David Hockney is most known for his paintings of L.A. swimming pools. There is something luxuriant about these paintings and he does something fascinating with water, making it a bit out of focus and mesmerizing. But swimming pools are just a drop in the bucket when it comes to Hockney's art.
He was dazzled by Los Angeles, and it's when he came to L.A., in the 1960's, that his work came alive. He must have been blindsided by the Technicolor of my hometown, coming from grey and dreary England, and it shows.
He painted bold color with a passion and he began painting in Acrylic, which is the best medium for his bright, flat color.
His paintings are all on a grand scale. He spent some time in Colorado, and painted the open sky vistas with Indian iconography.
He was dazzled by Los Angeles, and it's when he came to L.A., in the 1960's, that his work came alive. He must have been blindsided by the Technicolor of my hometown, coming from grey and dreary England, and it shows.
He painted bold color with a passion and he began painting in Acrylic, which is the best medium for his bright, flat color.
His paintings are all on a grand scale. He spent some time in Colorado, and painted the open sky vistas with Indian iconography.
,But it was in L.A. that his unique style came into fruition. He painted interiors, exteriors, and portraits, all with a unique L.A. vibe.
He was part of a large and creative British ex-pat community. He was also early to come out and depict Gay life. Two men shower together in one painting, there is a semi-nude in another.
His portraits are like freeze frames. Stolen moments in time, in which a look reveals psychological underpinnings. In this, Hockney reminds me of Alice Neel. As important as the face, is the body language of the subject. This is particularly stunning in his portrait of the famous English couple, Christopher Isherwood and Don Bachardy (to read how much these two were revered in the Gay community, read Armistead Maupin's reminiscence in his recent memoir, LOGICAL FAMILY).
He was part of a large and creative British ex-pat community. He was also early to come out and depict Gay life. Two men shower together in one painting, there is a semi-nude in another.
His portraits are like freeze frames. Stolen moments in time, in which a look reveals psychological underpinnings. In this, Hockney reminds me of Alice Neel. As important as the face, is the body language of the subject. This is particularly stunning in his portrait of the famous English couple, Christopher Isherwood and Don Bachardy (to read how much these two were revered in the Gay community, read Armistead Maupin's reminiscence in his recent memoir, LOGICAL FAMILY).
Another telling portrait, is of Hockney's parents, in which his mother shows all the stress of a life contained in a face, while the father examines a book , oblivious to his spouse. Here is a closeup of her face.

If one is looking for a wow factor, it is in the 1990's where Hockney simply explodes with color in his love affair with L.A. He does this with interiors, his own backyard, and in the painting that literally knocked my socks off, PACIFIC COAST HIGHWAY AND SANTA MONICA (Oil, 1990).

He does return to Yorkshire in the 2000's with some strong paintings. Perhaps he was able to see the environment he came from with new eyes. BRIDLINGTON, YORKSHIRE (Oil, 2006) is an example. It is made up of several blocks of canvas which are connected like giant puzzle pieces.
When I was an art student, we were given a common enough assignment. Find a famous painting and copy it. I copied Hockney's , MT. FUJI AND FLOWERS (Acrylic, 1972). I loved its grace and simplicity. I copied it from a postcard, which meant I missed the delicacy with which he treated the petals, and his special effects with water. What a thrill to see that painting in all its elegance in person.
When I was an art student, we were given a common enough assignment. Find a famous painting and copy it. I copied Hockney's , MT. FUJI AND FLOWERS (Acrylic, 1972). I loved its grace and simplicity. I copied it from a postcard, which meant I missed the delicacy with which he treated the petals, and his special effects with water. What a thrill to see that painting in all its elegance in person.

My fledgling artistic copy is below the Master's.
Thank you Mr. Hockney, for being so inspiring to artists everywhere, and bravo on your 80 year retrospective career!