The Wild Beasts, or Fauves, were born out of the early twentieth century as a break away response from the Impressionism Movement. Their style, expressed in bold, bright colors, often using paint straight from the tube, displayed prominent brush strokes. They were known for littering massive color blocks across the canvas, often keeping to two dimensional shapes. Matisse was at the forefront of this movement known as Fauvism, which predominantly flourished in France.

So it was pretty safe to say I had France on the brain when I created this piece. (I still do.) One trip to a secondhand store in Glastonbury, CT produced this amazing $3 find…one bright, cadmium red angora, fuzzy hat.

Instantly, I was transported, walking through the rooms of the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston, approaching my favorite painting, The Corn Poppy, by Kees van Dongen. The colors, so vivid, called out to me, still fresh after all the years. I would sit for a long time just staring at this painting. What was she thinking? Who was she looking for?