Meeting Mr Lowry Part 2

The Lake, (1937)

In 1939 it was very difficult for art critics to judge just how good Lowry was because his originality and style could not be compared with that of say Paris.  He belonged to no school and his concern was to translate his vision of the industrial landscapes he saw around him every day into paint. 

His more popular landscapes such as "The Pond", (1950), in which one sees a thriving industrial landscape with families out walking together and children playing in the street, portray a very different world to his darker more lonely side, one within which he released very painful emotions.  I for one love these paintings, in particular: "The Lake", (1937) (shown here) painted just after his father died. This is one of his 'black' paintings with gravestones in the foreground, telegraph posts doubling as crosses, death and decay against a backdrop of factory smoke choking the city in which he lived.  Note too the total lack of human life - this was indeed a deep contrast - a time when Lowry felt completely alone.  "Blitzed Site", "An Island", and "River Scene" all from 1942 also represent this releasing of emotions into a very personal view of his world.

 On my recent visit to the Lowry Centre, Salford, I was also surprised to see so many portraits.  There were among these portraits some very disturbing images such as "Head of a Man (with Red Eyes)", (1938) and "Father and Two Sons", (1950).

By 1945 some critics were calling Lowry a master and a poet, whilst others found him naive and primitive.  One particular critic, Michael Ayrton from the Spectator, wrote "...I am inclined to think that some part of Lowry's convention rises out of his inability to draw the human figure."  Lowry had the last laugh on this when his paintings achieved at auction much higher prices than Mr Ayrtons- at one such auction well after Lowry's death a portrait by Ayrton fetched 5,500 pounds against Lowry's "Head of a Boy" which went for 159,000 pounds.

Whether you love or hate Lowry, I challenge you to look deeper into his work as there is something for everyone.  If you are an artist, are you releasing the same level of inner emotions into your canvases?

Meeting Mr Lowry, Part 1

I first met Mr Lowry in about 1986 at the Dulwich Picture Gallery, London....by meeting I mean I first saw one of his pictures there!

During my first ever trip to Manchester last month, I stayed in Salford Quays and had the great pleasure of meeting him once again - this time in all his grandeur in The Lowry Centre - a purpose built gallery and arts centre.  It was a memorable visit and one that I shall never forget.  I particularly loved his more haunting images - those of 'Bargoed' his largest canvas (63" x 50"), 'Blitzed Site' (1942), 'Seascape' (1952) and 'Father and Two Sons' (1950). 

 As an avid reader of books, I could not resist the urge to devour Shelley Rohde´s book on Lowry which gets to the very heart of the man, unravelling some (but not all!!) of his eccentric and mysterious character.

Of his now famous industrial scenes, he once said '...my ambition was not to become an artist.  My ambition was to put the industrial scene on the map because nobody had done it...And I thought it a great shame.  But I did not expect to keep on working at it all my life as I have done."

For nearly 30 years - from 1910 to 1939 he painted on without recognition or understanding.  "I´m not an artist," he once said "I`m just a man who paints"

Have you ever met the real Mr Lowry?

Drawing: The Bigger Message

"...When you are drawing, you are always one or two marks ahead.  You're always thinking, 'after what I'm doing here I'll go there, and there.'  It's like chess or something.  In drawing I've always thought economy of means was a great quality - not always in painting, but always in drawing.  It's breathtaking in Rembrandt, Picasso and Van Gogh.  To achieve that is hard work, but stimulating: finding how to reduce everything you're looking at to just lines - lines that contain volume in between them..."
"...I thought one of the saddest things ever was the abandonment of drawing in art schools...When it was given up I kept arguing with people.  They said we don't need it anymore.  But I said that giving up drawing is leaving everything to photography, which isn't going to be that interesting.  At one meeting I went to, they said, 'Oh, I see it's back to the life room, is it Hockney?' I said, 'No, forward to the life room!'
David Hockney in conversations with Martin Gayford


Extracts from one of the most fascinating art books I have read in a long while: "A Bigger Message Conversations with David Hockney" by Martin Gayford.  A must for Hockney fans like me and those trying to look far beyond their normal range of vision, far beyond their current boundaries.

Expressionist Inspiration from Schoenberg

The music and theme of Erwartung (Expectation), a one act monodrama for soprano and large orchestra composed by Arnold Schoenberg is the inspiration for my current series of paintings.

The music written in 1906 and based on a libretto by Marie Pappenheim, is highly expressionistic and represents Schoenberg's "free atonal" period between 1908 and 1921. The drama takes place between twilight and dawn in and around a forest.  A woman is searching for her lover who it transpires she has murdered.  In Scene 1, the subject of the painting shown here, the woman overcomes her fears and enters the forest on a path.  Painted in acrylics on canvas, the larger square format is new to me (120cm x 120cm).  I am planning to complete the next two scenes in the same format with the final scene possibly in a much larger rectangular format.  I very much look forward to launching and exhibiting the whole new series soon.

