Andrea
22 x 28"
Charcoal on BFK Rives
When I left the corporate publishing world to paint and sail, I hadn't anticipated the initial isolation of the freelancer's life, or the pitfalls of my naive lack of a plan. I still had my friends at National Geographic, but, heck, they were working! I'd divorced, moved farther from the bustle of D.C. to the relatively quiet town of Frederick, Maryland, and wondered if I hadn't made the biggest mistake of my life. In a scramble to make ends meet, I painted murals, did faux finishing, worked for a florist, served for a catering company, sold art at local fairs, cleaned houses, and delivered a sailboat from Grenada. One of the first artists I met in Frederick was Andrea Burchette. I signed up for her watercolor class, expecting to brush up on my skills, and perhaps make a few pretty paintings. We started out painting dead bugs in sumi-e ink, and ended with Itten, and full color theory. Concepts I had learned in college finally made sense. Inspirational, spiritual, thoughtful, intensely present, Andrea has that gift of empowering people to be better. I've been through many critique sessions over the years, and hers were revelatory-- always respectful, and astute. When she was unable to continue teaching her classes at Montgomery College, and Frederick Community College, she recommended my name, and bolstered me through my new instructor jitters when I was hired. I would not have made it through some of the challenges of the past 10 years without her friendship and mentorship. I snapped reference photos for the portrait in her Church Street studio just before she and her husband packed up and retired to Southport, N.C.
Do you have, or did you have a mentor who's helped you in your painting career?
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50 comments:
Wow!! That´s all I can say :-)
Liz-Among a myriad of wonderful things in your paintings, I think I am drawn to your consistent strong compositional skills. In this painting of your mentor, I love the strong horizontal line of the brush with the other elements basically all being vertical...sort of...does this make sense, it's still very early in the a.m.?
I met Elmore Morgan Jr. as a young freshman college student and immediately was on the edge of my seat with everything he said and taught. He was the first person I turned to when I considered switching careers from graphic design to teaching. In my husbands early photography years, Elmore and my husband worked on some projects together and because of this, I learned that much more about Elmore. For a wedding present, he asked us to sit in the middle of a rice field in SW Louisiana and painted us en plein air. I remember we were there for several hours and then the rain came so we went back to his studio for the completion of the painting. It is, without a doubt, one of my most treasured gifts. Sadly, Elmore died this past May on my husband's birthday, if you would like to see a video of his last gallery exhibition, here is is: http://videos.nola.com/times-picayune/2008/05/paintings_by_the_late_elemore.html
Thanks for letting me ramble, Liz. Your painting is lovely and I am so glad you let me reminisce about my special mentor.
Nicely told story.
Liz, what a thoughtful,fantastic portrait. You have captured a strength and purpose in this fine woman, and very eloquently paid tribute to one who has been so important in your life. I feel I want to know her. You certainly haven't had an easy time of it, and I hope the road has less bumps in it for you now. I love this piece.
Beautiful portrait and a well done story.
I hope that the rest is smooth like it sould be for a good people like you.
Holy smokes! What a beautiful portrait! I too have been influenced by many, but I would be afraid to try this as I doubt I could do them justice! You are amazing my dear.
Hi Liz
This sketch is very good. Your bond with your mentor has come through in the character. You are indeed a lucky lady to have had such a friend.
I am afraid I have not had such a mentor and only wish now that I had.
Kindest Regard
Thanks, Mi and Bill!
Angela - wonderful story! Elmore must have been quite a quy. Extra poignant that he passed away on your husband's birthday I'm off to look at the video...
Vern - I appreciate your comments so much. Life kicks up some trials, no question, but I wouldn't trade a second of it.
Thanks, Irit!
Leslie - yes you could...I've seen your work!
Trevor, thank you so much. I am lucky, indeed. I think the encouragement we get from one another in the blogging community is so valuable, too.
Liz, this is a great portrait! You have really captured the intense eyes of an artist studying the subject.
