Master Painters of the World 107Sentient, watercolor, 14¼ x 15" (36 x 38 cm)
Dominique was a participant in a workshop I was presenting in Pont l’Abbe, Brittany, France. One day, during my lecture in the studio, I suddenly became aware of the
light and expression on her face. It was a moment—and with it I paused to take a couple of quick photographs. The resulting image was the inspiration for Sentient.
In this painting, I gave careful thought to where I placed Dominique in the picture, making use of the composition to enhance and accentuate her expression.I
began painting at age 40 and had
painted for several years before
realizing that to make meaningful
paintings; I had to care deeply about my
subject. It occurred to me I had been
drawn to people and faces all my life—
that I was a natural people watcher.
Yet, it was even later that I became
aware that I was not simply watchingpeople. My observation was a much
more sensory experience, one in which,
once having been drawn in by a person’s
outward facade, I was sometimes able
to perceive a defining essence, a brief
impression of their identity.
However, this is not something
I experience frequently. For instance,
I can sit in a coffee shop for severalhours, observe dozens of people
coming and going and only experience
this connection with one or two.
These experiences offer me a moment
of expression and emotion that I use
to say what I want to say with my
paintings.
When I can, I capture these
moments with my camera. Working