I remember being a small child in England standing at a painting easel in my infants’ class. I don’t remember what I was trying to paint but do remember that the paint ran down the paper and I used the drip to create a painting different from that original intent. It must have worked really well as my next memory is the principal taking me and my painting to other classes to show the students.
I could always draw but at age eleven I chose to pursue an academic scholarship instead of art school. Life unfolded and professionally I pursued teaching and later Art Therapy, while continuing to paint and draw in the spaces between work. With the birth of the Internet I was so enthralled with interactive cyber work that I pursued an MFA in Computer Arts.
It is only during the last few years, as I have gradually moved away from screens and digital work, that I was introduced to water soluble oils. These recent images come from my participation in Professor Bob Tarrell’s painting courses.
I’ve spent a lot of time over the years either on or by Lake Wingra, so that became an easy choice for subject matter. Spider Lake appears here too. My family also appears as inspiration- my sister Theresa with her first grandchild, my brother Anthony in the kayak, the teapot carrying multiple family memories.
As I leave computer screens behind as my preferred medium, I am grateful to continue learning by applying paint to canvas – standing once more at my easel, attempting to reflect some of the beauty before my eyes.
Isabel Rafferty OP
Eagle Athletics