THE COLOURS OF SOROLLA CONTEST
Jávea 2021
This year FORXA, an association promoting commerce in Jávea, held a contest to celebrate 125 years since the painter Joaquín Sorolla first visited Jávea, a place where he would create several famous paintings. It is understandable that Sorolla would be so inspired by this scenic part of the Valencian Community, which has perfect light and many interesting subjects for painting. FORXA awarded a cash prize to the winner in exchange for using the image on wheelie carts for shopping in the town.
Having admired the paintings of Sorolla since moving to Spain, the project was enthusiastically undertaken. First I made small studies to better appreciate his way with colour and light. The next step was research which Sorolla paintings were created in Jávea. One that stood out was his Xiquet de Jávea (below), which features a young fellow peering around the corner, likely into Sorolla's studio. From many photos taken of Jávea while we were living there, I imagined a 'xiquet' peering around the corner at one of the lighthouses and decided to put him into one of my photos. Furthermore, a lighthouse seemed to suit the shopping trolley's shape. The background in the painting is of the Montañar 1. If the lighthouse wasn't where it is, you would see the property where we rented an apartment for five years.
The title Xiquet al Far Verd is Valenciano for Boy at the Green Lighthouse. Below are photos of the outcome and a video of the process.
Jávea 2021
This year FORXA, an association promoting commerce in Jávea, held a contest to celebrate 125 years since the painter Joaquín Sorolla first visited Jávea, a place where he would create several famous paintings. It is understandable that Sorolla would be so inspired by this scenic part of the Valencian Community, which has perfect light and many interesting subjects for painting. FORXA awarded a cash prize to the winner in exchange for using the image on wheelie carts for shopping in the town.
Having admired the paintings of Sorolla since moving to Spain, the project was enthusiastically undertaken. First I made small studies to better appreciate his way with colour and light. The next step was research which Sorolla paintings were created in Jávea. One that stood out was his Xiquet de Jávea (below), which features a young fellow peering around the corner, likely into Sorolla's studio. From many photos taken of Jávea while we were living there, I imagined a 'xiquet' peering around the corner at one of the lighthouses and decided to put him into one of my photos. Furthermore, a lighthouse seemed to suit the shopping trolley's shape. The background in the painting is of the Montañar 1. If the lighthouse wasn't where it is, you would see the property where we rented an apartment for five years.
The title Xiquet al Far Verd is Valenciano for Boy at the Green Lighthouse. Below are photos of the outcome and a video of the process.
Music: "Cello Suite" by John Lenehan
