Sharon Knettell

Joy Thomas · 02-11-2006, 02:02 AM

I'm really wondering how much time a day must (all of) you must spend to moderate?...and what sort of fires tend to break out? Have you met one another face to face? What made you decide to do it?

I'm a bit stunned at the time I've spent on this forum in the last few days, and can't imagine what it must be like for a moderator. I am quite fascinated with this forum, I must admit. So much so that I vowed not to turn on my computer this morning. I dressed, ate breakfast and went straight to my studio where I painted all day (so virtuous) I am completing four portrait commissions ...then I came in and spent the evening with my husband who spent his day gilding the frames for said portraits. (He creates all of the frames for my paintings). The reason I'm here now is because he is out cleaning my palette and brushes for me ...yes he does that every night. Fred works for/with me full time. He has remained a computer illiterate by choice.. but thinks this forum business is great and is happy that I've found a community. I must be careful with it...timewise...I can see that now.

We live in an old farmhouse on our small farm in an isolated area of Kentucky . Our three children are grown and living in cities from Louisville (a four hour drive) to Los Angeles.
I teach yoga two nights a week at the community wellness center in town, we are neighborly with a family that lives on a nearby farm (our grown sons, have been best friends since their toddler days), my husband's large family lives in the area and we see them once a month or so, on Saturday nights we attend the local University's International Film of the week...and that is the extent of my social life. I spend the rest of my time making art, writing about art or reading about art. My very quiet life is interspersed with travel, always for work, I sometimes travel abroad for my work.

After years of working in solitude, it is intoxicating to suddenly be in contact with so many people that share an obsession with portraiture. I'm amazed that moderators are taking the time to do this....but I don't want it to interfere with your art, so please let me know if we are supposed to limit the length or number of our posts.
I'm off to bed now, I'll check in tommorow night..

Oh..and thank you...very much.

Joy Thomas
www.portraitartist.com/thomas

Kimberly Dow · 02-11-2006, 02:13 AM

Joy, first of all - it is nice to make your acquaintance. Secondly - could I have your husband?

Joy Thomas · 02-11-2006, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kimberly Dow

Joy, first of all - it is nice to make your acquaintance. Secondly - could I have your husband?

There are days when I would give him away...and those are the days when he would happily leave. And I'm happy to meet you too!

I was an art major in college and Fred was my nude model. I took him with me when I dropped out of school! (remember Sharon, my comment about our similar college experience?) He's the one with a Fine Arts degree in painting but never touches the stuff now. We have been married 27 years, raised three kids, and still live hand to mouth as bohemian artists.

Joy Thomas
www.portraitartist.com/thomas

Joy Thomas · 02-11-2006, 10:06 AM

Kimberly Dow, I visited your website...Wow.

I love your new painting Unrepentant also Charity and Pensive. Watch out, I am inspired to try some of these poses..I may steal from you.

Oh, by the way I am a native Texan, from the panhandle.

Joy Thomas
www.portraitartist.com/thomas

Joy Thomas · 02-11-2006, 09:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sharon Knettell

.... what male artist is the best eye candy.

I did not really know Fred when I fell for him...he was very professional and a perfect specimen. It seemed like everyone (men & women) had a thing for our beautiful, dignified model.
I'm very lucky that my impulsive decision to drop out of college & cancel my wedding plans to run off with the model actually worked out.

In this case the fastest and best brush claimed more than just respect!

Alexandra Tyng · 02-11-2006, 10:07 AM

Good for you, Joy!

As you can see I've been following this thread, too. When I checked in, there were 8 viewing. A very interesting way to meet.

Alexandra Tyng · 02-11-2006, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sharon Knettell

Why I did not take Holy Orders as a result is a mystery to me today.

Maybe the sight of him made you realize there had to be some better-looking ones out there.

Joy Thomas · 02-12-2006, 02:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sharon Knettell

I literally saw my first male nude in art school. I was 17 and in my first year at the Boston Museum School. My roomate and I clung to each other at the door before we had the NERVE to go in. The class was half over before we timidly slunk in, hiding the view of the model with our drawing pads. When we finally had the courage to actually LOOK at the model it was indeed a frightening sight. He was old, potbellied and in a dirty jock strap. Not exactly what young girls dreams are made of. He probably knew I was a novice (think as in nunlike at that time) and threw the lewdest part of the pose in my direction. Why I did not take Holy Orders as a result is a mystery to me today.

While tutoring me in forum talk, my daughter taught me;
LOL = Laugh Out Loud
ROFL = Roll On Floor Laughing
LMAO = Laugh My --- Off

Sharon, This story makes me LOL until I ROFL and LMAO!! Thanks for making my day!

Joy Thomas
ww.portraitartist.com/thomas

Leslie Ficcaglia · 02-05-2007, 09:13 AM

Just stumbled on this year-old thread and loved Joy's story. My husband will affix pre-bought frames but hasn't ventured into making his own, although it's something we've talked about. And I've done one portrait of him but not in the nude....

We too live on a farm with grown children, so I could really relate to Joy's background. I'll go looking for other posts of hers!

Linda Brandon · 02-11-2006, 12:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sharon Knettell

.... to cling together like bunches of curds at these affairs.

Surely, this is a harsh visual metaphor!