It has often been said that the good artist finds inspiration in the every-day world around him. He doesn't need weird contrivances or schemes.

Viewing a David Milne show, with a friend Irene, we were struck by his ingenuity in subject matter and design. Milne worked from actual surroundings, putting down the essential character in a direct way.

It is interesting to note that one of the definitions of `real', given to us by Webster's is `essential'. (96) And it has been an observation of mine, that the actual world comes up with more novelty and variety, than I could ever imagine in my wildest imaginings.
 

"When the thing represented is, in point of character, absolutely in agreement and one with manner of representing it, isn't it just that which gives a work of art its quality?" (97)
Vincent Van Gogh



"Often a discussion arises upon the value of different processes, and their relation to different temperaments.
A distinction is made between artists who work directly from nature and those who work purely from their imagination. I think neither of these methods should be preferred to the exclusion of the other. Often both are used in turn by the same man; sometimes he needs contact with reality before he can organize them into a picture." (98)
Matisse




96. A Merriam - Webster, ed. H. B. Woolf, Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary, (Springfield, Mass. U.S.A., G & C. Merriam Co., 1976), p.962
97. Herschel B. Chipp, Theories of Modern Art, (Berkeley and L.A., Cal., University of California Press, 1968)p.43
98. Herschel B. Chipp, Theories of Modern Art, (Berkeley and L.A. Cal., University of California Press, 1968)p.135