Blog
Reflections on My Artistic Life
The artists of the Olmsted Plein Air Invitational 2018 were asked to answer these questions about our artistic life and I thought those of you who follow my work might find my reflections interesting😊Virginia (Ginny) Fergus
1. Describe yourself in five words.
Curious, loyal, intuitive, empathetic, tenacious
2. What is your favorite color? Why?
White, as it is full of light and enhances all other colors
3. What is your style? How did you develop your style?
My style includes the harmonious and satisfying placement of many disparate shapes, colors, and values, and carries forth throughout my artwork, personal adornment, and environment. It has been with me always and become more apparent as time has gone by.
4. Three (3) people who influenced you
My dear parents, my grandmothers, my husband
5. What painting medium you cannot live without.
Watercolor
6. What Georgia locations are you looking forward to painting in 2018? And why? Freedom Park and the Carter Center as I have lived by and walked these areas for 30 years now and they bring me such peace of mind and respite in a very busy city.
7. Three (3) words to describe your work to someone who has never seen it.
Vibrant, engaging, distinctive
8. & 12. What is your pre-painting ritual? Take me through your routine in your painting.
Decide, often after much procrastination, I am going to paint and what and where, gather all my supplies and equipment and arrange them before me, study my subject and have my composition in mind in relation to my paper size and shape, and then thoughtfully place my first large shape in paint as it will determine the outcome of the rest of the painting. Then I continue to find my way with the painting, paying the most attention to the arrangement and juxtaposition of shapes on the page. I do not do any preliminary drawing or under drawing on the paper, so this process of forming the composition with major shapes of color can take a while. As the painting progresses I will feel myself abandon the outside world and begin to totally focus on marks and passages of paint that create a new and satisfying world in the painting.
I use color expressively throughout the process.
9. What does the word "sanctuary" mean to you?
Sanctuary means a place of quiet, acceptance, & safety where I can relax and think.
10. Who is your source of inspiration?
I do not have a singular source of inspiration, but several artists who have influenced me include Jimmy Lee Suddth, Henri Matisse, Winslow Homer, and David Hockney.
11. What is the role of your studio?
A catch-all for all my stuff! And a place I don't have to share with anyone.
13. Differentiate between being normal and being an artist.
As an artist I feel very thankful to be hyper aware of all the beauty and harmony found in the world and my God-given drive and ability to express that in my artwork.
14. Is happiness conducive to producing art?
I think producing the artwork creates the happiness.
15. How has success transformed you as an artist?
Since I have done outdoor art shows for 24 years and have had constant, direct feedback from patrons and collectors, I feel very connected to those kind folk who own and enjoy my paintings. These interactions and relationships are very gratifying and have inspired me to continue as an artist, and they give regular confirmation of my place and purpose in the world.
16. Do you find art to be a lonely occupation?
No, I like being alone and it is necessary for me to be alone to paint and grow. That being said, I have chosen a very public way to show and sell my work that affords me much time out in the world with all sorts of people in all sorts of places.
17. What inspired you to first pick up a paint brush?
Natural impulse, and then my maternal grandmother encouraged me from a very early age.
18. Does your color palette change with the seasons? How?
No, my color palette is extensive and I use the colors to express my visual and emotional reaction to my subject.
1. Describe yourself in five words.
Curious, loyal, intuitive, empathetic, tenacious
2. What is your favorite color? Why?
White, as it is full of light and enhances all other colors
3. What is your style? How did you develop your style?
My style includes the harmonious and satisfying placement of many disparate shapes, colors, and values, and carries forth throughout my artwork, personal adornment, and environment. It has been with me always and become more apparent as time has gone by.
4. Three (3) people who influenced you
My dear parents, my grandmothers, my husband
5. What painting medium you cannot live without.
Watercolor
6. What Georgia locations are you looking forward to painting in 2018? And why? Freedom Park and the Carter Center as I have lived by and walked these areas for 30 years now and they bring me such peace of mind and respite in a very busy city.
7. Three (3) words to describe your work to someone who has never seen it.
Vibrant, engaging, distinctive
8. & 12. What is your pre-painting ritual? Take me through your routine in your painting.
Decide, often after much procrastination, I am going to paint and what and where, gather all my supplies and equipment and arrange them before me, study my subject and have my composition in mind in relation to my paper size and shape, and then thoughtfully place my first large shape in paint as it will determine the outcome of the rest of the painting. Then I continue to find my way with the painting, paying the most attention to the arrangement and juxtaposition of shapes on the page. I do not do any preliminary drawing or under drawing on the paper, so this process of forming the composition with major shapes of color can take a while. As the painting progresses I will feel myself abandon the outside world and begin to totally focus on marks and passages of paint that create a new and satisfying world in the painting.
I use color expressively throughout the process.
9. What does the word "sanctuary" mean to you?
Sanctuary means a place of quiet, acceptance, & safety where I can relax and think.
10. Who is your source of inspiration?
I do not have a singular source of inspiration, but several artists who have influenced me include Jimmy Lee Suddth, Henri Matisse, Winslow Homer, and David Hockney.
11. What is the role of your studio?
A catch-all for all my stuff! And a place I don't have to share with anyone.
13. Differentiate between being normal and being an artist.
As an artist I feel very thankful to be hyper aware of all the beauty and harmony found in the world and my God-given drive and ability to express that in my artwork.
14. Is happiness conducive to producing art?
I think producing the artwork creates the happiness.
15. How has success transformed you as an artist?
Since I have done outdoor art shows for 24 years and have had constant, direct feedback from patrons and collectors, I feel very connected to those kind folk who own and enjoy my paintings. These interactions and relationships are very gratifying and have inspired me to continue as an artist, and they give regular confirmation of my place and purpose in the world.
16. Do you find art to be a lonely occupation?
No, I like being alone and it is necessary for me to be alone to paint and grow. That being said, I have chosen a very public way to show and sell my work that affords me much time out in the world with all sorts of people in all sorts of places.
17. What inspired you to first pick up a paint brush?
Natural impulse, and then my maternal grandmother encouraged me from a very early age.
18. Does your color palette change with the seasons? How?
No, my color palette is extensive and I use the colors to express my visual and emotional reaction to my subject.
