Bouton's stuff, Volume 2

[Gare]

Truth be known, guys, Pablo was a commercial artist, not abstract, not expressionist. He was a chameleon of sorts—when an art style trended, he absorbed it into his repertoire—did it better usually than an original artist—and left a 7 or 8 figure estate for his kids.

Ironically, William Shakespeare was sort of a cultural/artistic shoplifter, too, but both he asnd Picasso gave more than they appropriated IMO.

I think it was Thomas Marlow, a peer in Shakespeare's age, who wrote Two Gentlemen of Verona, although historically Shakespeare is credited.


Ironically, an original though from Billy (?) was, "The play's the thing."

Meaning? No actor, or costume, or set design can substitute for the concept, the thought behind the play. Or the artwork, or the dance, you know?

Check out Jackson Pollack, Mondrian, Kandinsky, and especially one of my faves, Joan Miro (a guy) if you want inspiration to cut your teeth on Abstract Expressionism.

And a piece of absolute joy and expressionism, Nude Descending a Staircase, controversial at the time (because the word "nude" is in the title!) by Marcel DuChampo.

Fact be known, Picasso tracked DuChamp and his work scrupulously, imitated...sigh...prevailed.

Here's a crack at Miro using a photo of myself last year:



Cheers!

Gary