Final Thoughts and How to Request A Painting

I hope you've enjoyed reading more about these two talented relatives, and seeing some of their artwork. Before we return to learning about our ancestors, here are a few final thoughts, and information on how to commission either Kim or Patti to create a painting for you!.

In thinking back on all of her experiences as a painter, Kim remembers one very special Christmas. Here's how Kim recalls the family get together:

"One year at a Christmas gathering, Mom painted Drew’s portrait from his one year birthday photo. When Heather opened the gift, she cried and cried. It was very touching and brought tears to every ones eyes."

The following year at another Christmas gathering, Grandma Bernice attended."

Recalling how much the portrait of Drew meant to her sister the year before, Kim had a special painting of her own to give out. She had a portrait of Grandma Kathleen for her mother. Kim continues, "She opened the painting and said, “Who’s this?” Needless to say, I was crushed. This was. after all, supposed to be her most favorite Grandma in the whole wide world (as she often tells us). As I stood there in disappointed disbelief, I look up to Grandma Bernice, who was now standing over Mom’s shoulder, stammering through tears, “That’s my mother!”" As it turns out, the painting was of a young Kathleen on a fishing trip, based on Bernice's memory.

Patti remembers one very difficult commission. It was for a man who wanted a painting of his childhood home-site. She recalls, "He gave me an old 1940 black & white 3 x 5 faded photo of a house far in the distance, with lots of hills and trees and dirt roads that I could barely make out. He then drew a map of that photo, showing me exactly the landmarks he wanted included: the family outhouse, the hay field he worked in, a creek that was not even visible in the photo, their chicken house, the path leading to his favorite play spot (also not visible), and their large garden area." What a challenge! "As I’ve previously mentioned, I can’t create anything without a reference and this painting made me very nervous. I e-mailed him progress points in the painting and each time he was very pleased but that experience really stressed me big time!"


Finally, if you would like either of these budding artists to create a painting for you, you can contact them directly, or send an e-mail to Steve, and he will put you in touch with them.


Above: A portait of Kim's daughter Kiano-Jo, by Patti

Learning about more than painting

In addition to learning, evaluating, and attending shows together, painting has give both Patti and Kim new opportunities into each other, and themselves.

Kim says, surprisingly, "I’ve learned that I can impress myself." She has set out goals, and achieved them. On top of that, she now has a number of awards, and compliments to bolster her confidence. But as her number one critic, she is satisfied with her work. Still, "At work and at school I set very high standards that are a challenge to meet. While those around me seem to be pleased with my work and I make A’s and B’s in school, I always feel I could have done better if... I approach a painting with the same set of high standards and expectations. However, when it is done and can step away to see it as a viewer I think, “Wow! I did that!"”

Patti agrees that her artwork brings a sense of satisfaction and joy. "I’m surprised to learn how enjoyable I find to be doing such a solitary hobby. It’s probably because my present job and my involvement with church and other activities, are so completely opposite to art and more stressful."

As to what they've learned about each other, Patti begins "I’ve learned Kimberly is so much fun to be with and also a great artist with a really good eye for detail. She always surprises me with the subject matter she picks. Last August she won 2nd place with a painting of a bull. I never would have picked a bull but she pulled it off and even sold it."

Kim says that Patti's nature is further revealed when they work together. "I’ve learned that Mom is good company. She laughs faster than she frowns. She is as interested in my paintings as she is in her own. She has great talent and joy for painting and it shows in her work. An art teacher once told me that a good artist can will a feeling onto the viewer through a painting. Mom wills happiness, joy, love and passion into every painting she creates."


Above: Kim's love of paintings is evident in her living room. Note: Patti painted their dog, Caesar, as a birthday gift for Kim's husband, Mike.

Memorable Photo Monday #7

Do you remember the wooden swing that Grandama Carson had in her yard? I do. However, I had forgotten that when it became old some in the family decided to replace it. This week's photo captures Kathy, watching her father Eddie assemble the replacement swing. If you look, you can still see the original in the background.

