There’s a film called New York Stories, one of my favorites. The third segment opens with a washed-out artist, Nick Nolte, standing in the middle of his all-white SoHo loft. Whiter Shade of Pale by Procol Harum plays loudly as he tries to reboot his career, splashing paint onto a blank canvas.
In my next life, I imagine myself as this character: an artist in the process of creating—struggling and trying to figure out life’s twists and turns.
The Triad show opened last Friday at ArtCentric. Three incredibly talented women share a love of painting and the arts, and unfortunately, each is grieving the loss of a loved one. I sat with each of them and talked about their motivation for this particular show, their careers as artists, and what drives them to paint.
Engineers, doctors, and attorneys all introduce themselves upon graduation by their profession. That piece of paper grants them permission. But ask an artist when they first introduced themselves as “an artist,” and you’ll often see them grimacing, squirming, and feeling very uncomfortable.
I visited Sina March at her studio, a modest space within her beautiful home. Sina had lost her husband some time ago but often speaks of him. In fact, his “man cave” is hard to ignore around us as we talk—rows of canvas-wrapped frames, drawers full of paint organized by color, and an amazing collection of outdoor scenes: fields glowing in afternoon sun, lush green pastures, a couple walking hand in hand along a soft, undulating path.
She laughs and accuses me of not liking her “style.” I ask her when she first considered herself the “real deal,” a legitimate artist. Sina pauses, then smiles broadly as she shares that it was when she won the top prize at the prestigious Governor’s Show that she became comfortable introducing herself as an artist. In fact, she is quite comfortable describing the technical aspects of her craft.
She shares the challenge of plein air painting—the French term for painting outdoors, directly on location, to capture the immediate, changing light and atmosphere of a landscape rather than working in a studio. Because the sun does not stay still long enough to be painted, she uses a camera to capture a moment in time. Sina emphasizes her need to absolutely “feel the scene” in order to capture its true essence.
This Triad show pushed her daily habits, as she had taken a break from painting. But she is excited about the opportunity to reignite that passion. Indeed, she was beaming Friday night at the opening—an artist proud of her work.
Paula Weisz is the leader and creator of the Triad show. It is like her to not wait for opportunities but to create them. Very much an artist. I have known Paula for many years. Always a “straight shooter” with a wonderful laugh—not the typical artist personality you might expect. Highly organized, driven, but quiet.
Paula also paints. Her abstract style is evident. Not always a favorite of mine, and of course we joke about it. But I am the proud owner of a handful of her pieces—not cheap at all. Paula knows her worth and is proud of it.
Her studio is large and well organized, with distinct working areas. Her pieces combine shapes, colors, and textures that can make you see something different every time you look at them. I would venture to say blue is her favorite color. Between her art and the flowing dresses she often wears, Paula looks as if she is always moving through time.
She recently lost her mother, and for the first time I saw a more fragile side of her. Paula Weisz was president—and even treasurer—of the Wheat Ridge Art League and is constantly promoting more education for emerging local artists.
Paula could have easily mounted a solo show, but the connection she feels and the support she offers other artists is remarkable and a testament to her leadership in the art community. If you are thinking of launching a career in the arts—or just rebooting—there is no better mentor to seek.
I arrived at Carolyn’s house knowing how nervous she would be. She is not used to people coming over, nor is she used to talking about her craft. In fact, she made it clear within the first five minutes that she was not an “artist” but a painter. She feels strongly about that distinction: “It cuts out that second question about ‘what’s your medium.’”
Carolyn jokes about being kicked out of art class in school for talking too much. Embarrassed, she “never went back.” But at some point in adulthood, she returned to school and earned not only a bachelor’s degree in fine arts but later a master’s degree. She is, without question, legitimate.
She paints using oils and wax, mixing the two to create a striking three-dimensional effect. She works on wood that she sands, carves, and distresses, adding materials and texture into the surface.
This was an emotional conversation. We talked about rejection. Carolyn shared that when she applies to shows and is not selected, the disappointment never fully goes away. The feeling lingers.
Yet she feels deeply committed to every piece she creates. She keeps a notebook full of ideas, often sparked by lines of poetry that trigger emotion, from which colors emerge. She describes her process with the excitement of a scientist explaining a newly discovered formula.
Carolyn recently lost her son. Her eyes filled with tears as she spoke about how much more meaningful her art has become. His photographs sit near a window beside crystals that scatter sunlight throughout the room. Her studio is her refuge. She describes the excitement she feels walking down the hallway toward its door.
This show is another platform for her voice—not a competition or a revenue stream, but a statement of confidence. She is also thrilled about an upcoming residency in Ireland from May 22 to June 9. How exciting.
Friday night carried real electricity. All three artists arrived in jeans and dark tops, looking as though they had stepped out of a gritty gallery film scene. Their paintings were stunning. ArtCentric’s Russell did an exceptional job displaying the work across panels and exposed brick walls, giving each piece room to breathe and command attention.
As the evening went on, the room filled with friends, fans, and art lovers. The Neighborhood Gazette was proud to sponsor the event, and I was honored to interview these talented artists, share their stories, and celebrate their work. Even better, I am fortunate to call them friends.
