Empathic Depictions by Jean-Michel Basquiat

Untitled known as 'Two Heads on Gold', 1982. Acrylic and oil paintstick on canvas [80 × 125 in 203.2 × 317.5 cm]

Untitled ‘Two Heads on Gold’, 1982 by Jean-Michel Basquiat
Acrylic and oil paintstick on canvas
80 × 125 in- 203.2 × 317.5 cm

Today I finished watching the latter half of a docu-movie entitled Jean-Michel Basquiat: The Radiant Child.

Let me please ramp up some intellectual thoughts for your consideration. Ok, well up until several weeks ago I didn’t know that Charles Bird King’s father was killed by a native American. This would not be poignantly significant except that Charles Bird King is almost singularly remembered as one of the greatest historical portrait artists of native American culture in a truly positive light. Dignifying the perspective of native Americans in his day and beyond to our time.

The question to ask from this docu-movie in my opinion is – How did Basquiat die at 27 years of age? Obviously his lifestyle choice was conducive to this. He was sucked up into a decadent torrent, seemingly casting himself off in an instant.

Can anyone here expect to cast a pebble into the sea only to find that same pebble rise to the surface of the waters and roll back towards you? What you actually do is skim the pebble upon the surface many times to see it skipping along the smoothness of waves.

I’m deeply moved by this film because I see almost precisely the same sensitivity and fragility that Van Gogh no doubt possessed during his own lifetime. 37 years and 27 years is merely glancing at the surface of what life has to offer.

At this point I would mention that perhaps watching Pina (preferably in 3D) by Wim Wenders is also a strongly emotive film experience. That is, if you would like to tap into your deep inner sensibilities for an hour or two. Personally speaking I do sincerely become immersed in a range of emotions during these arty indulgences.

Back on track to Jean-Michel Basquiat. Firstly a superior artist to any reference of what we might consider good or acceptable art in quality. His drawing in a child-like manner explains how he felt as a person in this highly competitive commercial world. Cartoonistic, raw and excitable in style. Abrupt, often complex and bold. Stark and beautifully complimentary. Largely attractive colour contrasted arrangements.

Philistines – 1982. Acrylic, crayon on canvas, 183 x 312.5cm.

Philistines – 1982 by Jean-Michel Basquiat
Acrylic, crayon on canvas, 183 x 312.5cm

Is Jean-Michel Basquiat explaining some of his own life experiences in his painting above? I would strongly accept this hypothesis.

Bird on Money, 1981 by Jean-Michel Basquiat.
Acrylic, crayon on canvas – 167.5 x 228.5cm

Come on surely we would all like to own a Basquiat? Colourful and interesting doesn’t even begin to describe a Basquiat. His influence in artists like Banksy is almost a given. Basquiat clearly dignifies many artists within his paintings so I think its posthumous reward his art is still living and breathing today. Speaking street and high brow intellectualism as one.

Del Monte, c1984-1985 by Jean-Michel Basquiat and Andy Warhol
Synthetic polymer paint & silkscreen ink on canvas
76 x 88 in. (193 x 223.5 cm)

I’ve included this latter painting above to add controversy to the whole art valuation debate. What is a piece of art worth? This painting sold for $1,082,500. Unusually Jean-Michel Basquiat chose not to use visible words or letters in this artwork. The branding work is synonymous with Andy Warhol’s style. An art collector would pay this sum purely based on the strong friendship that Andy Warhol and Jean-Michel Basquiat had or perhaps because JMB is a genius for unspoken commentary?

Art is each their own personal feeling. But I tell you something, when I saw the slave ship briefly referenced in one of Jean-Michel Basquiat’s paintings during the docu-movie aforementioned, well, sometimes it takes time to see what an artist is saying or feeling on many levels.

Personally I think this is Basquiat referencing his savvy worldly acumen and woefully addictive tendencies with honest sentimentality. I would be surprised if the brilliance of his style does not find influence in my own future artworks ‘through a new mind’ in some way. I certainly hope so because I loved the man himself. A great pity he is no longer with us as a person and masterful artist.

Basquiat, Matt & The Soul Stream

Jean-Michel Basquiat (American, 1960–1988)
Offensive Orange (1982)
Acrylic on Wood – 182.5 x 122 cm. (71.9in x 48in)

I’m half-way through a movie about Basquiat and wish to quickly share my feelings about his artwork and influence.

