In recent years I’ve acquired a substantial library of art books, and some DVDs, by contemporary watercolor artists—Barbara Nechis, Charles Reid, Jeanne Dobie, Karlyn Holman, etc. For me a library of diversified artists—each with his or her individual approach—is far better than taking classes from only one person. These teachers help me immeasureably, and I continually glean new insights and inspiration from them.
If there is one thing that most famous artists have in common, it may be painting Italy. It seems that every great artist in the world has painted Italy. I have studied more pictures of crooked streets, canals, ancient ruins, and laundry dangling from windows on picturesque old buildings than I can count!
At one point I even tried painting an Italian street scene, from photos taken by our granddaughter, Nicole, who studied for a semester in Rome. The result was nothing worth sharing. It was a very amateurish attempt at capturing a scenario which I have never experienced first hand—a charming scene but one which has not personally moved me.
Pondering the fact that most accomplished artists seem to paint Italy (understandable in light of classical art history) I came up with a great and obvious DUH, which goes without saying when we pause to think: we need to paint what we know!
Although I’m a lover of small towns, country, and wild places, I have always been fascinated by the architecture of Milwaukee—that quasi Old World city which has been a part of my life from birth (literally, as I was born in Milwaukee).
The above rendering—amateurish, non-representational, and personalized—depicts a glimpse of Milwaukee’s south side, as recently viewed through the windows of a city building. Milwaukee’s historic churches, built in the 19th century with hard-earned money and labor of devout Polish and Slavic immigrants, are a touch of the Old World. Although I am not Polish or Serbian, these architectural monuments mean something to me. They are awesome, and they are a part of the city I know: not Venice, not Rome, not Florence—but Milwaukee!
I get the greatest joy out of painting what I know, and scenes that I’ve experienced and loved. Here are a few more places I love:
Breckenridge, Colorado ↑
Garden of the gods—Manitou Springs, Colorado ↑
Taos, New Mexico ↑
Joe fishing in our lake up north ↑
Marsh marigolds surrounding our driveway at our northern home in May ↑
We can do no better than to paint (or write or sing!) what we know!
©2010, Margaret L. Been
Northern Reflections--glimpses of gold by Margaret L. Been 