Over the last several months I've given a lot of thought to this question:
What would happen if high school students were taught traditional drawing, painting and materials skills?
I graduated from Pratt Institute, in the days when nothing (according to my teachers) existed in the art world but Abstract Expressionism. So while I did attend art school, I until I met Graydon Parrish I was largely self-taught. Four years ago I decided that I would teach myself to paint in the way that I have always loved, AB-EX or no AB-EX. It was slow going at first, and I concentrated on mastering my materials. 18 months after I started I showed my work to two galleries and they both accepted me and my first two shows sold out. Around the same time I met Graydon and he offered to take me on as a private student. Graydon has a color mixing approach that allows an artist to mix every color he/she sees, with 99% accuracy. So in a very short span I had reached my first set of goals.
It is such a wonderful feeling to be able to paint the way I've always wanted to, and to be able to mix each and every color I see -- or adjust color in the way I want -- that I began to think about teaching what I have learned to high school students. Even those with no interest in an art career can benefit from learning to draw, and those who desire a career in art will most certainly find this knowledge very valuable.
My technique is derived from that of the Little Dutch Masters, although my lighting tends toward Tenebrism. I continue to expand my education through my own research and my apprenticeship with Graydon Parrish. (His work can be seen at the New Britain Museum of American Art and http://www.hirschlandadler.com/.)
Graydon has taught me that an artist who fully understands materials and technique is much more capable of creative self-expression than one who is untrained. I am able to teach drawing, based on the Charles Bargue course, as well as courses in painting technique and materials, and mastery of color mixing. My approach is quite straightforward and teachable. I make notes of each day's procedures and color mixes and have a full understanding of the effects I achieve and how to replicate them. All art students who wish to master form and color would benefit from the courses I propose.
I paint in oil, on panels that I make myself. Small works are on copper and larger pieces are on lead-primed wood panels. Copper is a wonderful support, and cross-links with oil paint to form a very strong bond. In addition, this chemical reaction keeps the paint looking very fresh. Of course, there's a downside which in this case is the expense of copper sheet. Still, I think it is worth the effort to produce archival works and I use only the best quality materials.
Typically I work on six–ten pieces at one time, and in the last year produced about two dozen paintings. My website contains more work, although it is about a dozen works out of date. I am currently showing at Arcadia Gallery in New York City (http://www.arcadiafinearts.com/home.html) , Susan Powell Fine Art in Madison, CT. (http://www.artnet.com/gallery/181897/susan-powell-fine-art.html).
I've attached several recent paintings below and appreciate the opportunity to show you my work and discuss this possibility with you should you have any interest. Any questions you may have are welcome. My contact information is:
Thank you for taking the time to look at my work.
