A Tribute to Willem de Kooning's Style and Inspiring Journey

Hey there, fellow art lovers!

Let's talk about the incredible Willem de Kooning (1904-1997), a true artist extraordinaire!

Did you know that some of de Kooning's most brilliant creations arose from accidents in his studio? Spilled paint or unintended brushstrokes often became the foundation for remarkable artworks.

He was born in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, and his journey into the art world started way back in 1916 when he left school to become an apprentice in a firm of commercial artists.

Check this out: Until 1924, he attended evening classes at the super fancy-sounding Academie van Beeldende Kunsten en Technische Wetenschappen in Rotterdam, which is now called the Willem de Kooning Academie. Fancy, huh?

Fast forward to 1926, when he took the leap and moved to the United States! This dude had a real go-getter spirit, supporting himself with all sorts of jobs – carpentry, house-painting, and even commercial art! Talk about a jack of all trades!

Now, the real magic happened after World War II. De Kooning revealed his mind-blowing style called "Abstract Expressionism" or "action painting." This guy was the soul of a cool gang that later became known as the New York School. We're talking about art legends like Jackson Pollock, Elaine de Kooning, Arshile Gorky, Mark Rothko, Hans Hofmann, Adolph Gottlieb, Anne Ryan, Lee Krasner and some other famous artists!

They called themselves Abstract Expressionists, and they believed in expressing raw emotion and spontaneity on the canvas. De Kooning was one of the pioneers of this movement, and his influence was undeniable.

De Kooning had this incredible talent for painting the human body in a totally abstract way! He mixed European Cubism, Surrealism, and other radical art stuff to create his own powerful expressionist style that blew everyone's minds!

Now, here's the juicy part: Many of his paintings have soared to the skies at auctions, fetching jaw-dropping prices!

On November 15, 2016, at the legendary New York Christie's "After World War II & Contemporary Art Evening Auction," one of his masterpieces, Untitled XXV, was sold for a whopping US$66,327,500!

It was a history-making moment as the highest auction record for an abstract expressionist artwork was born! Can you imagine the excitement in that room?

Untitled XXV, Willem de Kooning, 1977

Back in 1927, the great artist De Kooning made his way to the vibrant city of New York! To make a living, he rocked the commercial art scene while passionately painting away.

During his time in the Big Apple, destiny brought him together with his lifelong friend, Gorky – the true pioneer of Abstract Expressionism! These two were like artistic soulmates! They had this incredible bond that fueled their creativity, and the art they made was simply breathtaking. It had this special way of reaching right into people's hearts.

Now, Gorky's journey was not without challenges. He courageously battled cancer and faced hardships, including a broken marriage.

In the end, Gorky's life took a tragic turn, and he chose to leave us, forever leaving a void in the art world. His struggles remind us that even the most talented artists have their share of trials.

We're diving back into the captivating 40-50s era, a time when Willem de Kooning's art truly found its groove!

As the years rolled on, de Kooning's personal style continued to evolve and flourish. It was like he unlocked a whole new level of artistic brilliance! His paintings were a fascinating dance of colors and emotions, captivating everyone who laid eyes on them.

During this exhilarating era, de Kooning joined forces with his creative buddies, Gorky and Pollock. Can you imagine the sheer genius that arose from their collaboration? It was like a creative explosion!

Feeling the art vibes already?

The more he painted, the more his images seemed to dissolve and take on a life of their own. It was as if he was exploring the depths of his soul, pouring out his restless spirit onto the canvas. His art was a reflection of his inner journey!

On his canvas, he defied all constraints, be it image or abstract content. Composition, balance, and aesthetic concepts were cast aside. The traditional painting techniques were swept away, as he hated rules that limited his art's potential. His brushstrokes were uniquely bold, determined, decisive, and rapid.

And guess what?

As we journey deeper into the captivating world of Willem de Kooning, let me share with you something close to my heart. You see, his art has ignited a spark in me that I can't put into words!

Willem de Kooning's bold brushstrokes and captivating movements on canvas have left an indelible mark on my soul. His fearlessness and passion for art have inspired me beyond measure so I couldn't resist painting some artworks inspired by his style.

I mean with that - I've channeled that inspiration into my own paintings! Each stroke of my brush carries a piece of de Kooning's brilliance, blending it with my own artistic spirit.

So if you are curious, you are welcome to check out my paintings, inspired by his incredible style. Who knows? You might find your very own favotite to an affordable price!

Now back to the story; Willem de Kooning was a soulful figure in American abstract expressionism. His artistic journey revolved around the human body as the subject, adding scenery and symbols to create his abstract world. He skillfully blended European Cubism, Surrealism, and Expressionism with his powerful painting style, infusing radical ideas into his art.

Source: Wikipedia

Elaine (his wife), an admirer of his artwork, met him at a Manhattan cafeteria. They had what later became known as an open marriage, both casual about sex and each other's affairs. Despite struggles with alcoholism, they continued painting.

In the late 1950s, de Kooning's work shifted towards more abstract and less representational imagery. He became a US citizen in 1962 and settled in East Hampton, building a studio nearby.

In his later years, de Kooning battled Alzheimer's disease, and there has been debate about how responsible he was for his late work. He painted his final works in 1991 and passed away in 1997 at the age of 92. His legacy as a master artist continues to inspire generations of Art lovers.

As we come to the end of this artful journey, I invite you to discover the beauty of art and take a moment to explore my shop, where I've captured the essence of Willem de Kooning's style in my paintings.