The act of giving feedback, stepping into the mind of another artist and exercising that part of critical thinking, is different from critiquing one’s own work. I get this regularly from teaching, but Judy doesn’t, and she values using her brain in this way. It is a healthy way of shifting perspective and using one’s critical faculties in a different way. We are lucky to be able to help each other in this very specific way.
I will say we are nerdy. Oh, we geek out. Example: a conversation on the minutia of lead white vs. Flemish white, how much ropiness vs. tinting strength, Old Holland vs. Rublev. I covet her brush collection. She covets my . . . well, I don’t think she covets anything in my studio. She envies my speed and, at times, reckless execution. This leads to the issues of studio practice. She is a tidy painter, I am not. My studio is usually a mess. Hers is orderly. When we’ve had to share a studio, I think she suffers. The only thing that kept it working is that we like the same music and podcasts.
I imagine other figurative artist couples share similar stories. Shared interests and expertise keep the day to day interesting and rewarding. We rarely feel the artistic isolation that is inherent to the occupation of “painter.” I feel grateful when I consider how fortunate I am to have found a partner to truly share this journey with.
~ Kenny Harris (with Judy Nimtz’s approval)
Venice, California, May 31, 2018