This week has brought with it an unusually large number of deadlines — 4 to be exact. So I have been scrambling to get everything done, and as a result this post gets a bit of short shrift in terms of content and execution. It’s a bonus that I can kill two birds with one stone by writing about one of the other projects I’ve been racing to finish.
Green Man, 12x12in., ©2017 Elizabeth Fram
The latest prompt for our Journal Project group is “Picasso”. Without all the Instagram tributes last week that marked the 136th anniversary of his birth (October 25th), I wouldn’t have realized how appropriate the timing was.
Last year I read Life with Picasso by Françoise Gilot, and while it was an interesting read in terms of learning more about how Picasso approached his work, it really soured me on the man himself. He may have been a creative genius, but reading Gilot’s recounting of their life together completely affected my thoughts about him as a person. However, personal failings aside, Maria Popova’s excellent Brain Pickings article “Picasso on Intuition, How Creativity Works, and Where Ideas Come From” steers attention back to the profound gifts he shared in terms of his work and his artistic wisdom.
Green Man, detail ©2017 Elizabeth Fram
I’ve had fun working on this piece, exploring and pushing the limits of color by playing back and forth between the dye and the thread. The biggest challenge has been to convey a complete image while seeing how much I could leave out — a task I might not have undertaken if time weren’t so short with so much already on my plate. I need to let it be for a bit to decide whether I’ve gone far enough or too far — and also to think about how I might explore this approach in future work. The experience brings to mind and illustrates one of Picasso’s many quotes:
“Inspiration exists, but it has to find us working.”
For a bit of trivia to round out what you may already know about the master, enjoy this list.
On a Different Note________________________________________________________________________________________
I owe a huge thank you to the Essex Art League for inviting me to speak at their monthly meeting this week. They are a wonderfully warm and engaging group of artists who made it a true pleasure to get out of the studio on a rainy day in order to share a taste of the many layers of process my work has progressed through since I first started working with textiles some 25 years (+/-) ago!
This piece is excellent. It captures some real intensity in Picass’s personality. The deep colors around the face add to the emotional impact. I put Frank L Wright in the same category, incredible work but not a model of respect and dignity. Dianne
It was a fun piece to work on from a technical standpoint. Thanks for weighing in!
The Essex Art League was delighted to have you as a presenter. Your enthusiasm about your artistic process using beautiful fabrics for their color, texture and creative properties was detailed and inspirational. Thank you for adding “one more layer” to your busy schedule and sharing your art and techniques with us.
You guys were great! There’s nothing more rewarding than being able to share with a group who is so engaged and asks such great questions!
I think this is an outstanding little piece! I love the color and intensity of the stitch around the eyes…that is a statement in itself. Pam
Thanks Pam! It was a fun one to work on.
Your blog posts come as a refreshing (artistic) palette cleanser from my day-to-day grind as a regulatory consultant. I am always moved by the depth and sensitivity of your artistic insights, and am equally impressed by the way you are able to take materials (literally) that we do not notice in our daily life and transform them into profound works of art.
Know that you have an undying admirer here in Oregon. Keep up the excellent and creative work!
What an inspiring and uplifting comment Leonard! Thank you so much for taking the time to write this — it made my day!