I really don't like displaying myself like this; it's not my style. But I need to illustrate a point.
Painters, as opposed to most other professions, are often inflicted with serious DOUBTS. We continue blindly along our funneled paths, scratching away, trying to achieve something, often losing the plot.As students we struggle; we want to impress, to innovate. Then comes a period of angst when we hope to be recognised for our skills. We exhibit our wares and expect to be lauded; rarely does this happen. We settle down to earn a living, with maybe the occasional attempt at commerce en route.
Finally our cares are abandoned, and we paint solely for ourselves, simply because we need to. Honesty raises its foul head, and the sum of our life's learning becomes squeezed and concentrated. We tend to think too much.
I feel I'm getting dangerously close to that point, but, in my case, the DOUBTS simply become stronger. I've recently rekindled an interest in 'Woodland' Landscape painting, which is why I've posted the two 1987 pictures above. My recent work has become reduced to almost Japanese Caligraphy levels, but it no longer really matters.
I may post one or two examples tomorrow. (It'll be my 4th centenary posting)
I know, Cro - I live with a painter... The last things that the sculptor Rodin did (wonderful washed drawings of Balinese dancers) were - by his own description - distillations of all the things he had ever done before in his long career.
ReplyDeleteNot quite the same league, sadly. But the same notion.
ReplyDeleteYour work reminds me of the great Australian painter Ian Fairweather which I like very much.
ReplyDeleteI've just looked him up, Bris. We seem to posess a mutual relaxed feeling in our works. Maybe it's that.
ReplyDeleteNice, Cro. I especially like the first one. I haven't had a paint brush in my hand for years. You're tempting me.
ReplyDeleteI like them, maybe they should be about a metre high?
ReplyDeleteI like them for both the colors and execution. I'm not just saying that either. They're unique and have a cool retro feel about them.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has nothing to do with your excellent paintings Cro! When somebody nicked your holly tree, shame on them - it wasn't me honest - mine was only about 2 feet high and didn't have any berries (sob sob)
ReplyDeleteMolly. I know who it was! A 'travelling person' had decided he no longer wished to 'travel', and had parked his mobile home in a tiny field beyond our land. I saw the whole tree behind a hedge. He was a HUGE guy, so....
ReplyDeleteYou've described poet's angst quite accurately here, minus the part about commerce. When my artist friends complain that they don't make enough $$ with their art, I suggest that they switch to poetry. Gives them pause ;)
ReplyDeleteI put you up there with Hoffman and Frankenthaler.
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