October's Artist:  Tim Pearson

Artist Statement:

"I had never really done much in the way of art at all until 2012.  I decided I wanted to teach myself to paint.  I “knew” I could never paint a human face so I did a few pieces with human bodies and animal faces.  Later I realized that my many years of doing theatrical makeup beginning in high school, was a great foundation for painting faces.  Same highlighting and shadows, but flat canvas instead of real person.  The canvas will sit perfectly still, unlike an actor going on stage in 30 minutes."

.

"I tried many different styles, techniques, mediums, and finding fun things to do with all of them.  I’m a little too messy to do much with oils, but they’re fun sometimes.  Acrylic is easiest for me, but I’ve played around with watercolor, alcohol inks, gouache, pastels, color pencils, if Blaine’s had it, I’d probably try it.  I’ve primarily painted for myself and mostly things that inspire or amuse me.  There’s nothing more fun than taking a few steps back and laughing at my progress.  That just encouraged me to paint more.  Friends would encourage me to show my work, but i figured plenty of people saw the paintings at home when we hosted concerts for a few different groups in town. Over time, that happened more and more.  “Tim I told my sister-in-law about your (insert random name here) painting and I brought her to the concert this time so she could see your art.”  I would think to myself… No, I just paint for my own pleasure and amusement.  No one wants to see that stuff. I’ll just stack them over here in the corner.  That answer wasn’t received very well so I told a few very  close friends I’d do my best to have some of my work hanging somewhere by the end of the year."

.

"I finally relented and said I’d try to get some of paintings that were stacked up in the basement (over 150 finished pieces) out somewhere to be seen.  And when Amanda asked me to think about a solo show I decided what the heck now is a good time as any.  That was a really hard decision for me.  I tried to pick from several different styles I’ve painted over the last few years.  I included some abstract pieces I’ve been working on lately, a couple of portraits, some geometric pieces, a few florals and some acrylic pours.  I often don’t plan too far ahead… some idea will pop into my head and I just run with it and do my best.  I most often paint from my own photographs or news photos of well known people and places. One thing that really opened my eyes was when my friend Chris Constant told me… Tim… an artist’s job is to SEE.  Don’t paint what you think, paint what you SEE!  Now I look back and forth and back and forth from reference photo to painting.  What do I see on this reference that is not yet on my painting.  That was great advice. The one thing that makes me a little emotional sometimes is when someone tells me that in a portrait I have captured the spirit of the person, their soul, or gotten that look in his eyes just right.  Man does that feel great!"

.

"I spent most of my life in the IT business climbing the corporate ladder as computer operator, programmer, and finally systems programmer at a publishing company.  In 1988 I started working  for a large software company that took me from Atlanta, to Long Island, and finally to San Francisco.  My job in IT imploded in. 2000 when the .COM bubble burst.  We moved to Anchorage in 2002  where I took a job working in the Planning Department for Public Transportation.  I retired early in 2017 after many back surgeries in a short time period.  Now I spend my free time painting, cooking, traveling, keeping up with the house, and trying my best to relax.  Relax… who has time for that?  I’ve got stuff to paint, places to go, foods to cook, flowers to plant…  I’ll get plenty of rest after my funeral."

.

"My latest projects have included cyanotype, silkscreen, and putting together crazy things out of leftovers parts and pieces. I still need to learn a lot more about watercolor, printmaking, painting techniques, color theory, and countless other things.  I’m always up for trying something new.  I might like it or I might not but I’ll never know until I try."

.

"I’m working hard on having confidence in my work and not being afraid to put it out there for anyone to see.  This has been a real stretch for me and I thank you for being a part of my first show."