Laura Weil
Laura Weil
The Kitchen, 2015
Acrylic paint on paper
30" X 18"
My primary interest as a painter is the face and body. I think through close observation and trust enough to let go and look and become lost in painting, something true about the sitter's personality comes across. It's no good if you try to force it. Painting requires so much discipline, not in technique, but in allowing yourself to really look. To focus. Women artists are often given a bad rap for relying on intuition. Whereas a male artist is analytical, if a female artist puts out great work it has to do with her instict, as if she's more of an animal than a human, creating accidental works of passion. But women's work ranges from the smooth lines of Georgia O'keeffe, the clean sharpness of Kara Walker, the intricate detail of Frida Kahlo, to the quiet stillness of Gwen John. All I want in the world is to continue in the tradition of women artists who came before me.
i like to imagine that these two women in the painting are about to catch each other's eye and share a look of understanding. they remind me of this quote from Frances Ha: "It's that thing when you're with someone, and you love them and they know it, and they love you and you know it... but it's a party... and you're both talking to other people, and you're laughing and shining... and you look across the room and catch each other's eyes... but - but not because you're possessive, or it's precisely sexual... but because... that is your person in this life. And it's funny and sad, but only because this life will end, and it's this secret world that exists right there in public, unnoticed, that no one else knows about." thank you for this painting. i like the strength of their faces and that the woman looking out at the viewer is making me feel both uncomfortable and loved, sort of like the way a grandma looks at you.
ReplyDeleteCelestina