I was wondering if anyone feels they might benefit from being part of an art group specifically for those here. I'm an artist, though I have to admit to you that I've produced absolutely nothing for ages due to being ill and in hospital, not having anywhere to exhibit for aeons and generally being extremely knackered out most of the time. But then I started thinking maybe I could do something positive about it. I've worked within what's called the 'Arts in Health' sphere and done a lot with things like colour therapy. I'd also like to say that you don't have to be rich to make art. I've done a whole exhibition made from recycled materials. It's all about taking yourself to another place for a while and having a bit of messy fun. No judgemental rubbish or anything like that. And if you don't think you're able to draw anything that looks remotely like what it's supposed to look like, well, that doesn't matter either. I think that maybe for starters you might like to message me if you are interested and then I'll try and work out a little programme. Just for us. Let me know what you think. Rainy X
I think that's a perfectly apt reaction to this picture. Klees's art was described by the Nazis, with other contemporary painters of the time, as 'degenerate'. Things were closing in. Others had moved to Paris and then to America and the writing was on the wall, so to speak. This painting speaks to me on a personal level and also I believe reflects those tense times. Some of the symbols appear in earlier work - from a happier period. But here they find themselves adrift in a more ominous setting.
I certainly think it portrays the threats and concerns he felt all around him at the time. I think of it as a brave statement of what he felt about his own situation and that of his country. What was dangerous to say out loud, he said in paint.
Contrast the mood above with one of his earlier works from 1919. Tunisian garden. He did a lot of work following a happy trip there and he'd fallen in love with the colours and vibrancy of the place. It's a very happy painting. These are my favourite colours to work with.
