Influences
C. Aubrey McWatt recognizes the artists who were foremost influences in his artistic development as a painter. Artists who hold his esteem are: E.R. (Ted) Burrowes, Vincent Van Gogh, Piet Mondrian and Charles Emerson, Aubrey's mentor and professor in color theory and practice at the Seattle Academy of Fine Art. These influencers pointed the direction in which Aubrey's own painting has flowed.
E.R. (Ted) Burrowes
Ted Burrowes, renowned Guyanese landscape artist, was the earliest influence in Aubrey's artistic development. Burrowes was art instructor at the school Aubrey attended and later became his tutor in private landscape painting classes in the late 1960's.
Vincent van Gogh
Vincent van Gogh is one of Aubrey's most admired artists. His philosophy permeates his own creations and characterizes Aubrey's paintings and sculptures.
“No painter or sculptor worthy of the name can ever be satisfied by the myopic imitation of nature’s excesses…” - Vincent van Gogh
“No painter or sculptor worthy of the name can ever be satisfied by the myopic imitation of nature’s excesses…” - Vincent van Gogh
Piet Mondrian
Piet Mondrian's thought on capturing the essence below the surface of objects led Aubrey to incorporate this thinking as his main artistic goal.
“If one has loved the surface of things for a long time, later one will look for something more. However, this something more is on the surface. The interior of things shows through the surface: thus, as we look at the surface the inner image is formed on our soul. It is this inner image that should be represented. For the material surface of things is beautiful, but the imitation of it is without life." - Piet Mondrian
“If one has loved the surface of things for a long time, later one will look for something more. However, this something more is on the surface. The interior of things shows through the surface: thus, as we look at the surface the inner image is formed on our soul. It is this inner image that should be represented. For the material surface of things is beautiful, but the imitation of it is without life." - Piet Mondrian
Charles Emerson
Charles Emerson is one of the most noted colorists in the USA. His teaching at the Seattle Academy of Fine Art substantively changed Aubrey's use of color. Emerson's counsel below is a foundation that continues to guide Aubrey's work and a principle used in teaching his own students.
"Color is only color according to its size, placement and density." - Charles Emerson
"Color is only color according to its size, placement and density." - Charles Emerson