The favorite work
Certainly, every artist has one or more subjects that resonate with their interests, offering both challenges and joy in their art. Not every creation is a masterpiece. Vincent van Gogh produced over 2000 artworks, yet not all were remarkable. He personally favored "Bedroom" and "Starry Night" as his best, perhaps his most cherished paintings. Picasso regarded "Guernica" (1937) as his favorite work, and Dürer prized his "Praying Hands" (1508). Frida Kahlo's "Double Portrait," which reflects her inner turmoil, was her preferred piece. Occasionally, an artist creates something truly special, as I did in 2021. While practicing on a classical background by replicating the Mona Lisa in pastel, Alex assisted me with the next image, which turned out to be quite amusing.
Mona Lisa, with help of Alex, pastel 50 x 65 cm 2021
Portrait series : Arena boy
At the onset of my portrait series exploring the queer identity of young boys, I began by portraying them in classical settings, such as Medieval and Roman contexts. The themes for these portraits included fragility and bravery, openness, and the iconic portrait 'Arena Boy' was the first piece I created, embodying bravery: a self-assured boy, certain of his victory in the arena. Crafting a depiction of a strong, victorious boy was enjoyable, yet it was not my favorite. The drawing that followed became my preferred piece.
Arena boy, pastel 50 x 65 cm 2021
Bambino Livio, my favorite drawing
The subsequent drawing took inspiration from Da Vinci's Mona Lisa, emulating the traditional setting. When crafting pastel portraits like this one—neither commissioned nor from life—I start with just a basic outline, without using a reference. As I developed the portrait from these initial lines, the eyes seemed to gaze back at me. This connection was profound, leading me to marvel at my ability to create eyes that appeared so open, assured, and genuine. I almost couldn't believe I made the portrait. It quickly became my favorite piece, at least until the creation of my next work!
Bambino Livio pastel 50 x 65 cm 2021
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