This being our first official week back in the studio after holidays, honeymoons, and a wedding (in that order, reversed), we thought a little inspiration was in order. Hockney: A Bigger Exhibition at the De Young Museum, is winding down, and we’d heard nothing but good things. I’ve always enjoyed his work, and I find many of his paintings have pattern and textural elements, which I’m really drawn to. I first fell in love with a portrait he did of Celia Birtwell and Ossie Clark from the 70′s. I like thinking about their friendship…the fashion designer, the pattern maker, and Hockney. It must have been fun hanging around with those three.
This exhibition focuses on Hockney’s work over the last decade, and boy has he been busy. The sheer amount of work this man has created is unbelievable. Also, I appreciate the way he can move across various mediums and they all look effortlessly Hockney. In this show we saw oils, watercolors, video installations, charcoals, and even computer, ipad, and iphone work. I was most curious to see his ipad paintings in real life, and they were incredibly good. Of course, there is a quality in oil painting that cannot be replicated digitally. But I don’t think that’s the point. So letting go of that comparison, and enjoying them for what they are….let’s just say I started drawing on my ipad (just received this Christmas) the very same day. Here are some images from the exhibit. See if you can tell which are oil paintings, and which are digital.
