New member from S.C.

MaryEllen Johnson · 04-04-2007, 06:46 PM

Hello, I am Mary Ellen Johnson and I am so happy to be able to be part of this forum. I attended Ringling School or Art and Design in the 80's, but became distracted from my art studies for too long. In the past year I have been painting full time searching for a focus of work. A trip to The Metropolitan Museum of Art clarified some things for me. The beautiful portraiture of John Singer Sargent and others was extremely moving for me. I loved figure and portrait work in the past so this is where I have decided to focus my study. I realize I have a hard road ahead to get to where I want to be, but I plan to work very hard figuring it all out. Looking around this forum, I think there will be invaluable help here.
Here is a couple of examples of my portraits and one figurative.

http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u...Johnson/bb.jpg
http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u...portrait-1.jpg
http://i170.photobucket.com/albums/u...nson/port1.jpg

Claudemir Bonfim · 04-04-2007, 08:20 PM

Hello there and welcome!

I liked the portrait of that lady in blue a lot!

Julie Deane · 04-04-2007, 09:17 PM

Welcome, fellow Ringling grad! I was there in the late 70's. Glad you're picking up the brush again!

MaryEllen Johnson · 04-05-2007, 06:58 AM

Thank you Claudemir.
Julie, it is always great to see Ringling Alumni! I am not a grad, I am sorry that I only made it 1/2 way to my BFA there. I left school to marry my husband, he was a graduate in 1988. I am trying to encourage him to pick up his brushes again as well.

Alexandra Tyng · 04-05-2007, 03:50 PM

Welcome, MaryEllen! I like your compositions very much, and I'm looking forward to your participation on the Forum. I have a feeling you have an interesting point of view.

Tammy Moore · 04-05-2007, 05:23 PM

I lived in SC for many years in Greenville, SC. I miss the foothills of the Smokeys.

Your work is terrific! Welcome.

Chris Saper · 04-05-2007, 10:54 PM

Dear Mary Ellen,

Welcome and I hope you enjoy participating!

Dan Landrie · 04-06-2007, 09:55 AM

Like you I also made a recent trip to the MET and was amazed by the scale and beauty of Sargent's Portraits. They would inspire anyone who has a love for portraiture. Welcome and you've found a wonderful place in this site, so many talented people willing to share their experience. Have fun!

Oh ya, nice paintings,

I also like the drapery on the girl in blue.

Thomasin Dewhurst · 04-06-2007, 12:06 PM

Welcome to the forum, Mary Ellen. It is nice to meet you.

MaryEllen Johnson · 04-07-2007, 09:24 AM

Thank you everyone for the welcome!
Dan, did you see the Americans in Paris exhibit? You are right, the beauty and scale of the portraits left me awestruck. I had no idea from looking in books just how large The Daughters of Edward Darley Boit really was.