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An Artist, An Influence

I have always loved Picasso’s woodcuts, Matisse’s paper cutouts, and Sommer Lichtner’s simple shapes that say so much.

“Yoga Red” is my favorite painting this year. I like it just for the painting itself and also for all the influences that shaped it. It’s got bits and pieces that are fond reminders of teachers and mentors.

Milt Kobayashi, an instructor at Scottsdale Artists’ School, known for his figurative work, showed me the importance of the design of the page. He also gave me the freedom to not to try to be “perfect.”

Many instructors at the Peninsula School of Art enlightened me along the way: Aaron Holland (really learning to see), Franne Dickinson (joy of color), Bonnie Paruch (temperature – for a while I actually fretted that I was color blind) and Lori Beringer (conveying a mood).

Everett Raymond Kinstler, Michael Shane Neal, and Dawn Whitelaw opened my heart to portraiture – and how to (try to) capture the essence of the person, that being even more true than capturing the likeness (although getting the likeness is a “given” or “must”).

Then there was the Kewaunee Academy of Fine Art with Craig Blietz. Lots of figure work!

Each workshop I took, took hold of me in a way that shaped my work. And I can see it come together in this painting.

It’s a journey, they say. It is taking me a long time to paint like me.

Buttons is an oil painter living just north of Sturgeon Bay. Currently two of her paintings are included in the invitational exhibit at the Miller Art Museum, “Sturgeon Bay: Past and Present.” She is represented by Fine Line Designs Gallery in Ephraim. To see more of her work, visit http://www.ArchelleArt.com.

The Peninsula Pulse has partnered with the Hardy Gallery to present the series, “An Artist, an Influence.” For more information about the Hardy, please call 920.854.2210, email [email protected], or visit http://www.thehardy.org.