Derain, Matisse, de Vlaminck and Me

I've found my tribe. Back in the early 1900's, a group of artists began to paint landscapes and portraits non-realistically in abstracted colors. The recent advent of the camera brought capturing realism into the hands of the non-artist. This new group of painters broke with the traditions of the past and did not try to imitate reality. And for the wild color and distortion in their work, they were call "Wild Beasts," or Fauvists. Click here to find examples of their glorious work.  Fauvism

I've often said that if I wanted an image exactly replicated I would photograph it, and that seems to be the premise of the Fauvism movement. So, as a dedicated Creative Explorer, I've decided on exploring Fauvism in my current work.

 

This image taken by my niece, Bekah, was the inspiration for my first study of the Fauve style.

This is what I've got so far...

Loving the colors. And the figure in the foreground. What do you think? I probably could have gotten farther outside the box with the colors.

And I share this adventure as a reminder that your tribe is out there, too. Embrace your personal style. Dare to be who you have been created to be. As my nephew recently said, "You only get one ride on this rock." Go ahead. Lose the fear. Take a risk. Have some fun.

Because you are loved. Bunches.