Capt. Rob wrote:

Realistic? Golly, you must have never absorbed anything about
Picasso's intent or style in your whole life.

Quite. Realism in painting is a technical pursuit and has nothing to do with
art. Same goes for more-or-less-random slapping of paint. Technique is
irrelevant except to the artist, since he's the one that has to use it to
produce the art. Within that context, technique isn't 'art', it's craft.
It's the end result, and the viewer's relationship with it, that counts.


I've seen Starry Night. So? Should I give you my impression of it, my
emotional reaction? Let's just say I liked it, but I'd hate to have it
hanging in my home.

I'd have it - I'm sure it's a bit better than my passable copy. I had the
opportunity to get up close and personal with Wheatfield With Cypresses a
few months ago (the exhibition was so good, I went twice, and probably gave
that one painting a good couple of hours). Oddly enough, I prefer my own
copy - my colours are stronger, and I feel my version of the image is more
striking. It was a real treat to get such a close look at the original - I
discovered that my impasto is heavier and more aggressive than Van Gogh's.


--
Capt Scumbalino