Abstract Colors

Alessandro Pautasso, a.k.a. Kaneda, is a graphic designer and illustrator based in Italy. His specialties are in vector art and mixed media. Interestingly enough, his interest in design and illustration was sparked by the discovery of Alan Aldrige's illustration book about the Beatles, and thereafter he worked in commercial art and digital art.  I am intrigued in this artist's work, not because I wish to utilize his methods in my work, but because I admire his since of color, an aspect of art I feel inferior in.  In his series "Abstract Colors", he uses a very wild color scheme to recreate portraits of old Hollywood stars, such as Bette Davis and Frank Sinatra. His color scheme is reminiscent of a pop-punk 80's color scheme, which would probably be more appropriate for 80's Hollywood stars, but in any case, his sense of color and line in creating these wild portraits is quite amazing in my opinion. The way the colors are combined in order to create an obvious sense of depth is confusing, but effective. His use of small lines in order to create texture, especially on the iris, the lips, and the eyebrows is also lovely. Because I admire the texture, the use of texture lines will be considered in the making of my portrait of Ella Fitzgerald.

In regards to his color scheme, I am slightly confused about why he chose the color scheme for this subject matter. The use of these colors does alter the natural color scheme, especially for a time that in most people's minds seems so classic and natural.  However, the color scheme does not enhance the meaning of the work for me. 

It does inspire me to look into popular color schemes for the 1930s-1950s for the background I will create for Ella, to be inspired by her music. The composition of Pautasso's shapes and the theme of squirls in his other works also give me other ideas about how to configure my interpretation of the music. The somewhat chaotic, yet clearly organized manner of the composition reminds me of the way jazz music is composed: there is an aspect of previously composed musical pattern with the addition of chaotic improvisation.

Frank Sinatra

Bette Davis