For those who wish to hear the music, the Naxos Series of Classical CDs includes a great performance of Erwartung with Robert Craft conducting and the wonderful Berlin born Anja Silja as soprano.  Another exciting piece of expressionist music by Schoenberg is his Five Pieces for Orchestra also from 1909.  Is this another possible series - we'll see! 

Creative Cooking in Spain

Fideua

Cooking outside on a barbecue is a wonderful way to enjoy time with family and friends.  Not that I needed an excuse, but when friends Francois (a French Chef - now that was a challenge!) and his wife Vilma arrived from Bordeaux I had to think creatively and produce a special lunch.  The choice was Fideua - a very Spanish dish and one that looks spectacular when finished. Essential ingredients in all my barbecues are friendly conversations, beer, wine, snacks and lots of warm weather.  Time is also a very important factor and spending at least five hours cooking, eating, drinking and enjoying a lively chat outside in the sun is just one of the many reasons I am living in Spain.  The long lunch is often followed by a siesta in the hammock or a dip in the pool.  Thankyou Francois and Vilma for making this day so special.

Photo by Francois Denis

Visiting Sofia

St Alexander Nevski Cathedral

Sofia, Bulgaria's capital since 1879 has many hidden surprises for its visitors and we were very fortunate to be guided around by our Bulgarian friends: Ana, Miglena and Veselin.

Surprises included the very beautiful interior of the Boyana Church, the fossil museum on the top floor of the University, the Russian Church, and wonderful Trojan treasures within the Museum of Archaeology. 

Art museums are always on my priority visit lists and I was not dissapointed in the National Art Museum.  Artists of note were Zahari Zograf, Boris Elisseev, Vladimir Dimitrov (The Master), and the favorite for me Nenko Balkanski (1907-1977).  His painting "Family", 1936 shows a starving couple with no hope and no food - but through this hardship there was a slight smile on his face - was it love?

Public-private investment is much needed in the monuments and museums of Sofia to modernise lighting and ambient conditions for their beautiful works of art - however I guess that the economic hardships of the country in general leave this task low on the priority list.

Creativity Out Of A Perfect Life

I always thought that creativity could only be the result of a life that has been adversely affected by war, politics, social change, psychological problems or personal upset.  Having had what can only be described as a perfect childhood growing up in Basildon and more importantly for me: Writtle, Chelmford, I do not really fit into any of the criteria listed above.  Writtle and my early memories within this beautiful village are now the subject of two current oil paintings.  These paintings are inspired by the wonderful life I had in this village and yes..........I can hear you reaching for the sick bag/delete page key........ but hey people can be happy and creative.  For a sneak-peak at one of these paintings check out the banner of my "artist" page:  http://www.artphotographypaintings.com/roger-sidney  -  this is the unfinished grisaille of one of the paintings.  How many other people out there have turned to the creative life out of beauty, goodness or a perfect life?
    

Four Sea Interludes Series - Acrylic Paintings

During the last two years of study at Moulsham School, Chelmsford, I studied music and our specialist subject was English Composers.  The Four Sea Interludes by Benjamin Britten from his opera Peter Grimes was one of the set pieces which I loved.  In my latest series I wanted to evoke the menace and sombre moods reflected in Britten´s brilliant orchestral music.  I also used extracts from the original poem used for the libretto and plot:  The Borough.  Letter XXII: Peter Grimes by George Crabbe (1754-1832).  This series about a fisherman outcast by his villagers, also reflects Britten´s own predicament as a homosexual and pacifist in an intolerant (1939) society.  The series has been painted in a "marine" format on linen canvas, using used fisherman´s nets from a local fishing port (Burriana), Malden sea salt, and in Moonlight some paint was applied using a sea sponge.  To see the series in full please visit my web page.

Bulgaria, July 2011

Troyan Monastery and covered bridge, Lovech

"Mixed feelings, beautiful scenery, genuine treasures, pleasant surprises, and friendly people" sums up my thoughts regarding a recent trip to Bulgaria - all made possible by the kind hospitality shown by my good friend Veselin and his family.

Among my travels was Byala Slatina which showed signs of a grander age under socialist rule, historic Lovech and its beautiful covered bridge, Pleven, the Central Bulkan National Park where we met a friendly group of people including Sezi Hasanova and her family, the Troyan Monastery where the famous Bulgarian revolutionary Vasil Levsky hid out during the time of Turkish rule, and of course Sofia where we encountered some real treasures and pleasant surprises (Sofia will be the subject of a future blog).

Overall my trip left me with a deep feeling of sadness - sadness at the fact that the country has been left to rot, particularly outside of Sofia, sadness at the almost total loss of their previous industrial backbone and sadness at the bleak outlook that is currently facing the people of Bulgaria.

Second Chance in Pisa

I caught the train from Livorno to Pisa to get my very first shots of the Leaning Tower of Pisa.  It was 1982 and I just had to get some photos with my new Canon A1. Unfortuately, when I had the reel developed not one image came out - the result of a mistake in the lab, out of date film or incorrect exposure?  I was very disappointed.

