Delivering Guienne Hanover; Looking Forward
Posted By Carrie L. Lewis on September 10, 2009
Neal and I make an annual trek to Michigan for Labor Day Weekend for the annual Garver reunion. I was the reunion president this year, which provided either the added incentive to go or a reason to stay away, depending on how you look at it. The office was more nerve wracking in anticipation than actuality, but that’s the way most things are.
On the way to Clare, we detoured to Rochester. Michigan to deliver the portrait of Guienne Hanover. That made for a very long day, but it was worth the extra miles and the extra hours.
The painting was very well received and we had the opportunity to talk harness racing, horses and mares and foals for nearly an hour before heading on to Clare.
The following day, we drove to a small farm outside of Greenville, Michigan to get the next portrait started. I went into that meeting thinking I knew what the client wanted, but we had so many good ideas to think about when I left an hour later that the project is all the way back to the drawing board. Literally. Every possibility looks exciting, but there are a couple that really get the creative juices going!
We also came away from the trip with additional projects pending in other areas, as well.
So all in all, it was a good trip with great traveling weather in both areas and lots of time to yak with family members, get caught up with clients and just generally have a good time.
I am a self-taught artist for the most part. Lots of trial and error in the past forty years! Formal art training consists of a couple of years of high school art, a painting class at a community college, one semester in the Fine Arts program at Abilene Christian University and a couple of local workshops.
I am always looking for ways to better my artistic skills, so I am a permanent student in the School of Trial and Error. I love reading and have been known to spend hours online researching materials and techniques. As a result, I've painted in several different styles, including the direct method (which goes straight for the color) and Classical methods (which involves underpaintings, layering and glazing).
I have exhibited paintings in locations such as Lone Star Park Race Track, Grand Prairie, Texas and Remington Park Race Track, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. Since the early 90s, I've worked with the Michigan Harness Horseman's Association, donating custom portraits to their annual benefit auction.
In the course of maintaining a growing art business, I have taught myself web design (a skill that will no doubt prove to be a continual learning experience).
I also enjoy puttering around the yard, chasing trains with my husband, Neal, travel and, of course, looking at horses whenever they appear on my horizon.
Comments
Leave a Reply
Please note: Comment moderation is currently enabled so there will be a delay between when you post your comment and when it shows up. Patience is a virtue; there is no need to re-submit your comment.