Lindsay
Lindsay in her studio
Carter Burden Gallery has been lucky to be exhibiting Lindsay's work since 2012. Lindsay is a remarkable artist with a rich history and unique style. Lindsay describes her artwork as folk expressionism, stemming from abstract expressionism. The title of Lindsay's exhibition is About New York. Throughout the day, she draws the people of New York from life and from her memory in her pocket sketchbook. When she returns to her studio, she redraws the pocket-sized sketch onto a larger piece of paper, such as 22" x 30". She then selects these larger drawings to inspire her paintings on canvas.
BH: What inspires you?
L: I am inspired by people - doing what they do - or don't do - in the parks, on the street, in restaurants, at their jobs, etc.
BH: What is your process?
L: My "process" is to frequent those places with my little (3"x5") sketchbook and pen. I'm in Abingdon Square or Jackson Square Park about once a week - or Starbucks - depending on the weather. When I get back to the studio I choose one of the day's drawings and do a large (22"x30") drawing. I always have an oil painting in process also - not usually from the same park drawing.
Lindsay in her studio
BH: What materials do you use and why?
L: The 22"x30" drawings are done on Bristol Board with graphite stick and acrylic (usually white) and often oil pastels or colored pencil. That enables me to let my idea unfold quickly and straight out, The oils are on canvas. I prepare a canvas first with a wash of acrylic color and then with white oil stick because I don't like to work on a smooth white surface.
BH: What artists do you look at?
L: Other artists I look at are - and have been - Egyptian art, Matisse, Alice Neal, Susan Rothenberg, Grace Hartigan. And, most important for me, folk and outsider artists.
BH: How has your work from the past shaped what you do now?
L: I've been involved with the figure in its environment - never portrait - since the beginning. I've tried to improve - and simplify that and - when working on the oils - to abstract it. I often go back into a painting I've done earlier and eliminate things that have become unnecessary. I like to work on several pieces at once so that I can keep my perspective on them and not get trapped by extraneous details.
BH: What work of art are you most proud of/excited about and why?
L: My very favorite are the drawings. I love the direct approach - the fact that so much can be said with a single line or color. And, since all of my drawings have titles, I can make a verbal statement or observation. In the oils it's mostly color - which I love - or I wouldn't do them. But the drawings - these big ones - do more to "complete the circle" for me.