a thoughtful web.
Good ideas and conversation. No ads, no tracking.   Login or Take a Tour!
comment by mk
mk  ·  2920 days ago  ·  link  ·    ·  parent  ·  post: Pubski: March 30, 2016

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.





goobster  ·  2920 days ago  ·  link  ·  

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!

mk  ·  2920 days ago  ·  link  ·  

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.