When I was studying painting as a graduate student at UNCG we were treated to visits by several well known visiting artists. This was a great opportunity to learn from the masters in the field. One of the big names that made the rounds was John Walker, an English painter, and printmaker.
As a graduate student you could sign up for studio visits with the guest artists, a little one-on-one time for a personal critique. I scheduled a studio visit and got my work lined up for the critique. I’d been working hard so I was pretty curious how he would see my work. I’m sure I was hoping for a, “Wow, that’s impressive!” I mean, he was friends with Philip Guston after all so a positive affirmation would go a long way toward making my ego smile.
I remember greeting John with some small talk and wondering why a British accent makes art sound important. John looked at my work which was laid out on all the spaces I had and then he started stacking them up on top of each other on the biggest wall I had so that my paintings made a huge picture. Mr. Walker put his hand on his chin and said, “Now that’s a painting,” then he thanked me and left my studio.
I was left with my mouth hanging open and my mind popped. “Wow, he’s right,” I thought. I was excited, and I couldn’t wait to start a new painting.
On the way out that evening, I got a chance to talk to the other students about their studio visits. We all had one thing in common, John Walker had told each one of us the same thing.
So, this gallery grid is dedicated to John Walker, now that’s a painting.