Lucian Freud

Self-Portrait

(1985)

"A painter's taste must grow out of what so obsesses him in life that he never has to ask himself what it is suitable for him to do in art. . . . The painter's obsession with his subject is all that he needs to drive him to work."

— Lucian Freud

British Painter

1922 - 2011

When I graduated from college in 1971 with an English degree and no job, I wanted to be a writer, but I didn't know where to start or what to write about.  In college, I had written poetry but no short stories or fiction.  I wanted to write but I had not subject.  I had no obsessions.  During a four month trip through western United States and Canada in 1972, I came up with an idea for a novel.  I decided to write a historical novel about John Kaufman, a Mennonite sleeping preacher in the early 20th century.  Kaufman would go into a trance and preach a coherent sermon.  People stuck needles in him to see if he would wake up.  While in Oregon I did some research.  When I returned in early November to Goshen I continued the research.  When I reached my hometown of Roanoke, I tried to interview some people who knew Kaufman and I was told to cut my hair and find a job.  I let the novel slide into my subconscious. 

Sleeping Head

I have taken years to figure out what my obsessions are.  In looking back over the more than 5,000 poems that I have written, a key subject stands out:  my relationship with God.  I write to understand God.  Even forty years ago when I wanted to write a historical novel, my subject was God.  I have been told by atheists and non-believers that I should not write about God.  And conservative Christians are often offended by what I have to say about God.  Yet write I must.  I am obsessed.

What are you obsessed with?  What drives you to paint and to write?  What wakes you up and inspires you to pick up your paint brush or pen?

Here is a video showing several of Lucian Freud's portraits and includes interviews with some of the people who had their portrait painted.

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Oscar Wilde

"Every portrait that is painted with feeling is a portrait of the artist, not the sitter."

— Oscar Wilde

Irish Poet, Novelist, Playwright

1854 -1900

Writers, artists and poets reinvent themselves in their work.  When they create a character or paint a portrait, they are recreating a portion of themselves and their lives.  Yes, it may be a portrait of another person, but the artist leaves a piece of his soul in the painting.  The great artists and writers put themselves in their work.  

Remember that your emotions, your feelings are important to your success.  Reach deep within yourself and find the heart of your emotion.  Open yourself up to the world and find the words and images that convey your emotions in new and exciting ways.

See if you can identify the artists of these portraits of women.

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