The photo was clearly taken in Brentwood, MD. My guess is that the year is about 1975.

Can anyone confirm the year? Does anyone recall the event (a wedding anniversary?) or who purchased the new swing? In another photo, Roy is shown helping Eddie put the final touches on the new swing.

The Joys of Painting

When asked to reflect on the reasons she paints, Patti responded, "I may never make a living as an artist or maybe I’ll be quite successful, but if you love to paint, you must paint. There’s really no other reason. The recognition is great and the money I get from a few commissions, but without that, I would still paint. The whole process is thoroughly engrossing and exciting."

Kim agrees, saying that she paints for "Sheer enjoyment, stress relief and the challenge to capture an image as I see it."

If you've read along, and have wondered if you too could tap into your creative side with a dash of paint on canvas, then Patti and Kim have some helpful words for you. First, says Kim, "Always remember that art is subjective, everyone knows how to critique it and EVERYONE has an opinion." Develop a bit of a thick skin, and remember that "Not everyone will like what you create. Don’t let harsh judgments deter you because judgment will be offered up without invitation." Instead, "Relish in praise and seek those people out in the beginning for encouragement. Take a beginners class, read books, practice, practice, practice and focus on moving one person: even if it’s you."

Patti adds, "I once saw this great quote “It’s never too late to do what you always wanted to do”. If you have the slightest desire, find a beginners art class and go."

For those of us who think we have no talent, or dismiss the possibility of success without even trying, Patti has this advice: "I actually feel that the idea of inborn "talent" has pretty much nothing to do with art success. I don't think I was born with any! If you can see and hold a brush, you have all the talent you need to become a good painter. The rest is persistence, practice, patience, etc., and you need those in very large measures."

Besides, you can start painting on a very modest budget. "You could get started with a basic kit of oil painting supplies for about $100." If you decide to pursue the art beyond that, you will find the investments much easier and enjoyable. But don't just go out and find a helpful salesman when you are ready to get more involved, instead, "if you’re serious, and willing to take a class, the instructors are usually very helpful in supplying a list of materials they prefer." If you feel more comfortable with advice from someone you know, Patti advises, "If anyone wants to just jump in like I did, e-mail me and I would be glad to give you a list." (Rather than posting her e-mail address on a public web-site, send Steve an e-mail and he can put you in touch with Patti).


Above: A sample portait, by Patti

Finishing Touches

A dab of blue here, a touch more white for that highlight, maybe one more curl in the child's hair. These are the finishing touches that turn an OK painting into something that a client will love, that a judge will select for an award. But, how do you know when you've put on that last finishing touch?

Patti admits "This is by far the hardest dilemma for an artist. Most never feel a painting is done. If I don’t get it out of my sight, there is always something I think needs fixing."

For Kim, "A painting is NEVER done." However, she sees this as a double edged sword. Kim recalls hearing about one artist who never considered his work complete. He would show up at museums where his work was on display and continue painting on them as if he were in his studio. He would tell the curator that the lighting or shadow just wasn’t right. That's one extreme. The other side of this quest for perfection is that continuing when you should have stopped: "I also believe that every artist has created a million dollar masterpiece once or twice in their life and then tweaked it into an ordinary painting."

Some artists include hidden messages, symbols, an image of themselves or some guy named Waldo in their work. What would you find if you looked really long and hard at a peice by Patti or Kim? "No hidden messages, but I did add a dragonfly to my signature", says Kim. She puts her first name as her signature, followed by the Roman Numeral year and her dragonfly in the lower right corner of the painting. On the back is the title of the painting, the month and year it was completed, and her full name. Patti keeps it very simple, signing her first name and the Roman Numeral year in the lower right-hand corner of her work. Because of the requirements of many of the art shows, she may begin adding the title to the back of the painting.