In 2008, I had the opportunity to visit this magical site once again.  On this occasion, I captured a series of images with my new Canon Digital SLR - some of which I have posted to the website as black and white photographs. This shadowy image was taken early in the morning from the top of the leaning tower an hour or so before travelling on a direct flight back to Valencia.  I was captivated by the sheer quality and detail of the wonderful sculpture, decoration and architecture.  Magical, beautiful, inspiring - I cannot wait to visit Pisa again, perhaps with sketchpad and watercolors.

 

Painting with Spirit

Have you ever created something that appeared to be an automatic action, from your subconscious deep inside of you?  This watercolor painting was the result of one of these moments for me.  Soon to be released as a limited edition print, this is one of my Dancer Series watercolors.  Painted on Fabriano paper with a limited palette, these enigmatic almost alien figures dance in harmony, casting their shadows amongst a plain cold backdrop - Movement and light, a common theme in my watercolor paintings.

The Strawberry Girl (1773) by Sir Joshua Reynolds, PRA

I remember it as if it were yesterday, a memorable visit to five art galleries in one day - it was a coach trip organsed by my dad`s local art club.

Yes, I saw some real masterpieces that day however there is one particular painting that for me was really special.  The texture of the paint, the very innocent shy fragile looking face, the pale colours, and for me an enigmatic atmostphere that is magical and enchanting - This painting will forever be my favourite portrait of all time.  Reynolds himself described the painting as "one of the half-dozen things which no man ever exceeded in his life"

I have revisited The Wallace Collection many times and even had the pleasure of working there for a while.  I can thoroughly recommend a visit even if you do not share my enthusiasm for this painting!

The Paintings of Marc Chagall

I have been very fortunate in my life in that I have been witness to some wonderful events.

My father was always very keen on art and through his work in the City of London he was invited to a private showing of a major retrospective exhibition of the works of Russian Artist, Marc Chagall. The exhibition opened in January 1985 and needless to say I went with him - canapes and champagne abounded.

I have had since then a lifelong love of his paintings especially the way he reminisces about his home and roots in Vitebsk, his paintings of floating figures, and his use of colour.

Recently I was given the most fantastic birthday present from my mother - a copy of the biography of Chagall, Love in Exile by the author and Chief Art Critic for the Financial Times, Jackie Wullschlager. I would recommend this book to anyone as it is not just a book about a great artist but one about a struggle to survive and love all that is dear to you under the most extreme conditions.

I could not put the book down, and whilst I was reading it, it constantly reminded me of that visit to the Royal Academy with my late father. I felt an overwhelming pain of sadness when on the last but one page of the book, I learnt that shortly before that exhibition closed on the 28th March, "after a day spent quietly working in his studio, Chagall had a heart attack as he was leaving the elevator from his studio to the living quarters of La Colline, and died instantly."

One trip on the very top of my wish list is to his home in the South of France where his spent the last of his days and to his Museum there.

Original and Creative Artwork: Aloha Series

Can we truly say that our work is original?

I love researching ideas especially those relating to travel and faraway lands. One of these ideas related to the word "Aloha" - the traditional greeting from Hawaii. When I looked into its deeper meanings I found many interesting things. The spirit of Aloha was an important lesson taught to the children in Hawaii in the past. I chose to portray my interpretation of Aloha within three works of art. One called "Transformation", which represents the transformation of energy - burning, sparkling and decay. Another I called "InnerPeace" because to me it also represented the steady, constant beating of the heart - in harmony with mother earth. In the final work, named "Awakening" (pictured here) I used a part of the wonderful creation story of Papa (father sky) and Wakea (mother earth) who have a child that dies at birth and is buried, however from the body grows a shoot that becomes the first plant on earth - the Taro plant; a staple diet of the Polynesian people. Haloa (Aloha) also means "everlasting cycle" which is a reason why the series includes many waves and circular brushstrokes.

A small word that to many has only one meaning, has inspired me to use my creative skills in producing a series of watercolor studies and acrylic paintings. Check out the series in my new website: www.artphotographypaintings.com

Am I being truly creative and original ? - Please, I would be interested to hear your views.

Premeditated Expressionism

Stretching beyond the boundaries of one`s ability to produce original and creative artwork can be frustrating, exhilirating and rewarding all in one.
Searching for ideas has never been a problem for me however taking those ideas from the unconscious to the conscious mind and then onto paper or canvas is for me one of the most difficult and exciting parts of my life as an artist.
I am currently working on a new series of paintings based on the life of a fisherman who is treated as an outcast by his village.  The work will be painted in acrylics using related objects and a set palette to represent moods and repetitive themes.
Expressionism has been described as an art form that is not premeditated.  I like to paint in an expressive way but one that uses all the ideas, feelings, research, colours and moods that have been building up inside me to explode on the canvas or paper:  "premeditated expressionism"?
Whether I have in fact extended the boundaries of my ability and creativity to produce a series of work that could in this case be labelled "expressionistic", I will leave up to expert critics when the series is released.