A Study in Sophistication
This series was inspired by Max Beckmann’s piece “Double Portrait” as well as Picasso’s early work in Cubism. These both are very stylized and use techniques such as heavy outline and unblended, textured strokes. It also takes heavy influence from the work of my grandfather, who was an artist but was drawn into the professional medical field by his father. He represents professionalism and mastery to me, forming a connection in my mind between these qualities and art. This series is centralized around the idea of sophistication in art, especially the struggle to find it through Cubism. It represents my efforts to abstract my abilities with realism while staying away from cartoon styles. Although I value it greatly, I feel as though it is time to move on from the realism I have been doing because it becomes repetitive and I focus on rendition more than expression (this is not to say that realism cannot be expressive). This series also contrasts me personally, as an amateur artist, to my desire to achieve sophistication and mastery of my style.