Picasso said many things, in the «style» of an artist, about art. He usually stuck to the practical side of the debate, but at times he went a bit philosophical. Or maybe he thought that people would expect that an artist talk like he was doing when he said such a thing as: «El arte es una mentira que nos hace darnos cuenta de la realidad.» («Art is a lie that lets us understand reality»). I would never think of art like that and I doubt that any artist works to «understand reality through the lie that art is…». I would prefer to turn the phrase around and work my art as the truth extracted from the lies of supposed «reality».
Picasso also said: «La inspiración existe, pero tiene que encontrarte trabajando.» («Inspiration exists but it has to find you while you’re working.«). I certainly agree with this thought. I don’t believe in the «magical power» of inspiration and I don’t believe in muses. An artist creates because he/she is a trained professional, not because he/she is inspired. Granted, like Picasso said, there may be times when inspiration does drop by, but it has to catch you on the stride.
Lastly, this quote by the great master: «Debes tener una idea de lo que vas a hacer, pero sólo una vaga idea.» («You must have an idea of what you are going to do but it should be just a vague one.»). Another thought that I can subscribe to. In my work, «JaZzArT», I do plan, but I leave lots of room for that great element that is found in jazz, improvisation.
And I have to say that I truly admire Picasso for his love of cats. Cats are, by far and wide, my favourite animals. They are superior to any domestic animal and a source of inspiration, wonder and education for me. I have always learned much from the cats I have had in my life. A cat is forever and one never forgets one’s cats…
And here is what I have to say about FACES. Of course, as an artist…
CHEERS
JaZzArt en València 