Interpretation and Creativity...

There is always an on going conversation with representational artist about the use of tools, like mirrors, photos, projectors, grids etc. and the question of whether or not the use of these tools constitutes cheating. As if there is some unfair advantage in using these tools and conversely sainthood when you don’t use them. But the use of any tool as well as not using one does not make a drawing or painting better, especially representation works. When we have completed a painting of someone, what we have is not that person, regardless of the tools we used. What we have is our interpretation of that person on canvas or paper and it is the interpretation that is the most important part. I’ve heard this story about Gertrude Stein and Picasso many times and can guess that it is true. Supposedly on seeing this portrait of herself she said to Picasso “It doesn’t look anything like me” and he responded “that in time it will”. I and many other people that I know have seen photos of Ms. Stein and they don’t look anything like her. It’s the Picasso interpretation that I remember best.

I believe everything we create is about us, what we feel, what’s important to us and what we want to say about it. Being skillful is helpful, but it doesn’t guarantee that you’ve got something to say. (As a kid, I was very skillful playing the piano scales, that is as far as it got). Creativity can be seen as a interpretation of what we believe is physically real.

This small painting is a  wp interpretation.

Re-visiting Older Works...

There is some value in looking at the past. There maybe something that you forgot about and would like to revisit, a theme or approach to resolving your work. One thing that becomes clear is that no matter what you felt about your work in the past, you see how your views about what you do has changed. It would make sense that this would be a good lesson to remember but I never do.

I’ve had this feeling since the beginning of the new year that I’ve been trying to prove something. Today I decided to take some time off and just look at my old drawings and let them speak to me. They were not as great as I thought they were, but there was a sensitivity in how I approached drawing that I would like to get to. So I am at this moment off to a friends house to study and draw two models. See if I can capture what I looking for.

Pantry City-Freeing The Brain...

I’m  still working on this painting and started to notice how much it looks to me to be a City Skyline. I then decided to move away from the thought of making the objects recognizable, like cans of soup, bowls etc. and just see what happens when I address the shapes as just shapes.

More On Marvin Franklin...

The Transport Workers Union, Local 100 is selling 14? x 20? posters of four of the works on display in the Art of Marvin Franklin exhibit on public view through March 30, 2008.

For information on purchasing posters you may contact Local 100 at 212-873-8000 x 2204.

The Salmagundi Art club is also presenting another exhibit featuring Mr. Franklin’s work this summer. I will post this information again once I know the exact dates.

In Order...

I roughed out this painting rather quickly (it’s a WP). Most of the items are things  in our pantry, which is always stocked mysteriously in order. This happens regardless of who puts stuff into it. There like this funny agreement, which we have never discussed. That the powdered Gatoraid goes on this shelf and that the animal crackers have to be in line of first sight. That the beer goes on the floor, directly under the bottled water which is on the shelf above. The dog food rest right next to the booze that we never drink.