taylarnicole

[taylarnicole]

Reflection Post

Alice Neel knew how to capture emotion through her art. You could look at one of her pieces and know what that person was feeling. She often painted candid pieces that shocked others and was unapologetic about them. She painted everyone no matter their looks or background. From watching the video, I’ve learned that she was not a follower or looking to please anyone with her art. Through the encounters she faced, she used that pain and turned it into something beautiful and pure. I was impressed by everything she went through and what she has seen, she created such a beautiful light in times of darkness.

Willem De Kooning grew up with a background in figure drawing. In his young adult life, he primarily did abstract art. He later resumed figure drawing but exclusively with male figures. Only when he married his wife, did he begin to paint female figures. This started his popular works, his women's paintings. After he separated from his wife and had his daughter, his paintings took a turn. He began painting calm and serene landscape art influenced by his home. He then explored adding the women's paintings into the landscape ones. In his later years, he returned to abstract art with calm brush strokes. From watching the videos, it is clear to see that in each journey of Willem’s life his art changes based on his environment and who he is surrounded by. I was impressed by how many styles he was able to make and by the way he incorporated the woman in many different themes.

Early on in his career, Lucian Feud was denied exhibitions and shows due to his art style being anything but traditional. He wasn’t known as an amazing painter in terms of techniques due to the “klutziness of his hand”. Although it's said that, "if he had been a better painter his art would have been less interesting". His work was honest, “not cruel but never flattering”, showing exactly what he felt. After reading the article, I learned that his purpose in creating these paintings was to show others a sense of normalcy and honesty in the human body. I was impressed by how honest his art was and how real his paintings looked.

From researching the sources provided, I've learned that these three artists did not follow the rest. Each artist had their way of portraying their art. One of these artists particularly caught my eye due to his genuine paintings. Lucian Freud has to be my favorite from this list due to how beautiful his art is and how it beautifully represents him. His art is honest and unapologetic.