STUDY IN ART

NOW AND THEN WE NEED A CHALLENGE to become a better version of ourselves than what we are or have bended toward. Whether it be photography, writing, painting, building something or simply "that next course higher up the ladder. In 2005 The Artist's Magazine ran a motivational promotion suggesting interested parties review a host of artwork by old masters. The "Old Masters" would be those literally predominating the world of art by definition back in the 18th century. One of my favorite was THE OLD GUITARIST by Picasso. The deed was to emulate the artist's work to a point that no explanation need be given to understand the image created. As the Old Master presented his work, so should the one being so motivated. For me, it was this self portrait.

HIS MAN IS BLUE... Picasso's "THE OLD GUITARIST" represents depression and sadness. He sits, cross legged as if locked in place. He is not moving soon, and immobile. The classical guitar rested upon his lap is the basic of entertainment for himself or passersby in hopes that they will contribute something for his feats. He replicates a peddler earning a small pittance for a living. Head hung low and grim expression wrested in blue grey... perhaps he is even a bit ill. At any rate he looks as if he has little to nothing to look forward to but, according to the painter, "a desolate life."

The painting is one of my favorite from among those grand masters of Picasso's day. Being hired to paint idealized settings and portraits was a noble accomplishment in itself; accomplishing a title while painting from one's own aspect of life was very much another. The cliche "starving artist" never became an issue without a reality attached.

THE GREEN LADY

A contrast for state of mind presented. Where Picasso chose to dwell upon the social stature predominant in the days of 1918 for the scenario painted before them by events of war, THE GREEN LADY assembled in 2001, reflects hope through education as seen by the books piled high in front of her. The golden apple suggests she eats from the riches of her glowering green... money green or expects to experience that riche unencumbered lifestyle. She is the picture of health, in contrast to the haggard and beaten mood presented by the guitarist in blue mood. The vibrancy of her green background speaks for itself of the "good life" tendered her. The challenge was to create a comparatif of a popular artwork contrasting or duplicating the mood and scene represented. For THE GREEN LADY there is no comfort of music to rely upon for her finances, she will have to bring what she can through her focus on educated works. It is a new age supportive of women's education represented by the unobscured look of complacency. Not necessarily worried about her future, she sits one foot ahead of the other, ready for what comes. Confident that education will make her way toward the riches she is willing to reach for. It's a different day and time.

The obvious difference one can see in today's events and those of Picasso's BLUE PERIOD is that the artists social arena contrast... war time where the entire world was at war despite the fact that Picasso painted BLUE at or near the close of war in the European theater when everything that was anything was usurped for conducting war time efforts. Most people were sad and depressed for loss of everything known to them, including the high caliper society. It was a desolate period that one may have had to struggle to find much to be confident of. There was little to look forward to by most common people and high society was scattered within their own resources.