Was digging for a canvas today to start work and had to pause when I came across an oil painting I did a few years ago. I don't paint in oils often and it's so different from my usual style. It was created in a workshop hosted by an artist from Santa Fe, Linda St. Clair. It was one of the most eye-opening and rewarding workshops I've ever taken.
Everyone in it was painting some sort of animal...paintings of owls, foxes and yes, dogs surrounded the room. As I chatted with those around me, I felt like I had found my tribe! People that still took wonder in all of these amazing and beautiful creatures that live among us.
I took progress photos of every step that Linda took in creating her demo for us of a brown bear. She sat close to me on the second day of painting and every 10 minutes or so, I would bother her with a "Linda? What about this?" Or "Excuse me, Linda? What do you think about adding this here?" She was gracious and her answers were always spot on.
With her permission, Linda allowed me to take progress photos of her demo painting.
I walked away from that weekend with new inspiration knowing I would sign up for it next year. So at that time, I emailed the gallery and asked when it was going to happen, as I kept checking the website and there was no sign of it. I was so sad to learn that Linda, this artist that I was so excited to learn from and spend time with again, was in the hospital and it was serious.
That workshop never happened. Linda had unfortunately passed away.
In that original workshop, Linda was selling that demo painting of the little brown bear to whatever student wanted to take it home. I wish I had been that student but was too slow to speak up and missed out.
What I learned from this is a couple of things. One is that many times creators have no idea the impact they can have on a single person if the person influenced and inspired doesn't speak up and say so. Sometimes it’s not until years later (and in a blog post like this) and by then it’s too late.
The other is that I've learned how important it is to buy artwork from a living artist. Because while money isn't often talked about when it comes to art--it's necessary for any business to be viable and one of the most supportive ways to show appreciation for an artist.
I may not own that little bear painting Linda created, but I'm grateful to have spent a weekend learning from her and sharing a love of all creatures--and to have this little Bassett painting as a reminder.
Linda...thank you.
