Being in the business, I've quite naturally met many 'well known artists'; we tend to congregate. One of the most inspirational having been Ivon Hitchens.
When he invited me to his ramshackle home near Petworth in Sussex, it was FILLED with paintings. One could hardly move without squeezing past stacks of framed pictures leaning against the walls. There was a subliminal message in there.
Ivon painted first and foremost for himself, and his relaxed visual influence continues to be seen in works by Howard Hodgkin and his many acolytes.
We didn't spend a long time together, enough for a tour, tea, and a chat, but his wise words rang true throughout. His work ethic, and unflinching dedication to his craft, were exemplary. So many well known painters often become no more than 'picture factories' once they become popular, but Ivon remained very much an 'Artist' to the end.
I salute you Ivon. RIP.
Art for art's sake. Edgar Degas purchased once a fine El Greco which he kept to hang his pants on by his bed.
ReplyDeleteI hope people don't use my work for that.... but thinking about it...
DeleteI'm quite taken by the painting. Thanks for introducing me to this chap who sounds wonderful. Why is it that so many artists work in clutter though? I get overwhelmed.x
ReplyDeleteSome call it clutter, I like to think of it as organised chaos.
DeleteExactly what I tell my husband but he won't accept it.
DeleteDon't you own a rolling pin?
DeleteWhy did you write about him today?
ReplyDeleteI live in organised chaos.
I though I'd do a series on Heroes. The first one that came to mind was Ivon. His wife was lovely too, she gave me a huge pink Peony which fell to bits in the car on my way home.
DeleteWhy didnt you keep in touch with them?
DeleteI moved from Sussex to Wales, then to here. In between times I was teaching, so free time was a rarity.
DeleteOK, go on then, explain it to me. Is it supposed to look like anything? I tried to 'see' something in it and all I could get (whilst screwing my eyes up at the same time!) was a vague impression of two people at a tea table and somebody else pouring them a cup of milk from a large jug...initiate me into the mysterious world of art Cro ... am I supposed to 'see' anything or just enjoy the mix of colours and shapes?
ReplyDeleteI believe it's a woodland landscape, at least that's what I'd like it to be. That was his usual subject matter. Try harder Sue.
DeleteYou're a cultured old soul cro
ReplyDeleteI do my best.
DeleteWe once had a small section of wall (hidden behind a curtain) that looked something like that ! It was where we tried out our samples of emulsion.....
ReplyDeleteYou should have framed it!
DeleteSomehow, I am surprised that Mr Hitchens' name did not register with me. The picture you've shown us certainly did, and I've now spent some time looking at various sites that allowed me to see more of his work. The horizontal shape of many of his canvases certainly allows me to see some views of beautiful places. I also liked some still life paintings of flowerpots on windowsills.
ReplyDeleteI will have to do some more research to find out where I might actually see some of his works either over here or over there. I note that there are some in the Tate.
Thank you so much. You've a fine hero.
He was a true 'gentleman' painter, his name is not well known enough.
DeleteBeautiful use of colour in that picture Cro.
ReplyDeleteI had such a choice of illustrations; it wasn't easy picking one. I love it.
DeleteWell a search through his paintings has certainly left me a little less ignorant. I didn't try to understand them but simply to appreciate them: some I did and some I didn't.
ReplyDeleteNot everyone's cup of tea, but I'm sure you'd have liked the man himself.
DeleteFrom Rachel's "Pilgrim":
ReplyDeleteNow I'm in Spain and Google is letting me make comments again....
I really needed that lift in your car, what with the pouring rain and the French rail strike, it was hard to get to St Jean Pied de Port. But I did it and have now crossed the Pyrenees and arrived in Pamplona. 🍷 Enjoying a few pinchos tonight!
And I hope you can find some freshly cooked Churos for your breakfast. I'm sorry the weather was so dire whilst in my area; now it's hot and sticky.
DeleteDon't remind me about any other food temptations! I was hoping to lose weight on this pilgrimage, but it hasn't happened.
Delete