I have aspired for years to come even remotely close to what David Hockney has achieved. His use of courageous colors, freedom with manipulating composition to suit the needs of the painting, and ability to paint directly without revisions and editing, is fearlessness itself. He grabs the essence of a subject, simplifies it even more, and screams it out with fantastical colors that make it as feral and alive as the living/breathing thing itself. This is a goal I keep reaching for, but compared to Hockney, I am but a mere mortal. Hockney, native of England, lived in Hollywood for many years, but moved back to Yorkshire in 2005, to return to his roots and paint the English countryside. He continues to paint at an alarming rate, and continues to be, to me, the most awesome artist ever.
