I still am developing my style and methods when creating art. I follow art news, watch sky arts and use social media to explore the huge amount of art created in the world.
I wanted to do some research on symbols in artwork I started by reading articles
https://www.zenartsupplies.co/2021/02/12/5-symbols-of-love-to-add-to-your-next-painting/love-symbols
This article explores the ways throughout history love has been depicted. Notably cupid, red roses, the harp and the non anatomical heart. These symbols are historically known for love and expressing love. The act of giving flowers, cupid shooting his bow, a serenade each explore the process of wooing a future lover, romantic love. The symbols such as a scallop shell and an apple make me think of friendship, teachers, motherly/fatherly love. This lead me to thinking about how someone could express non romantic loves, a love of a pet, a object, day, a food, a situation. (list is endless) symbols can come from the colouring and tones of the painting, which I explored during colour theory. It could also be explored in the content of the image,
https://www.britannica.com/topic/philosophy-of-art/Symbols-in-art
These articles and watching a tv drama about Leonardo da Vinci which heavily focused on the effort and energy he put into his work and explored the very anatomy of the human body (and animals) to truly understand how the body is made.
I had looked at works of Jenny Saville before but never with such depth and detail. I read an article on Artsy . net a website dedicated to art, artists and the art world.
I then thought how beautiful it must be to create a piece of artwork that provokes such a beautiful meaning to someone. How see these painting did inspire me, but in the way of wanting to paint. I was immediately greeted with the humbling thought that maybe a painting or drawing as evoked other beauty and inspired others in different ways. I also think about how personal a painting can be to someone, just as I spend time and care, evoke a mood too paint. I create each painting not for a viewer but for myself and I feel grateful I do that.
Jenny Saville and her depiction of the human body, flesh and its imperfections is inspiring to me. I hope to explore this more in my portraits and figures section.
https://gagosian.com/quarterly/2020/12/01/interview-jenny-saville-painting-self/
https://gagosian.com/artists/jenny-saville/
This has inspired me to want to include something more substantial in my paintings. I think it is evident in the last piece ‘Telling a story’ I can create something very beautiful that has some visible technical detail. With this in mind I would definitely like to keep this in mind for the portrait.
My favourites paintings that I hope to inspire my assignment
My two inspirational pieces are self-portraits that show the two artists in a honest, strong light. Neither Freud or Courbet look particularly happy.
Le Desespere shows desperation, his eyes look serous and worried, his expression is very noticable. He looks shocked, worried, tired. His hands are visible, one almost looks to be pulling in his hair while the other pushes it away from his face. The shadows are bold, striking and allow the light to really stand out. It’s such a powerful image and this imagery is strong.
Reflection is just such a brutally honest painting. Freud left no line out, he included every fold, every shadow. His eyes are tired and his expression is almost blank but due to the vicious lines and the eyes, he looks tired. This painting really allowed me to explore what it means to be honest, with yourself, you live.
All this being said, I think I will focus on a self-portrait for this assignment. Candle light or just moody lighting that allows everything to be seen. I think it will definitely help me grow as a painter if I can get the honesty that I’m looking for, it will be quite a personal piece.
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