Part Two in this series — Help along the way.
WARNING: You may experience bad paintings in this post.
If you have not read Part One, please visit:
There have been lots of happy meetings along my way. I’ve been incredibly lucky to wander into the studios, workshops, and random conversations with some of the most giving people in the art world. I want to share some of those stories with you. But before I go there, I have to talk about my husband, Mark.
If I had not met Mark, I would not be a painter. Period. Full-stop. There are many reasons for that. The one thing people find most curious is that, prior to our getting together, I had no clue that people actually made art. Seriously. Art was something you bought at Kirklands to decorate with and match your sofa. A lot of people still think that, or something very similar. There was no art in my childhood home. I had never been to a museum or an art show. Think of the first time you tasted something you did not even know existed — an exotic fruit on vacation, perhaps, or a new cocktail that soon became a staple in your list of things to love. He also introduced me to beer, but that’s a different topic altogether. I had a vague notion of commercial art. I watched Bewitched. Darrin Stephens was part of an ad agency, which seemed fascinating to me.
Of course, since that early encouragement, Mark has never once suggested I go back to graphic design or get another job. Financially, we were in a tough spot, of course, but he worked any job he could find. Emotionally, he has picked me up off the floor crying more times than I can count. He celebrates my successes and encourages me when I feel like giving up. He listens tirelessly about color, my self-doubt, and aching legs. Yes. I’m a lucky girl.
(Read more about those first, lean years and the decisions we made in Part One.)
Our kids have been supportive too. There is nothing more heartwarming than having your children say they are proud of you!
There are so many stories I could share. I will try to pick ones that are most meaningful or entertaining. In Part One, I mentioned Dawn Whitelaw. One of the many encouraging thoughts that come to mind is from a day we were out painting together. I was honestly a true beginner, and I was so embarrassed at how horrible my painting was. She said to me, and I’m paraphrasing, “Enjoy where you are. Your growth is happening in big leaps right now and often. Once you have been painting for years, those steps will be tiny and come more slowly. That can be discouraging. So really, enjoy where you are right now.” I have shared that same advice with my students through the years. It always seems to help.
All of the images of my paintings from those years are still in slide form. Luckily, I cannot share one with you here. Instead, I will treat you to one of my favorite portraits of hers. You’re welcome.
Early on, Dawn let me set up in her studio for a couple of weeks and just observe her. Honestly, I cannot believe she did that. It would make me nuts. Anyway, I sat very quietly, watched every color mixture and brushstroke, and rarely spoke. Toward the end of the two weeks, she told me to set up and paint too. Scared to death, I did so. She wasn’t teaching so much as she was observing my habits. As is true with most beginners, my paint was all but non-existent on my palette, brush, and canvas. On top of not using enough paint, I was using too much mineral spirits. Finally, at one point, she grabbed my brush from my hand and firmly told me to stop. That is the only time I ever remember her being tough with me. It made such a difference then, and it still does today. More paint, less turp… got it!
Because she and I have traveled so much together, I could do an entire series of funny stories. But I must move on here. Maybe another time.
Scott Christensen has been a big part of my life for more than 20 years. During that initial workshop with him, I learned so much, particularly about composition. I can still recall his teachings, almost word-for-word, and see him painting for us on a very large painting. He shared one of his first-ever plein air paintings with the class. We all felt encouraged. It was really bad. He let us go to his personal home one evening. That is when I decided that one day I would do the same with my students. In fact, after we built the studio, it was the first thing I did.
The only other time I got to study with Scott was when I organized a workshop with him for the American Impressionist Society in Carmel, California, in 2011. He broke some bad habits I had taught myself. It was great timing for me and where I was in my growth. Among many other things, I credit him with showing me how to “see,” especially the values in shadow, and how to lay down paint “like I mean it.”
Scott is my commiserating pal. I remember teaching a workshop in Easton, Maryland many years ago. There were a few mean girls in the class. And I am here to tell you, they were mean to ME, the instructor. At the end of class one day, I called Scott as soon as I could. I whined. He listened. I whined more. He agreed I should be upset, and he shared one of his own bad stories. I felt better. Another time I was teaching in Sedona, Arizona. There was a man in my class who kept quoting all the great things he learned while studying with (name-drop important male instructors here). One of the names he mentioned repeatedly was Scott. I called Scott and asked him about it. He had much to say about this guy, and none of it good. Yep. It’s a small world and instructors share horror stories. So be on good behavior! We are doing our best.
