Emily Passman
Mt. Vernon St. Gloucester, Acrylic on Canvas
What are your earliest memories of being artistic? Sitting at the kitchen table and “doing art” with my sister is a delicious memory. My mother would set us up with all the fun supplies surrounding us and no rules. Just to “do art”! It was freeing and so special.
When did art become a pursuit? After college, and after a short while as a 3rd grade teacher, I became a graphic designer and found that my passion for composition and creating needed to go further… I did love the technology of creating on the computer, but I think the smell of oil paint called me. I had studied painting for my first two years of college and knew that I needed to pursue it in a serious way.
Are you self-taught or formally educated in visual art? Both! My most formal training was in a junior college where I lucked-out and had a collection of design, painting and drawing teachers who had just come from the Museum School and were passionate about art. They taught me discipline, how to draw, and the art of “seeing” in a way that I had never known.
How did you first become involved with CAA? When I began to trust myself as an artist, I entered a show at CAA, was accepted and it really was an important step in taking myself seriously. I also went to one of the critiques offered by local gallerists, and found that I learned some great things about how others viewed my work. They were frank and helped me to remain serious and determined about it.
In what other ways are you involved in the local art community? I am involved in the arts in Lexington, and served on the Arts Council. I teach classes and workshops in local art associations, have become an artist member at Rockport Art, and have been accepted into the National Association of Women Artists. (NAWA). My studio is in a barn behind my home and most Fridays I facilitate other local artists who come and paint there, too.
Poolside, Oil on Paper
What role do you think the artist plays in society? Artists are advocates and set examples for expressing oneself visually to the world, stepping outside comfort zones, making things interesting and beautiful, and always work through their art for social change. Even if we do not think our work is making a difference, think again! Every time someone has a reaction to what we create, it is proof that what we make a difference. Children must begin at a very young age, to associate their creative process to being accepted and loved by society.
What medium do you currently work in and how did you choose this medium? I work in ink-sketching, oil, watercolor, and acrylic. I recently tried oil sticks for the first time and love them! I am driven to my medium of choice by many factors: the weather; (oil paint is way better than acrylic on a hot day outside!), traveling; (easier to take sketching materials than easels) and speed! Oil paint takes way longer to dry, but allows me to work into it for a longer time..I use them all, I love them all!
What is your creative process? Where are you finding ideas for your art these days? What I love the most is beauty in the ordinary…A “pretty scene” doesn’t do it for me…I like the grunge of an alley, as long as the light is creating deep shadows and gorgeous colors.
How do you choose your subject matter? Is there a reoccurring theme that carries throughout your work? Yes, buildings, urban grunge, boatyards, and old typewriters!
In your opinion, what’s your best/favorite piece you’ve made? Usually I feel that my favorite piece is the one I am working on at the time. As soon as it is done, gets sold, goes to a show or is given to a friend, I am no longer attached to it. I think my work is process vs product. I am not attached to the final piece. I am very attached to the process. If I had to choose a favorite piece, it was a large studio still-life, which now belongs to a collector. I think I aspire to reach something I had found in painting that piece. Maybe it was the freshness and immediacy of the brushstrokes.
Studio, Oil on Canvas
What is one of your artistic goals? My artistic goal is to paint with abandon…go as large as I envision, make brushstrokes without fear, and take color chances.
What’s your favorite place to see art? One of my favorite museums is the Phillip collection in Washington DC. Recently I went to the San Fransisco Museum of Modern Art and loved it. Local shows showing local artists is also very inspiring.
What living artists are you inspired by? David Hockney, Andrew Karnes, and many artists I have come to learn about through Instagram. I love Carlos San Millan, Jeremy Miranda, Gage Opdenbrouw, and Linda Christensen.
Do you own any art by other artists? My husband, Bill and I collect works by John Norment. I also have purchased art by local artists. I am happy to have purchased a piece by Charles Movalli and also by Moshe Rosenthalis.
See more Emily!
Website: www.emilypassman.com
Instagram: emilypassman