Based on the still life by contemporary artist Arthur Da Costa (1921-2004). Did this one really quickly for a couple of reasons. First, I wanted to see how fast I could do it (about 5 hours total). Second, I wondered how it might feel to have to paint towards a deadline.
Artists are undervalued and underpaid by our society. Only a minority of artists actually support themselves through their art work. The vast majority cannot live from their artwork and subsidize it in many ways, as I do. I wonder if this is a good thing. I am inclined to believe that art for art’s sake is better. The pressure of having to produce art … or else starve to death, is a useful motivator but it begs for compromise. Works must be made quickly and must satisfy a market demand. If your aesthetic is not in demand, then you will have to change it if you want to continue selling your work.
Oil on reclaimed canvas. Canvas prepared with two coats of acrylic “gesso.” Ground was then toned, painted with a different portrait in acrylic paint. Canvas was reclaimed by painting over the original portrait with a mixture of Hooker Green, Raw Umber and Flake White. Liberally embedded as usual with cat hair for texture.
Palette and Supplies:
Sketch in chalk and then started immediately painting in the large areas of background color.
First the fruits
Then the basket. Finished up with some transparent glazes ultramarine into the dark wall, yellow on the pears, freshened up the highlights. done.
“Seven pears” (2015). Louis Cooper. Oil on Mounted Linen. 16″ x 20″