Flam, Jack D. Matisse on Art. New York: Dutton, 1978.
This book is a collection of essays, quotes, and interviews of the artist Henri Matisse. I found this book very revealing into the personality of the artist. My idea of Matisse after reading this book is that of a humble, quiet artist that viewed art as a way of coming to terms with himself and the world around him. He used his art to better communicate the love that he seemed to have for all things.
There are many quotes within the book that triggered responses in me that I found to be unusual. I felt that I would have little in common with Matisse, especially in our opinions toward art. I see things in Matisse's art that I cannot understand. Things that are so simply and effortlessly done that I take them for granted. After reading Matisse's opinions and views on art, I see that, contrary to my belief, we do have much in common. I was able to connect with many of the ideas and points that Matisse made about art. This has helped me to better understand his art as well.
The following quote is represenative of the states of mind that I'm constantly jumping between while working. To read that Matisse went though the same dilemma is reassurance that I'm not alone. He says,
I want to reach that state of condensation which makes a painting. I might be satisfied with a work done at one sitting, but I would quickly tire of it; therefore, I prefer to rework it so that later that I may recognize it as represenative of my state of mind. There was a time when I never left my paintings hanging on the wall because they reminded of moments of over- excitement and I did not like to see them when I had again become calm. (48)
I believe that what Matisse is talking about here are two different states of mind working at different levels on the same picture. The spontaneous right side, quickly working in an "over-excited" manner and the "calm" calculating left side that is second judging the work and making the decision to keep the paintings off the wall. I have the same conflict within my self. I feel that my personality profile adds to this conflict. The type of person that I am; Imaginative, feeling, expressive "I" and "F" types constantly conflict with my exacting "J" type. The result is second guessed spontaneous works that fall short of what my "judging" type demands.
Another quote that interested me addresses repeatly drawing the same subject; a method that Degas mentioned many times in his writings and conversations. Matisse says that a method of repeatedly drawing the same subject many times will "free the unconcious mind of the painter" (66).
Degas never mentioned the freedom of the creative mind, but reasoned that it was similar to a "right of passage" to go through before proceeding onto his final work. Drawing the same subject repeatly seemed like a burden to me. I didn't understand the value in doing this before. Now, I see that drawing constantly and quickly without second judging the outcome is similar to a snowball effect. The more drawings I produce, the larger the need to produce more grows and the closer I come to my own reality of what I'm observing. By drawing repeatedly I'm enabling myself to become quickly connected with my "inner artist."
Matisse elaborates on this by stating that all artists have two eyes, an outer and an inner. He says that the outer eye, is like a superb camera; seeing and registering everything in its path. With this outer eye, the artist draws the conclusion, "This time I know the reality of things." After this, there is a moment of calm; then the second inner eye super-imposes an entirely different image onto the first's picture. There is a struggle as the first and second eye fight for dominance. The second eye slowly wins and take command of the situation. Now the inner eye can continue the work and elaborate where the first left off; using the laws of interior vision (115).
I believe Matisse is again refering to the right-left brain struggle
that takes place during the creative process. By frequently drawing,
I believe that control of the inner eye can become easier.
Art is like a bug that you catch and can't get rid of. There are times
when it surfaces briefly to show you that it's still there. Then there
are times when you are totally siezed by it and have to succumb to its
power. By drawing and creating at a constant pace, I'm able to control
when the bug's going to hit next. There are times when I'm not in the
mood to paint, so as an alternative, I'll draw. After a while, I can
feel the urge to paint grow and find myself painting by the end of the
day.
I found the ideas of Henri Matisse to be very inspiring and thought provoking. He thoughts and mannerisms remind of a lot Camille Pissarro in that he wanted to express his feelings for everything that he came in contact with. This, to me, is the sign of a true artist.