Are we painters or photographers?

[Sharon Knettell]

Michael,

I was just about to contact you. I had just read your photo suggestions. I can see you are a very passionate upholder of the great traditions of figurative art.

I do paint from life. All my photos are reference shots taken in the same lighting as I paint my subject, which I place next to them. I have a south light studio, very warm light. As I take 3 months to do a painting, the photo helps me correct my drawing when the model is unavailable. It is especially helpful when the light is poor.

I like photos for many reasons - they may capture an expression that is sometimes unavailable in a bored model. They give you the luxury of doing a correct drawing when the model is not there, and then just use her for color when she is. I am now doing paintings on dance and it is impossible for models to hold some of the poses.

I freehand draw from large photo blow-ups and models and use an 8 head format. I never use photographic proportions.

I am now doing life-sized figurative pastels. One of them is posted in my 'introduce yourself' thread. Since you are in Mass., I have another one hanging at the Vose on Newbury St. in Boston until Oct 19, 2002, that you could visit if you are so inclined.

I never worry how an artist gets somewhere. Van Gogh was unskilled, yet his paintings stop my soul. It is the point of view that is the most important.

I would like to see some work of yours. Where is it posted or where can it be viewed?