The Pfister Project

Joe

Vernita

Clem

These are the three paintings I have going at the hotel. Essentially, the idea is that I am painting the employees that agree to sit for me.  So far, these three have.  You'd think more people would volunteer, but it's not true.  I've got more people interested now, but it took some work.  It is a time commitment because it takes about 20 hours of sitting in all, so I understand.  You can see more progress by clicking the link to the Pfister blog.

The Pearl Street Project

4-18-10

Here it is, the beginning of the next painting if the next neighbor, Carol.   It's coming along pretty smoothly, which always makes me weary.  I know it will go downhill at some point and I'll have to rescue it.  She's sitting in her parlor with the sun steaming in behind her which bleaches out everything and it makes me think that I'll stay kind of minimal with the heavy painting in order to keep the light feel.  I joke that she is seated on her throne and she says that she never thinks of herself in that way.  Carol loves to talk and give advice but not in a bossy way, she's gentle, honest and direct.  Her husband Keith hangs about and watches sometimes.  We'll see if he ever sits for a piece himself.  I have my doubts but I like having him around because he seems to know more about the Mississippi river and all the animals that live within it than anyone else I know.  I have so much to learn from him.

The Pearl Street Project

3-15-10

It's done! Actually it's been done for a week or so now but, here it is, the first painting of the Pearl Street Project.  I have so many good stories that need repeating from painting Chink, my closest neighbor.  If you see me, ask for one, I love telling them.  Chink couldn't believe I actually finished it, every time I chose to re-work an area, he'd get confused.... as if to think that once I put a layer of paint down, that was it for that spot.  When I worked back in to something, he's lecture me, saying that I "wasn't gaining anything today". And I would just let out a deep sigh and give him an evil look because honestly, sometimes that's how painting feels.

Good news, Chink introduced me to the next neighbors and they are both game, so I'll start on them soon.  It's so exciting when you hatch a plan and it actually starts to work!

The Pearl Street Project

update 3-2-10

So, I am almost done with this painting. I plan to be finished with the sittings by this coming Friday.  Chink is being a good sport.  We sat a listened to an interview with Michael Perry on NPR today and he ordered us a pizza.  I am trying to paint some gold finches outside the window at the feeders.  They were visiting us like crazy two weeks ago but of course, now that I need them, they are pretty sparse.  But they are slowly turning more golden as the weather warms which is refreshing.  I want to get the feeling of movement and elusiveness from them in the painting to play off of the steadiness of Chink.  He is a constant guy.

The Pearl Street Project

2-10-10

    I've decided to make up a new project for myself. It's been a while since I've tried to tackle a series of larger paintings.  My idea was to paint as many people that live on the block I partially reside on in Stoddard WI.  I am starting with the next store neighbor Chink (Eugene).  From there I will venture out to the other people that I don't know nearly as well. 

    I am spoiled because Chink is retired and we get along so well that I am welcomed to come into the house and paint anytime.  He never locks the door and I keep all of my painting supplies tucked up in his spare bedroom.  I am painting him in his room with his clothes hanging around him. I haven't decided what exactly to include yet so the surroundings are bare and I am just concentrating on him, how he sits and settles in to his chair, how he feels.... which is tricky.  It's hard for me to paint some one I care deeply about because I feel obligated to portray them in a positive, loving way.  Chink is elderly, he lives alone, he can appear to be isolated, which he really isn't but still it comes across that way. Everything in his room is old, sturdy, and worn down, like him.  I don't want to paint him as a person who has seen better days.  But sometimes when we sit, there are long terms of comfortable silence and his face settles into a state that says "Well, this is how it is".  But I still want to cushion him with my feelings of admiration so it doesn't seem so stark. We'll see how it goes..