Spring Cannot Be Cancelled: David Hockney in Normandy

The book is great and it's nice to see something so intelligent and beautiful come out of the pandemic. Nicely illustrated throughout, not just DH work, other artists as well.The delivery was awful, I have a covered porch, package was left hanging over the edge of the porch in the rain. It didn't fall into this position, it was perfectly lined up to balance half on and half off so that half of the box was wet, soaked through.It's Thames and Hudson so a well-made book and the laminate-like book cover saved the integrity of the book itself.Not going to penalize DH or MG with less than 5 stars for delivery idiocy or passive-aggressiveness. Fingers crossed for karma instead.

This book is written and as series of exchanges of ideas between Martin Grayford as interviewer and David Hockney the master artist. It’s title suggests a guy holed up in the north of France during The original Covid outbreak but the book is so much more - it is like being in the middle of a conversation between two Oxford dons of art history dropping quotes and ideas from many great artists and writers to express the feelings they have about art in general and about Mr Hockney’s new works illustrated throughout the book in particular (many of which were created on an iPad!). At the end of day the book tells us that what it takes to be an artist is a fascination with everything - or at least one thing (a la Monet’s Lilly pond or Cezanne’s mountain) and to draw or paint what you are fascinated with all the time. Discipline and constant work are what Mr Hockney shows us. As Mr Grayford states Hockney has a “driving fascination with pictures” and the urge to paint them “differently and better” than anyone else - even himself. A surprising, informative and easy-moving book through which Mr Hockney gives us a lesson (as Martin Grayford states) “not only in how to see, but also in how to live”.

Must read. Great and full of energy and life!The combination of Hockney and Gayford discussing life and art during a global pandemic is enchanting start to finish, with provoking observations that make this something you think about long past your reading. Highly recommend to anyone that loves art and life.

I've been a fan of Hockney and Gayford's other two books and this one continues in that tradition. Hockney shares his insights and brilliance and Gayford unpacks the details. Compelling thinking and also a lovely nod to memoir.

I loved this book. There were very many pictures of Mr. Hockney's art. The interaction and interviews were enlightening. Great Book for a beginning artist.

Fun to read, enjoyed it a lot.

This book is a marvel. While many of us were paralyzed by the pandemic, Martin Gayford and David Hockney made the absolute most of a very tough situation and collaborated to put together one of the most important books concerning art and its making that have ever been written. Never before has the the creative process been more deftly described and demystified. Both Gayford’s and Hockney’s pure enthusiasm for art, its creation and appreciation of others’ work is utterly infectious, intellectually fulfilling and life affirming. Alone, the insight we gain in Hockney’s daily schedule, the staggeringly prolific output during the spring of 2020, during which one magnificent iPad painting after another appeared, is a road map for the kind of sensational creative possibilities that exist for those above 80. To sit in on the Hockney’s and Gayford’s wide ranging, affectionate chats is to know what deep friendship is all about. The book is brilliant, accessible and often funny, without being remotely pretentious. Most highly recommended for any and everyone interested in creativity. Written during the worst of times, the defiantly joyous Spring Cannot Be Cancelled should be on the required reading list of any institution that teaches any aspect of Art.

This publisher needs to be clear that the Hockney work in this bookwas all done digitally on an i pad.You have to waste a lot of time reading through reviews to figureit out.

Hockney is as enthusiastic as a child in a sweetshop…he sees wonderful possibilities everywhere – 5 StarsAuthor, Martin Gayford, and artist, David Hockney, have known each other for many years, and my goodness it shows! The sense of a lasting friendship and mutual trust shines through every page of this delightful book, and whether you’re a scholar of art history, an amateur artist, or simply someone who just finds Hockney’s work uplifting and a pleasure to look at, there is something here for everyone.Presented almost as a series of conversations, the book draws on communications shared between Gayford and Hockney to reveal the story behind the artist’s project to capture spring in Normandy. From the dual viewpoint in Hobbema’s ‘The Avenue at Middelharnis’ to a Warhol film still, Hockney’s enthusiasm for questioning and learning seems to know no bounds. The great delight here is the way Hockney’s observations inform his own creations and the way this fascinating process is revealed to the reader.From Hockney’s decision to purchase a property in France and culminating in the tantalising prospect that there just might be other seasons to follow, ‘Spring Cannot be Cancelled’ is a celebration of art, the artist, and of the joy of nature. Lavishly illustrated and meticulously explained throughout, this is a book that’s far more than simply beautiful to look at, it coaxes and nurtures the artist in us all.Overall: Beautifully illustrated and extremely readable. If you buy just one art related book this year, then I’d have no hesitation in recommending this one.

