JaZzArt en València

If I was asked to name one painter, alive today, who many (not necessarily me) consider the greatest or most famous living painter, it would be Gerhard Richter. And you may ask, why Francisco? And I will say:

Well, «experts» widely regard him as “one of the most important contemporary German artists,” producing both photorealistic and abstract painting. And you would probably ask me why I care about what the so-called «experts» say, and I would have to reply that I really do not care but that I have to go by what has been written and what I have researched. That’s life in the «art world.»

Then I would add:

• He has been described in serious art-world commentary as “the greatest living painter,” “the world’s most important artist,” and even “the Picasso of the 21st century.” (Not my opinion at all, especially about him being the Picasso of the 21st Century!)
• His works set record prices and attract major museum shows and global attention. (This is true and I have seen it and cannot dispute it)
• Rankings of living painters (for fame, influence, or market value) put him at or near the top. (Well, what can I say and who can prove the accuracy or veracity of these rankings? After all they were created by «experts«)

BUT LET US NOT LOSE TRACK THAT:

• “Greatest” and “most famous” are highly subjective in art AS they depend on criteria, (market value, gallery showings, critical reputation, public recognition), and region.
• Fame among those in art-circles may differ significantly from fame among the general public. Some artists are iconic in the art world but not household names. For example, Yayoi Kusama is extremely recognizable for her installations and dots, especially in pop culture. (And one I do not like at all, nor do I consider her iconic in any way. As a matter of fact, sometimes I think she is Yoko Ono)
• The dominance of multiple media and global art platforms means there’s no universal “king of painters” as there might have been in earlier centuries. (Thank God!)

BUT…

Again, forced to pick one person, I would agree on Gerhard Richter as the strongest contender today for being the “greatest” or “most famous” painter alive, based on reputation, influence, and market presence. Let us take a brief look at this artist.

GERHARD RICHTER (Germany)…

Born in Dresden, (1932). His style is abstract and photorealism. For many years he has been hailed by critics as “the greatest living painter”, and I must say that his technical mastery and philosophical depth have made an impact on art today. His signature works are Betty and the Abstraktes Bild series.

TAKE A LOOK FURTHER TO ACQUAINT YOURSELVES WITH HIS WORK:

CHEERS

Regresamos en pocos días a seguir ofreciéndoos artículos de arte, música y poesía, pero ahora abarcamos otra gira de trabajo por nuestra España. Disculpad si no podemos leer vuestras entradas o comentar. Un abrazo a todos.

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We will be back in a few days to continue to post articles on Art, Music, Poetry and Travel. But now we are on a working tour in parts of our Spain. Please forgive that we are not able to read and comment on your posts as usual. Big hugs to all.

El mes de octubre (2025) ha sido un mes llenito de actividades, de energía, de luz y de mucho trabajo para nosotros, el equipo de Omnia Caelum Studios Valencia y en particular de VALENCIARTIST. Primero, terminamos nuestra gira por el Mar Egeo al principio del mes y regresamos a España, entrando por Barcelona, donde pasamos una noche maravillosa con amistades. El próximo día nos subimos al tren y regresamos a nuestra base en Valencia.

No tuvimos tiempo apenas de desempacar pues habia que terminar las preparaciones para la inauguración de la exposición «La búsqueda», así que manos a la obra. Esta fue una exposición grande y habia que currársela porque presentamos más de cincuenta obras, incluyendo dibujos y pinturas, además de las bellísimas botellas de GAB. No nos podemos quejar, pues aunque cansados terminamos, el show fue un gran éxito y nos visitaron en el museo más de 1.217 personas. Nos dimos cuenta que a la gente si le gusta el arte.

Lo más bonito, e interesante, fue poder hablar con tanta gente bella que vino a ver los cuadros. Tuve el gran placer de conocer a la amiga de una gran amiga y seguidora y a su familia, también a muchos más de tantos países, no solo de Europa pero también de América y de Asia.

Me hicieron varias veces la pregunta de que porque decía que el arte es la búsqueda…

Para hacer arte hace falta imaginación, concepto, intención, talento, buen gusto y la búsqueda. Cuando el artista busca suele encontrar lo que necesita para comenzar y terminar un cuadro. No solo lo que va a plasmar sobre la tela, si no como lo va a hacer. Hay que buscar los colores, las dimensiones, la dinámica, el tamaño y el mensaje.

En el caso mío, el Jazz-Art, es arte que se mueve, que vibra, que busca imitar a los jazzistas cuando tocan, así que tiene que tener «swing» y los bocetos, croquis, esquemas, tienen que dejar espacio para la improvisación. Por eso digo que hay que buscar, pero no quedarse en solo la búsqueda, hay que encontrar y crear.

Que disfruteis grandemente del otoño y un abrazo desde Valencia.

GRACIAS

Pues yo no digo nada…

If I was asked to name one painter, alive today, who many (not necessarily me) consider the greatest or most famous living painter, it would be Gerhard Richter. And you may ask, why Francisco? And I will say:

Well, «experts» widely regard him as “one of the most important contemporary German artists,” producing both photorealistic and abstract painting. And you would probably ask me why I care about what the so-called «experts» say, and I would have to reply that I really do not care but that I have to go by what has been written and what I have researched. That’s life in the «art world.»

