As I learn more about acrylic painting, I feel the urge to experiment with different styles. Part of this is my attempt to find my niche, if I have one. Many artists seem to find the style and subject matter that suits them and they stick with that. Some are landscape and still-life painters. Others like using shape and texture-based abstracts. There are others that only due portraits. I get it. You find something you’re good at and you want to stay in that groove.
A part of me wants that, as well, but at the same time, I don’t like to limit myself. I’m the same way with my fiction. I like to read a broad range of genres and styles, so why not try them myself? I may write good stories in a certain genre, for example, but that doesn’t mean I can’t write in another. Even if the story is awful, at least I stepped outside of my comfort zone.
Recently, I was inspired by Picasso. Particularly, his use of thicker lines and bold color choices. I wasn’t interested in mimicking him. I just wanted to use his style as a starting point and see where the brushes and colors would take me.
I painted a series of four canvases, attempting to do something different each time. One is arguably closer to Picasso than the others, but I still strove to be original and work with my own ‘voice’.
This first one was simply improvisation. I drew random lines and shapes on the canvas (12 inches by 12 inches), then picked random colors to fill in the blanks. I also used a few fluorescent colors to give it a little more ‘pop’. I like how it turned out, but my partner liked it even more. It’s currently hanging in our bedroom.
This next painting was inspired by the time I spent growing up around Hollywood Beach in South Florida. It’s a place that is special to me and I still occasionally dream of returning there. There are probably nicer beaches in the world, but this one has a particular vibe I’ve never found anywhere else. I was going for a definite abstract feel with it and I’m happy with how it turned out.
The following painting is another almost purely abstract work. I wanted to do something representing a flower, then drew semi-circles for the background. As an experiment, I think it works, but it’s something I’ll revisit in the future and see what I can do differently. Still, I do like the colors.
And finally, the one that I think is most inspired by Picasso. This is my partner, my muse. I used colors that I feel represent her, her moods, and her personality. I titled it, ‘A Complicated Woman’. Another experiment that took on a life of its own as I painted it.
I hope you enjoyed this little glimpse into my work.
RB