Kerry Beyer

There is nothing like a trip to the museum for inspiration – and there is nothing like Picasso to challenge you to think outside the box. Picasso Black and White is currently on exhibit at the Museum of Fine Arts Houston (Feb. 24-May 27, 2013), and I found it a much need diversion from reality.

Perhaps the most valuable lesson I learned from Picasso’s work was free expression. I often stand in front of masterworks of art, and wonder about the mindset of the artist. What were their concerns as they were painting… what areas where they insecure about… where did they make mistakes, and did they obsess over imperfections?

On a number of Picasso’s paintings, there are paint drips and splatter. It looks as though he tried to get paint to canvas as fast and as free as possible to capture the expression of the piece, not worrying about the minutia of the application.

I spaz out if I get a paint drip, and a torrent of obscenities spew from my mouth that would make a drunk sailer look puritanical. So, the lesson for me was to not be inhibited by the medium, or notions of perfection… the main idea, is the IDEA.

Analytical thinking, though important in the preparation, can be a barrier to creativity during the act. Let go, create, express… and if it sucks, learn from it, move on, and create again.

Here is my Picasso-esqu piece inspired by my trip to the museum. If nothing else, it was fun to paint. This and other art prints are available for purchase at Kerry Beyer Art