Underlying

When I think of my artwork and any underlying themes my artwork may have, I think of three main things: people, abstraction, and experimentation.  I love drawing people. When I was younger, I used to hate drawing a realistic representation of people because I just thought I sucked at it. But now people are my favorite thing to draw, I think because it's just so interesting to put a person on paper. I mainly like portraits, but I have done some full body pictures, but I think I suck at it...maybe one day I'll grow a love for drawing that too.

My next underlying theme I observe in my artwork as a whole is abstraction. I like creating things that are a step outside of normal, and isn't always realistic. I just like things that you have to look at and actually think about what is trying to be told. Not looking at a flower and just seeing a flower.  I tend to draw things that are weird I guess to other people.

I love to experiment!  I always want to try new things with my artwork or new techniques for making my artwork. I experiment with different mediums or drawing styles. I always look at a wide range of artists that I can try to mimic their style and experiment with it in my own way. So some pieces I may do are probably inspired by an artist that I observed. I'm always open to learning.

Admiration of Mattise

Henri Matisse

Ever since I was little I have always had a love for this painting, which sparked my love for Henri Matisse.  I love the sense of balance Matisse creates in this painting with the woman in the purple robe, and the flowers sitting on the table. I think the purple robe gives this painting so much character because it says something about the woman herself. Why is she wearing a purple robe? It initiates this thought process of who is she and what is her importance. 

I like even more how Matisse uses so much pattern in this painting. By using so much pattern he created movement, and spacial references, between furniture, walls and floors. I think Matisse using so many different colors says something about the woman wearing the purple robe. The purple signifying her high class. Even her body language illustrates her high social standing.

I like this painting by Matisse because of the mood it gives off. When I look at the painting the first thing I pick up on is the naked woman but then my attention goes to the mirror behind her. The depth he creates by doing this gives the painting even more interest. In the mirror you see the back of the woman and a man, which is sitting down painting her...which I assume is Matisse himself. I like how he incorporated himself in the painting that way, sort of like a self-reflection.

I also like the color scheme of oranges, reds, and browns. It gives the painting a warm feeling. And then I also like all the corners and rectangular shapes he uses with the tables, mirror, picture frames, etc.  The realism of the painting is just amazing. Matisse's style really will grab your attention and make a person analyze his work.

I love the simplicity of this painting so much. Matisse left so much room for the imagination, which makes this painting as amazing as it is. When I look at this painting, I think of a butterfly initially. But then I gravitate towards the female reproductivity system because of the symmetry. I think of how the body is never perfect on the left and right. I think the simplicity of this painting makes it not so simple.

I wish that Matisse would have left a clue or something about what exactly the painting meant in the painting. The color choice of the painting is also strategic because purple and blue are very soothing colors tot he mind. I get such a relaxed feeling when viewing this painting. Matisse did not so much, that actually meant a lot in this painting.