Carr and The Fauves

Okay. So we are not done. Not yet. So let me diverge on slightly Emily Carr-related subjects once more.

A defining moment in Carr's life was reached while in France for a total of 14 months. There, she encountered the works of Matisse, a Fauve movement artist. A few years ago, I got to see works by the fauves at the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Montréal. I liked how daring it must have been to use such bold colors at the time, and the results themselves were gorgeous.

"Portrait of a Cabaret Singer" by Fauve artist Kees van Dongen

In 2009 in front of the Musée, dorky art-geek smile and all!

Personally, I see the influence of such works on my own colour choices as an artist who occasionally paints. For example this portrait of my cousin Jessica (on a side table) features her in a Fauve-like palette.

Claire Gallant, "Jessica" (2012)

As for Emily Carr, you can clearly see the influence of the Fauves in paintings such as "Autumn Trees".

"Autumn Trees" by Emily Carr

Although not a traditional exemple since it was produced later in Carr's life, I find the painting "Sky" (below) to also be fairly Fauvist, although maybe more Impressionist or reminescent of Vincent Van Gogh.

"Sky" Emily Carr (1935-36)

This all goes, again, to prove that artists live in all but an ivory tower. Oh the permeability of ideas!