I love Picasso, and his Vesuvian creativity. It has to be admitted, however, that in amongst this Herculean outpouring there is plenty that might be called ugly, even brutish.
The picture on the cover of this book is, to my way of seeing things, coming from that end of his creative spectrum: it’s not just the yellow teeth, stubbly chin, and bloodshot eyes, it’s also the colours, and the handling of the paint.
But ultimately these facets are just more, amongst so many of the legion reasons I think Picasso is top of the list for candidates of the ‘greatest artist that ever lived’ soubriquet.
This near A4 sized but quite slim volume (mine is paperback), catalogues a National Gallery show on the theme of Picasso ‘Challenging The Past’. Or, put another way, Picasso in context.
Given that Pablo is such a massive influence on me, it behoves me to explore further what influenced him. Of course, I’ve done this before, many times. But there’s no reason not to return to such rich seams. And having a book that focuses specifically on this aspect of his work – and inevitably therefore, of the work of other artists – seems the perfect moment.
Perhaps even more so given my current rebirth of artistic creativity and activity, during which Picasso – as ever, with me – has been such a fundamental inspiration, and resource.
Why, it was only a few days ago I was working on my version of Picasso’s take on Velazquez ‘Las Meninas’.
I visited a guy in Christchurch, today, who runs a framing business from his home. He has taken on the job of framing the pictures Dan and Amy selected, from the five or six ‘preparatory sketches’ I did in my sketch pad.
In the end they requested two of those actual pieces. I’d been thinking they’d pick one, and I’d re/do it, slightly larger. But the studies have become the actual artworks! Which is ok with me.
I also had my local print shop run off slightly enlarged prints of the two pieces Dan and Amy selected. So we can have copies framed and hung at home. I bought cheaper off-the shelf frames for these, at the Wisbech Dunelm.
Discussing framing with (?), at The Granary, he revealed that the four fundamental tools he uses – never mind all the consumables and other sundries, etc – were a £5-6,000 investment!
I’d like to be able to do framing myself – and have done, within my limited capacity – to save money. But hey-ho, it’s catch 22, as ever. Still, for now I’ve ordered the red cutter pictured above.
That will at least allow me to customise the card ‘window’ mount bits. Which I’ll need to do with the two slightly enlarged D&A reprints, when framing them.
I have to say, it all feels good, this getting back on the Art Horse!