The docu-movie is entitled ‘Jean Michel Basquiat: The Radiant Child’. To me this film piece is like breathing fresh air – a kind of necessity, exhilarating, a soberly intoxicating clarity of streams for thought.

Basquiat is the core essential mindset for paint artists. This is what being an artist in any form is all about. Communication.

Existential in form and conscience.

Everyone is capable of enjoying art. Seeing how art collectors and art dealers respond to art is quite fascinating in its own right.

Quite a number of explanations Basquiat provides during this docu-movie, to the moment at least that I have reached in the docu-movie, offer insight into what drives each individual artist. Beyond our surroundings, almost separately describing our world in various art forms is part of the nature to communicate.

I like that Basquiat was a great music lover, poet and earnest fan of past and contemporary famous artists. As the docu-movie describes, influence.. is through a new mind. Very good. Every great artist has enjoyed consuming art as food for thought.

Banksy most definitely included.

Now I’m returning to the docu-movie to write the second part of my Basquiat article.

The second part of my Basquiat article is here:

https://theunfathomableartist.wordpress.com/2015/07/14/empathic-depictions-by-jean-michel-basquiat/

American Art Continues on LP

Asher Durand – ‘Kindred Spirits’ (1849)

Can you see Thomas Cole the painter and William Cullen Bryant the poet admiring the view? Well these are the men extrapolated into this scene following a commission by Jonathan Sturges as a eulogy for Cole having died in 1848. A moving thought.

Frederic Edwin Church – ‘Twilight in the Wilderness’ (1860)

Where can I begin with this glorious painting? It almost defies words for me to describe. ‘Twilight in the Wilderness’ is a masterpiece by Frederic Edwin Church. The use of textures and colours causes me to feel like my mind is humbled into a whirlwind of thoughts. In his like brilliance with Monet and Carlos de Haes I find myself inspired to try to even dream to produce a realist painting of this superlative magnitude.

Colour matching is a skill within professional painting that takes years of practice. Whenever I see greyish blue necked swans my happiness can be likened to the shouting sound of ‘Eureka!’. Artists want to impress. To master what they see. Communicating literally and symbolically.

‘Self Portrait of My Body’ is so important to me as a work that I cannot simply dab colours here and there and hope for the best with colour matching. Non-artists may not realise the technicalities that age and exact colour matching brings to a canvas. Are all lines perfectly straight? Let the imagination wonder why one might hold back from perfection.

Thomas Worthington Whittredge – ‘Birch Trees’ (c.1872)

I’ve chosen Thomas Worthington Whittredge, and in particular ‘Birch Trees’, because it strongly reminds me of artworks by a family relative. Artwork that I will present here in this blog at an appropriate time. My family relative passed away 9 years ago and I have Christmas cards that he sent to my Grandmother each with his artwork beautifully displayed on the cover with warm greetings inside. Amazingly I only knew of his artworks over the past few years.

Whittredge, of course, is a landscape giant of American Art.

Samuel Colman (the American Painter) – ‘Storm King on the Hudson’ (1866)

This painting is quite apt at this present time hence my unusual blog entitlement. Always a jostling, always a struggle to find balance. Competition, contention, livelihoods, sentiment and commercial politics. Samuel Colman was clearly interested in highlighting his then modern world in intellectually sensitive and stunning portrayals. The cascading hues and focal points make for a rewarding viewing experience.

Sincerest apologies for a concise blog. My mind is resting determinedly on other matters this past week.

Self Portrait Of My Body

‘Self Portrait Of My Body’ – Oil painting on canvas, 28in x 36in, completed March 2014.

Spontaneity can be a sort of art I suppose. No wonder Picasso was delighted when he found his Kahnweiler moment.

‘We speak with pigments from the Earth.

We are talking with our hands.

Debating with lines, curves, shapes and expressions.’

Hear now a shifting of thoughts like rocks hurled to the Earth. If the Earth was not flat who would keep banging their drum to deny it? If the Earth did not move around the Sun who would chastise those that disagreed? Science changes. It evolves. Science is literally Knowledge.

Who laughs at the one who was laughed at before? It’s all a matter for Time. Continuously chasing the tail. Encircling. Eating the dust like worms. Churning the land. Too many absurdities. How can anyone who is not like this one understand?

