RealLiveArtist

To describe myself and my art is to span a range of media, subjects, and techniques. I've used and enjoyed everything from pastels to oils, and created many illustrations, fine portraits, plein air day paintings, large studio paintings, and a lot of portrait commissions.

I'm one of those artists who has quite a bit of experience making art in public, where people can witness my paintings take shape. One of the joys of making art is sharing art, and while working in environments where people can see and speak with me, people often inquire about my materials, techniques, or intentions, and they want to share stories of art and artists that have meant something to them--such as telling me about their grandmother who never had a lesson. I usually love it and have no problem painting while chatting and hearing from interested and interesting people.

I like sharing what I've learned, and occasionally I teach classes, and always enjoy mentoring serious students. In fact, I'm completing a book about art, with practical tips and things most people never hear about nor consider.

ABOUT MY MONET CRITIQUE

I grew up with a decent reproduction of this famous Monet painting above. One hundred years after the French artist made it, it was hanging right over the TV console in our living room. Anytime we spent looking at the TV, this painting by Monet was in view, and so it was subconsciously ingrained into my psyche.

From an early age I was influenced by Monet. We share the same birthday, November 14, as does King Charles, something my mother was fond of telling me. I saw some other pictures by Monet, even was appointed to a committee at school to purchase a framed reproduction as a class gift, and we chose one of Monet's sailboat paintings, The Bridge at Argenteuil.

I was a prolific little artist, always drawing something, eagerly involved in any art activity at school or elsewhere. In fact, in the second grade I won a city wide poster contest sponsored by The Humane Society. My creation was crude, of course, and typical for a child, but empathetic and a sad illustration of abuse and neglect of a poor dog. I can still see the picture in my mind's eye, but I don't believe it was ever returned to me or my parents--I wish I had it!

After that minor victory (but it was a blue ribbon and certificate for my grade in all of Pittsburgh) I quickly became the class artist as well as the family artist. My theory about artistic development in children will come out later in my critiques, I don't want to get too far off track. Just please try to get the idea that I'm a grateful person and glad I got to develop my artistic talents and still get to paint, and Monet has always been a part of that!

Below and elsewhere are links to video chats I'll provide while examining Monet's paintings. Transcripts will be below the videos in YouTube. I'm just getting started with this project--stand by and check in often. Thanks! --JHA

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