|
Abstract No. 1 reproductions are available in a limited edition size 18 in. x 24 in. Giclee prints on stretched canvas, priced at $1000 each. Two versions are available. One with the image completely painted and one with the lower right corner showing the unpainted portion.
Contact Dan Robbins at:
7113 Creeks Crossing, West Bloomfield, MI 48322
Phone: (248) 737-4821
E-mail: jrobb820@comcast.net
THE STORY BEHIND ABSTRACT NO.1
The very first paint by number
Way back in 1950, after months of creating simple washable paint sets for children to paint, while all the time, searching for a way to create do-it yourself paintings for adults, I suddenly remembered how Leonardo DaVinci would challenge his students and apprentices with creative assignments. He would hand out numbered patterns indicating where certain colors should be used in specific projects such as under painting, preliminary background
colors for large pieces or for some lesser works that did not require his immediate attention
"What a great idea", I thought. Why not do the same for anyone who wants to paint a picture, but doesn't have the talent? All I have to do is create a subject with numbered outlines while providing the corresponding numbered
colors. Then anyone can fill in the numbered spaces with the corresponding numbers colors to create their very own painting. Thank you, Leonardo!
THE BIG IDEA
Now that I had the basic paint by number concept in mind, my next assignment was to demonstrate that idea to Max Klein, President of the Palmer Paint Company. After trying to explain the idea to Max, he said, "Dan, you're the artist. Show me what you're talking about."
About that time, during the early 1950's, Impressionism was very popular and so I decided to paint a simple abstract, primarily to demonstrate my concept. And so, I created my own simple composition using a little style of Picasso, Braque and a lot of Robbins.
"So what do you think Max?" as I held up the painting in front of him.
"I hate it!" replied Max. "Abstracts are for people who call themselves artist, but can't paint worth a damn." Then turning to me with a wink in his eye he said, "I hate the painting, but I like the idea. Let's go for it."
In 2003, Abstract No. 1 was featured in the Smithsonian exhibition titled, "Paint by Numbers: Accounting for Taste in the 1950's". Since then paint by numbers has become as part of our American cultural heritage.
|
