Saturday in the Studio – Terry MacDonald
In the Studio with Terry MacDonald
Even though both my father and sister were painters, I didn’t start painting until I retired after 30+ years in the broadcasting and advertising business. I started playing around with watercolors and took a few watercolor workshops. Then in about 2008 I took an acrylic workshop and found my true love. I still take occasional workshops from NW artists. I started showing and selling my work in 2011.
I love the entire creative process. The spark of an idea, getting my hands (and clothes and studio) dirty and colorful, the satisfaction of creating something new and exciting, or the challenge of the work not turning out as I see it in my minds eye. It can be exhausting, yet it never feels like work.
The power of observation. Becoming an artist has changed how I look at the world.
My Sta-Wet palette. I love being able to put out all the paint I want to use and then cover the palette and leave, come back hours or days later and be ready to start back where I left off.
Getting ready for shows, making labels, keeping track of inventory, bookkeeping, framing. I love to just paint and create. I know that’s all a necessary part of an art business, but feels like busy work. I do love however working at shows. I love the people contact after many hours and days of solitude in the studio.
Seeing a blank canvas or paper come to life with color, marks, movement. And I love it when one of the paintings I create gives joy to someone else. I just love the creative process.