Even in one hundred years and ten there were none like this one to be seen. A rarity.

Painting originates from rocks. Oh words why do you keep on arriving constantly at a speed and rate {} cannot easily express to peoples?

Of origin. Sinew itself almost speaks in the quietness.

I like to share these things with you.

Momentary Weakness – A Poem

“Momentary weakness is the passing of the night, the full Moon that rides quietly by, it’s the Swans for gliding forever high, on the waves made by our Sun’s rapturous roaring flight, in a mustering up of energy ready for the invisible fight, a gathering of thoughts to win out with last breaths might, as I’ve said before ‘You cannot contain my spirit’ quite, when with all I stand unequalled in this mind, that is ever thirsting for the Light.”

Words for you to picture.

Morgan Weistling – Modern Art Master

Morgan Weistling (pronounced ‘why-st-ling’) is a well known American artist producing a variety of pleasingly nostalgic artworks imbuing complex storylines and romantic warmth. Please take a look at ‘The Country Doctor’ shown below if you have not already seen this masterful artwork in art magazines just as I did a couple of years ago:

'The Country Doctor' 36x48 Masters of the American West - Autry Museum, Feb 2nd 2013

‘The Country Doctor’ (36 in x 48 in)
Masters of the American West – Autry Museum – February 2nd 2013

As described in the painting caption you can visit the Autry Museum in Los Angeles and see Morgan Weistling’s work for yourself. Morgan Weistling is listed as one of their honored artists along with his inherently gifted daughter, Brittany.

The American West, Civil War and American Indian themes abound – including theatrical productions to further transport you into another era entirely.

Heterogeneous facial expressions, the clever use of light, natural or incandescent, a subjective focal point and a deep never ending storytelling where we might imagine Phillis Wheatley and T. S. Elliot at pleasure to find the right words to express.

One could ask ‘Who knoweth thy heart of mine?’

It’s clear that following on from his previous profession as a top movie Illustrator, Weistling is an especially ambitious Master Artist. We might think he gained his storytelling ability from articulating entire movies in posters. Afterall a picture paints a thousand words, and truly each learning experience we conquer adds to our ever growing repertoire.

However, in reading his biography the Weistling family is entrenched in strong family values and the art of teaching from generation to generation, which in turn transcend the heartfelt warmth found in both Morgan and Brittany’s Fine Art paintings.

‘The Artist’ shown below is Morgan’s daughter:

‘The Artist’ by Morgan Weistling

‘The Artist’ is a classically constructed painting that is bereft of time. Actually, I do wonder at what Brittany is drawing.

I just had to include ‘The Fishing Hole’ here:

‘The Fishing Hole’ by Morgan Weistling
(30 in x 40 in)

A beloved uncle taught me how to fish when I was a boy, so I find this painting highly endearing. Also, in an early photograph of my Dad pictured circa 1965 he is with his younger brother whom I’ve never met, holding up a fish whilst my Dad is smiling. This latter anecdote a treasured moment of a sepia tone reminiscent of photography from an oak-aged American Western scene. Exactly the profound effect Morgan’s paintings have in moving us emotionally.

Each and every professional Artist is different, offering their own personable character of qualities. Different backgrounds and interests. With all his characters on the canvas Morgan has perfected his Fine Art style.

Value is always with the heart whilst an artful mind is fed with bread and fish.

New York Exhibition Highlight

Hank Willis Thomas, Unbranded: A Century of White Women, 1915-2015

513 W. 20th Street, New York, NY 10011 USA Friday, April 10, 2015–Saturday, May 23, 2015

Hank Willis Thomas – Just as our Forefathers intended, 2015/2015, digital chromogenic print.
26 1/2 x 60 3/4 inches (print size)
Courtesy of the artist and Jack Shainman Gallery, New York.

This Exhibition Highlight is focussing on acclaimed photo artist Hank Willis Thomas, whose natural artistic creativity and technical expertise had already found talented beginnings by the time he had picked up his first camera.

Our interest with past and present Art Masters is to get to know them through their art. Clearly world media readership has recognised Hank Willis Thomas on the merit of his art and its powerful commentary.

Hank has established himself as a famed artist with justifiable comparison to other leading living artists such as Damien Hirst and Banksy.

