September News: My thoughts have often returned to this Matisse, "The Red Studio." I have visited it in person a number of times and took close up photos.
My question is, did Matisse paint the interior of his studio with all of the objects surrounded by the red everywhere? Or, did he paint this interior in a standard way and after deliberation, risk the oil by overpainting everything that was NOT an object in red? When did all of this red appear? I always given Matisse credit for his genius and courage, and if he did overpaint the oil, it would be a brilliant move, making the painting unique and unforgettable.
This recent article in the NY Times, "A Deep Dive Into Matisse’s ‘The Red Studio" informs us that after 20 years of research, Matisse did finish this painting in a standard way and later, painted over all of the non-objects in red as we see it now. Quite the gusty move!
Collection: Museum of Modern Art, New York
Matisse once remarked."Where I got the color red—to be sure, I just don't know. I find that all these things . . . only become what they are to me when I see them together with the color red."
So back in my studio, I am often concerned with the idea of taking the artwork further in order to create a better work of art and there are so many ways to make that happen. Often the entire painting is completely reworked - as radical as painting over the whole thing in red at times, but now the painting can go forward in a new and better way. It's a bit refreshing after getting past the brief trauma of reconstruction!
My life as an artist is a very good one and I want to take this moment to thank all of you that have made my many successes possible.
At the moment, many canvases are calling out for attention and I will be back to the studio shortly.
I should point out that each week, artists come to my Castle Rock, CO studios to "paint along." Each of us are working independently, two at a time. We encounter and solve a lot of painting problems separately and together. It's a remarkable way to get into a place of making better artworks. Feel free to contact me if you are interested in jumping in.
On-site art workshops at my Castle Rock, Colorado home will resume in the Spring of 2022 due to virus complications. However, smaller 1-2 person private, in-person workshops can be scheduled by appointment as well as the continuing online mentoring sessions.
Ken
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