Those that know my work know that I’m not a landscape painter. The thought of painting trees and grass and mountains gives me the willies.
But I sort of like the “plein air” idea of things.
What do I do when I need some fresh air and inspiration? I go to shops, or cafes, or park benches. And I watch. People.
And I try to imagine what they’re saying to each other, or thinking if they’re alone with their thoughts. Or what book they’re reading.
I’m careful not to be intrusive, and I don’t want to look like a crazy person staring at someone.
Though sometimes I will go up to someone and hand them my card (it says artist and teacher not crazy stalker) and ask if I can take a photo or do a quick sketch. 99.9% of the time people say yes, and they are flattered. I always send them the finished product and yes, many have actually bought them right then and there.
When we go out to dinner, my husband will always ask if I’m paying attention to him or scouting out scenes for a painting…hmmm?
So my advice is this, don’t worry what the masses are painting, paint what moves you. My career started many years ago in the Garment Center in NYC so painting people has always been my first love. Once I started painting full time, I morphed that love with the love of the pastel medium and felt like it all made sense to me. I’ve had 2 teachers in beginning of my professional life that were my mentors and they showed me how to incorporate my figurative work into a narrative. For so long they were divided in my mind. Now in my own classes, when we have a model to paint, I tell my students, use her to get a correct proportion, but also imagine her doing something in the outside world. Then your drawing/illustration really becomes a painting.
2 comments
Willy Gilder
Oh, how I agree with Jeri. The world is full of interesting things, and interesting people to draw.
Some folk seem to spend an inordinate amount of time seeking the perfect the perfect view, but enormous satisfaction can be got from drawing the ‘everyday’.
For people interested in this there are Urban Sketchers groups all over the world, dedicated to capturing the world, one drawing at a time.
Helen Turner
Jeri, I love these! What a great idea and all the movement and color! Inspiring! You might have got us rethinking plein aire and started a new movement!