In the end, Kim believes that painting is about moving someone, even the artist. "A painting stirs the soul or it does not; it is beautiful in the beholders eye or it is not; it is for the viewer to know and the rest to guess what has moved them. My goal is to move someone even if it turns out to be me."


Above: Patti painted this image of her husband, Tim

Memorable Photo Monday #6 - With a Hint of Mystery

I am sometimes asked, after posting a note to the Carson Archives, "Who is that?" Typically it's a relative, removed once or twice, that the person has never met, or met only once, at a young age.

This week's photo is a collection of cousins from the 1994 family reunion, held at Jim and Debbie's home that may help you recall a name and a face. I can't identify everyone here, so please help by letting me know the missing names (or by correcting any mistakes).

UPDATED 19 JULY 2005: To correct names.

From left to right:
Erica, Daniel, Tami, Erin, Amber, Heather, Regina (red hair in front), Casey, Johnny, Thomas, William, Sarah, Steve, Alyse (bathing suit), Emma, Ashley (red shirt), Jennifer, Jim, Diane, Mark

How did I do? How did you do?

Putting Ideas on Canvas

In addition to ideas that occur to her, Patti has been hired by others to create a specific painting. Creating a painting based on someone else's mental vision brings on unique challenges. "Ideal for an artist is for clients to love the work they do and make purchases from their inventory. But mostly people have an idea of exactly what they want and either describe it or have photos they want copied exactly."

While it might seem somewhat easier to reproduce something exactly, based on an existing image, than to create from your imagination, artists are not usually motivated by fulfilling the job of a duplication machine. In addition, "Exactly is what is difficult for most artists who want to add their own artistic creativity & it’s hard to be creative when others are directing what they want in a painting." Lucky for Patti, her clients realize that part of why they hired her was her style. Patti continues, "Generally, of the ones that have commissioned work with me, most all have allowed me to add some of my own creative inventions to their requests or photos."

When painting for themselves, Kim and Patti each begin with an actual object or image, rather than purely from the imagination. Kim says, "I have to have reference material in order to create a painting. However, I always modify what I see to what I want it to be or I will use multiple references and merge them into one painting." Patti agrees, and adds, "I’m not one of those artists who can create from my own imagination. It was eye opening for me to find out there are only a very few artist who can even do this."


Above: Some of the paintings in Kim's studio

Step One... Inspiration.

Where does an idea come from? How do you take a concept and put it on canvas? When are you ever satisfied enough to say that it's done? These are a few of the questions that I recently asked Patti and Kim.

For Patti, inspiration comes from all around her. "I’m inspired many ways; I see a reflection on a vase, water or sunset and wonder “Can I capture that?” I see someone with an interesting face and wonder “Can I paint that expression?”"

Sometimes, when she gets an image in her head, it's not of matter of not being able to get it out, it's a matter of how to get it out. "This image begins to obsess me until I find a way to implement it within a painting. I paint it in my head; sketch it on paper, then finally on the canvas."

Once inspired, Patti does not discard her ideas, she stores them. "I have a folder of sketches and photos of things and people I want to do and constantly fear I’m running out of time to complete. Upper most on my list right now is a painting of Tim", her husband, "playing his guitar. It’s the one I want to enter in art shows this fall but one I haven’t started yet."

Sometimes your inspiration is tailored to your limitations, such as the lack of time. Kim says, "Recently, high contrast and bright colors are inspiring me. Portraits take a long time to do and when I have the time that is my preference. Since my painting time is limited, I need instant gratification to keep me interested so I select subjects that I can finish in a setting or two at the most."


Above: A portrait by Patti

Memorable Photo Monday #5

UPDATED 11 July 2005: To correct Joanne, Mary Anne, the year and to add comments about where they lived.

Here is a photo of the Carson family from when they lived in Oklahoma (but not yet in Oklahoma City). Kathleen would walk the children for miles to attend Heronville Elementary School, then return in the afternoon to meet them. The younger children would make the afternoon trip along with her.

