By Bev Jackson-Cotter

Bev Jackson Cotter is a member of the Albert Lea Art Center, where Celebrating Art of the Season is coming soon.

Pablo Picasso, 1881-1973, a world famous artist, was born in Spain and lived most of his life in France. He began drawing when he was two and continued until his death. That’s 90 years of art. It dominated his life, his family, his marriages, his friends, his home and his influence in the art world. He shared stories with complicated paintings and simple line drawings.

Usually, when we think of his works, abstract art comes to mind — styles such as Fauvism — intense color, expressionism — emotion, cubism — overlapping geometric planes and surrealism — reality and fantasy combined.

Did you know, that when World War II ended, American soldiers rated the Eiffel Tower and Picasso’s studio as two of the sights in Paris that they most wanted to see before they returned home?

When I think of his art, “Guernica” comes to mind, a painting representing a village bombed during the Spanish Civil War. On a 12-by-26-foot canvas, he shows the horrors of war — a dying horse, a wounded soldier, a broken-hearted mother holding her dead baby. The painting cries out for a sensible solution to differences, its message that war is not the answer.

Another oil painting, this one smaller, colorful and fun, shows a “Girl Before a Mirror.” Yet, we do not see her exact image reflected. Instead we see her as she might see herself, her deepest thoughts and needs. It’s abstract, one the viewer can ponder, reflect and enjoy.

Then there is his Blue Period. “The Old Guitarist” comes to mind. Now we are closer to realism.

The blind beggar, extremely thin, seated on the floor, head bowed, legs crossed, plucking his guitar, lost in his music. The viewers reaction is sadness, sympathy, pity.

I am fascinated by his paintings, yet, I am intrigued by his drawings. Line drawings, sketches that were often practice pieces prior to his paintings. Picasso says so much with a simple line.

There is one that I particularly like. It is a simple sketch of composer Erik Satie, done about 1917. For a while, Picasso designed costumes and sets for ballets, and always carried a sketch pad.

This simple drawing shares so much of the composer’s mood. Satie appears to be watching and listening to a performance of his music. He is a tall, thin man with a short, pointed beard and a receding hairline. He is wearing a suit, vest and tie, and his shirt has a high starched collar. He is seated in a wooden chair. His elbows are resting on the arms of the chair and his hands are clasped with his thumbs forming a steeple. His jacket sleeves are bunched up and wrinkled and there is a sheet of paper hanging out of his pocket, possibly his notes or a copy of the song that is being performed. His brow is furrowed as if he is intently studying the performance. One wonders what he is thinking. Picasso has captured all of this in simple lines.

My favorite cartoon in the Albert Lea Tribune is “Pickles” by Brian Crane. I love the expressions on the faces, the mannerisms, the strange sense of humor of the characters involved. It is all done with simple line showing dignity or peacefulness, excitement or gentleness or confusion.

Brian Crane is no Picasso, but the concept is the same. A simple line can express joy or sorrow, unbelief, frustration, anger or stubbornness. A simple line tells us a story.