Presenting PAUL YGARTUA
The strength and character of an individual has always influenced me and I find this has directed and encouraged me to search for these qualities and therefore find myself drawn to the power of this presence.
I started painting portraits in the early 70’s — inspired and fascinated by my own Basque Heritage. I was constantly being exposed to interesting subject matter; character studies in my own village were abundant and took me on a path of intrigue and curiosity about other cultures and people of the world.
My expression throughout the years has changed and now through many experimental stages I am representing the faces more on how I feel about the style rather than the visual representation. I believe the emotion and the sensitivity of a face should be felt as well as seen and through many different styles I have been able to express a persons story and his life through the portrait.
Music has always been a passion of mine ever since our time in New Orleans and interpreting the jazz in my abstract expressionistic style brings life and sound to the subject matter. To create a harmony between the instrument and the musician—a blending of the two is essential—so the feeling is one of unity. This is created by searching for subject matter that has movement, capturing the face at an intense moment and then blending these two ideas with colour and strong stroke work. The high energy felt in the painting captivates the viewer.
木村 拓哉
KIMATAKU acrylic on canvas 152 x 121 cm
Japanese singer, actor, radio personality, and the member of SMAP, the best-selling boy band in Asia.
THE POWER OF THE FACE
Paul searches for an expression, something that is beyond the visual appearance, it is that look that captivates the viewer, taking one past the visual, into the persona, whereby the spirit, the soul bares itself and allows a view within.
The Power of Creation–the challenge is to influence your viewer–to enable others to experience the same emotions, the same high the artist experiences through the energy expressed at the moment of creation.
Being on the edge–Originality, spontaneity, freedom of expression. I like to approach the wall as if it were a large canvas—it is more interesting and more original to not use a projected image, more of a fascination, more of a challenge—who wants it to be easy. I want to experience the energy, the high of the challenge, your brain has to be alert, concentration is at a peak at all times, you feel connected. I find this to be thrilling, exciting and more original and the end result is much more satisfying.
