Hi from another new member
 

My name is Julia Morgan Scott, and I've been reading posts and lurking for the past couple of weeks, and learning a great deal.

My career has been meandering since my graduation from the University of Tennessee in 1984, where I was the odd woman out in the art department, totally obsessed with learning how to draw realistically! Painting realistically was but a distant dream.

I've been a professional artist of one sort or another, gradually moving from part-time to full-time, since 1994, after my kids were older. My "art jobs" started with drawing cariacatures in blinding heat and sun in front of the Tennessee Aquarium (but I was so glad to have an art job); then I chanced on a part-time position at the University here in Chattanooga doing scientific illustration. I was the only person who applied who could draw a bone.

Over the past decade I've also done magazine illustrations and a few book covers and game cards in the world of fantasy illustration. Most of what I've learned about painting has been picked up by talking to the talented professionals at SF conventions, such as the World Fantasy Convention (I couldn't believe that another member, Michael Georges, also listed the WFC as an influence!).

Since 2000, I've been changing course. The scientific illustration has improved my drawing skills immensely, but it is not figurative which is what I love. The fantasy illustration was figurative, but in acrylics, and done to an art director's often tasteless whim. Over the past several years, I've been studying and taking workshops to improve my oil painting skills and "loosen up," which after 10 years of scientific illustration, I need to do. ;) There is so much to learn.

I recently rented a large, north-lit studio in a downtown office building, and am stretching linen and priming it and learning as much about oil painting as I can! Every day I spend in my studio I am so grateful for every minute. The light and the view are fantastic.


I'm thrilled to be accepted on the forum.

Best, Julia Morgan Scott

Hello there,

Your work is very interesting. Hope to see more of it here.

Welcome to the forum.

Hi Julia,

I think I now remember meeting you in Chattanooga many years ago. Sounds like you have a wonderful new studio. I really like your painting and am looking forward to seeing more. You mentioned wanting to loosen up. Your drawing skills are certainly very good! I'll bet you know about the Tuesday life drawing open studio at UTC? That helped me, certainly work more loosely, but the biggest thing that helped me work more quickly and loosely has been plein air landscapes. You may already have experience at that- your background is lovely.

Cecelia

Hi from another new member
 

The moderator asked me to post a portrait I'd done so here is a painting I did of my dad last year. I did it from available light photos I took myself, but it was difficult since he was ornery and didn't want to sit. I may post it on the critique thread later since I had difficulties and would love advice. It's a pretty good likeness but the lighting wasn't what I wanted. I intended it as a quick study but ended up messing with it too long.

Julia Morgan Scott

Well, ornery or not, I love it...Thank you for sharing.

Julia, welcome to the forum! I like the portrait of your father very much. His expression and the glasses hanging around his neck really speak to me.

Welcome to the forum Julia, your father looks like an interesting man. You did a good job of getting "ornery"across.