Picasso WORDS

The 20^th Century produced an infinite number of great and innovative artists and minds. The movements, styles and schools go on endlessly. Dada, minimalism, abstract expressionism, pop and cubism are but a few idioms from the last hundred years or so. Picasso was at the forefront of many and the proponent of many more. He worked as a painter, ceramicist, sculptor, print maker and theatrical designer. With works numbering in the thousands he was considered by most experts to be number one in vast fields of practitioners.

The mind and talents of the man represent something unparalled in scope. It is only fitting that his words would be equally as impressive, witty and poignant as any of his other creations. His attributed quotes are as entertaining and richly original as would be expected of a man possessed of such genius. 

Picasso’s spoke on every subject. Among his particulars were of course art, creativity, imagination, the meaning and purpose of living and many other essentials of the genius mind as well as the everyday. By most accounts Picasso was no writer (imagine that) his quotes came largely from the conversations held with his friends and lovers; also members of the media and other inquisitive types were exposed to Picasso’s insights. His thoughts and opinions were self-expressions that propelled the artist and man through life. One of Picasso’s most interesting quotes summed up his passion, purpose and spirit of living. He was noted to have said; perhaps in jest; “Mass in the morning, Bull Fight in the afternoon and Brothel at night.” He was famous for his attentions and devotion to all three. He also said this small thing that summed up his prenominal work ethic; “I often paint two or three paintings in a single day. Afterwards; I will often paint another to relax.”    

Take a little time now and immerse yourself in the view points, wisdom and words of Picasso. And what would any text on Picasso be without the embellishment of his provocative, timeless, uniquely original and immaculate images?

Picasso QUOTES

“People don’t realize what they have when they own a picture by me. Each picture is a phial of my blood. That is what has gone into it.”

                                                                                                                           Picasso

                                                                                                                                  

“When I paint my object is to show what I have found and not what I am looking for. What one does is what counts and not what one had intended of doing.”

                                                                                                                               Picasso      

                                                                                                                           

“Painters should have their eyes put out like goldfinches to make them sing better.”

                                                                                                                            Picasso

“When there’s anything to steal.

                 I steal.”

               

“Anything of great value-creation, a new idea-carries its shadow zone with it. You have to accept it that way. Otherwise there is only the stagnation of inaction. Every positive value has its price in negative terms and you never see anything very great which is not, at the same time, horrible in some respect. The genius of Einstein led to Hiroshima.”  

                                                                           Picasso

 “You mustn’t always believe what I say. Questions tempt you to tell lies, particularly when there is no answer.”

                                                               

         

“No, painting is not done to decorate apartments. It is an instrument of war.”

The Power of Art

Vija Celmins The Drawings & Paintings Of...

Vija Celmins is an artist whose works ask and surely compel the viewer to slow down, breath in and absorb her brilliance and subtlety of technique and style. The photographic feel and look she masters beg to be studied unlike any other artist working today. She is not loud, bold or extravagant but the genuine powers of her pieces are transformative. Look at these works of her hand’s precision, intricacy and exacting measure. She delivers her grace of being for our understanding and joy.

“There aren't really rules for painting, but there’s certain facts and fictions about painting. Part of what I do is document another surface and sort of translate it. They’re like translations, and then part of it is fiction, which is invention.”

                                                                                                            Vija Celmins

The Latvian born Celmins (now living in the United States) has authored several books including The Painting of Modern Life and The Stars; a book about her long term obsession with viewing the cosmos. She likes to think of her paintings as things that she builds rather than paints. Celmins starts with the construction and preparation of her canvas and sees every step as integral to the finished piece. She also paints as many as nine layers of paint; as many as deemed necessary to achieve her desired result.

“Somehow the image begins to have a sort of memory in it, even if you can't see it. It can build up a dense feeling toward the end, and then it makes me happier.”

                                                                                                           Vija Celmins

The spider webs, stars and space configurations, still life’s and ocean surfaces are most often mono-chromes likened to black and white photos.  Vija uses photographs extensively as reference and she also paints familiar objects from her studio and home.  She uses color sparingly as if to not distract the viewer from a mental connection of purpose. Her works displayed in museums, sought by collectors and viewed by the millions are quiet treasures to behold.