‘Spring Cannot be Cancelled’ is a joyous and uplifting manifesto that affirms art and nature’s capacity, to not only transform and inspire one isolated artist, living in Normandy’s life, but a whole society as well -especially one that is so presently disconnected from the world around them (shout out again, to that pesky Miss.Rona!)This is a warm, calm and contemplative book that provides a plethora of interesting and insightful conversations between artist, David Hockney and his long time friend, collaborator and art critic, Martin Gayford.Each chapter details their often humorous and enlightening exchanges. Where the two not only reflect on Hockney’s previous work, but the impact this extraordinarily long period of confinement -caused by the 2020 pandemic, has had on his current creative practices.Which unsurprisingly, he absolutely relished in, and saw this form of self-isolation as an even greater opportunity to dedicate towards his many artistic endeavours!But PLEASE, do not let Hockney’s “productiveness” put you off.As an artist myself reading this, I know it’s so easy to fall into the trap of comparison. However, the way Hockney describes his approach to work and life is utterly infectious and truly inspiring.As the book unfurls -much like the cherry blossom he paints, we see just how enamoured and enthusiastic he is by the minutea of life; the variations of colour, light, space, water and of course, trees!Not only is Hockney teaching us how to see, but he is showing us how to live. Reminding us to appreciate the seemingly small or insignificant moments and wonders, we so often pass by without giving much of a second thought.“We have lost touch with nature, rather foolishly as we are a part of it, not outside it.”Writing aside for a minute, another MAJOR aspect of this books appeal, is of course the fact that it’s B-E-A-U-T-I-F-U-L-L-Y illustrated.Interspersed with not only Hockney’s own gloriously vibrant art, but the paintings, etchings and drawings of those he admires most and continually prove to be a great source of inspiration to him; Van Gogh, Hokusai, Picasso and many more!(Though disappointingly not many female artists *cough cough*)Overall, this is an immensely enjoyable and life-affirming book. And one that I would whole heartedly recommend to fellow artists and art enthusiasts alike!5 stars

This is a very sweet book, ideal for lockdowns. Nothing happens, except David Hockney produces a series of inimitable iPad paintings. His conversations with Martin Gayford add nothing new to either our understanding of Hockney, or the history of art in general, but they are amiable exchanges that emphasise again just how passionate the artist is about his art. More importantly, the book is beautifully illustrated and carefully designed and set, so that reading it is a genuine pleasure. One minor complaint - which can be made about almost every art book - there is no explanation or description of how Hockney actually works. It would be intriguing to have a detailed, step by step, analysis of how he uses ‘Brushes’ to create his iPad paintings. How many layers? Which brush? Does he limit his palette? Does he ever trace over photographs? A perfect read for a sunny summer’s day.

Brimming full of optimism and emergent spring colour. Martin Gayford, in collaboration with David Hockney, has managed to recreate a series of fascinating conversations and has invited the enthralled reader as a guest. As a Yorkshireman of firm convictions - not those of the dyed-in-the-wool kind, but largely based upon observation, upon really looking - Hockney takes you, as reader and enthuses you. These include light, the movement of water and the nature of puddles, via the artist’s studio, Wagner, the Bayeux Tapestry and shadows and many other subjects. Above all, it is easy to appreciate how Hockney’s innate artistic curiosity has kept our attention and interest for 60 years or more. A beautifully produced and well-illustrated book, enough to revitalise the laziest eye, to look, look, look...

I am a self-confessed fan of Hockney's work and have been for years. Whilst I have a few Exhibition Catalogues and have read Volumes One and Two of Christopher Simon Sykes biography, I did wonder how I would manage an artist and critic's Diary/Dialogue, albeit mostly emails due to the Coronavirus Pandemic, but I needn't have worried - it's absolutely fascinating.Picture the scene - David Hockney has just moved to Normandy and has become fascinated, not for the first time, with the change of nature across the seasons. (Remember that Exhibition at the Royal Academy with all the trees!)What begins as a dialogue about how the artist is settling down to his new house in Normandy becomes, and largely because of the Lockdown, an exploration of the colours and shades of the Spring colours in Normandy. Although his descriptions are brief and to the point, Hockney describes what he sees and also how he transfers that onto an iPad, paper or canvas.The illustrations are rich in colour and easily recognisable as Hockney and yet they are refreshingly new and different.Sunrise's to sunsets, night scenes to moonlight pastures, winter-ending trees to Springtime Blossom - Hockney displays all the changes of Spring in Normandy.If you like Hockney then you will love this book. If you are an artist then this book has an important tutelage value for you. If you just want an insight into Hockney's work then this book is absolutely fascinating.