, Traxy. Such a pleasure to read these.
Thanks for the kind words, everyone! :) Appreciate it - thanks for reading and commenting!
ReplyDeleteRA just seems like a very artsy kinda guy, which is great to see. Glad he's using them as well. If he ever published his character background notes, it might turn out to be a bestseller! :)