Theodore Major [#071224]

07/12/24

I am feeling totally inspired after Michael Howard's lecture on Theo Major yesterday. The way he threw the paint around was revelatory. He could really paint. I am going to go and look around a hardware shop and find some unusual tools to throw paint around with too. Because why the hell not.

I don't agree with everything the man stood for, and I certainly don't have much time for explosive anger and reactive behaviour, but I love the sincerity of the man and the way he spoke about art and his work.

Conversely, though, I don't think selling art is all bad. Money is a tool to make more art, buy more materials, give back to others and support other local creatives and communities. I actually do want to make a lot of money so that I can realise some of the bigger visions I have creatively and otherwise. I'd love to take on an apprentice or two and teach them how to paint and draw. I think money is only bad if you are not ready to accept and work with its power. Like all those lottery winners who end up broke after a couple of years because they don't know how to be rich. So they waste it all. We're not taught how to use money at school and that's probably the reason.

The way Theo used colour was really beautiful and brave, it's really hard to throw down great slashes of pure vermillion or cadmium yellow and just leave them alone. I often end up trying to fix little bits, you know, like I'm not quite ready to leave them alone.

I really hope I get to see more of his work in the flesh. Like Michael said, the reproductions don't do it justice at all. It would be a shame if they didn't get shown.