When Art is in Your Blood
Three sibling artists – and one wife – who answered the creative call
Don, Bill, and Bob Perrish, along with Bob’s wife Sue, were kind enough to share their creative journeys, as both individual artists and as a family team — which eventually came to include a like-minded spouse.
"I was in grade school,” Bill Perrish told Artists on Art, “and I thought — as many my age did — that dinosaurs were the coolest. So, of course, I began drawing them.” Bill had watched his two older brothers Don and Bob exploring their creative sides through visual arts, and it was an entirely natural response for him to do the same. “As a child, I didn't know much about being an artist,” Bill said. “My two older brothers had talent so I just assumed it was the norm for everyone.”
All three siblings enjoyed the enthusiastic support of their parents, who though not artists themselves, had creative bents. They offered uncritical encouragement for every effort — from rudimentary crayon creations to increasingly sophisticated techniques and results. Bill soon turned from his crayon box to pencil drawings. “I thought I was doing alright until I saw my brothers doing something I hadn't tried yet. It was called shading, and it seemed to give a drawing a little depth. The first time I tried it for myself I was in awe with what I had done. I had just produced a masterpiece! It looked — to me anyway — like a photograph. I was proud.”
Bill’s transformation reached something of a watershed moment when at the age of 13 he happened across a magazine. “I opened [it],” Bill said, “and saw a photo of an actress named Brigitte Bardot — minus any clothes! I thought it was the most beautiful photo I had ever seen, and I was compelled to capture her on paper for myself. This became my new art interest and it’s how I started learning to draw people.”
Bill’s oldest brother Don had the benefit of being a bit of a trailblazer and observer of his siblings’ development as artists. Perhaps not surprisingly, they shared similar awakenings of the inscrutable creative impulse. “I can’t pinpoint how it all came about,” Don said, “but sometime back in the early fifties a blank sheet of paper and a pencil found its way to my table, and I was beckoned to fill it with images of the world around me. It was the beginning of what was to become a lifelong journey of expressing myself through art.”
Bill’s oldest brother Don had the benefit of being a bit of a trailblazer and observer of his siblings’ development as artists. Perhaps not surprisingly, they shared similar awakenings of the inscrutable creative impulse. “I can’t pinpoint how it all came about,” Don said, “but sometime back in the early fifties a blank sheet of paper and a pencil found its way to my table, and I was beckoned to fill it with images of the world around me. It was the beginning of what was to become a lifelong journey of expressing myself through art.”
As offspring of creative, encouraging parents, surrounded by media and subject matter calling out for creative interpretation, from an early age all three brothers considered “art” to be as natural a calling as any other. “There was nothing profound about it,” Don said, “we all just assumed that it was what we were supposed to be doing.”
Each brother explored a variety of media and surfaces during their early years. For a time Bill gravitated toward pen and ink pointillism. (“Tedious, but I didn’t really mind . . . I just figured somebody’s gotta do it.”)
Paintings on Levi’s jackets, Dali-esque fantasy, and airbrushed art on motorcycles and cars soon followed — every surface seemed to call out to be used as a canvas for Bill’s creative impulse. And it was the seventies — a time of unprecedented cultural expression, creating the perfect hothouse for the Perrish brothers to explore and thrive.
Encouraging words from supportive parents harmonized with the creative output from the three brothers, urging them to the next level: “[Our parents’ encouragement] was definitely a confidence builder,” Don said, “that eventually led to believing in oneself, with the knowledge that whatever we put into our artwork is what we would get back.”
Paintings on Levi’s jackets, Dali-esque fantasy, and airbrushed art on motorcycles and cars soon followed — every surface seemed to call out to be used as a canvas for Bill’s creative impulse. And it was the seventies — a time of unprecedented cultural expression, creating the perfect hothouse for the Perrish brothers to explore and thrive.
Encouraging words from supportive parents harmonized with the creative output from the three brothers, urging them to the next level: “[Our parents’ encouragement] was definitely a confidence builder,” Don said, “that eventually led to believing in oneself, with the knowledge that whatever we put into our artwork is what we would get back.”
Eventually, however, practicality reared its ugly head, and the brothers realized that if they were to continue their creative pursuits, they needed to produce work that was valuable enough to someone that it would actually support their chosen vocation.
