Welcome to some summer art inspiration!
It’s been a summer choc-full of creative fun! I headed to London at the height of a heatwave where I joined artist Steve Forster at his portrait workshop based on the paintings of J W Waterhouse. It was great to meet lots of lovely artists and we all braved the heat together for the museum visits and five days of painting at the London Sketch Club.
Steve Forster and artists at the London Sketch Club, London. Photo copyright of the Bay Area Classical Artist Atelier.
…………………………………………………………………………
Plus I’m currently working on number 97/100 of my 100 portraits challenge, a painting contrasting expressive and refined. You can see a progress timelapse on Instagram. In the meantime, here’s number 96, the beautifully refined Emmeline (below) This is a follow-up piece I painted after my return from the London workshop. I wanted to create a timeless painting combining the beauty of the Pre-Raphaelite paintings with a modern edge.
Emmeline – 96/100 in the Impermanence Series, original painting in oil by Becky McCarthy
…………………………………………………………………………
Whilst in London I took the opportunity to visit the new Frida Kahlo exhibition ‘Making of an Icon’ at Tate Modern. Not so much an exhibition of her work, it’s more a study of her place within the context of the art world and popular culture. It showcases some of her personal artefacts and outfits, art by her contemporaries, outlines some of her political influences, and her influence on other artists. With a final knowing nod to the consumerism of, and creation of an icon, we are confronted with an array of products featuring her familiar face. Next stop, the gift shop!
Clockwise from top left: Friday Kahlo Self-Portrait in a Velvet Dress; photograph of Frida; artist Tracey Emin as Frida Kahlo; art inspired by the artist; Frida Kahlo miniature self-portrait.
…………………………………………………………………………
‘Frida’ oil on paper, Becky McCarthy