'All children are artists. They problem is trying to remain an artist as you grow up."
- Pablo Picasso.
He has been an inspiration to me for a very long time. So long. Every since I was a little girl I have always been fascinated with the world of Picasso. I was told that I surprised my family when I visited an overseas art gallery (British?) and whilst she was going to ask where his work was hung so I could see it, I had already found and identified it. (Age six- Mum?) I thank my parents for allowing me to be exposed to such amazing art from such a young age.
I love his work- surreal, expressive, cubist or realist. He is a diverse and talented artist who I constantly find my self utterly absorbed by.
Late last year my partner and I went to see an amazing Picasso exhibition in Sydney and I was BLOWN AWAY. Each of his many 'periods' were so different from one another, so beautiful. Each stroke was lovingly rendered. Each colour placement seemingly subconscious yet all in perfect symmetry and harmony with one another and their placement.
Man, he makes me want to pick up my paintbrush and splatter some boldness onto a fresh canvas. And draw weird lips and eyes. All the time.
Some of my favourites
Portrait of Olga in an Armchair (Portrait d’Olga dans un fauteuil). 1918. Oil on canvas.
Jacqueline with Crossed Hands (Jacqueline aux mains croisées). 1954. Oil on canvas.
In trying to exercise my overactive mind and imagination I have been doing a lot of experimenting and sketching lately. I am trying not to touch some of my more 'evolved' pieces in fear or screwing them up, but to keep the creative ball rolling I am trying to create something everyday.
Speed drawing and sketching is very therapeutic for me. I love the freedom and I find myself being surprised at how freely my hand draws and how fluid my lines and marks become.
Even though these sketches are not really in any relation to any major piece I am working on at the moment they help me to relax and draw somewhat subconsciously opposed to self-consciously.
speed drawing (about 10 minutes) | indian ink and charcoal
