I'm impressed with the painting. I'm also intrigued by your choices of scenes. They're usually really normal. Nothing fanciful about them. I'd like to see you paint a car accident. Edit: to be clear, I think they're wonderful and really calming.
Thanks, I appreciate it. But, I feel that art has been saturated with sex, violence, and politics for the last century. It definitely has its place, and I don't fault anyone that has a real desire to do it, but IMHO a lion's share of it is a result of expectations. What's worse, is that exploration of the subtle parts of our nature/condition are so often ironic or lathered in sincere affectation. I mean, to be honest my life hasn't been much defined by violence, and to the extent that it has, I'm not keen on painting it. That's not to say that I am not making an effort to infuse them with something personal. I am. I know the things that I paint, and to the extent that they aren't literal, that's the thing that I am working on. I feel that my latitude there expands a bit with each painting, and that's part of what excites me about starting the next one.
Interesting. I have never really looked at Hopper's work aside from Nighthawks. He uses geometry in a way that reminds me of M.C. Escher. I can see what you are saying about the calmness. My first paintings were far more geometric and abstract, done with house paint on metal: In those paintings I was interested in getting at the essence of a scene while restricting the color and the lines. Almost as if you were creating a commercial label for something non-commercial. I think a thread of emotion has remained constant, even though the technique I am using is so different now.
Hopper is one of my most favorite artists. Many people see melancholy and sadness in his paintings. I don't. I see strength in simplicity. Automat from 1927 is one of those. Some people see a lonely woman in an empty diner. I see a strong, empowered woman, out on her own at night (at a time when things like that Were Not Done), fulfilling her desire for ... coffee? a piece of pie? dinner? And not needing anyone else to be there. So yeah. I see Hopper in your painting. As far as your earlier work - like the one you posted - it feels very experimental... like the early modern illustrators around the time of Mondrian... Very cool!
Thanks. That's an interesting take on Hopper. I am going to Chicago this weekend. Maybe I'll get a chance to take another look at Nighthawks in person. I can see what you are saying about Automat. It does look like she is taking the time to think on things alone. She could be thinking about something sad, but she could be weighing a decision, or just taking a moment.
I agree with you, there is no shortage of these types of paintings. I really like the calming aesthetic of what you are making. I just thought it would be ironic to have that aesthetic show something like a simple fender bender or perhaps a traffic jam. -Also something pretty common in most peoples lives but not ever considered serene or pastoral. But there is probably too much irony, too much juxtaposition in art these days, no doubt. Have you considered painting someone's portrait? That would seem the ultimate challenge.
Yeah, if I did a fender bender, it would probably just be me doing it for the irony. I'd like to avoid that. Also, who wants a fender bender on their wall? A traffic jam is a bit more interesting. I suppose both will be historical curiosities in time. Yes, I probably will. Although I am not there yet.Have you considered painting someone's portrait? That would seem the ultimate challenge.
I think you could make a serene fender bender though. Capture that moment right before you exchange information and you're both kinda staring at the damage like welp :/
I suppose both will be historical curiosities in time.
That would make for an interesting show -- all paintings of every day scenes that will one day be historical curiosities. who wants a fender bender on their wall?
I would if it was painted in a way that made it seem calm and non-violent. An occurrence, a moment, perhaps a tease of a narrative.
Good point. Still, maybe one could dedicate it to scenes that will be antiquated in 20 years time.
There are many historical paintings of nude people. In fact there are entire Instagram accounts dedicated to the oddest of the paintings. I think they are very interesting because they show a different side of our ancestors from the narrative we are normally fed.