Delilah M, 13 x 13 inches, acrylic, oil and paper on maple panel.
GAUGUIN A STOCKBROKER?
IT may be a surprise to find out Paul Gauguin was a successful
stockbroker before he left that behind in favor of becoming
an artist. Paying bills is an unfortunate reality of life, even
for visionaries, but it is hard to imagine a personality that
can effectively bridge the gap between art and numbers and
balance sheets.
Very few people are able to put food on the table solely
through the production and sale of their artwork. To do so is
an achievement unto itself; a dividing line between those for
whom art is a hobby and those for whom it is a necessity of
life. Hutchins was already one of those fortunate few working,
successful artists when she picked up shop and moved to
Costa Rica.
Upon viewing her work, it should be no surprise to learn that
Hutchins has been a commissioned portraiture artist for many years.
By presenting colorful, vibrant close-ups that omit some of
the details in favor of atmosphere and feeling, she is able to
effectively capture the essence of her subjects, walking the line
between reality, atmosphere and feeling.
The notion that the eyes are windows to the soul immediately
comes to mind when viewing Hutchins’ artwork. With back-grounds
that are either completely blank or filled with playful
recurring elements from graphic art, there is nothing to distract
the viewer from the eyes or her exploration of light and shadow.
Not surprising given that she is a mom who made a leap to a
new country in support of her daughter, Hutchins’ work has an
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WBM june 2020