Seated (left to right) are: Joanne, Kit, Bernice, Bernie.
Standing (left to right) are: Kathleen holding Mary Anne, Chester.

Based on the ages of the children, the photo was probably taken in about 1937/8.

Binges, Balance, and Discovery

Up early, grab a muffin and cup of coffee, off to the office, fight traffic to get home late, dinner, pay bills, return phone calls, check the latest Carson Archives updates... How in the world do Patti and Kim find time or the energy to paint?

Kim agrees that her daily schedule is already very full. "School and work get most of my attention, so painting happens when I have free unexhausted time." Eventually, though, that pend up energy has to be released. "I go on painting binges... I paint the most when I’m on a school break."

With the demands of a growing family, Patti had to carefully prioritize her time, and that meant she had little for painting. "I went a long time between when I first started painting to where I am now. About twenty years to be exact, as I was busy having babies and learning a trade for a “real job”." Her family is now grown, with children of their own, and she still has that "real job" that she trained for. But she has been able to squeeze in more artwork. "I paint every chance I can squeeze in. Sometimes I paint more because of commissioned work but even without that, I would paint often, just because I have to."

Now, Patti sees Kim trying to balance her developing life of work and school. But, as her classmate, show partner, and personal critic, Patti is also interested in when Kim has free time. Kim describes it this way: "Most parents are happy that their children are seeking a higher education; my Mother is in conflict, she goes from, “Are you getting good grades? Are you learning?” to “You know these classes are taking my painting buddy away from me! When are they over?”"


Above: A painting by Kim

Art Shows - The Give And Take

There are rewards and disappointments for Patti and Kim when they participate in art shows. Each has received first, second, and third place awards, honorable mentions, and cash awards. Patti has also sold a few of her works at art shows.

One show that Kim recalls occurred last year. Though only her second show, she won two third place ribbons; one in portraits and one in animals. She recalls that it was meaningful because, "There were so many entries. I was so excited to have won a ribbon with so much competition."

Patti specifically recalls being awarded the "People's Choice" in a show last fall when Kim also competed. It was for a painting of her grandson Drew, titled "Travelin Man". Looking back, Patti says, "This was my first clue that my style is sellable to the public. It means a lot to be judged worthy by other artist, but for the public to say they like my work was my first clue I may actually be able to sell a few." At the same show she also took home two first-place awards and sold a painting. She enjoyed having Kim in the same show, but adds, "Thankfully she wasn’t competing against me as she was in a different category."


Above: Patti's People's Choice Award Winner, "Travelin' Man"

Kim remembers her first show with mixed emotions. "My first show was a both awesome and disappointing. I swept the portraits winning first, second and third . . . so, how can that be disappointing? . . . there were only four entries!"


Above: Kim's Studio, showing some of her portrait work

Memorable Photo Monday #4

Many of you probably remember the family reunion of 1999, held here in Purcellville, Virginia.

Most of you can probably find yourselves in this group photo.

Judgment Days

Probably one of the hardest things to do in life is to ask for feedback. We all enjoy the positive kind, but it is tough ask for an honest assessment from people who have a lot of experience judging similar work by others.

For Patti, "I only had family telling me I was good, and I guess I was convinced they were just being nice. I remember many years ago, Aunt Joann asked me to paint her something and I was thrilled someone would want anything I would do." But what would a supposed expert say? Patti decided to find out. "In our area, there are juried art shows open to the public and many artist from the tri-state enter. The shows are judged by professional artists and I began to enter because I needed feedback from other artists who I felt would tell me if I really had any talent."


Above: One of Patti's paintings

Kim may have been pushed a bit. When asked how she made the foray into art competitions, she confessed, "Mom is responsible. She invited me over to a show that was rained out, so my first show was a wash. The following year, which was last year, she invited me again."

Next time, find out what happened to each of them, and what kind of feedback they have received from the experts, and others.


Above: A painting by Kim