Collaborative Painting and Artwork

By Lori Frary -
Most paintings and works of art are created alone, usually because it is considered such a personal endeavor. But the act of creating can be as (or more) exciting and dramatic than just one artist’s input. I am about to begin a series of collaborative works that will be created on the fly and not arranged prior to the effort in front of an audience.

This week marks a first at Frary Gallery when I work with Stuart Bailey (known as Stu-Art) from Miami to create a live painting. This will take place on Thursday, Dec. 2nd at the Rosemary Rising 6th Annual Holiday Walk in the Rosemary District.

Not only is it a first for me, but for him as well. We have two radically different styles and methods of approaching our work. My style is to jump in and begin and see what evolves. His is to plan… and do a layout… and make most of the decisions about what will fill the canvas prior to making the first stroke.

This should be an interesting and engaging episode not only for us, but for the audience as well. I have no fear that the end result will be a lively and fun experience for us and the art lovers in Sarasota who will show up to see what happens. Stuart is a little nervous, not only because he’s concerned that we will flop, but because he’ll be outside his comfort zone in many ways. I’m confident that we will produce an epic piece of work and that the entertainment value will be worth the effort.

Just in case though, I have asked a friend who is a very funny fellow to join us and do a play-by-play to keep it light and cover for the seriousness that making an art piece can become. For my part, I am going to be my inner child and have fun! I hope that feeling of being uninhibited will lead to freedom from the pressure of worrying about whether something will sell or if anyone else will like it. I don’t care usually and I certainly won’t care this time because it’s purely for entertainment.

Stay tuned and I’ll write a follow up and post a photo of the finished product next week!

* Photo Credit – “Shrine to the Paint Gods” by Frary