Art sometimes asks questions about society. With this in mind few Artists have the far reaching effect in abundance as Hank Willis Thomas along with his notable artistic contemporaries.

His current New York Exhibition is creating new moments to reflect and discuss our shared ethos from a distinctly intellectualised viewpoint.

I have included the following Artnet link for further information explaining the various concepts behind his Exhibition:

The 1 Must See Art Event In New York This Week: Hank Willis Thomas at Jack Shainman Gallery

The Unfathomable Artist has this to say:

“If something seems out of proportion what can we do to help? What positive difference can we personally make?

Well the best answer I can gift is from a famous poem I wish to quote:

‘Me. We.’

by Muhammed Ali.”

Pure Pieter Claesz

Let’s take a look through the looking glass…

Vanitas with Violin and Glass Ball by Pieter Claesz, c1628.

For dear Readers of my blog it is thoroughly my disposition to draw out your feelings about art; explain what art is to myself personally and give glimpses of my personality and so forth.

In the previous blog post you might be given to thinking – is The Unfathomable Artist saying he had a bad attitude? No, not at all. My intention was to discuss individual relativity and perspective.

Why? Why is the question we begin with thirstily. It never ceases. Hastily using up our time in pursuits with the greatest appeal. Discarding subjects and activities that we believe will have lesser relevance, impact or interest in our lives. However, perspectives do change. We grow as human beings along with our knowledge.

Maturity is control of self. True love is a relinquishing of self in some aspects.

Whilst we are faithful to our former teenage selves in much of our personality, our understanding and life experiences continue to shape us. How much of the teenage essence of ‘you’ remains distinctly your presently known character? An interesting social conversation.

To teenage Readers it is best said – follow your heart in all useful pursuit and be in contentedness. Promising you that this will bring you a happier and more enriched artful life now and in time.

The Pieter Claesz painting shown above is a masterpiece of itself. Can we as avid art connoisseurs find the originator of this concept? Lewis Carroll – oh how much we do love your art with its superlative imagination. The Champion, the Card Player, the Giant and the Boy. The Machine made out of Time.

Glimpses of the masterful Arnolfini Portrait by Jan van Eyck, 1434 and its looking glass.

Arnolfini Portrait by Jan van Eyck, oil on oak, 1434.

Reverberations usually begin in a single moment. Eureka. They say.

Consider this, please. When you want something achievable does it burn as brightly as Canis Majoris doth vie in your heart? The shifting of the Earth-encompassing-storm takes not a single day. Eight luminaries drag not their feet, lo, happily under control they make their equidistant riding along for us.

Art pieces are often the fashions of their time well made for our continuing affection. Look at Rothko’s many abstractions along with his contemporaries. Similes and patterns because we desire to share in co-existing. Art movements created before your eyes to the sensibility of touch.

Phases of collective art exploration and future inspiration. Moving it is therefore even now.

CAN I CREATE AN ART MOVEMENT?

These words strong of typography. Should one believe as such? Dare think such a lofty idea? Do not and shall certain of aghast be! This audacity, sometimes a wretchedness bring, always an elation sought. Whatever is for a taking, what good is there in not giving of a good return?

Have you seen the sepia-like monochromatic quality of Pieter Claesz painting within the choosing of colour for his composing? Genius of creativity. Like antiquitus plate-made photography. Please I implore you to see his other works from Wikipedia or other public sources.

That I could see even one Pieter Claesz painting in true light for myself! A reading of my Blog John W Waterhouse & The Lady of Shalott – https://theunfathomableartist.wordpress.com/2014/08/21/john-w-waterhouse-the-lady-of-shalott/ may gift you a sense of my personable love of art.

An expansion later with joyful happiness at the multitude of calculations to follow.

For now I share a swift ink sketch:

‘Man Sailing In Tumultuous Waves’ [2012] quick sketch on card paper by Matt The Unfathomable Artist. Photograph digitally edited.

‘Man Sailing Tumultuous Waves’ [2012] sketch on card paper by Matt The Unfathomable Artist.

The Last of the Mohicans Teaches Us

I love studying world art.

Young Omahaw, War Eagle, Little Missouri, and Pawnees, painted 1821 by Charles Bird King

Whilst we all have favourites within any realm of interest I believe variety provides good balance for serious Art Professionals. Variety across subjects, genres, topics, cultures, media, styles and spectra.

