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Drawing 50


I woke up, thinking - what to do today? What does one do when one turns 50? My paints were in my studio, but the only thing that made any sense was to sit myself down right away, and take a good honest look at myself before I had any time to think. I found a watercolor block, and my drawing box and thus began a project of drawing myself every day for my 50th year. To live 50 as a painter, taking a good look each day, whether I have 2 minutes or an hour, and whether I want to or not. And in the way that iterations are not just repetitions but change due to the very fact of being repeated, I will live the year of 50.


Karen Kaapcke, September 2012

The Continuation: I have noticed in this, my 51st year, that I am more my body than ever. Yet I was suddenly barely recognizing it. The need to look at it and 'lean in' with it, to work with it, has become central. As a result, my body is becoming more my own. And more universally representative of the need to be present physically in a way that most women find only happens in the younger, sexy years. 51 = drawing the body.

Karen Kaapcke 3.30.13

A few years later, and I looked into the mirror - and was struck by how foreign my belly was to me. I still don't recognize myself.

Karen Kaapcke 9.20.16

After the Shower, With Grey Robe, Oil Pastels and Oil Sticks, with Black Chalk, 9x12"

3 comments:

  1. This series of work is solid, full of a sense of you, Karen, at ease with yourself. That ease gives your eyes a wider sight, a clearer way of seeing that your paintwork translates so well. I love this work

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  2. Karen, c'est sans doute celui-là mon préféré.
    J'ai voulu en choisir un, même si cela n'a aucun sens, mais face à une série tout le monde réagit comme çà.
    Cela a été difficile car dans chacun de tes dessins, il y a quelque chose qui va bien au delà de ton corps. Comme si on pouvait toucher l'intérieur.

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  3. merci Michel and thanks Maureen. Moi aussi, si je peut dire face a mon propre corps je me trouve aussi plus overt, avec les yeux plus grande. Je croix que c'est parce-que il faut (pour moi) du courage chaque fois, un autre sort de courage que j'ai d'habitude.

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