Picasso’s, “Dora Maar with Cat” sold for $95 million in 2006!
Were you one of those kids who carefully colored inside the lines, careful of breaking the rules? I was. As a small girl, I remember taking pride in my perfectly colored pages. Teachers, parents and restaurants alike still encourage and glorify these early crayon versions of paint-by-numbers by taping them to their bulletin boards, refrigerators and the walls at Apple B’s!
Okay, it does show a sense of skill and eye-hand coordination that every teacher and parent is proud of, but how boring! Nowadays, I actually get excited when I see a child’s energized crayon drawing that moves outside the lines.
As I’ve matured as an artist, I have grown to disregard the word ‘rules’ when it relates toward art. To me, art is the way we can freely stretch and push the boundaries with visions of our own world. But, before we haphazardly dive in and attempt to rebel against the rules, artists must first understand them.
These are all Picasso paintings!
- You can see the progression from the genius traditional painting “First Communion” done at age 15 is more impressionistic,
- “Boy With a Pipe” in 1905 to the abstract,
- “Head of a Woman” in 1909 and I have to add that the woman was Dora Maar – his girlfriend!)
Picasso first learned the rules of art then he slowly and systematically explored all the ways to break them.
He learned the illusion of volume then he deliberately learned how to flatten it. It didn’t happen overnight. In fact, he spent his whole life trying to remember how to paint like a child! Despite his childlike painting, there was never a man who explored art more seriously.
Here’s a little interesting story:
- During Picasso’s later years, my Great Uncle John McNee was a close friend and student of Picasso’s.
- Uncle John was a professor at the Department of Architecture and Art at the University of Illinois at Chicago from 1955-1977.
- Very talented in his own right but lacking in originality, Uncle John spent his whole career trying to paint like Picasso! But then again, Picasso told my Uncle, “Good artists copy, great artist steal!”
- My Uncle John McNee painted, “Girl with Apples” in the 1950’s – you can see Picasso’s influence.
The point is this: There is no rule that can’t be broken in art as long as it is broken with a purpose. If there is no purpose the painting will fall flat.
And remember…Picasso loved rules, because without the ‘rule’ of art, he had nothing to bend and break!
If you liked this article, please check out:
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Painting Abstracts: The Process Behind the Art
The Importance of Tone & Value
The Importance of Being an Artist in Today’s Modern World
How to Bring Out the Mona Lisa in Your Own Artwork
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Great Post. I have been thinking about this for some time and have been constructing a post to say the same thing. You said it so well. Could I quote some of the things you said with credit to you and a link back to this page?
95 million wow thats a lot of money My 2 year old daughter thinks someone has beat her badly.
Good Morning Lori ~
This is a great question ~ and I have to admit I’m one of the biggest rule breakers I’m afraid.
When I had no knowledge of the art business all of my decisions were based completely on supporting and promoting that which I loved ~
Now 30 years later, if I ever forget the “love” in the equation ~ it never works, no matter how hard I adhere to now knowing and being aware of certain rules and appropriate actions in the industry
Great art, speaks volumes
Great heart, art that sings from your soul has its own voice and its own life
With love and appreciation for your wonderful posts
Sian Lindemann
Artist….and “agent”
Sian Design
Hi Sian-
Thanks for your thoughtful comment and encouraging words. I appreciate the support from other artists like yourself. Would you ever consider submitting a guest post on the topic of promotion or the bonuses of having an agent? Maybe you have a tip or two that would help other artists get their ‘name and art out there’. Let me know!
Thanks-
~Lori
awsome cause i love kitty kats so so so sweet and so so so so so cuttttte
Lori, I picked up you name from an email for an art promotion, looked at your art and admired it for it’s craftsmanship, but didn’t see it breaking rules. I’m sure it works for selling, which is a must for a pro, but have you tried to explore your unique self on the side? This is not to say I have mastered it, but the challenge is so refreshing. I wish the best from life, Stephen Eidson
Hi Stephen-
Thanks for reading this article and I am glad you liked it. Well, I do ‘break the rules’ from time to time, but I find that I am primarily a traditional painter which tends to lend itself to less rule breaking. Although, adding birds to my still life paintings seems to be considered a bit avant-garde to some. Yes, exploring new ideas and unique expressions is always fun and good for the art spirit.
Wishing you the best too-
Lori
Loved your article and your Uncle’s painting!
Thank you Maria,
I wish I had that painting in my collection. My dad has a few of my uncle’s works, they are quite good. Thank you for the visit and comment.
Lori