David Hockney - Exploring Memories

David Hockney

David Hockney often deals with memory in his paintings recalling events, places, and people from his past. Even his portraits serve as landmarks in time, as he paints some of the same people (mostly friends) again and again at different stages of their lives. I personally connect with a lot of his paintings which depict California, as i grew up there as well. I feel that David Hockney is truly able to emulate the feeling I get when thinking of California fondly, in his paintings. Having spent many years exploring southern California, the colors and contrasts he adopted from his time there influences much of his later works, and works today as well. There is a real feeling of nostalgia that comes across in his work as he paints different periods in his life.

"Pool with Two Figures" (1972), David Hockney.

This painting captures southern France perfectly to me. The brightly lit colors and lush mountains in the background fading out, are perfect depictions of the place, but its the light that is especially accurate and captivating. The late afternoon sun imparts a warm glow and shadow that he has featured perfectly. I especially love the way he has painted the water here, it has an abstract quality to it, with many interlaced  sharply defined shapes underlying the floating reflected light in soft blurred shapes above. His use of greens are brilliant here, and contrast the pink/red color of the jacket in a wonderful way.

"A Bigger Splash" (1967), David Hockney.

Here you have a distinctly California scene as well. The palm trees and the architecture of the house represent its place well. I find is use of shape interesting here. There are many flat shapes and dividing lines. The "splash" feels as though it is floating above non-reflecting water showing no movement below, which I find Interesting. Use of color here is soft and warm, harmonious. I especially like the small bit of painting he did in the glass reflection of the sliding doors on the house, here you can see small outlines of other buildings and more palm trees in the background, which I think adds to the overall depth and texture of the painting.