John Wakefield
In contrast to modern business practice, I believe that the process is just as important as the product. This means that the artist must use an aesthetically pleasing process in order to produce an aesthetically pleasing result. The subject must dictate the tonal form of the painting and the artist must analyse the essence of the subject that caught his attention and to capture that essence in his work.
In this way artists such as Chardin and Turner were able to describe the beauty of everyday things and communicate their wonder at the world about them. Their message is timeless and connects with our memories and emotions. If an artists eye is caught by a subject and the viewer of the painting is prompted to say "I have seen it like that!", then there has been a very special non verbal communication.
This also means that the artist must work from the subject and not be seduced in to making a copy from a photograph. This means working quickly in the field as the subject will change as you watch it, making it imperative that you distill its essence quickly and succinctly. A spin-off from this is that, when I review my work I recall all the sounds. smells and sensations that I experienced during my contact with the scene and if I am very lucky the viewer will identify with and enjoy that same experience.
John Wakefield is a tonal impressionist who works in oil on canvas.
John lives in Eltham, Victoria, Australia. To contact John email john@wakefield.id.au