I really can’t adequately describe how the creative impulse usually strikes me. Without offering up some overwrought grandiose excuse I think mine is borne from daydreaming and following a particular impulse. This doesn’t always lead to consistency for an artistic style but it’s certainly very fulfilling on an intellectual level. There was a time when I was very invested into the idea of the mystic feminine and I painted and drew things which could be best described as vaginal and mediocre. One thing though that has always sort of sparked my interest is Art Nouveau, specifically the works of Mucha.
I was in college and for my most of life had fallen under the sway of the Italian renaissance and the baroque, but I can remember the moment I walked into the library at Florida State and all of that Changed. I usually just like walking in book stores and libraries randomly pulling books that might look interesting, while I was in the art section many years ago one the books I pulled was on the artist Mucha. It was like some great racial memory had been unlocked and something that should have never been forgotten was remembered again. Now I am speaking for the standpoint as an artist not a trained art historian, but I find that Art Nouveau is the last great movement in art and represents the culmination of every great idea that preceded it. The Movement was about bringing art to everyday life and having certain accessibility to it. Yes, there was a commercial aspect to it, but the beauty transcended the commercial roots.When I draw now I like to think that an obvious influence on me is Mucha, not so much the elaborate ornamentation, because honestly I have no patience for that, but the clean line style and gentleness is something that appeals to me greatly. Before I start any project small or great I like to work in my sketch book and just work through any problems that I might encounter. This has been an invaluable tool for me, one that I wish I had picked up on earlier.
I really liked the drawing I did of my friend Nikki, it was a nice start filled with the sort of things I like, delicate pencil work and a softness. As much as I might like this drawing it dosen't mean much for the next step because I strip the delicate drawing of everything that makes it tick and concentrate on line work alone. If a drawing doesn't work as a line it ain'tisn't going to work period. Now I think it works quite well, but I am being immodest.I really liked the drawing I did of my friend Nikki, it was a nice start filled with the sort of things I like, delicate pencil work and a softness. As much as I might like this drawing it doesn't mean much for the next step because I strip the delicate drawing of everything that makes it tick and concentrate on line work alone. If a drawing doesn't work as a line it isn't going to work period. Now I think it works quite well, but I am being immodest. After tracing this image onto a piece of vellum I also corrected some of the nagging anatomy issues that bothered me. Next step is to flip this think over and trace all those black lines with chalk, tape the velum to a piece of paper, and draw over those black lines. What will then happen is an imprint of the image is left in chalk form and I have to then trace that lightly with pencil. If that sounds like a great deal of work it is, but one that I find to be rewarding ultimately.
I then transferred the image to a piece of cold press and used masking fluid to preserve the line work. I then proceed to lay down the first wash of colour and slowly build it up with oranges and yellows, ultimately hoping that the end effect is luminescent.
I took off the masking fluid and realized three things today. The first that with the exception of a few minor nagging details that I am done, the second being that if I add more I will more then likely screw this up. I like the white lines created from the masking fluid, from my perspective it only adds to luminescent feel the painting already has. In my modest opinion this looks quite pleasant and any addition would only harm this work further. Now I wish I was more liberal in the application of said fluid. I will be adding a bit more colour to the lips and the left eye lash, and strength the ear but I am fairly pleased with the results.
The third thing I realize that the fates have seen that the only happiness I will find in life is through art or some other alternate form because clearly human interaction is at this point is a lost fruitless cause. Now what does this have to do with this bloody painting I am attempting, I'm not sure but indulge me for a few moments while I make an awkward transition to a relevant point. I think the most important thing about drawing and painting and any form of artistic expression is to try to capture the essential ness of the subject matter. Now my friend Nikki is on one level a very beautiful person, that sounds superficial and it is very easy to capture the beauty she posses but more importantly she has a very warm personality and that is what I am trying to capture the inner her. Her warmth and kindness make her already striking features even more exhausting in their beauty. Now I don't know if I was successfully but I do try to capture some of the inner mystery of the subject through a look or something. Now what does this have to do with the first sentence, I guess that while some people are born to shit, but that beauty still surrounds them on the awful journey. I for one am glad that I have friends who let me paint and draw them. so for now I guess that is ok
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