momoyama, 24x26” at the end of my painting day today
2:45 PM: after completing work on by the creek, i found a 24x26” canvas sitting on the floor. it had been painted over and i can’t find a record of what was underneath, so i named it momoyama and began work on it after painting over the surface with the same yellow i used on by the creek. then ip proceeded to introduce 2 figures, and we’ll see what happens on the first day of 2024!
by the creek 37x35” as it looked at 1pm today
1:13 PM: i was intending to put by the creek aside and stretch some smaller canvases today. but, after reading another few pages of the unknown matisse last night, i had made a note to myself to check out le bonheur de vivre and when i studied that 1905 breakthrough masterpiece, i just couldn’t resist painting over that overloaded composition with yellow and working into it with some of my familiar figures viewed from above.
from a review of the book: This book tells the story with clarity and literary skill so as to make the book almost un-put-downable. It is mandatory reading for any layperson seeking to understand Matisse and his work. It is recommended reading for anyone seeking to know Matisse better than any other source will allow
a burst of energy took over, lasted for a little over an hour and now i’m going to leave it, since anything further that i do today will be coming from my head.
le bonheur de vivre, matisse, 1905 5.6x8 feet