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Questions & Artists: Lynn Gilchrist

“Dog and Bird” by Lynn Gilchrist

I first met Lynn Gilchrist about eight years ago when I began what I now describe as the “endless journey” pursing painting. She, along with Sarah Bradley from the Artists Guild in Sturgeon Bay, gave me endless critiques and positive comments about my watercolors. I will never forget Lynn telling me, “Your paintings are good. Enter some shows and win some prizes.” I followed her advice.

Lynn has a website where you can see her current work. The address is lynngilchrist.com. Lynn has a solo show at Silver Lake College in Manitowoc starting Feb. 25 and running until March 25. If you have any questions regarding the show or her work, Lynn’s email address is [email protected].

Randy Rasmussen (RR): Lynn, what is your first remembrance of creating art?

Lynn Gilchrist (LG): Actually I remember back to kindergarten trying to complete an art project. I wanted it to be perfect and I had to take the project home to finish it.

RR: Where were you born and raised?

LG: I was born in Lake Forest, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. We lived in Lake Bluff, Illinois, an adjoining suburb. I was raised and grew up in Lake Bluff.

RR: Where did you go to college?

LG: I went to Oberlin College in Oberlin, Ohio. I received a fine arts degree emphasizing studio art and art history.

RR: Who do you remember giving you positive reinforcement for your early artistic endeavors?

LG: Definitely my parents and especially my mother. I remember my mother letting me sign up for an advanced life drawing class in high school. Remember, this was a few years ago and drawing a nude model was not something many parents would allow. It all worked out and it was a wonderful class.

“Path in Fish Creek” oil painting by Lynn Gilchrist

RR: Did you have a good high school art education?

LG: I did. I had one really great instructor who told me I should major in art in college. At the time I knew I wanted to do something creative and for a time considered writing. Maybe the positive input from my high school instructor had something to do with my chosen career.

RR: I know your work with pastels was outstanding but now you work primarily with oils. What led to the change in media?

LG: One thing that led to a change was my working increasingly on-site doing plein air paintings. Pastels for the most part are a fragile medium and the finished work has to be put under glass. I love the outdoors. I run, bike and cross country ski and it seems like with my personality, I am happier painting outside. Oil, I think, is a good medium for doing plein air painting. I am fortunate to paint with a great group of plein air painters and another thing I enjoy about painting outside in oil is the camaraderie.

RR: I know using pastels requires many colors. Since you now use oils, how many colors are on your current palette?

LG: I currently use two blues, two reds, two yellows and white. I had an instructor who told me to always have yellow ochre on my palette to “muddy” or tone down my colors. Many times it is on my palette.

RR: Over the years you have been painting in oils. Have you seen changes in your work?

LG: I, like so many painters, have tried to “loosen up.” I think my work today is less representational and maybe more spontaneous.

RR: I have seen your work. Would describing it as “contemporary expressionism” be appropriate?

LG: I think that would be a good description.

RR: What changes have you seen in the art world in the last 25 to 30 years?

“Liz, After Vincent” monotype by Lynn Gilchrist

LG: I see more mediums being used helped along by the advancement in technology. People can now reproduce their work with a wide variety of images. It is just my personal opinion but I do enjoy seeing original artwork.

RR: With your years of experience, what do you think is the future for fine art?

LG: I think there will always be a place for good art, whatever that may be. I think that art goes beyond just painting and can include performance art, sculpture, dance, music – anything that expresses the human spirit. I think humans have a deep need for art.

RR: Thank you.