What artists have influenced you the most?

[Josie R.]

What artists have had an influence on your work? What artists do you admire (past and present)?

[Josie R.]

It's a big question, I know, and I'm sure it's difficult to pinpoint just a few artists that you are influenced by, or admire. However, I would say, that the one thing that I am drawn to more than anything in a painting, is to see that the artist was passionate and very connected to sense of place, or very connected to their subject or intent. I want to be moved, I want to connect with the artist.

So here, short-listed are a few of my favourites:

• Vincent VanGogh - no need to say more
  
• Claude Monet - I recently did a series titled, "Nothing Like the Sun" - there is nothing like the sun to bring pure joy. I'm not sure any other artist has portrayed sunlight so purely as Monet.
  
• Marc Chagall - I love his imagery, his story-telling, and his connection to place - his homeland
  
• Degas - particularly his pastels and sculpture of 14 Year Old Dancer
  
• Georgia O'Keefe - I admire her thought process and ability to abstract from what she was drawn to. Also her sense of place - and love of nature, which comes through in her paintings.
  
• David Blackwood - Sense of place
  

Does anyone else share some of these favourites?

There are many more artists that I admire for technique, colour etc.

Josie

[zorica]

Hi Josie,

You are right. This is a difficult question to answer. I know I have many artists that I find admirable and trying to make a list will be a challenge!

Here are a few:

Claude Monet: I agree. He definitely was a master when it came to translating light to canvas. I also really enjoyed the subtle colours that mingled in with the pure hues. I would have to say that my favourites are his water lilies. There is something about his water lilies that makes me feel at peace and very happy.

JW Waterhouse: I enjoy his narratives and how he applies paint. I love the simplicity at which he would paint an object. I hope to master this some day!

Alphonse Mucha: Although he was primarily a Graphic Artist he tried his hand at many artistic endeavors. His jewellery designs are amazing. I am drawn to his imagery and the beauty of them. His style exemplified Art Nouveau, an era of art and design that I just adore. I would love to own a few of his poster reproductions.

[Josie R.]

Hi Zorica

Great to see you posting on the forum.

Funny, that just a couple of days ago I was watching a film on YouTube about the Pre-Raphaelites. I really enjoyed JW Waterhouse's work - poetry for the eyes. You are right, he makes everything look so easy.

There is a really interesting series on YouTube called the Private Life of a Masterpiece. There are quite a few of them. Each one is in 4 parts (12 minutes long). Check them out.

Josie

[Josie R.]

Enjoy!!

[Josie R.]