Sunday, February 13, 2011

The love of Fairlield Porter(1907-1975)-

When I don't know where to turn to..., I turn to my sketchbooks. Last year I made a series of black and white watercolour studies in my sketchbook.
I painted casual arrangements around the house. I love the way watercolour 'sinks and spreads very fast' into the thin sketchbook paper. It's a challenge...
The small studies were inspired by the work of Fairfield Porter, which I was thinking about at the  time. I believe I went through every book on his work in our city's library system.  I love the way F.P. painted around his home (or right outside his home). The portraits of his children, wife and friends ( male lovers?). The sittings are casual, the sitters are usually doing something quite normal, like eating at the breakfast table, reading, playing the piano, lying in bed with a headache- I guess that's what I mostly delight in , F. Porter painting 'life as usual'. The above is a rough copy of a painting of his daughter Lizzie, at the breakfast table- I studied the composition and the way he worked with values- I felt my work was (and gulp!- often still is...-  wishy-washy- so I always have to be extra vigilant about my values)-
I have also made a note in my sketchbook that I saw similarities here with Bonnard's 'The Lamp'. I don't remember this, but I will look it up again. Fun.
This is another rough, little copy of  a F.Porter painting-'Island Farmhouse-(1969)- the dog sitting in the shade on a hot, sunny day- while this is a value study,  the most gorgeous element in the actual painting is F.Porter's use of yellow -In my notes:' he has just squeezed out the very essence of this. Summer lemonade.'
Best thing to contemplate in mid-February!
Hugs- 

8 comments:

Kristen Donegan said...

These are beautiful watercolors...not wishy washy at all- you really capture light and mood and they look so effortless- I envy that. Plus I like how you talk about your thought process, very holistic :)

kirsty said...

I'm loving these watercolours!

ELK said...

just so subtle and spellbinding .. relish the tones of black and white

belinda marshall said...

these are really beautiful! love the little areas of pure dark :)
happy new week!
xx

belinda marshall said...

these are really beautiful! love the little areas of pure dark :)
happy new week!
xx

Missouri Bend Paper Works said...

Hooray for Fairfield Porter! And also for Bonnard, Viullard, etc. Lovely drawings! Cheers! Patti

Julia da Franca said...

dear annamaria, i like your blackandwhite watercolors very much, they are excellent and i absolutely agree with kristen! xx julia

renilde said...

Oh yes Annamaria you do beautiful water-colours, playing with light and shadows, lively not static and my eyes go from left to right and up and down(very good sign)x