"Non-Motif" as a Modern Art Theme

Блог #43 | James Gurney explores subjects that are all around us but rarely painted

 

 

IN SEARCH OF
THE NON-MOTIF

 

James Gurney explores subjects that are
all around us but rarely painted

 

When I go looking for a subject to
paint, sometimes a scene jumps
right out at me, but most of the time I
have to hunt for it.

 

 

I often start with a preconception of
what I’m looking for, especially when
I’m away from home. Typically my mind
conjures the familiar “postcard view” of a
given region, based on picture ideas that
have proven successful for other artists.

Classic artistic motifs include such
things as fishing boats, Venetian canals,
red barns, floral bouquets, majestic peaks
or crashing waves on rocky coastlines.

 

 

I’m not criticizing these subjects or anyone
who paints them; in fact I’ve painted my
share of them. The problem is that when
we see paintings of those subjects, we
sort of tune them out and keep walking,
unless the artist can come up with
something really original.

omething really original.
I have to traverse all that territory
in my mind before I can find a
“non-motif.”

 

 

 

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