When eldest brother Don felt the financial pinch, it led him down a different creative path. “Those were the best of times,” Don said. “Those were the brokest of times. And, it was about that time that I found myself playing music more and more.” But Bill and Bob stuck with their art, and things had at last started to break their way as well.
“While I was having a smooth brush with success in music,” Don said, “I watched my brothers having their smooth brush with success in the world of art.”
When eldest brother Don felt the financial pinch, it led him down a different creative path. “Those were the best of times,” Don said. “Those were the brokest of times. And, it was about that time that I found myself playing music more and more.” But Bill and Bob stuck with their art, and things had at last started to break their way as well.
“While I was having a smooth brush with success in music,” Don said, “I watched my brothers having their smooth brush with success in the world of art.”
Coming full circle, Don has been gravitating back to the visual arts: “Time has passed and though I still play music, I’ve been painting more and more for what now has become a lifetime. You can tell a good story in a song or you can tell a story in a good painting — two parallel universes of creativity and I get to tap-dance in and out of each of them.”
Bob was the first of the siblings to fully embrace the artist ethos. “On one hand he opted for the knee-length fringe leather jacket apparel,” brother Don said, “and with the other hand he’d raise a bottle of fine wine high above his oversized French beret. Soon, the word was out — a wild and crazy artist was on the loose; [he] began picking up art work all over metro Detroit.”
Don has a unique perspective on one of these classic “Bob” projects. “I remember the day Bob invited me downtown,” Don said, “to check out a mural he was painting on the exterior of the Leeland House, a 23-story high-rise in downtown Detroit. When I arrived and looked up, I gasped. Here was this human form about the size of an ant strapped in mountain climbing gear rappelling about 40 feet off the side of the building. As soon as I heard this primal scream that sounded like Tarzan, I muttered, ‘Oh my God, that’s my brother.’”
Bob was the first of the siblings to fully embrace the artist ethos. “On one hand he opted for the knee-length fringe leather jacket apparel,” brother Don said, “and with the other hand he’d raise a bottle of fine wine high above his oversized French beret. Soon, the word was out — a wild and crazy artist was on the loose; [he] began picking up art work all over metro Detroit.”
Don has a unique perspective on one of these classic “Bob” projects. “I remember the day Bob invited me downtown,” Don said, “to check out a mural he was painting on the exterior of the Leeland House, a 23-story high-rise in downtown Detroit. When I arrived and looked up, I gasped. Here was this human form about the size of an ant strapped in mountain climbing gear rappelling about 40 feet off the side of the building. As soon as I heard this primal scream that sounded like Tarzan, I muttered, ‘Oh my God, that’s my brother.’”
Although early choices in media and surface were similar, subject matter for middle brother Bob also included (perhaps not surprisingly) Mad Magazine. Along with his brothers, Bob noted the context of mutual encouragement and non-threatening sibling rivalry that marked their early years of creativity — and in many ways continues today. “We were always trying something new,” Bob said, “and looking over each other’s shoulders. Our family was very supportive and encouraging.”
Bob’s success on a variety of commissions, several of which were too big for him to handle alone, led to recurring fraternal collaboration. “There have been opportunities recently,” Bob said, “for the three of us to work together on large murals and supergraphics. It is such a pleasure to paint with my brothers, to spend time with each other in a creative environment and to share in the accomplishment.”
The three brothers worked on an American flag mural (above; 35 x 50 ft.) together. “A mutual friend of ours got this job doing an American flag on an industrial building,” Bill says. “With a picture of this size we needed to first draw out a grid on paper in order to reproduce it on to the building. The metal ripples on the building made for a bit of an obstacle that had to be overlooked, and I think we did pretty good.
"It took a couple of weeks and could have taken longer had it rained a lot but the weather couldn't have been better. It never got uncomfortably hot and we were on the north side of the building so we didn't get fried by the sun. Don and I didn't live very far from the site, and despite living about 20 miles away, Bob usually got there first.
"It took a couple of weeks and could have taken longer had it rained a lot but the weather couldn't have been better. It never got uncomfortably hot and we were on the north side of the building so we didn't get fried by the sun. Don and I didn't live very far from the site, and despite living about 20 miles away, Bob usually got there first.