Then I would add:

• He has been described in serious art-world commentary as “the greatest living painter,” “the world’s most important artist,” and even “the Picasso of the 21st century.” (Not my opinion at all, especially about him being the Picasso of the 21st Century!)
• His works set record prices and attract major museum shows and global attention. (This is true and I have seen it and cannot dispute it)
• Rankings of living painters (for fame, influence, or market value) put him at or near the top. (Well, what can I say and who can prove the accuracy or veracity of these rankings? After all they were created by «experts«)

BUT LET US NOT LOSE TRACK THAT:

• “Greatest” and “most famous” are highly subjective in art AS they depend on criteria, (market value, gallery showings, critical reputation, public recognition), and region.
• Fame among those in art-circles may differ significantly from fame among the general public. Some artists are iconic in the art world but not household names. For example, Yayoi Kusama is extremely recognizable for her installations and dots, especially in pop culture. (And one I do not like at all, nor do I consider her iconic in any way. As a matter of fact, sometimes I think she is Yoko Ono)
• The dominance of multiple media and global art platforms means there’s no universal “king of painters” as there might have been in earlier centuries. (Thank God!)

BUT…

Again, forced to pick one person, I would agree on Gerhard Richter as the strongest contender today for being the “greatest” or “most famous” painter alive, based on reputation, influence, and market presence. Let us take a brief look at this artist.

GERHARD RICHTER (Germany)…

Born in Dresden, (1932). His style is abstract and photorealism. For many years he has been hailed by critics as “the greatest living painter”, and I must say that his technical mastery and philosophical depth have made an impact on art today. His signature works are Betty and the Abstraktes Bild series.

TAKE A LOOK FURTHER TO ACQUAINT YOURSELVES WITH HIS WORK:

CHEERS

Regresamos en pocos días a seguir ofreciéndoos artículos de arte, música y poesía, pero ahora abarcamos otra gira de trabajo por nuestra España. Disculpad si no podemos leer vuestras entradas o comentar. Un abrazo a todos.

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We will be back in a few days to continue to post articles on Art, Music, Poetry and Travel. But now we are on a working tour in parts of our Spain. Please forgive that we are not able to read and comment on your posts as usual. Big hugs to all.

Más Allá, en la Orilla

Hay hombres que lanzan sus redes
en un mar donde el viento traiciona,
las mareas cambian,
y sus barcas, aunque parecen ir flotando,
sin rumbo van navegando,
y el fracaso los va agotando
y pierden el camino.

Porque el camino,
en la superficie del mar,
va ser camino cambiante.
¿Qué van a pescar?
Los peces se irán,
y las buenas intenciones
nunca serán suficientes
para llegar al cielo.

Yo me detengo a pensar y,
más allá, en la orilla,
inspirado por el Espíritu que me guía,
veo otro mar que no tiene fin,
y que cubre los caminos
limpiándolos con sus aguas,
que fluyen libremente.
Un mar donde la abundancia,
se manifiesta eternamente,
y que está siempre presente
delante de mí y detrás.

Un mar sin fin…
Lleno de peces que abundan…

El pescador despierta a la vida,
cuando abre alma y corazón,
pues la llama de la fe,
no se apaga,
ni se olvida,
de su ser
es la razón.

Yo,
con mucho entusiasmo,
le canto a todas las almas,
con la voz con la que rezo,
para enseñarles la calma,
la calma que va creciendo,
cuando en Su amor se descansa.

Respondiendo a su llamado.
he abandonado mi barca…

En la orilla vi las huellas
que en la arena había dejado,
el que me enseñó a rezar,
el que en el viento me ha hablado,
el que me mostró un camino,
el que siento aquí a mi lado.

Hay hombres que luchan
contra el viento y las mareas,
para lanzar allá redes,
queriendo solo pescar
peces carentes de vida,
que en la barca,
al aire,
mueren…

Déjate llevar, fiel pescador,
hacia un mar que fluye en calma,
donde se nutra tu alma,
donde la pesca es mejor.

No necesitaras redes,
ni remos, tampoco barca,
solo tu fe
y lo demás
en las aguas
lo encontrarás.

Francisco Bravo Cabrera – Valencia, España, 25 de octubre de 2025

A PLACE FOR LOVE

Some men cast nets out in the sea,
where tides can shift,
where winds may tease,
and where boats will drift.
It seems to me their nets the fish can see,
and from those men the fish will flee.

I am the search.
I am the seeker.
I throw no nets,
I know what gets trapped in nets
needs not the nourishment I feed.

I seek for hearts.
I seek for minds with words to feed.
I seek for souls to awaken from their sleep.

I seek them in the darkened streets,
where they have hungered,
so I can fill their hearts,
with truth through words that heal and stay.
To these I sing a song of praise
with this calloused voice with which I pray.

I let His Spirit be the tide,
that guides my boat through currents strong,
for when you’re called you will arrive,
no longer lost,
to fish for truth,
no matter cost.

Fishermen cast nets in waters deep,
and I cast words toward hearts that keep
within the rhythm of their steady beats
a place for hope,
a place for peace,
a place for love
and a place to seek…

Valencia, 24 OCT 2025 – Francisco Bravo Cabrera

NOTA BENE
These short verses came from the heart, inspired by the words of Jesus to his first Apostles, Peter and Andrew. Jesus said, «Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men». These words are recorded in the Gospels of St. Mark and St. Matthew. Jesus said this to them as the brothers were casting a net into the Sea of Galilee. (St. Mark 1:16-18; St. Matthew 4:18-20.

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CHEERS