Courage

"Courage" (inspired by the art of Lita Cabellut) - acrylic on gallery-wrapped canvas, 16 x 20 x 1.5.  Ready to hang (Sides are painted, no need to frame.  Hanging wire is attached)  Available here.

​The French philosopher Camus used to tell himself quietly to live to the point of tears, not as a call for maudlin sentimentality, but as an invitation to the deep privilege of belonging and the way belonging affects us, shapes us and breaks our hearts at a fundamental level.  It is a fundamental dynamic of human incarnation to be moved by what we feel, as if surprised by the actuality and privilege of love and affection and its possible loss.  Courage is what love looks like when tested by the simple everyday necessities of being alive.
 - David Whyte, Consolations

​Pauline Agnew's  Expressive Portraits course has come to an end, but not before she introduced us to a bevy of contemporary artists who are knocking my socks off.  For our last project, we learned to paint in the style of Lita Cabellut , whose work (along with Adrian Ghenie) is likely to influence me for some time to come.  What blows me away about Cabellut is her fearless treatment of the subject, mixed with bold texture and sometimes edgy or emotionally provocative poses. Her series on Frida Kahlo pushes my emotions to that edge.

Courage (inspired by the art of Lita Cabellut)

Cabellut's artistic courage double-dog-dares me to be bolder in my pursuit of capturing emotion, while Whyte's words triple-dare-me to be courageous in love.  And it's only Monday. :)

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A pictorial history of the piece - acrylic on canvas gesso'd in black.  Liberal use of water sprayer and squeegee.