I recently attended a Pop Art Workshop. Strangely, right before I received the notification for the same, I had been toying with the idea of making a self portrait in Pop Art. The simple lines and vibrant colours got me digging deeper into the art of 1950s. And there came along the workshop. There was no chance of missing it.
At the workshop, however, I made a Marilyn Monroe which was a lift from the original work. But to my admiration most of the novices attempted at making their very own pop art from the magazines. Quite a few had never sketched before and most others were wondering how to play around with the medium. It was amusing to watch them at work. It was like driving the car for the first time. They struggled with the lines, the shapes, the sizes completely disillusioned in the beginning to the point of doubting their decision to join the workshop but slowing and steadily getting the hang of the art of doing it. I, on the other hand, was pretty much at ease with my work and chose to go for the easiest because for one, I am finicky about my work and second, I like to take it slow and easy. I believe in getting acquainted with the territory first and moving to the more complex parts after the built-up of a good foundation. Moreover, I work my best when I am alone because that's when I am truly in tune with myself.
What I loved watching around was the naivety, the awe, the wonder of making things come to life on canvas, the doubts, the thrills. While I chose the safe path, they were pushed to take the plunge. And, wonder of wonders, I only saw master pieces around me! Their honest attempts at their work, the shaky lines, the colours spilled over, added honesty to the paintings and left fresh hand prints of their emotions and imagination. At the end of it, their smiles were their awards which they took back home.
I came back home with my painting and was inspired to add my own touches, colours and designs. I was amazed at the ideas which poured in and was pleased to add them. As ever, the best ideas come to me when I am on my own. When I am in tune with myself the creative forces take over and I am more than happy to allow them to do so. As of now my painting is incomplete. Needless to say I am looking forward to posting it as soon as its done.
In the meantime, I have posted a rough pencil sketch. This was an attempt to create a pop art from a magazine. This is very different from what I made at the workshop and I thoroughly enjoyed exploring the boundaries of light and shade. This was the kind of work the novices attempted at. And it re-affirmed my faith that no art is bad art, though I have my preferences!!
