Ralph Strong
Art Entry: O-132 “Roman Market” Open Division, Spring Obsession
Acrylic 12” x 16”
I was always interested in drawing, but eventually decided
to follow an education toward engineering for reasons of practicality. I had taken only two classes in art at Solano
College in Suisun, California before beginning my career in engineering. A good deal of mechanical drawing was required
in both of my two engineering jobs. For
several years, I pretty much designed highway and water systems, including
creating engineering maps with pen and ink.
Eventually, computer aided drafting (CAD) replaced the ink work and a
dozen years later I retired. This work
experience, I think, had been chosen by myself to allow my early interest in
drawing to continue in the engineering venue, and has given my retirement
painting a certain technical accuracy approach, that now seems to me maybe a
bit restrictive, and less fluid or expressive.
On the other hand, the tedious nature of my work experience gave insight
in laying out a drawing or painting and more importantly, the patience to push through
difficulty and complete it.
After retirement, with the kids grown, my wife, Cathy, and I
spent a lot of time at our summer place in Groveland California just west of
Yosemite, where Cathy encouraged me to take some art lessons with Jim Leitzel,
a local artist who happened to have a lifetime in art and instruction. I found Jim and his style of teaching to be a
true find, and with my newfound retirement time, I plan to continue and enjoy
the experiences of painted art.
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