Are we painters or photographers?

[Patti Jo Lemke]

Hi everyone!

My name is Patti Jo and I just stumbled onto this group tonight and promptly joined! This is the first topic that I followed through all the way, as it is a subject that hits close to home. I have done portraits from life, but now I use a lot of photos because of the subject matter that I specialize in, which is Native Americans.

I do not have the luxury of having my models for the extended periods of time required to paint from life. Also, I like that I can go through my photo files at any time down through the years, and pull out a moment frozen in time, and all the memory of the moment floods back to me as if it were this morning!

I smell the smells, hear the sounds, and remember the conversations and the mood. Of course, needless to say, this is working from "my own" photographs! Working from a photo provided by a client, on the other hand, poses all the problems that so many of you have already elaborated on! Having knowledge of how photos distort perspective, proportions and color is very helpful, which is one reason I dropped most of my art classes while in college, to pursue photography for a couple years (besides the fact that I wasn't getting the painting and drawing knowledge I craved in my art classes).

I have NEVER been sorry, and have considered it one of the smartest things I did, as its advantages have given me many painting opportunities not available working from life. Other than that...you all have pretty much covered it, and I agree with it all! I do need to paint more often from life, as I have fallen away from it.

P.S. If you can tell me how to put in my paragraphs, I will be happy to do it. I am new to this whole computer thing, and I can't find the "return" key! I am thrilled to have found you and look forward to meeting you all!

Thanks,
Patti Jo