{"id":4149,"date":"2016-04-02T20:04:25","date_gmt":"2016-04-03T00:04:25","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.dawnbanning.com\/newsblog\/?p=4149"},"modified":"2016-04-02T20:04:28","modified_gmt":"2016-04-03T00:04:28","slug":"mr-charles-questions-for-an-artist","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.dawnbanning.com\/newsblog\/mr-charles-questions-for-an-artist\/","title":{"rendered":"Mr. Charles & Questions for an Artist"},"content":{"rendered":"

It felt like a big mistake.<\/p>\n

This thought kept swirling in my mind as I stumbled thru the crowded Los Angeles airport.\u00a0Introverted shy girl from the Canadian north emerging in a crowded American airport was culture shock overload.<\/p>\n

\"new-moon-crop\"<\/a>\u00a0New Moon- original 8×10 oil avail for purchase.<\/p>\n

A week before my 21st<\/sup> January birthday I was traveling from the Yukon chasing a dream of youth; an adventure in the Mexican sun exploring Mayan ruins. \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0At the moment, bopping around like a pinball thru massive crowds of LAX, it felt like a mistake, arriving to this noisy swarm from the peaceful north.<\/p>\n

\"DSC05115\"<\/a>original canvas card w\/mat<\/p>\n

Seeking reprieve from the moving pack I searched desperately for a seat along the corridor teaming with people. \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0People were everywhere, lounging in chairs, on the floor, spilling out of gateways.<\/p>\n

My travel agent had warned me about safety. Pickpockets were rampant in LAX at the time. I needed a spot that looked peaceful and felt safe.<\/p>\n

Nearly an entire row of unoccupied seats appeared at a break along the passageway.\u00a0Dressed in sharp black suits with crisp white shirts, two gentlemen sat quietly in the middle of the row.\u00a0I heaved a sigh of relief.<\/p>\n

Normally, I would allow plenty of personal space, but I was overwhelmed and honestly, a little frightened.\u00a0Walking directly to the pair, (possibly a grandfather and grandson) I greeted the elderly man.\u00a0Would he be so kind to allow me to sit beside him? \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0He turned, dark glasses reflecting my harried look, offering me a brilliant smile. \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0His grandson, rather stoic, giving a barely perceptible nod, looked remarkably like the actor Quinton Aaron<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\u201cOf course\u201d the elderly man said.\u00a0His voice resonated gravely deep & rich in his slight frame.\u00a0A scent of fresh clean linen on a spring day drifted around him.\u00a0His gnarled hands rested gently on his lap.<\/p>\n

\"DSC05290\"<\/a>\u00a0New – experiment with colours left on\u00a0\u00a0palette- Sunset Swirl- 8×10 oil on canvas board- influenced by Simona Rosco of Fyreglas<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Relief washed over me the moment I sat down.\u00a0Have you ever been in a stranger\u2019s presence and felt an immediate\u00a0kinship & sense of comfort?\u00a0We discussed the masses of people swarming the airport.\u00a0His grandson watched the crowds, leaving us to our conversation.<\/p>\n

We sat for some time in relaxed silence, enjoying our island of peace in the chaos. \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0I remember how I felt in his company more than our conversation.\u00a0This gentle man radiated relaxed confident energy, and pure enthusiastic happiness.<\/p>\n

When it was time for\u00a0my connecting flight I bid them both a good day & farewell.\u00a0Walking away a young man ran up to me, abruptly grasping my shoulders exclaiming \u201cWhat did he say to you?!\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWho?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWHO??!! RAY CHARLES<\/em>!!!\u201d he said loudly.<\/p>\n

\u201cRay Charles?\u201d I said.<\/p>\n

His\u00a0arms dropped to his side while he stared incredulously at me.\u00a0The elderly man turned in my direction, an illuminating smile lighting his face.\u00a0I smiled back & walked away, leaving the oogling crowd\u00a0and Ray\u2019s bodyguard (not grandson) keeping people at bay.<\/p>\n

Friends cringe when I share this story. \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0\u201cIf only you had recognized him! Think of the questions you could have asked!!\u201d<\/p>\n

\"DSC04878\"<\/a>\"DSC04879\"<\/a>\"DSC04881\"<\/a>\u00a0custom canvas prep\/ arrival early Feb.<\/p>\n

\"dawn<\/a>\u00a0Completion & signing March 31.<\/p>\n

Mr. Charles and questions artists hear have been circling my mind recently.\u00a0While completing\u00a0the large commission last week \u201cGeorgia\u201d was one of the last four songs playing in my studio. After,\u00a0\u00a0I ruminated complex questions\u00a0posed to me recently in Calgary.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy this?\u201d an attendee asked me as he waved his hand to my landscape paintings.<\/p>\n

\"display\"<\/a><\/p>\n

A complicated question to answer in limited time.<\/p>\n

It stuck me with an\u00a0idea to share questions\u00a0I would ask an Artist.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Tip: Artists & Attendees at Exhibits: Please keep in mind other guests may want to engage an artist, be respectfully short.\u00a0Collect contact information, make a future date for discussion where you may enjoy conversation without interruption.<\/p>\n

Short questions suitable for an exhibit setting.<\/strong><\/p>\n

1)<\/strong> What other passions do you have? This gives you insight into the Artist\u2019s personality.<\/p>\n

2)<\/strong> Are you a full time Artist? (Do you hope to be?)<\/p>\n

3)<\/strong> What other mediums have you worked in?<\/p>\n

4)<\/strong> Do you have a website\/ business card\/ contact info.<\/p>\n

~ If time isn\u2019t an issue and other guests aren\u2019t disrupted I may ask:<\/strong><\/p>\n

1)<\/strong> What do you enjoy most about the work?<\/p>\n

2)<\/strong> How long have you been working at art?<\/p>\n

3)<\/strong> What are your goals with the work? (if not full time)<\/p>\n

4)<\/strong> What experiences have led you on this path to art?\u00a0– This is a fun question. You may be amazed at the inspiring stories.<\/p>\n

My response to the guest in Calgary who asked \u201cWhy This?\u201d\u00a0Short Version: \u201cIt\u2019s home\u201d<\/strong>. \u00a0Whether he realizes it or not, it\u2019s his too. :0)<\/p>\n

\"dawn<\/a>my brother & I<\/p>\n

P.S ~\u00a0As for Mr. Ray Charles, I wouldn\u2019t change a thing about our encounter.\u00a0If I had recognized him, I wouldn\u2019t have boldly asked to sit beside him.\u00a0I have a wonderful memory of a lovely man offering a young woman reprieve. I felt his magnetic personality and had a rare personal moment experiencing his kindness.\u00a0Recalling his deep voice, fresh scent, and radiant smile, my heart warms once again.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

It felt like a big mistake. This thought kept swirling in my mind as I stumbled thru the crowded Los Angeles airport.\u00a0Introverted shy girl from the Canadian north emerging in a crowded American airport was culture shock overload. \u00a0New Moon- … Continue reading →<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3,4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-4149","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-new-work","category-news"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.dawnbanning.com\/newsblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4149","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.dawnbanning.com\/newsblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.dawnbanning.com\/newsblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.dawnbanning.com\/newsblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.dawnbanning.com\/newsblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4149"}],"version-history":[{"count":20,"href":"http:\/\/www.dawnbanning.com\/newsblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4149\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4178,"href":"http:\/\/www.dawnbanning.com\/newsblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4149\/revisions\/4178"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"http:\/\/www.dawnbanning.com\/newsblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4149"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.dawnbanning.com\/newsblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4149"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"http:\/\/www.dawnbanning.com\/newsblog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4149"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}