For years, my kids were my subjects of study. These days, the boys aren’t around as much, so, I’m looking outward to answer the question that plagues all artists: “what will I paint next?”
In an email newsletter from Piedmont Council for the Arts, I noticed an announcement for Charlottesville’s Festival of Cultures at Lee Park. The Festival is organized by the CCS Adult Learning Center that serves members of the community who are from other parts of the world. Being interested in all things cultural, I headed over to the event. Here are a few snapshots taken at the Festival on Saturday, May 10.
These images will serve only as reference material – the intent is not to mimic the photo, but learn from it. In a painting workshop conducted by D.C. painter Carlton Fletcher at the Beverley Street Studio School (Staunton, VA), Fletcher emphasized that “the Polaroid is our friend,” “by the time I get done with them [the photos] the only thing left is the gesture.” (Fletcher).
At the Festival, I was moving around the crowd taking snapshots with my inexpensive Cannon digital camera (about $200 at the time of purchase). Below is a photographer who was more interested in making the photo the final product.
I’m also interested in more detailed, extended studies -- formal portraits based on the folks whose photos I took. Of the many fascinating looking people at the festival, a fiddler caught my eye as he was meandering about a large group of musicians and dancers – all waiting to perform.
This study took about an hour. These brief pieces are a big help for addressing issues of larger works.
Maybe, I can find out who some of these folks are and approach them about sitting for a longer, more formal study. Perhaps, a group of us can meet to take photos, that we can then reference in our respective studios in the service of extended studies. If you’re interested, let me know. In the meantime, keep painting!
-MU
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