Gayle Kabaker is a painter, writer, teacher and visual storyteller
I woke up this morning to the sad news of David Hockney’s death. For me it’s not just the loss of an incredible artist— it feels personal. In 2018, I stood in front of Pool with Two Figures at the Met and I heard, almost literally, a whisper that I had to paint people in water. It was winter in Massachusetts and I asked my cousin who has a beautiful home and pool in Phoenix if they needed a house sitter and they gave me their house for a week while they traveled. I invited other family to come over and pose for me. And I made my first people and pool paintings. Hula Hoop Girl was my first.
PARIS - JUNE 2025I changed my flight home after teaching in Morocco to go through Paris so I could see this show. I just knew it would be really important for me. My artist friend Noah Woods met me in Paris for three days and we booked two days to see the show. I’ve never studied a show this way before
Since this painting was my initial inspiration to paint water - where I heard the whisper, getting to really study it was amazing.
Day 1, I mostly took it all in, doing a bit of drawing. But Day 2 I really submerged myself — even sitting on the floor with a school group, drawing them as they were told about the portraits. What an incredible experience. And such fun to share it with Noah, whose love for Hockney's work was on par with mine. I came away from the Paris show full of awe and inspiration. I had fun painting this self portrait from a photo of me in the ‘photo booth’ set up in the museum.
MEETING CHARLIECharles “Charlie” Scheips is a New York-based curator, author, and cultural historian who served as David Hockney’s chief studio assistant in Los Angeles during the 1980s. Their nearly 40-year friendship and professional bond produced numerous portraits and lasting impacts on the modern art world. I was staying at the National Arts Club in NYC and met my friend/artist Gavin Snider in the bar one night to draw. A man came over as he was leaving with a friend, curious about our sketchbooks, and mentioned he was also an artist. He showed us one of his paintings on his phone, and I said, “This looks a bit like David Hockney” — and he said, “I was his assistant for many years.” Gavin and I exchanged a look: is he for real? We quickly realized he very much was, so when he asked if he could join us, we said of course — and promptly asked him everything about his time with David. I’ve kept up with Charlie on Instagram ever since, and when I was at the Paris show last summer he saw my posts on IG and asked me to send the video directly so he could pass it along to David. Who knows if he ever saw it — but what a thought! 
Charlie’s portrait was the first one in the big room of portraits in Paris! Looking at my Jump! cover, I remember that it was set to run in 2017, but ended up running in the summer of 2018. I can see clearly that his work had not yet influenced my painting of water. But by my 2020 cover - I was definitely inspired by him. 
LACMA: David Hockney: 82 Portraits and 1 Still-life Flying home from Mexico, I decided to make a stop in L.A, partly because I wanted to see my family, (that’s my wonderful cousins Betty and Betsy :) but also because I really wanted to see this show. We all went together. I loved seeing all these portraits close up, and the red walls! Amazing. I was especially inspired by how rough some of his hands were! All the people, sitting in similar chairs, some famous, but many simply friends and people in his life. 
As I painted this past winter for my upcoming show in Leland, MI in August, I created a new series of bed paintings, painting the bedding in a similar way that I’d paint water. 
I made a series of about 60 nudes on panels - very inspired by seeing his amazing collections of paintings in Paris, as well as looking at other collections he’s done over the years. My husband built the wood panels and I’m so excited to see them on the walls in my show! I REALLY got the message, one or two paintings or drawings? Fine but not that impactful. But shown as a collection of many?! Powerful! 
Writing this has been a nice way to honor David Hockney today. I knew he’s been a huge influence on me, but this really makes me realize just how impactful he’s been. I had a moment looking at all of this where I thought - was I TOO influenced? Copying? But no-I think I was inspired and made it my own. Margaret Ann Silver wrote a sweet post that Suleika Jaouad shared recently that speaks to this. A few spots are left for our France workshop with me and Jennifer Orkin Lewis . One spot opened for my June 27 & 28 workshop here at my place in Western Massachusetts. Since there are no refunds - the person who cannot come is willing to make a deal. Write me if you’re interested! August 16, my one day workshop in Leland, Michigan has just a few spots left. As always- I love hearing from you. My next newsletter will be all about our incredible trip to Portugal! xoxox Gayle Invite your friends and earn rewards
If you enjoy Paint What You Love, share it with your friends and earn rewards when they subscribe.
|
Nema komentara:
Objavi komentar