Jim Enockson

I live in Saint Charles and off and on have been creating paintings for years.

Inspiration comes in many forms, even a flock of chimney swifts settling in for the night in a chimney from a defunct green house across the street from my home.

Using the books from our library I created a series of sketches and paintings to explore different types of art and learn the process. Some of these are outright copies from masters such as Modigliani or Van Gogh. Others are inspirations from such as Jasper Johns, Hirigami, or Jackson Pollack.

I had a conversation with my brother once and remarked that these are just copies of other artists works. He replied that there is nothing to be ashamed of in copying a master, that is how many artists learn their craft. I believe he may be on to something.

Attempting to copy a work takes great patience. I have also said that it is sometimes painful to accomplish a good copy. You want to cut corners and finish so bad, but you can’t. The details demand so much that shortcuts would throw away everything you already done.

I even found art in the form of old shelves used to hold stained parts for years in a wood shop. Add a tangle of lines and watch the deep patina of years of stains. You create that, but you can appreciate it.

3/2010

The Artist of the Month is on exhibit for the entire month at the St. Charles Public Library on the Mezzanine level. For further information: please contact Pam Salomone, 630-584-0076, ext. 246.