GWS Summer 2007 Newsletter
Every Artist Has a Story
GWS Interview with Artist John McLean
(I met John at the Skip Lawrence workshop, and was taken with John's sense of adventure and humor. I think stories of other artists inspire us all. -Cathy Ehrler)
Cathy Ehrler: When did you begin your adventure with watercolor? John L. McLean: A caring art teacher at my high school in Belfast, Northern Ireland, introduced me to watercolor about 60 years ago. I was immediately hooked by this delightfully frustrating medium and set about trying to teach myself how to use it. You'd think that after so many years I'd have made more progress!CE How long have you been a member of GWS, and what was your motive to join?
JLM I've been a member for six or seven years. After retiring from a career in engineering, and moving to Georgia from Massachusetts, I had more time to paint and was anxious to meet and interact with other painters who enjoyed watercolor.
CE Tell us about your art education.
JLM My art education has come mostly from publications by Watson-Guptill and North Light Books. However, back in 1999 I took my first workshop, with Bob Wade from Australia, and it was such a rewarding experience that I have tried to take at least one workshop each year since then.
CE Who inspires you?
JLM I'm inspired by today's watercolor impressionists such as Trevor Chamberlain, John Yardley, Tony Couch, Judi Wagner, Bob Wade, David Taylor and Greg Allen.
CE Do you have a favorite subject matter and, if you so, how do you approach it?
JLM I'm attracted to landscape, especially if there is water in it. For many years I lived on the salt water, and sailed a lot on it, so the shoreline, marshes, docks and the associated watercraft have a special appeal for me. Now living in northwest Georgia I seek out rivers, lakes and even cattle ponds! I try to paint using suggestion and without too much detail, encouraging the viewers to fill in the gaps from their own personal experiences.
CE Tell us about your studio.
JLM For many years I painted at a makeshift table in the corner of a large bedroom. When I moved about nine years ago, I finished a 9' x 12' room in the basement for painting. At first it seemed so luxurious! Today I can hardly move around in it. Now I think I need something about three times the size.
CE What keeps you painting?
JLM I love the process of laying washes of color onto beautiful watercolor paper. I love the uncertainty of just how those washes are going to interact. And I love the anticipation that the new painting I'm starting is going to be simply beautiful!