ARTIST STATEMENT
I begin a painting by messing around. I typically choose a palette of colors that reflects my mood or sparks my imagination. I might have an idea of what I want to do with these colors. But most often, I just want to see how they work together. I lay down ribbons or spots or shapes of color and watch them interact. I see what emerges as I rock the paper or nudge the colors with puffs of air. Then, I take up brushes and other implements to bring out something representational, define or soften specific shapes, or emphasize/de-emphasize particular colors. Next, I let the image sit and settle for an hour or a day before I step back to see what needs to be tweaked. Finally, I come to understand the spirit of the painting.
ABOUT THE ARTIST
I always said that, when I retired, I would write children’s stories and dabble in art. So I began taking some watercolor and drawing classes. Then, in 2019, when I finally retired, I attended – by chance or cosmic design? – a workshop on alcohol ink. I fell in love! During the pandemic, I had ample opportunity to play with art . . . and I was adopted by Roly Poly, a little dog. I thought these two things were unrelated until the stories started to emerge. After writing, illustrating, and publishing my first children’s book, The MOSTLY True Stories of Roly Poly’s Great Lake Adventures, I began to exhibit my artwork. What a thrill to be awarded “best of show” for my first ever submission to a group show! Since then, I’ve mounted several solo shows and participated in multiple group shows. My work is featured at Second Story Studio (Nashville, IN), Pillar Arts Alliance (Bloomington, IN) and Pillar By Hand Gallery (Bloomington, IN). These days, I teach alcohol ink workshops at Bloomington Fine Art Supply and Second Story Studio. Recently, I was awarded a Bloomington Arts Council grant to complete and publish my second children’s book.
© Gail Fairfield