My World
Bonnie Gangelhoff; Photos by David Cox
A visit with Kevin and Wanda Macpherson at their studio in Taos, NM
How would you describe your studio? Kevin: We bought our home from Ray Vinella in 1996. His studio was already here. I made a lot of changes—repainted, added bookcases and places for supplies. I lit it so we could hang paintings and it could be like a studio gallery. We call it Studio Escondido. Wanda: Our property abuts Carson National Forest.What are the benefits of sharing a studio? Wanda: I can get Kevin’s feedback. I try to listen to every detail so I can fix a painting or use that information for the next painting. And I use his computer. Kevin: I don’t know if there are any benefits. She always tries to make me neat.
Do you have a line drawn down the middle? Wanda: Most of the time I work outside. Last summer I painted a lot in our garden—the poppies and peonies.
What music do you play when you are both in the studio? Wanda: Cuban, classical, opera. Kevin plays rock. He plays some guy I’m not crazy about. Kevin: That’s Jimi Hendrix. A lot of times we have live bands come in too. Wanda: No, we don’t!
What inspires your work? Kevin: Travel. We have always loved to travel our whole married life. Being an artist, it helps to be in vacation mode. In familiar surroundings you take things for granted. In travel mode, we know we can’t paint it tomorrow. Travel fuels plein-air painting. Simply put, I am inspired by light and atmosphere. Wanda: I paint mostly when we travel. That’s my time because at home I handle Kevin’s business stuff. I started painting about 16 years ago. Prior to that, I helped Kevin with workshops.
What places around the globe have inspired you the most? Kevin: California, Maine, Ireland, France, and New Zealand.
What are some of the challenges of painting on location? Wanda: Kevin coined the phrase “complain-air painting.” Capturing nature’s elements and moods are the challenges, but nature also challenges us with wind, heat, and cold.
What is the most memorable experience you’ve had while painting on location? Wanda: We were painting by the side of a road in New Zealand, and Kevin’s pochade box blew over. He went down this big hill to get it, then proceeded to finish his painting. At the very end a livestock truck went by and sheep poop went up in the air and onto his painting! There were also places in Europe where Kevin and I were chased by people with pitchforks and guns.
What misconceptions does the average person have about plein-air painting? Kevin: Plein-air painting is a method; it is not a sign of quality. A painting has to go beyond a picture, beyond the mere documentation of facts. It must have emotional ingredients.
What are your biggest fears? Kevin: I used to have tons of them—fear of flying, seasickness, dogs, bees—but I’ve overcome them. Wanda: You still have a fear of bees. I have a fear of ladders. I don’t go under them, and I’m not crazy about getting on them.
What do you do when you’re not making art? Wanda: Golf, make silver jewelry, and knit. Kevin: Ski, golf, bike, and fly fish.
Where do you like to take people when they visit Taos? Kevin: We like to give them a map with all the highlights and say meet us at 5:00 for a drink!
Wanda Macpherson is represented by C.C. Gallagher, Catalina Island, CA; and www.wandamacpherson.com.
Kevin Macpherson is represented by Redfern Gallery, Laguna Beach, CA; Coleman Fine Art, Charleston, SC; www.kevinmacpherson.com.
Upcoming Shows
American Legacy: Our National Parks, The Haggin Museum, Stockton, CA, October 2-January 10, 2010.
Art America 2009, Westervelt Warner Museum of American Art, Tuscaloosa, AL, October 9-11.
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