My interest in painting figurative works this past Winter burned into flame. I'm so excited about the way this new venture is expanding my visual vocabulary. Even though I've always been able to draw the figure, having a language for it was another thing. Degas' strange poses, and Rodin's way of seeing the figure in a crude but neo-romantic way inspired me. I was also inspired by more modern painters like Antonio Lopez Garcia and Euan Uglow. Even more I love the interior figurative paintings of Fairfield Porter and Edward Hopper who were popular in the early to mid 20th century.
You might ask, "why paint the figures in such a realistic, and non-symbolic way?" It's a good question. As I've studied art history, I find myself drawn more to realism than romanticism. In romanticism, figures are treated as symbols, and their features are often obscured. Rather than that, I treat models as the divine individuals that they are, without regard as to whether they can afford to purchase an artwork. I feel so genuine as an artist when I operate this way.
You might also notice some oddities in the works. I love the juxtaposition of strange objects or design choices that cause a viewer to ask questions. If you want to see a good example of what I mean, just look at "Las Meninas" by Diego Velasquez from the 17th century. It is the strangest and most magnificent royal portrait ever created. Only an artist would think to merge a self-portrait with a whole room filled with casual and funny poses, including a portrait of the king and queen in a mirror very obscurely in the back of the room.
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