INSPIRATION: TOULOUSE-LAUTREC AND DEGAS.

                   

Seated Dancer by Henri Toulouse-Lautrec

In Bed The Kiss by Henri Toulouse-Lautrec (1892)

Dancer Fastening her Pump, c.1880-85

Edgar Degas

The Star 1876-77

Edgar Degas

Three Ballet Dancers, One with Dark Crimson Waist by Edgar Degas

I like French painters, yes I do. Or at least these two French painters. When I look at their work, I'm taken back to my high school French class, of all things. I remember one of my favorite cultural studies in French had to to with French painters! At that time, I didn't paint and never thought about painting, though I have always appreciated art. I remember even wanting to be an artist when I was little, but never thought I was good enough. More on that on another day, though. Studying art history has always been one of my favorite subjects, though my memory is horrindous. Seriously, you should be happy that I can recall these two guys.

It's that bad.

It's kind of weird looking at artwork when you also make artwork. Ever since I started painting, my entire approach to looking at art is different. When I look at these paintings and sketches, it seems the subject becomes less important. I look at the markings, the brush strokes. I admire the colors, the tight and loose structures interweaving themselves on the canvas. When I go to a museum, I get uncomfortably close to paintings, sometimes more interested in the artist's brushwork than the whole piece. I can just see the security officers eyeing each other nervously, thinking I'm going to rub my nose against the paint.

Rest assured, dear guards. It's dry.

Anyway, one of my personal goals is to become more aquainted with different artists, specifically contemporary artwork and artists. Before you get your figurative underwear in a knot, thinking, "Now Jessica, those guys aren't contemporary. Just sayin'," I know. That's the point. While I love Impressionism and Post-Impressionism something fierce, I want to be more acquainted with artists of my own time. So, dear reader(s), please tell me some of your favorite artists, contemporary or not.

Because I need all the education I can get before freaking out the next round of security guards.