A friend of my Dad (my Dad having passed away December 2010) is an expert in Native American history so our family had an interest in genealogical studies prior to the fairly recent trend through various internet sites. Our Dad mentioned France on a few occasions. To be honest I originate from the man before me.

At about 10 years of age I recall my class teacher, a naturally gifted artist, encouraging the class to create a family tree. She was a wise lady if you know what I mean and openly kept a preserved dead snake in a jar in our classroom. I loved her and she loved me.

I’m still intensely amused whilst she was remarking on our class daffodil study having arranged same for us to complete. All of us merrily drawing on art paper with charcoal pencil blocks. You can almost see the tongues hanging out, pencil in hand wide-eyed, displaced of spirit in ecstasy at enjoyment.

Ms D attentively walked around the whole class making encouraging comments to each of us. Teaching for her was biting the apple. Seeing the apple drop in order to measure. View the height and the breadth. Listening to the sounds.

Like wise Mohicans of the natural world and their many teachings.

Returning to those daffodils – here is how art is.. I kept drawing, kept charcoaling those classic daffodils until they were inscrutably black. Void of discernible inner form, merely lines of the outskirts.

Quite some moments before my teacher had carefully remarked:

‘I think you have it there now Matthew.’

Well I guess I was enjoying myself far too much to listen. To this day I like to think of this as the world. Knowing now what is. A cause to become.

Her last comments about going a little too far had me roaring with laughter inside. ‘The amusement never ends’. Artistically in terms of beauty and aesthetic appeal she was of course right. But I guess that is how I saw it at the time.

Imagine please this scene. In the morning we would arrive to our class to see that her blackboard displayed a masterful new artwork in chalk pastels. Flowers her personal speciality. For an undeniably creative person it was impossible not to be greatly influenced by her artful brilliance. Prior to leaving school my only interest academically speaking was art.

I couldn’t care less about any other subjects at that time in the academical sense. Although I did have considerable interest within each subject and enjoyed learning. Aside from geography, then. Zoology. Chef. Information Technology.

What did you want to be? What do you want to be? What can you create to become?

‘This is your world’ – Bob Ross the well known protege said,

and

“We have to remember that the way things are is not the only possible way that they could be.”
― William (Bill) Alexander.

Charles Bird King born 1785 (to 1862) beautifully catalogued history for us through his American ancestral portraiture.

Petalesharo (Generous Chief) Pawnee c1822, by Charles Bird King:

Hmmm, a little less conversation don’t you think? Feathers are as varietal and resplendent as rare flowers. Uh huh huh.

Mount Rushmore National Memorial (carved 1927 to 1941) – Sculpted by Danish-American Gutzon Borglum and Lincoln Borglum:

Still Life on a Green Table Cloth by Charles Bird King, c1815:

The glass detailing of his work is truly outstanding. Modern artist Darren Baker is surely impressed. I kindly invite you to see Darren Baker’ artwork and view ‘Candlelit Wine’ in pastel for your pleasure if you have never seen his work.

Thank you.

Songwriting Mood With Added Swings, Dali-cious

Inspiration is often like the dances of butterflies. Pretty and irrevocably beautiful. Whilst I’m eager to paint soon, creating new song ideas and musical compositions has been lots of fun.

Most songwriters enjoy various layers of thought to their songs and I’m definitely no exception. As a boy of three years of age I was, I’m told, a fan of Abba and Queen’s ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’. I know this to be true.

Working out everything with reference to the latter lyrics was extremely satisfying, especially when my thoughts were rightly confirmed quite some time afterwards.

I recall a famous guitarist from another rock band stating that there was no way their lead singer could possibly have much meaningful sense or reason to some of the lyrics he had jotted in a mere matter of minutes.

I dissect whatever seems reasonable to gain an understanding of individual people. Really though, can anyone know you better than yourself?

The strangest new chorus came to my mind the other day:

‘Have you seen the Cannibal?
Lurkin’ wanton inside your skull,
It’s kind of grey and alien!
Feedin’ on bloods limitation

Don’t get caught, don’t get scared
Cos when its hungry it don’t care
It’ll-sweep-you-off-the-floor, with.. your.. bones,
Its gaze turns your body putrefied Auld,
Like Seventy Nine to the Power of Ten’

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