"I could never understand people who voluntarily get up at the crack of dawn or earlier. I suppose that's because Don and I are night owls. I probably had way too much fun to be getting paid while working on this job but hey, someone has to do it.
"Once we had drawn it all out it was just a matter of sittin’ on a scaffold and proceed to basically do a paint-by-numbers kind of thing. After that was done, Don would do some spraying to the final blending of all the colors. I wish we were commissioned to do these more often, although I believe there is another one on the horizon . . . .”
"Once we had drawn it all out it was just a matter of sittin’ on a scaffold and proceed to basically do a paint-by-numbers kind of thing. After that was done, Don would do some spraying to the final blending of all the colors. I wish we were commissioned to do these more often, although I believe there is another one on the horizon . . . .”
Moving into these creative spheres by virtue of her marriage to Bob, Sue carries on the Perrish family tradition of encouragement of artistic expression, which has now evolved into a reciprocal relationship. “My wife Sue has always been supportive of my art,” Bob said, “and offers her opinions and responses to works in progress, which I value greatly, as I believe she sees with fresh eyes.
"Sue began drawing and painting less than five years ago and has progressed to a high level of accomplishment with her portraiture. She has learned so much in a short time and I take pleasure in helping her when she asks.”
"Sue began drawing and painting less than five years ago and has progressed to a high level of accomplishment with her portraiture. She has learned so much in a short time and I take pleasure in helping her when she asks.”
Like the Perrish brothers, Sue enjoyed a childhood of encouragement and creativity, in an environment rich with inspiration.
"I grew up surrounded by music and art,” Sue said. “My mother is a talented watercolor artist, and my father was a gifted woodworker. I was nurtured by classical music, curiosity, and creativity.”
"I grew up surrounded by music and art,” Sue said. “My mother is a talented watercolor artist, and my father was a gifted woodworker. I was nurtured by classical music, curiosity, and creativity.”
Bob and Sue were married in 1982, and Sue’s creative impulses went on something of a hiatus as the needs of a growing family took center stage. But soon those days drew to a close, and the door she thought was closed suddenly opened again.
“Over the years I longed for an artistic outlet,” Sue said, “but the business of life would get in the way, leaving its pursuit a ‘someday’ thing . . . . Then, on a quiet weekend in the summer of 2013 I picked up a pencil and started to draw. First an eye, then a nose, another eye, a mouth. The passion was immediate. I had found what I was searching for. In 2014 I began pastel painting, and this year picked up the paint brush. I am utterly and completely hooked.”
“Over the years I longed for an artistic outlet,” Sue said, “but the business of life would get in the way, leaving its pursuit a ‘someday’ thing . . . . Then, on a quiet weekend in the summer of 2013 I picked up a pencil and started to draw. First an eye, then a nose, another eye, a mouth. The passion was immediate. I had found what I was searching for. In 2014 I began pastel painting, and this year picked up the paint brush. I am utterly and completely hooked.”
Sue recognized even before marrying Bob that their marriage would include three partners — Bob, herself, and his art. “He would spend long hours stretching over days and weeks working on a painting or carving. I remember I’d go into his studio to say good night only to find him so involved that he wouldn’t know I was there.
"I’d think to myself, what is it that has so entirely captivated him? It seemed so tedious and monotonous to me, painting windswept stalks of wheat, or autumn leaves falling to the ground, or stray wisps of a woman’s long hair.”
"I’d think to myself, what is it that has so entirely captivated him? It seemed so tedious and monotonous to me, painting windswept stalks of wheat, or autumn leaves falling to the ground, or stray wisps of a woman’s long hair.”
“It wasn’t until I became an artist myself,” Sue said, “that I came to know and understand the passion and love that grabs you, heart and soul. When I’m painting and drawing I lose the world around me, just as my husband did so many years ago. When I’m not doing art I’m thinking about it, whether in conversation with Bob or my artist friends, reading a book or watching an instructional video.”
“I love our time painting together,” she continued. “Our mutual passion and love for art has bonded us in a profound way. We both understand how important it is to have the time and the emotional space to create. We try very hard to support each other in that regard.”
“There is a lot of discussion,” Bob says, “between my brothers, Sue, and myself as to what is coming up for each of us with competitions, exhibitions and commissions. It’s such a good thing to have that openness, especially in a field where most artists go through this solitary profession alone.”
The mysterious alchemy of the whole being greater than the sum of its parts is nowhere better illustrated than in the relationship of the Perrish brothers.
The mysterious alchemy of the whole being greater than the sum of its parts is nowhere better illustrated than in the relationship of the Perrish brothers.
“There has always been an underlying competitive nature that couldn’t be denied,” Don said. “I can’t tell you how many times my brothers have raised the bar of excellence by doing some kick-ass work. That just means I have to raise it a little higher on my next go-around. This competitive nature has followed us through the years and will always define aspects of our relationships here today. It’s all about creative, competitive, constructive criticism. We do it all the time now. It’s educational, it’s inspirational; I don’t know if it’s economical, but it works!”
Perhaps the name of their recent collective show says it best – the Perrish alchemy truly is "The Art of the Family. "
Perhaps the name of their recent collective show says it best – the Perrish alchemy truly is "The Art of the Family. "
ABOUT THE ARTISTS
About Don Perrish:
Don Perrish has been drawing, painting, and creating art most of his life. He studied at Center for Creative Studies in Detroit, which has led to a path of commercial art and fine art. "As an artist," Don says, "I am drawn to places where the threads of individual identities weave together into the fabric of community. My interest in these places stems from my concern for creating an art that responds to issues of my time and my belief that public art can play an active role in the creation and maintenance of community.
"Large projects are better served with the help and expertise of my brothers, who are equally talented and accomplished artists," Don says. "Working with them is invaluable."
Don Perrish has been drawing, painting, and creating art most of his life. He studied at Center for Creative Studies in Detroit, which has led to a path of commercial art and fine art. "As an artist," Don says, "I am drawn to places where the threads of individual identities weave together into the fabric of community. My interest in these places stems from my concern for creating an art that responds to issues of my time and my belief that public art can play an active role in the creation and maintenance of community.
"Large projects are better served with the help and expertise of my brothers, who are equally talented and accomplished artists," Don says. "Working with them is invaluable."
About Bill Perrish:
“The world we live in is full of countless subjects we can apply to our canvas, and as we turn our focus up towards the heavens we find the Universe unfolds its own display of beauty and wonder. With my own adaptations I have attempted to share some of these images.”
About Bob Perrish:
Bob (Robert) Perrish is an award-winning designer, sculptor, and painter whose love of nature is evident in everything he creates. This was first expressed through wildlife painting and sculpture, and has since evolved into an interest in representational landscapes.
Awards include Michigan Wildlife Artist of the Year, Ducks Unlimited Artist of the Year, as well as DU Carver of the Year three times, and 16 Best of Show awards in national and world carving competitions. His artwork and sculptures have appeared in national magazines, calendars, books, limited edition prints, and currently can be found in various art galleries throughout Michigan.
About Susan Perrish:
“I believe there is an intrinsic beauty in every human soul, and that our eyes, in expressing that, tell a unique and individual story. As I work on a portrait, I search for that story and try to capture it on the easel. I’ve found jewels in every painting, every drawing I’ve done.”
“The world we live in is full of countless subjects we can apply to our canvas, and as we turn our focus up towards the heavens we find the Universe unfolds its own display of beauty and wonder. With my own adaptations I have attempted to share some of these images.”
About Bob Perrish:
Bob (Robert) Perrish is an award-winning designer, sculptor, and painter whose love of nature is evident in everything he creates. This was first expressed through wildlife painting and sculpture, and has since evolved into an interest in representational landscapes.
Awards include Michigan Wildlife Artist of the Year, Ducks Unlimited Artist of the Year, as well as DU Carver of the Year three times, and 16 Best of Show awards in national and world carving competitions. His artwork and sculptures have appeared in national magazines, calendars, books, limited edition prints, and currently can be found in various art galleries throughout Michigan.
About Susan Perrish:
“I believe there is an intrinsic beauty in every human soul, and that our eyes, in expressing that, tell a unique and individual story. As I work on a portrait, I search for that story and try to capture it on the easel. I’ve found jewels in every painting, every drawing I’ve done.”
Artists On Art magazine ● July / August 2018 ● www.ArtistsOnArt.com