Thinking about Figure Painting

I have been thinking about figure painting, and representational painting in general.

I think the key to making good painting does not have that much to do with producing a likeness, facile likenesses are the straightest route to boring painting.

I think that the point when representational painting becomes interesting is when the image is a reconstruction of the parts that make up the image, with signs of intelligence running along within the decisions of how the parts are represented. For instance when someone who has been drawing for 5 years learns to draw a very good likeness it is really exciting to them, but in 5 more years it has become tedious and a new solution is necessary. That is when things tend to get really engaging, the pulling apart and putting back together, and being able to "say something" with an image. The evidence of thoughtfulness, and the wizardry behind making an image force things on someone else's perception becomes exciting again.

I have been drawing a lot, and have found interesting things to read lately. The Believer has a phenomenally good article about Aby Warburg that really got my mind working overtime. I am also reading a few other books.

Working in Brooklyn is very interesting and I like going into the corner stores, last Friday I found one where I can get a buttered roll and a tea with sugar for $1.50, that's my kind of price - I can carry that in quarters, and my pocket won't even be heavy.

Dan Attoe emailed me a painting of bikers around a campfire that is completely amazing. Here it is: