Cate W. – Pastiches of Famous Paintings

At LREI, I have had the opportunity to explore visual art through painting, drawing, printmaking, inking, watercoloring, and sculpting. I have created many pieces over the past few years, most of which were based on photos or still lifes. I am currently contemplating if I should continue my interest in art for when I attend college at Middlebury. 

My intention for my senior project was to continue my exploration of studio art. While I wanted to learn more about the histories behind artists and their works, I also hoped to widen my range of materials and learn new techniques. Rather than just recreating famous paintings, I looked to create pastiches (artistic work that imitates that of another work, artist, or period). Making this choice allowed me to learn from and appreciate the original pieces of artwork, while also creating space for me to define my own voice within the project.

My imitation of older works of art focused on demonstrating a change in time. I used elements from the 21st century and applied them to the historical pieces that I studied. I collected five famous paintings, Nighthawks by Edward Hopper, At the Seaside by William Merit Chase, Still Life with Lobster by Jan Davidsz. de Heem, A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte by Georges Seurat, and Three Graces by Raphael, and looked at them through a modern lens. Looking at older works as well as newer forms of art and pop culture to reflect a more relevant set of ideas has allowed me to discuss several subjects I am interested in. Though I didn’t get to focus on all the themes I hoped to, some of the ones I looked at included: climate change, beauty, the impact of technology, and covid-19. While my painting inspired by Edward Hopper’s “Nighthawks” represents the impact of technology and social media on our society, I used Raphael’s “Three Graces” to represent the evolution of beauty.

Doing research on current topics, learning about the history and meanings behind pieces of art, studying the intentions of artists, and sketching out ideas, were all crucial steps to understanding how to construct my pastiches. My process before painting specifically included practicing the pointillism technique, studying the human body, researching the intentions of artists, analyzing paintings, understanding color, and sketching out ideas for my pastiches. The three books, How to Be an Artist by Jerry Saltz, The Shape of Content by Ben Shahn, and Ways of Seeing by John Berger, also contributed to my research, artistic choices, and knowledge. 

My work, as an artist, in and out of the studio art room is always developing. I have learned ways in which I need to improve and have also found ways that I have grown. My senior project has introduced me to new experiences, materials, and feelings. While I still struggle with proportion and color, I have become more skillful with acrylic and oil paints. As I continue my work in art, whether it be during a class in college or my free time, I hope to continue to learn and make meaningful works of art.

Click the image below to view my work: