Arlene Whiting

Artist Statement

I search for, first of all, an emotional connection with my subject, either people or animals. The first tentative brush strokes at the very start are usually the key to how I approach the subject. That represents my first spontaneous response to the subject and is key to the whole painting. Studying composition with the help of collage helped me to learn to design the whole canvas. Gesture drawing as described in the “Natural Way to Draw” by Nicolaides is the basis of how I approach drawing. I admire the great illustrators Bernie Fuchs and David Grow for their great draftsmanship and the wonderful evocative use of color.

p>The universal experience of family and the life of the community in general interests me and animates my brush.

Biography

I was born and raised in Southern California. While still a high-school student I attended Chouinard Art Institute on scholarship. After graduating from high school I attended Otis Art Institute in Los Angeles and received my BFA from the California College of Arts and Crafts in Oakland. I’ve studied privately with American Impressionists Jean Henry, Don Hatfield and Caroline Anderson.

The books by Dan McCaw and Richard Schmid have been invaluable.

My awards include:

Award of Excellence “Pow Wow” -, California State Fair 2016

Award of Excellence “Springboard Diving” – National Museum of Sports, Indiana University, 2016

First place, Marin Society of Artists Annual National Show 2018

First Place, Best and Brightest, Scottsdale Artists School 2017

First Place, Oil Painting Marin County Fair, 2018

I am represented by:

Richardson Gallery, Reno, Nevada

Alma Gilbert Gallery, Burlingame, California

Kertesz Galley, San Francisco, California

Art Medium(s)