When I really have nothing to write about; I become reflective.
Some of my older pictures I enjoy looking at; others not. Mostly anything that doesn't pass muster in the studio never sees the light of day anyway, so paintings of mine that I don't like are usually scrapped before they are seen.
Rêve de Luxe (above) is one that I am never bored with. It's not particularly well painted, the subject matter is not that interesting, but there's something about it that I like.
Occasionally a collector will say 'Do you remember this one?', and I look at it with horror; immediately seeing faults that should have been corrected. I've even been shown old pictures that I had no recollection of at all (very weird).
This picture entitled 'Small War' is another that I like looking at.... but I'm probably the only one.
I see Marc Chagall in your work, my favourite artist ever ever. I hope it is alright with you to say that. I like small war but it won't enlarge on my phone, maybe it will on the computer later, but I like the red and the blonde and the tennis racquet and the brown man who looks like a fox.
ReplyDeleteI rather like Chagall, but have never thought of being influenced by him. Both the above are 4 by 3 ft. I had a stretcher-maker back in the UK from whom I'd ordered four 4 by 3's, and he used to turn up later saying he'd had some spare time and made me some more. For a while all my work was 4 by 3.
DeleteSharing something that we have created with others in spite of its perceived imperfections takes courage. That self doubt hinders creativity for the majority of people.
ReplyDeleteI find 'Small War' very pleasing.
Art School crits soon knock that out of your LG.
DeleteHave never been. Not in that league. Would be lovely if more people bit the bullet and unleashed their inner creativity. It would make a healthier happier world. But then as an occupational therapist I would say that!
DeleteI like the top picture the most. It gets a bit smaller when I " enlarge" it actually and Small War doesn't move at all!
ReplyDeleteThat's Mr Blogger for you. Small War was more personal.
DeleteI fell in love at sight with Small War Cro - brilliant.
ReplyDeleteYou're very kind.
DeleteI agree with Rachel re the Chagall. I really really like the first painting.
ReplyDeleteThank you.
DeleteYes, your embiggening facility seems to have let you down - I too cannot enlarge either of them. Both are very familiar - did you do them at Farnham?
ReplyDeleteThey've both appeared before, and the 'enlarging' doesn't work a second time.
DeleteNo they were both done post Farnham; both late 80's I think.
Reve de Luxe: she looks like a feisty gal! I love her harlequin pants, reminds me of the Picasso harlequins, which are favourites of mine. I think I could look at this picture for hours too.
ReplyDeleteFeisty is a good word for her.
DeleteI agree with Rachel and Frugal re Chagall. I would love to see the actual paintings, Cro.
ReplyDeleteThey're both in private collections.
DeleteWhen I first began reading your posts, having enjoyed the comments you'd left at Weaver of Grass's place, I wondered if you would ever show any of your paintings. What a treat it is this morning to see these two.
ReplyDeleteI think that your paintings share with your writing a very particular, often charming, sometimes provocative way of expression. I like the writing and the painting very much.
Thank you also for letting us know the dimensions of the paintings. Your drawing and color choices are very fine. I'm now wondering if you do preparatory drawings before beginning the paintings, and if some of the "characters" that I see in these pictures appear in any other paintings? I do like your way of translating a certain reality into imagery that will intrigue viewers.
Best wishes.
Yes I always do preparatory work, then the final job usually ends-up totally different. Someone once told me that he could always recognise my paintings because they usually contain a gun and a seagull. Not entirely true but it's quite often the case. Otherwise the characters do not reappear.
DeleteThank you. i really appreciate your taking time to answer my questions, and hope that you will show more of your paintings in future posts.
DeleteBest wishes.
Ilike the small war.
ReplyDeleteA bit chaotic; rather like Hamas.
DeleteThat top picture looks a tad Alice in Wonderlandish doesn't it?
ReplyDeleteA little mysterious maybe.
DeleteLots to look at in both, actually. I like that.
ReplyDeleteIn the short time I've been following your blog I've not seen your art until now. I've just spent a lunchtime looking at these (they did enlarge for me) so that must say something. I find them both disturbing and thought provoking. Do I like them? No. Would I stop in a gallery and look at them for a long time? Probably yes.
ReplyDelete