Notes and Maxims
by François van Halter.
On
Art . . .
- Versatility is
necessary to avoid boredom, to be really enjoying life.
- Art is as much a
miracle of nature as an elephant on a crocodile.
- I like to paint in a
broad and daring way, yet without ever losing control of the impact
I wish to achieve.
- Normally I don’t
paint symbols. The symbols meaning (if any) is to be found in the
presentation and in the treatment of the objects and subjects
themselves. Yet, at times a dimorphic style seems to be appropriate
to convey my innermost “reality”, especially in my imaginative
work.
- Colour speaks a
language of its own and I make colour a partner in my endeavour to
record on my canvasses.
- I am always concerned
to reach a tonality that emphasises the atmosphere I am after.
- When I look at a
painting I like to see a similarity with, a reminder of the
elements, be it a breeze or a storm, a piercing sun or a sweeping
rain, but also I like to see the hand of an intelligent being,
proving that centuries of civilisations have not been wasted. In
other words I like to see natural force married to Reason.
- In my student years I
used to write a lot of “idealistic” poetry (a much nicer word
than “sentimental”). Now almost a century later I am still that
sentimental chap who loves dreaming and if I couldn’t be a “poet
in paint” I wouldn’t paint. Its as simple as that.
- I am always concerned
to reach a tonality that emphasises the atmosphere I am after.
- Love and peace is what
I always hope to convey – even in my wildest and seemingly brutal
works.
- I shall never and
never shall draw or paint without applying strict discipline and
thorough self-criticism.
Whenever and for what
ever reason my brush puts paint on canvas, a composition is born
that shows how I feel
I
often start with a rather representational sketch, which I may
simplify and stylise and of which details may be distorted or
exaggerated. This is always done with the aim of getting the deeper
or hidden meaning of the subject.
That
is why I consider myself an ontological artist. (I must add to this
statement that this does not mean I cant relax and enjoy myself in
the process)
On
Life . . .
- For
communism to work we need different people; for democracy to work we
need better people.
- Always
realise we are imperfect thinkers.
- Love
is often loving yourself in someone else.
- Man
is only at the beginning of knowing about himself or about anything
else.
- We
are at the beginning of a long journey to understand Life.
Understanding is one of the most ‘serious’ words in the
dictionary.
- If
we are God’s children, so are all animals and plants. If God
created the universe, then we are among the very smallest ‘things’
He created. How special then can we be? Let us not bluff ourselves!
- A
lot can mean a little and a little can mean a lot.
- Don’t
hate - just understand.
- The
more you think the less you wish to say.
- The
more you are happy with little the richer you are.
- It’s
being honest with yourself that keeps you modest.