How Monet has Inspired Me

Monet has been hands down one of the most influential artists throughout my adult years. He is known to be one of the founders of the French Impressionist movements, and his practice of painting the same scene capturing the changing of light & passing of seasons has made him one the most revered artists of that period.

In his famous ‘Water Lily’ series, Monet succeeded in ‘dissolving’ his subjects in color, which was something that had not been achieved before. In his final 43 years, Monet repeatedly painted his gardens at Giverny. His routine seldom varied and he was very strict on himself. He’d wake up around 4 am, followed by a hearty breakfast, then off to painting. He would break for a brief lunch exactly at 11:30am, followed by coffee and a short rest. Afterwards he would observe the changing of light during the afternoon and continue to paint until dinner at 7:00pm. His strict routine, in my opinion, exemplifies his true passion for really capturing the change in the seasons and the environment and his desire for perfection.

One of my favorite quotes by Monet has resonated with me and what I strive to achieve in each of my paintings:

“I am chasing a dream, I want the unattainable. Other artists paint a bridge, a house, a boat; and that’s the end. They’ve finished. I want to paint the air which surrounds the bridge, the house, the boat; the beauty of the air in which these objects are located; and that is nothing short of impossible. If only I could satisfy myself with what is possible!”

“I do what I can to express what I feel in the presence of nature.”

His use of colors, and his search to master a colors individuality, makes his work so extraordinary. Because of this, I strive to achieve unique colors in each of my palettes and will never use a color directly out of the tube.

Monet uses movement throughout all of his artwork, giving life to the subject and the atmosphere. It was during the creation of my Japanese Magnolias and Cotton series that his mark-making began to really influence my work.

I have yet to visit Giverny, but when I do visit, I hope to see the world from Monet’s perspective and vantage point.

Until next time,