Waterlilies CMA
12×12 inches
Acrylic on cradled panel
©2019 Lucinda Howe

Recently I was one of several artists invited to paint during a corporate event at Columbia (South Carolina) Museum of Art. This was not a plein air competition like I did in Black Mountain. We would paint indoors and would be part of the entertainment. It’s a bit out of my comfort zone to paint with people watching and asking questions, so I hesitated at first. But I realized that it would be an opportunity for people to see my process and to gain a better understanding of my art.

The logistics were different from painting outdoors or in my studio. I was taking my portable easel and painting tools, but the lighting and subject matter would be unpredictable. I also wanted to paint familiar subject matter because I expected that I wouldn’t be able to concentrate. I drew the basic shapes of waterlilies and an agave on my boards before going to the museum.

Once I arrived, I selected a place on the mezzanine level under a light. I put one side of my easel next to a wall to minimize the chance of someone tripping over the legs of my easel.

There was a large crowd of guests, so I had to be prepared for conversation. People asked about what kind of paint or how long it took to paint that. I tried to answer some unasked “why” questions. For example why do I use acrylics (because they dry fast and they clean up with water). Why do I paint waterlilies? (I like the pleaceful feel of the floating lilies and the rhythm of the oval shapes and ripples in the water.) Why do I use a red underpainting (It creates vibration against the blues and greens of the landscape).

During the evening, I completed the painting, but felt that it was more about the process than the result.

Have you talked to a painter doing a demonstration? Do you feel more connected to the work if you hear the painter talk about the process? What questions would you ask?

If you’re a painter, do you feel comfortable talking to bystanders?