Artist's Statement
--Fairfield Porter
Painting is my way of trying to capture the places, settings and moments that provide a source of joy, a strong sense of memory, family, and travel. I am drawn to the play of color combined with a loose often-energetic painting style that is realistic but can border on abstraction.
The inspiration for many of my oil paintings has been summers spent in northwestern Wisconsin. Recently, the woods in winter have stirred a whole new color palette and awakened an awareness of the amazing blue-purple color of shadows falling on fresh snow.
There is a group of small paintings that are done in gouache. The medium is water based, workable and dries quickly allowing me to paint outside and on the go. It is my way to consider this little moment in life. I’m always on the lookout for that special tree, field or roadway that will capture the mood and place I’m in.
Seashells come our way by happy accident on a stroll down the beach. Making a painting with watercolors is a way to keep them, and then bring them back to the shore and watch as they tumble away.
It is my hope that although your places may be different than mine, that the woods, the roads and the fields I have painted will bring you a sense of freedom, travel and the comfort of coming home.
--Sandra Campbell
Sandra Campbell received a Ph.D. in Education and her dissertation was a visual exploration of high school documented by her students at Oak Park and River Forest High School. Sandra is an artist and teacher; she enjoys making her own work and guiding others to find their visual voice.
Sandra has studied art at Illinois State University, The University of Illinois at Chicago and the Art Institute of Chicago