Magical mystery tour of a different ilk

Photos

YankeeJim Trees aka James A. George, wc artist | Photo 02

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Artist's statement

I am announcing today a new artist’s statement. If you want to see a sample of my work, there are two watercolor cats at the Swiss Cottage Library in London that were a part of a show I had at Arlington Arts Center in Arlington Virginia a few years ago called Cat’s on the Washington Post. I painted a bunch of cats on the daily newspaper and placed them into a basket and referred to it as kitty litter. People liked the art and I nearly sold every piece in the show.

Patrons asked if I ever paint anything else, and I replied that my artist’s statement for this show restricted my work to cats on newspapers.

“Can you also paint dogs,” one person asked?

I winced and replied that I have the ability to paint dogs though I lack passion for them.

Last winter, I tried something different. I visited the home of a person that I have never met. I spent the night as a guest in the town of Bath England. I painted five paintings inspired by the lovely home and left them in various locations near their inspiration.

I discovered that examining a person’s surroundings can provide unique insight about them. I still have yet to meet this person who is a friend of a friend, though she has my paintings and through second hand communications I know they have been suitably framed. 

So, to repeat and expand the experience I have developed a new statement.

All summer long, I have been painting trees. Now, it is time for a new theme.

Home School

I paint watercolor sketches, fast paintings from portable watercolor kits of various types, often painted on    small paper though sometimes I am inspired to work larger. What I like to do with great passion is to visit a stranger’s house as an overnight guest while the resident is away.

I arrive in the late afternoon and begin at once to survey the residence to learn as much about the person living there as I can. Then, I produce paintings that are my impressions of the person and that leverage their artifacts as stimuli. Typically, I produce five paintings that I leave behind for my guests to discover upon their return after I have gone.

I spend the night in the home and try not to disturb anything, though I typically ask that a water kettle and cup and saucer are provided for my tea. I will bring my own snacks as well.

I request that no dogs be present, though I don’t mind a cat so long as the cat knows that I am working. Birds must be kept in cages too.

While I am there, I may paint a couple of paintings for my keeping. When I am finished your paintings are yours for hanging, showing, resale, or discarding as you wish.

I perform this work for a fixed fee established as my day rate. If international travel is required, I may request prorated expense sharing if there are other engagements in the vicinity. Sometimes, I negotiate expenses to the satisfaction of my client.

Party Painting

I sometimes paint at parties where I have been present as an incognito guest or as celebrity guest such as Rembrandt, for instance. Rembrandt didn’t work in my medium, but I am sometimes inspired by him in not so subtle ways. Discovery and enchantment are a part of the process.

My audiences and critics are throughout the world, though I am often their best kept secret.

Phillips Collection

You can see some of Georgia O’Keefe’s leaves here. She just did leaves. I do the entire tree and woods.