About this time last year, I was starting to think of a commemorative painting for my 70th birthday in May 2015. Inspired by my long-time enchantment with Degas and his painting "The Collector of Prints," I finished on deadline my own version, a self-portrait called "Seventies Sunrise."
I learned so much from that experience and since then, the spirit of Degas has looked over my shoulder as I've worked in the studio. I've done many small studies of his compositions, like the one above, and I'm endlessly fascinated by the way he often plays big shapes against a background grid. When I was working on "Not Far From SoMa," my small panel of figures against the grid of a streetscape, I whimsically asked myself, "What would Degas do?"
Ha ha, I thought. He'd be right at home at Starbuck's. And the thought then came to me to do another riff on Degas with a painting of figures in a 21st century coffee shop. I flipped through my biggest and best Degas book and came upon his familiar painting, "The Cotton Exchange."
Perfect! That high ceiling is just like those in the coffee places in some of downtown Vancouver's heritage buildings. I made a quick painted study as I mulled over the possibilities.
The contrast of darks and lights in his painting is striking, and I realized that I had to find plausible substitutes for the mass (and snippets) of cotton. I also realized that the worst mistake I could make would be to try to "duplicate" the figures exactly. After all, it's not just guys in suits who drink coffee. Instead, I invited as the clientele my friends and neighbours along my block -- assembled together in a trendy place called "The Coffee X-Change."
The mass of tabletop cotton became a tablecloth.
The serious figure in the foreground became retired teacher J, checking his I-phone and guarding someone's light-coloured pack and windbreaker.
Looking on fondly from the sidelines is his indulgent partner E, hoping they'll soon get back outside to Sally, their dog.
Spreading the tablecloth is thoughtful J, cheered on with coffee served by her partner E. I decided they were throwing a celebration for the seniors on the block --that's my pal G arriving in the background, and I'm next to her, unseen in back of the window frames.
Nearby, checking their I-phone are J and S -- she of the enviable turquoise hair! -- and in the background B, who's testing the limits of the X-Change's hospitality as he pulls his pug dog along with him.
Sprawled at centre stage is another S, the dad of the block's second pug dog.
-- and just arriving are A and ....still another S, the two of them gracious gardeners and bakers.
Finally, far right, putting cream in their coffee (offstage) are young parents K and M -- with their engaging 1-year-old son M out of sight on the floor behind them.
And all of this happened on top of an old 2011 painting called "A Balancing Act."
Be sure to watch the progress of "The Coffee X-Change" here to see how the giant radishes are eventually stomped out. And please enjoy your beverage of choice as you view the grand finale:--