Thank God for mentors!
Wow! What a beautiful portrait! You have captured her refined personality through her eyes and expression on her face. Wonderful work!!
There is a Japanese saying that goes something like "If you love your child, provide him/her with hardships even if you have to pay for them." Japanese people believe that hardships help people learn, grow, and appreciate everything more, making the life more meaningful. Now I see where your beautiful personality comes from.
wow what a great drawing and a terrific story!
Thanks, Dean - I appreciate your comments always.
Akiko- thank you. What a beautiful thing to say. hugs.
Thanks, Cathyann - you're right. teachers often don't get enough feedback on their impact on student's lives.
Thanks, Sandra!
Hey Liz, found my socks... thanks.
What a lovely portrait and a great background story to go with it. And they're now in Southport! Beautiful place to be.
The one person who stands out as a mentor to me was my 6th grade art instructor. He remained my art instructor for three years until I went to high school. He steered my art career in the right direction. Every year, we contact each other just to make sure were contributing creatively to society.
Thanks Liz, great to reflect and see where our trails have led us.
Glad to know you...
Wonderful story and I agree, you wrote it beautifully! The portrait of her is lovely, you captured her expression and there is so much feeling in her eyes. Beautiful, really beautiful!
Funny you should ask about having a mentor. Last November I took a workshop from Greg LaRock. During the workshop he told all f us to feel free to email him or call after the workshop for his advice or to get his input on a painting we were working on. I took him up on the offer and ever since he's been very generous with his advice and support. He just started a blog this month too and I'm really looking forward to learning even more from his experience as a painter.
Great story, great portrait. Your list of odd jobs reminds me of two decades of my adult life, but I never had a cool job like the Nat'l Geo.
I never noticed you lived in Frederick! I have an aunt that lives there though I've never visited myself.
I haven't had a real mentor since high school, but my high school art teacher really propelled my interest in art. She was open minded, always friendly, and taught me to take the scenic route in painting. I think she's retired now and working with pottery.
This is wonderful, the drawing and the story.
I feel lucky to have my current teacher to ask questions of and bounce ideas off of. Kind of a once-a-week mentor.
Wow. I think you are very lucky to have found such a treasure of a person. Not everybody is so fortunate.
- love the portrait
Thank you Liz for sharing your experience, the quality of the charcoal work reflects your gratitude for her.
Thats a great story and a great charcoal, you've captured a wonderful character, im sure she apreciates you too:o)
Hi Liz - thanks for sharing your story, and your art is amazing. I can see why it called you away, even from someplace as marvelous as Natl Geographic! I've had mentors throughout the years, but most importantly my college art teacher, Ivana Spalatin, who lived the artistic life in every regard.
thank you for sharing your thoughts...
sending you many hugs from Texas!
Liz, how beautiful! And I love your story. You are an inspiration "to keep drawing"!
Douglas - whew! what a relief...!
Yes, seems like a host of great artists are clustered in NC these days. Somehow it doesn't surprise me that you stay in touch with your 6th grade art teacher. That's very very cool.
Am happy to know you, too, my friend. : -)
Kim - Thank you so much, and what a wonderful mentor. I just checked out Greg LaRock's new blog--beautiful work!
Hi, R - NGS was a wonderful place to work. I was there 13 years. It was a tough decision to leave and go out on my own.
Keri! You're due for a visit north, then! :-)
Your high school teacher sounds like a gem, and I'm glad she encouraged your path. Your work is amazing.
Jala - thanks! I'm in a once a week class, too. It is great to have that live contact and direct feedback.
Thanks Sara - influence comes in all sorts of forms. And you're right, it's very good luck to find someone you click with. it's a very tough road w/out the support of others.
Thanks, Marco! My best wishes to you.
Hi, Nancy - thanks so much! It was a tough decision to leave a wonderful group of co-workers and a truly fun company. Nuts, probably! Big hugs back to you and the snorty gang ;-)
Thank you, Ann! I appreciate it!
