El Baile del Dripi Chorreao
El Baile del Dripi Chorreao (2017)
Acrylic on canvas 24" x 36"
Merriam-Webster defines Flamenco
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1 : a vigorous rhythmic dance style of the Andalusian Gypsies; also : a dance in flamenco style
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2 : music or song suitable to accompany a flamenco dance
It seems that the more I paint, the more I want to paint. I suppose I have been painting per say for quite sometime, just not on a traditional canvas. Yes, of course, I have been doing some mixed-media pieces mostly out of my "body-painted" expressions, but nothing like the kick of paint to brush to blank canvas.
"El Baile del Dripi Chorreao" is a more serious artistic exercise or challenge. This is clearly an attempt to flex my creative muscle while pushing myself to add multiple layers of abstract and fusing chromatic energy. My attempt was to somewhat recreate the feel of the 2016 composite photograph of "Bailemos Nuestro Ritmo" which was showcased at the "Celebrating Hispanic Heritage" art show at Osceola Arts in Kissimmee and perhaps take it further.
I started working on this piece pretty much immediately after finishing "Las Flores de Emilio". This was a larger canvas and I had added more pressure to perform at a much higher level. Initially, as I began to to draw upon the gessoed canvas, I felt the energy of the flamenco music all around my body. The strokes were moving as if the paint was danced upon the surface. It was a surreal experience.
Flamenco music has always been a favorite of mine. I suppose, its the music of my mother's ancestors who came from Spain. We both enjoyed the music very much. Throughout my childhood and early adulthood, going to a "Tasca" to eat some "Paella" and "Caldo Gallego" with some Sangria was the thing to do when we had something important to celebrate. Of course, these places often have the "Tunas" (folk singers) or the much more skillful "Flamenco Dancers" who like a well oiled engine, move to the sounds of the guitars, hand-claps and "Castañuelas" along with the sad prose of a "Trovador".
I must had painted more than half of the painting that first evening. The time seemed to fly by as the clock stood at 4 hours beyond my bedtime. The following evening, I went back to the music room to paint again. The energy was there and so was the enthusiasm, however, something was missing. I toyed with the idea of not completing the painting or leaving empty spots. I even spoke with fellow artist Samantha Shoemaker and got some much needed advice. After a two day hiatus, July 25th came and another signature met it's destination.
"El Baile del Dripi Chorreao" is a metaphor. It's a kick in the pants to see if I can dance with the real dancers and to see if when the music plays what kind of a dancer I am, after all, I am El Dripi Chorreao.
"Our job in this life is not to shape ourselves into some ideal we imagine we ought to be, but to find out who we already are and become it.”
― Steven Pressfield, The War of Art: Break Through the Blocks & Win Your Inner Creative Battles