A year after the first workshop that I mentioned with Scott, I was accepted to my first Oil Painters of America National Juried Exhibition in Fredericksburg, Texas. (It would be six more years before being accepted to my second one.) Quang Ho was the judge. I knew of Quang’s work, but I had never met him. We were still on a very thin budget at the time. I did not have the funds to attend the entire OPA Convention or to stay more than one night at the hotel in Fredericksburg. I really wanted to go to the show and to hear Quang speak, and so I did. At Scott’s workshop, I had met Chuck and Mary Rawle of Windriver Arts. Chuck and Mary came for a visit when we still had our house. Because they knew Quang very well, they invited me to join them for lunch the day I was there. Oh my word. I was actually meeting Quang Ho! That was absolutely meant to be, and I swore then and there that I would study with him someday. Just after we sold the house, but before we moved to Italy, I did just that.
Quang used to have a studio in Cincinnati. I drove up for his workshop in 2007 and stayed at a hotel just before reaching the Ohio border. Hotels were cheaper on the Kentucky side of the bridge. By day two, I was sick as a dog with a high fever. I hung in the back of the room, staying away from everyone, and absorbed all my fevered brain could hold. He talked about different ways of thinking about a painting. Sometimes he started his demo wild and crazy; sometimes controlled; sometimes with phthalo green; sometimes with mud. WOW. Mind officially blown. World changed forever.
The year we returned from Italy, Quang came to teach in Nashville the first time. I took that workshop too. Honestly, I just wouldn’t leave him alone. In 2011 he was teaching in Tuscaloosa, Alabama and had a last-minute opening in his workshop. He kindly emailed me and said that if I could get there and reimburse the woman who had canceled for the cost of her room, I could attend for free. Generous man. Like Dawn, that workshop was the one and only time he ever grabbed a brush from my hand. He made a single mark on my canvas. I’ll never forget it, and I respect him so much for waiting until I would understand it to do it.
Eventually, I set up another workshop for Quang in Nashville and invited Dawn, Jim Richards, Anne Blair Brown, Roger Dale Brown, and some others. Heaven. For some time afterward, we held WWQD meetings (What would Quang do?) and, more than once, he joined us on Skype (remember Skype?) and offered input. We taught him the proper use of “ya’ll". I think it was a fair exchange.
For years I have taught what I lovingly call “Quang for Dummies.” His theories have become such a part of me, and, once filtered through my tiny brain, have become my own. There was a time working with him that I became incredibly frustrated. He was so much a part of my thoughts that I could barely hear my own. Finally, it happened. One day I was painting “Lori’s thoughts,” not Quang's. I texted him to thank him to say that, finally, I no longer cared what he thought. It was a joke, of course, but he replied, “Congratulations!” and a smiley face.
My friendship with Quang has continued to grow. I count him among my biggest influences and best friends.
Not long after it was published in 1997, I stumbled on Kevin Macpherson’s book, Fill Your Paintings with Light and Color, in a bookstore in Nashville. I did not know the term plein air at the time. I had no clue who Kevin was. I only knew that I loved what I saw inside this fabulous book and had to have it. It became my Bible. Once I eventually stumbled into Dawn’s life and plein air, of course, I was astounded to learn who Kevin was! Oh my word, I thought, he is the absolute most impressive being on the planet.
The first time I met Kevin, I thought I might faint. It was 2012. I was the Vice President of the American Impressionist Society, and we held the first Artists’ Symposium in Indianapolis in conjunction with the National Juried Exhibition that year. I was also the show chair and general minion for the event and, as such, volunteered to chauffeur Kevin around. I am fairly certain that I drooled the entire time.
Fast forward to a Plein Air Convention a few years later when we met again. I was still quite starstruck. He hugged me as if we were old friends. It made my year. lol.
In 2019, I went to Guatemala for the first time with Art Ambassador for a Colorful World. That is where I finally got to know him. I was still nervous, but that soon faded. What a nut! But that crazy guy is the most giving and caring person. He and I have traveled many times together since. We have taught workshops together. We have become great friends. He has stood by me during some incredibly difficult things and always done so with complete discretion and love.
Dawn, Scott, Quang, and Kevin all wrote introductions and kudos for the front of my book, Lori Putnam: So Far. Touched? Just a wee bit.
Other artists with whom I had the opportunity to study include Shane Neal, Camille Przewodek, Kim English, Roger Dale Brown, Ken Auster, Rob Liberace, and more. All gave me wonderful instruction and hope that I could learn. Many of them became good friends. I am grateful to all of them.
Yes, there have been plenty of folks over the years who were ready to tear me down, even ruin my career, but I do not dwell on those people. I think of these amazing gifts of human life as well as countless others who keep me steady even today.
Find those people. Be one of those people. Spread kindness. Give of your knowledge. Hang in there.
Next time, marketing and business. I hope you’ll stay tuned.
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