Face-to-face Paranoia?

The faint-of-heart need not apply for this position! But those who dare to step forward and take the leap reap great rewards!

I’m a hybrid artist, who spends lots of time painting in my studio, but also spends lots of time out of my studio with the public, painting-on-site. I’ve always loved to paint, as long as I can remember and I enjoy interacting with people.

Sharing a painting you’ve created with the public is definitely leaving yourself open to whatever people might decide to say about your work. “What is that exactly?” “Where did you get that idea?” “What it that supposed to be?” “Have you been painting long?” “Do you actually sell anything you paint?” “Did you have to go to school to learn how to paint that?” “What does that mean?”

Remember, painting-on-site is a creative process and exposing any of one’s precious creations to public criticism is terrifying, to say the very least! Truthfully, many artists just don’t have the stomach for painting-on-site. It’s the face-to-face thing.

Could the so called "benefits" of painting-on-site exceed the "liabilities" of possibly having one’s creative spirit squashed?

An artist friend of mine and I painted on site at Leu Gardens, (a 50-acre botanical oasis near downtown Orlando) a picture perfect place to paint. The garden’s patrons approached us with trepidation initially, but when they realized we were open to conversation, they relaxed.

Interestingly, I picked up their ideas, their energy and love of nature and incorporated everything into my images. All my paintings in the gardens became a compilation of memories. I’d look at a painting I’d painted from the gardens and say to myself, "That’s where that cute couple came up and started talking to us about planting their butterfly garden," or “"hat’s where that cute little girl started talking to me about how much she loves to draw horses."

My paintings became more than me! Each painting was infused with the energy of each person that interacted with me!

The Grand Bohemian Gallery (part of the Grand Bohemian Hotel Orlando) has been exceptionally good to me and my work. At one point, I was painting-on-site inside the gallery every Sunday during their Sunday brunch (their Sunday “Jazz Brunch” was listed “Best of Orlando” 2013, 2014 & 2015). Brunch goers would often browse through the gallery after their meal and gravitate to me painting-on-site in the gallery.

Everyone was in a happy, relaxed mood and opened up and shared their thoughts and feelings with me. Sometimes, the really special times, a young budding artist would come up to me reluctantly and share their vision of becoming an artist with me. I encouraged them, of course, but I also offered them the opportunity to paint with me on the painting I was working on. Most of them were hesitant, but I assured them it was “okay” to paint on my canvas with me. It was amazing to see their face as they added their paint stokes to mine.

Unheard of you say? A mistake? The few strokes meant the world to them and I was able to incorporate their work into mine making mine – well - fresher – less of the "old" me! A win-win situation!

The Grand Bohemian even sent me to one of their premium properties in St. Augustine, The Casa Monica Resort & Spa for my own show! I absolutely loved the hotel and having my own show in their incredible lobby exceeded my expectations - actually a dream come true! I loved painting-on-site and interacting with all the visitors staying at the hotel. The hotel’s clientele was entirely different from the visitors to the Orlando Grand Bohemian - so I was pulled out of my "element" even more so.

A friend of mine recommended me to paint-on-site at Micro Key Software’s Annual User’s Conference. I was really excited about the opportunity and everyone at the event was encouraged to "talk with artist," so I had an exciting evening!

One young budding artist captured my heart with her enthusiasm and skill at such a young age. To tell you the truth, she reminded me of me!

Throughout the evening, the attendees talked and painted with me! It was an amazing evening of fun and adventure that I’ll never forget. I "donated" the finished piece that everyone contributed to during the evening to Micro Key. I received a wonderful letter from Micro Key stating "It is evident from the feedback surveys, completed by the attendees, that the conference was a great success." "All of our attendees that had the opportunity to paint really enjoyed the experience. Thank you so much for sharing your talent."

So, if you’re presented with an opportunity to interact face-to-face, just remember, you can do it and you’ll be "better," for having shared the creative part of you with the public.