Painting Number 07

This painting on canvas is part of a collaborative conceptual painting series by Delphine, born September 2014, and Jay Rechsteiner, born October 1971 "Every child is an artist. The problem is how to remain an artist once we grow up." - Pablo Picasso Fascinated by the way young children (especially toddlers) draw and paint, I have decided to work together with my two-year old daughter Delphine. In general the work explores aesthetics and pictorial composition with a focus on the notion of the concrete and the abstract. Besides this, it also sheds light on the correlation between a structured understanding of painting (method) and the raw impulse to create. Based upon an initial drawing or painting by Delphine I 'finish' the work and a create a final painting. She decides on the colours and painting materials she wants to use for her part in the process. I always respect her work. However, I sometime 'erase' (by painting over) what she has done. Not because I object to her work but because I want to fully incorporate her work into mine and thus make it our work. I see no difference in leaving her marks or erasing them as interaction with her work is essential for the development of our paintings. It helps me to develop my own understanding of painting, aesthetics, beauty, chaos, order and balance. One might argue that I use Delphine as a tool. And yes, I would not deny it. She certainly is a tool but more than that I see her as a collaborator. An interesting aspect of our collaboration is Delphine's artistic development and how that will affect our possible work in the future.