When I first started taking Art in high school, I learned about a Mexican female artist named Frida Kahlo. Ever since, I have considered this woman to be one of my idols. I had the opportunity to see her work in Phoenix last year and I fell in love with her art even more. Her mind was rich and her skill complimented that well. The thing that attracts me to her work the most is the subject matter. The way she expresses her innermost thoughts and emotions through her work is admirable. I’ve learned of many more female artists since then such as Remedios Varo and Tamara de Lempika. Both did very different work. Varo was a Surrealist, while Lempika was an Art Deco painter. I admire both of their styles and subject matter. I am very attracted to figurative work. The way they portray female figures and the manner in which these figures interact with their environment is interesting to me.
Lately, I’ve been focusing on landscape paintings. I’ve sought inspiration from the classic masters but also from contemporary figures. One artist whose work I find very inspiring is Andrew Tichsler. He is an artist living in New Zeland who has a fabulous YouTube channel full of his teachings about perspective, color, and other very useful techniques. I enjoy his presence in videos and most of all, I enjoy his work. It transports me and I feel I can travel by looking at it. I love that technology has allowed me to learn about so many new artists and that I am able to see what they’re up to on a daily basis. Having this exposure inspires me every day to create. Tichsler is amazing at creating the illusion of space. When he paints mountains, they seem to extend so infinitely as in real life. The colors he uses are so close to nature’s – something truly beautiful. He is very reminiscent of the Hudson River school artists.
Another artist I’ve been inspired by recently is Winslow Homer. Specifically, some of his watercolor paintings. Homosassa River is an impressive painting depicting a landscape with palm trees and water. Exploring Florida’s forests such as Ocala and the Everglades has given me the opportunity to experience those kind of landscapes and to fall in love with his art even more. The skill he had to make the palm trees look as if they’re being swayed by the wind, the shades of green, the light, the fading background, everything comes together so beautifully.
I am also very inspired by looking through Instagram and Pinterest. These platforms make it easy and enjoyable to browse through millions of photos from all over the world. I am able to see work that I would otherwise not have access to. The world is full of heroes, all you have to do is look. I consider myself to be a life long learner. I love having people who can teach me about what they know best, especially art.
And who are your heroes?