Witha Lacuesta |
Published: January 7th, 2015
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Howl: When doing abstract paintings, what inspires you?
Lacuesta: I paint different series and each one and each piece is inspired by a particular impression. My dance series is mostly inspired by a melody, figure or movement in a dance, attributes connected with a dance, instruments, lyrics, a phrase of a particular music piece. Anything can inspire me to render it in color, line and movement. My metamorphosis series is inspired and focuses on women and what attributes were assigned to her in myths, religions, tales, history. The cosmic series is based on my studies of geography and the birth of the planet and its changes. Howl: What determines for you the shift from style to style? Lacuesta: My inspiration for my realistic paintings is nature and my love and appreciation for it. Our natural environment, wherever it is, has much to offer if we are willing to see it. It can be an animal, the texture of its fur or the color of its feathers, a leaf and the light shining through or being reflected upon it, how clouds are reflected in the water, the joy and intensity of expression in a person's face, a concrete slab that is deteriorating and has mold shapes in its cracks. Anything can inspire. Howl: How do you know when the painting is finished? Lacuesta: It is just a feeling that I have once I put it up for a while, walk by, glance at it, and it gives me pleasure. Sometimes, I just have to accept the results although knowing that it is not exactly what I have tried to achieve. Howl: Have you ever looked back on a painting and wished you could have changed it? Lacuesta: Yes. Painting daily and observing constantly the results of how the paints react one increases ones knowledge. Looking back at previous works one wishes to have had that knowledge. Howl: How do you feel about creating something personal and then sending it out into the world for praise or criticism? Lacuesta: My goal is to create something that is interesting and pleasurable for the viewer to look at, where one can reflect thoughtfully and come away relaxed and refreshed, re-energized. Our daily life is stressful. We are confronted with disasters, wars, personal conflicts. We need to refresh our minds to build up moral and emotional strength to be able to address the issues which demand our attention. So my paintings, either abstracts or realistic, are not to serve as an avoidance but as a resource. My paintings are personal and I have no issue to let them go although they might not be perfect (perfection can be sterile and boring). Constructive criticism is always welcome, all other shows either ignorance or mean spirit which I cannot do anything about it. Praise is of course pleasing and accepted with gratitude. |