Exhibitions I am planning to see this month: 1) “100 Werke für Berlin”, which is the presentation of the 100 works that Richter donated to the Neue Nationalgalerie and 2) “Impressionismus in Holland“ at the Barberini in Potsam, where I read there will be works also of Mondrian (pre- his classic geometric and math based themes- I adore his earlier work!) and van Gogh.
Started a new job on August 1, I must be in the office as opposed to working from home, at least for now, and still have not figured out a new routine which allows me to paint…a bit emotionally exhausted also by the fact that Destine will be moving out in September…at 20 it is time, but it is still an intense moment.Very mixed feelings.
“I cannot tell you how many times I’ve been asked:”What’s the most important thing I can do to improve my painting skills?” My answer is invariably the same:Draw. Not only that, draw what you know- If you don’t live in Paris, don’t start out drawing Paris […].When you know a place “in your bones”, you can find that spark of beauty in the seemingly mundane and use it.” Iain Stewart, Artists Magazine May/June 2023.
“You are going to ruin paintings. Full stop. Get used to it. Embrace the failures and give the successes a nod, but understand that the ruined paintings are the real teachers. […] Dont’ coddle your work. Don’t be tentative. Make your marks and learn.” Iain Stewart, Artists Magazine May/June 2023.
What’s a message about art you’d like to tell your younger self? “I’d tell her to paint more! Painting felt like a luxury when I as starting out – stolen time from other responsibilities. I’ve learned that painting is essential to my happiness, and the time spent equals increased inspiration.” Jeanne Rosier Smith
...Boy, this is a slow and fatiguing month....August 12 and all I have to prove that I paint is a still incompleted little watercolor of my home in Monti...hopefully coming soon...
too bad the paper is really bad, one can see the lines in it, ugly.
It was meant to be just a doodle but now I kind of like it.
I guess it shows my inability to really focus right now.
Watercolor, graphite and gouache,
25 X 35 xm SOLD
Watercolor and gouache.
cm 35,50 X 20
“If one truly loves nature one finds beauty everywhere.” Vincent van Gogh in a letter to his brother Theo dated 30.04.1874 (he was 21). – and amen to that.
Went to see the Barberini exhibition on Light and Clouds: fantastic. Lots of Dutch painters 19th century….just beautiful. A couple of van Gogh and several stunning Mondrian. When I am inspired by an exhibition I generally buy the catalogue. Which I did on Satuarday!
watercolor
cm 24 X 24
Mauve flowers
cm 17 X 24
ultramarine flowers
cm 17 X 24
Yellow flowers
cm 17 X24
red flowers in green field
cm 17 X 23
watercolor
cm 17 X23
watercolor
cm 17 X23
I tried to catch up but this has not been a very productive month…I did not go to see Gerhard Richter and since I am leaving next week chances are, I will only get to see it in October.Technically I have still 3 hours to do something in August…let’s see, I may start working on the three old women outside the Italian church, a classic for the fair that is coming up this week-end!
Water, Pigment, Paper, Brushes & Co. 