My friend the Artist!

 Here is my interview with a dear friend who is retired and enjoys doing  her artistry leisurely and in a peaceful atmosphere.

Question #1- How did you get started? 

I have always liked to draw all of my life, but I never took a fine art until 2006.  I love art history, and in college took several art history courses.  For awhile I worked in an art & history museum as the collections manager, gaining experience in art handling.  As an adult, I have read dozens of books about artists' lives and their paintings.  I was 54 years old when my professional job took me to Boston for an extended period of time, where I took my first drawing class at Boston Center for Adult Education.  That class hooked me, and from there I took more drawing classes, then classes in pastel painting and oil painting.  When my job took me to Kansas City, Missouri in 2010, I enrolled in a 2 year certificate program at the Kansas City Institute of Art, which I completed. Since then I have taken many painting workshops, always focusing on oil painting with a strong interest in drawing.

Question #2- How would you describe you creative style?

My style would be called realism, but not photo-realism.  I like painting outside too; Plein air painting.  But primarily, I like to be in my studio.  I am not a very detail oriented painter, I prefer to give the impression of a thing.  Sometimes that is easier said than done-it is easier to fall back on copying.  I try to treat my practice of art in an organized manner, dedicating some time in the studio per day-even if only to do some cleaning up.  It is important to be reminded that this is what I love to do and not to let other parts of life encroach too much.

Question #3- What is your inspiration?

I am most inspired by how light moves across an object-inanimate or alive. Sometimes subject matter is important, other times, it's purely capturing the essence of the light.  I am inspired by historical artists and contemporary artists.  Some of my favorites are Edouard Manet, all the impressionists, Camille Corot, Fairfield Porter, Richard Diebenkorn, Vanessa Bell, Alice Neel and so many Russian artists of the past and present.  My mother, Florence Shattuck was a watercolorist, and my sister, Christine Shattuck- Detrick, is also a beautiful watercolorist.

Question #4- What is Art to you?

Making art is a journey.  It has its ups and downs, juicy and dry times.  It's personal expression, and a feeling of soulful harmony, but sometimes frustrating and impossible!  One of my favorite teachers often says we paint to learn, and if we aren't learning, we aren't taking chances and therefore pushing into the unknown-that's where Art resides.  It may be unknown to us, but if we are learning with every painting, then Art, which is not a "thing", will become known and felt in our heart.

Question #5- What is your dream project?

I'm happiest when I have no other obligations than to spend time in my studio.  This doesn't happen as often as I would like.  Even with retirement, there seems to be a lot of "have to-do's".  I have had a few opportunities to exhibit my work.  It is a good thing to have these opportunities come along, and it is wonderful when someone is so moved by a painting, that they want to bring it home with them!  My dream project might be to feel so inspired by a landscape or a still life set up or a model that it is impossible to not paint it.  I think another thing that makes me happy is sharing what I know with others.  Recently I visited my youngest grandchildren in California, ages 8 & 10.  I introduced them to oil painting which they loved!  With a lot of guidance, they were able to complete 2 paintings.  One was a copy of their favorite Monet from an exhibit we saw in San Francisco.  That gave me a lot of joy!  Also, on this trip, I was in Washington state visiting my daughter who is an interim Executive Director for an arts organization in her community.  That art org has an art thrift shop, which I volunteered in for 2 days.  It was so much fun to help people find materials for their art projects!

Elizabeth (Liz) Shattuck

Kansas City, MO