Day 11

These drawings were inspired by a photograph of the artist, Paula Modersohn-Becker, a german expressionist painter. I actually just discovered her work in a book yesterday and was really drawn to it. She was starting to transcend into emotional, expressive work, inspired by Gauguin, Cezanne, and others. She was working at the time of the founding of Die Brucke, when other artists, like Nolde and Rohlfs were also getting their start. She apparently avoided the bright colors often used during this period but carried the tradition of more free-formed painting, even being influenced by Egyptian mummy portraits, which I totally relate too. Unfortunately, this woman died very young, right after her child was born at 30. It would be amazing to see more of her work if her life hadn't been cut so short. I decided to do these rough little drawings in honor of her passion and exploration of expressionism. I plan to do a painting as well.