Liz, this is truly beautiful. It is obvious that you have a great connection with Andrea just by looking at your portrait. How lucky you are to have met her, but you know what they say about "when the student is ready the teacher will come." Now you get to pass it on to all your students!
Excellent portrait, Liz. Wonderful pose.
Thank you Cheryl and Edward.
What a wonderful drawing! And thanks for sharing some of your story. Your skill amazes me. This inspires me to work on my drawing which has really fallen to the wayside. As you know, Commercial Art has a way of stripping those skills since there are so many short cuts that breed laziness. Thanks to you I'm going to work hard to get back to basics.
Thanks, Gwen- it helps me, too, to revisit the basics.
Hi
Your art is amazing, beautiful portrait, great work.
Thanks very much Simoart! I enjoy your son's work very much.
Wow Liz! What an amazing story to go with such a beatiful and intimate portrait.
No ONE mentor but there are many who have nudge (and kicked and prodded me along the way.)
THIS is magnificent and I'm sure she is so proud that you have honored her with this beautiful work.
Wow! Liz you blow me away with each new piece you post. You have that wonderful skill to show the soul of all your subjects whether animal or human. The composition of this portrait is great!!! I love that horizontal brush.
Yes, I had an early mentor who remains a dear friend today.
Thanks, Marian! Yes, I had some kicking & prodding,too (thank goodness!)
Marilyn - thank you so much.
Thank you, Michelle!
Liz, this is really great work. I am totally in awe.
I don't have a painting carrier as such, I just sketch at times just for fun, so no mentor, but yes would love to have someone and love the finer points of sketching..till then I will continue learning it myself and yes best of luck for all your future endeavours.
Thanks, Divesh! I appreciate your comments, and thanks for visiting my blog. Happy sketching!
Thank you Liz.
I fell the story and Andrea`s portrait in one complete true impression. That encourages me much because I hope some day I`ll be able to write the story of my old professor.
Happy Easter
Liz, You write so beautifully and paint so beautifully. It is a double treat to visit your blog.
Hi Liz,
I found your blog through Leslie's and I'm so glad.You are an amazing painter.
Regards
Karen - thank you so much.
Ramesh- thanks so much for visiting. I appreciate it!
Wow, beautiful light and expression Liz!!
Your story is so fascinating, and an inspiration for those moments in which we wonder about the decisions we make! I was also interested to read that you worked with Itten's color theory. I own "The Art of Color" which I refer to from time to time and I will say, that it has come to make more sense to me over the years! Your work is beautiful, glad I stopped by. Looking forward to following your progress on Trixie!
whoa! this painting is really amazing. i can see that this is someone thinking through their next artistic endeavor! look at the expression! wow.
Truly, truly stunning work!
peace,
Chuck
Gosh, I love this story about your mentor and I loved reading your blog. You go girl!!!
Rachel--thanks so very much!
Paula-thanks for your comments. I should pull my Itten out more frequently than I do. It is a good source.
Thanks, Lauren.
Chuck-thanks so much for visiting!
Maggie - back at you! : -)
It all sounds so idyllic to an artist...your post is commemorable. There are lots of those along life's path who have helped me. Some were cheerleaders and some great instructors. From teachers/professors, to family members, and fellow artists - I have gleaned that spirit...sponged all the soul that I can. When I think of one point (maybe a turning point) where someone made that kind of an impact, it was Dodie Rufner...now Dodie Rufner Ballantine. I took portraiture from her during several seasonal week to week stints at a church in Littleton, Co. She invited many BIG names to demo for us, or talk to us. We often worked from live models. Being an extremely generous, organized and talented person, I wanted to emulate her. But all in all, the biggest boost I ever had, was being raised to hear, I could do ANYTHING I put my mind to - and of course lots of materials and unlimited supplies and classes (even outside of H.S.) helped. Hey Liz, thanks for the opportunity to write about this. It was liberating...and just what I needed today.
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