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An interview with me, by me!
by JT Harding on 8/29/2010 12:47:06 PM
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1. What would you and others say are five of your personality pluses?
• Optimistic
• Dedicated
• Thoughtful
• Curious
• Innovative
2. What are the ten most interesting things you have done or that have happened to you that have contributed to your art career?
1. Learned how to paint portraits from Kerry Dunn, a student of Nelson Shanks
2. Was commissioned to paint my friends fathers portrait
3. Learned how to paint the effects of light using color from Jafang Lu, a student of Nelson Shanks
4. Did a business/marketing plan and launched my own website
5. Sold my first portrait for $50 bucks at a yard sale
6. Applied for and won an artist residency at the Cape Cod Art Association
7. Moved from Philadelphia to Massachusetts
8. Took a workshop with Cedric Egeli in Provincetown
9. Met Robert Douglas Hunter in person and I am now being coached by this great master
10. Sold my work into my first gallery on Cape Cod
3. How did you end up becoming an artist?
For as long as I remember, I have been an artist. When other kids played with GI Joes, I was copying pictures from how to draw books. Degreed in Visual Communications, I spent the first half of my career as a designer and art director for several Philadelphia advertising agencies. Like many people in 2009, I was laid off from my marketing job. Faced with a decision to go back to corporate America or paint full time, I chose the latter and haven’t looked back.
4. What do you like/love about being a painter?
I like the fact that I’m using my god-given talent so that others can enjoy the fruits of my labor. What I love is the places I’ve seen and the people I meet on my journey.
5. What projects are you working on right now, and why are you enthusiastic about them?
I am working on a Homage painting to the great contemporary painter Robert Douglas Hunter. This is exciting because it showcases my still life painting skills alongside one of the greatest still life painters of our time.
I’m painting 5 outdoor still life’s for a new Gallery on Cape Cod. This is my first gallery on Cape Cod and I think it will represent a good source of income.
Inspired by American Painter Frank Benson, I’m going to develop a series of figures against seascape backgrounds. The paintings will have a porthole-like frame to give them an added nautical feel. I’m excited about these because they will be first concerted series and they’ll help me grow by combining elements of all of my training to date.
6. What career successes (education, exhibitions, collections, . . . ) are you most proud of having accomplished?
Winning the artist in residence this year on Cape Cod was a great reinforcement that I’m on the right path and I believe will open up opportunities for me for my career.
7. What new art or business skills have you learned in the last year?
Art – I learned to paint the figure and portraits on the beach. This new skill enables me to paint less formal portraiture in outdoor settings.
Business – I’ve learned talent can only get me so far. To be successful, I must combine all of my business skills. This means marketing, networking, selling, and money management.
8. What professional and personal obstacles have you overcome to get where you are today? What essential lessons have you learned from any mistakes?
The biggest obstacle I have to overcome, is not reacting with fear to other people's irrational fears about artists not making money. I have seen, first hand, the great amounts of incomes living artists are making. These artists combine great skill development with great business and marketing practices.
9. What training/education have you completed, and what did you gain from those experiences?
Most of my last two years has been intensive workshops, with artist whom I admire. I then apply what I’ve learned with countless hours of color studies and finished painting.
10. What organizations are you associated with and in what ways? (member, officer, founder) How does each organization contribute to your art career or personal development?
Member of Portrait Society of America
Member of Lyme Art Association
Member of Oil Painters of America
Member of Arts Foundation of Cape Cod
Most of the benefits I receive from these organizations is awareness among collectors and my peers. I hope to get more involved in a select few and join a couple local organizations including the Guild of Boston Artists and The Copley Society.
11. How do you spend your time outside of the studio, including hobbies, interests, sports, family, and volunteer activities?
I like to spend time with family and friends, go boating, work out, bike, and read (books and trade magazines).
12. In what ways are you making a difference in people's lives?
Most of the feedback from collectors leads me to believe that they cherish viewing a one-of a kind painting in their homes. Their connection to the piece may be different than mine, but when they feel a special connection, that is all that counts.
I’m very proud of the fact that one of my coastal landscapes will be auctioned to benefit awareness and research for pre-screening of Ovarian Cancer.
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2010 Artist-in-Residence
by JT Harding on 6/12/2010 8:19:32 AM
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I just found out that I was awarded the 2010 Artist-in-Residence program at the Cape Cod Art Association in Barnstable, MA. The rigorous application process included current painting samples, a letter stating why you want the residency, two letters of recommendation, and a current Biography and Resume.
For the two-week residency starting in September, I will be expanding my knowledge of color and applying it to a series of landscapes and seascapes. The program includes living with a host family, critiques by two well-known artists (Joseph McGurl, and William R. Davis) and a gallery owner, plus a wet works exhibit. I'll be providing more information as it happens in my eNewsletter. You can subscribe here.
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Still Life infused with light and color
by JT Harding on 2/12/2010 9:22:27 AM
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Cubanelle & Red Wine Vinegar
2010, Oil on Canvas, 14 x 18"
This painting was started in 2009 and completed in January of 2010 in my latest workshop with instructor, Jafang Lu.
The workshop concentrated on achieving the effects of light on
objects. During the course, we progressed from simple to more complex
subjects. For our last study, we were instructed to bring objects from
home and set up a composition that appealed to us. I wanted to convey
the process of making homemade infused vinegar, so I fill an old bottle
with red wine vinegar and placed a colorful cubanelle pepper on the
table beside it. The blue drapery serves as a colorful backdrop and
helps to guide the eye into the central subject matter.
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Two works sold at First Annual Holiday Open Studio.
by JT Harding on 12/25/2009 12:59:57 PM
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Conched Out
2009, Oil on Canvas on Board, 12 x 12"
Fall Pumphouse @ Morris Arboretum
2009, Oil on Canvas on Board, 9 x 12"
Conched Out
2009, Oil on Canvas on Board, 12 x 12"
Thanks to everyone who joined me at my first Open Studio held on December 5th, 2009. It was an intimate group of friends and acquaintances talking about art and life and eating, drinking, and laughing.
Inviting people into the space where I create my original works allows people to get a better sense of the history behind my paintings and have a more meaningful experience with the artist.
It was also a great time for attendees to purchase art for the upcoming holidays. In fact, the two paintings featured in this post were purchased for this very reason.
I plan on having at least two open studios in 2010, so if you would like to be notified, just sign up for my eNewsletter using the link below.
Best wishes to everyone for a Happy Holiday!
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Artist adds Pet Portraits to service offerings.
by JT Harding on 12/14/2009 2:40:32 PM
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BoBo in Repose (Private Collection)
2009, Oil on Canvas on Board, 11 x 14"
(Signed upper left - Harding 09)
The willing subject in the painting above is my male cat BoBo. The painting was completed from a photo I took of him basking in the morning sun. Since pets don't sit still, I took a number of photos and selected the one that best represented his cattitude.
If you are interested in a portrait of your very own pet, please contact me for procedures and fees. Portraits start at $700 for an 11 x 14" painting like the one shown above.
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