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It’s all about Paul. We joked that I could do a Paul Wall. Paul is a professional model that I have painted several times.  I know I’m one of many artists who have painted him.  He keeps coming back and so do we.  His features are distinctive and truly fun to capture. In fact, a viewer seeing a painting of Paul may understandably think that the artist exaggerated his features. But, truthfully, Paul has exaggerated features.  

As I have previously written, one of my criteria for a successful portrait is that it looks like the person.  There are a number of ways to determine if there is a likeness…compare the painting to the person with confirmation by objective eye-witnesses; take a photo with both the painting and the model; compare the portrait to a photo of the model; have the model say “that looks like me;” or ask the model’s mother what she thinks. 

Another way is to see if several portraits look like the same individual, which would infer they look like the model. So, I decided to search my studio for Paul portraits and  put the paintings to the reality test. This test can fail with one errant portrait. So, at the risk of failure, I am exposing my Paul portraits.  I think I passed.  Do you?

There are additional reasons for an artist to compare her portraits of one person. This process allows one to evaluate consistency of style or artistic improvement.  Unfortunately, I have not dated these portraits and cannot accurately arrange them chronologically. What are your thoughts about these portraits? Do they belong on the same wall?

Barcelona Art.  We just spent five days in Barcelona where we treated ourselves to some private tours. Just my husband, my sister, me, and our guides. One tour was on local architecture and the other was an art tour. The architecture guide was a Phd. who showed us the various architectural styles in Barcelona.  But, of course, the highlight was Gaudi.  The art tour guide gave us in-depth tours of the Fundacio Joan Miro and the Museu Picasso. I did not take notes and only a few pictures.  I was hanging on to every word.  So, these notes are from my memory and some of the photos are stolen. 

Gaudi

• Buildings were embodiment of his philosophy and religion. 
• Studied architecture.
• Experimental, original engineering and use of materials. Characterized by organic, naturalistic style.
• Led a rather monastic life.
• Loved design, nature, and God.

my photos...Casa Batilo and Sagrada familia

Miro

• Built the Museum as a gift to the city he loved. 
• Resisted parents’ early push to pursue a profession. Then went to art school.
• Was obsessed with originality, “killing the painting,” and finding his style through  a symbolic visual vocabulary.
• Wanted to stay “anonymous” (tour guide’s word).
• Loved poetry, art, Barcelona, and his wife.

double self portrait...Miro put his characteristic mark on an earlier, intricate self portrait. In the Fundacio Joan Miro. Image from the web.

Picasso

• Commissioned the Museum to show both his early and later works.
• Young prodigy. Started with father, then art school (which he abandoned).
• Worked  in several styles, which are apparent in distinct periods.
• Enjoyed being the center of attention.
• Loved art and women. 

Self portrait 1886. In the Museu Picasso. Image from the web

Although I doubt that I could have passed an exam with these delayed notes, I took away more than I would have from any college lecture. Clearly, seeing these artistic creations first-hand with expert commentary is unforgettable.  The creativity and originality of each of these artists is astounding. Furthermore, I got a sense of the enormous drive of each of the artists. Gaudi perpetually gathered inspiration from his mind and his world. Miro continually mulled over his artistic direction. Picasso tirelessly produced an extraordinary amount of work. I am in awe of the passion, energy, and focus of these artists.