In television journalism, we paint pictures with our words and with compelling video to tell meaningful stories about important events and people's life experiences.
Well, this morning, I became a different kind of painter. I'm talkin' the real thing - canvas, brushes, oil paint and inspiration!
For the second year in a row, the good folks at the Uptown Association asked me to make a contribution to the Uptown Art Fair. They pair me with a local artist to create a piece that will be auctioned off at the art fair for a good cause.
My first question was this: why in the name of all that is true and just, would anyone actually purchase a piece of art that I somehow had a hand in creating?
Apparently, someone was interested.
Last year, with a lot of help from local jewelry-maker Linda Steinworth of Stillwater, I created a pair of earrings. It sold at the auction! "Wow," I thought to myself. "Could there be an artist lurking under this hardened reporter's skin?"
I shook that off and decided to stick with television.
But then, a year later, the Uptown Association came back. I guess I did something right :)
This year my artist partner (actually he's the incredible painter and I, merely the apprentice) is Dan Mackerman. His studio is in an old warehouse on University, six floors up and everything you'd expect - finished and unfinished canvases everywhere, tubes of paint, palettes smeared with colors he created, etc.
So, what would we paint?
Dan and I discussed it and after fully admitting to having not a single painting bone in my body, we thought 'abstract' would be the way to go.
And here's how it went: The empty, white canvas was a clean slate. I searched deep within for inspiration. We started adding color. Dan feverishly mixed and matched his oil paints, creating vibrant colors you'd never find in a tube. One brush stroke, then another. Use this brush. Try this one. What exactly is that shape supposed to be? Add your signature to the bottom...
And voila! Art a la Trish!
You can see the partly-finished painting on this page. I hope Dan is able to fix my mess before it goes on the auction block :) We left the masterpiece nameless. If you have any ideas, send them my way!
The piece will be auctioned off during the hours of the Uptown Art Fair, August 1-3 in the Suburban World Theater on Hennepin. It will be in silent auction format. The Uptown Association donates the money to different Minneapolis Public Schools depending on their needs.
I send many thanks to Dan Mackerman, a true professional and amazing artist. His patience with a novice was very much appreciated. Check out Dan's work at his website: Dan Mackerman Studio