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Written by Ryan Tramonte Tuesday, 28 April 2009 10:05
A Round with Ryan
Very often I find myself craving a conversation with my cousin Carrie. You see, most of my days are unbelievably busy. I spend an enormous amount of time dealing with humans who are not taking enough antidepressants. And the ones that are taking enough, need to start washing those pills down with Grey Goose. 
There are very few people that possess the kind of gift that Carrie has. I would go so far as to say that where humans are concerned, she is a work of art. A classic piece, one that make you wish you could paint like that, or sculpt that smoothly. One that makes you wish you had thought about putting those colors together. One that has you standing in front of it for hours in a museum ignoring your watch and annoyed when it is time to go. Carrie is the kind of human that is unlike any other kind of human.
As is spoke to her, she explained that she has been setting up stage on the streets of the French Quarter and randomly painting the buildings and the architecture we see every day. Well, human score number one, if you can show me something I see every day, and make me see it differently, I am impressed. And there it was, the two buildings across the street from my office looking as if I had never seen them before. We spoke a little more and exchanged cards and I continued on my journey of meeting new faces for NewOrleans.Com. I was happier than when I look in the mirror on my best day. That happiness was the seed for my research. It was the next day that I received an email from Joan. She was saying how wonderful it was to meet me and if I would be so kind as to include her in my blog, but I was already on it. As I researched this lady, I began to find images that were not just well done, but were also inspirational. Her method of creating watercolor images with weight and heaviness is amazing. (“Blue House on Milan”) Here is what I mean. Far too often in watercolor, we see the artist make light strokes and translucent images. These images are so light that they reveal the pencil marks from the underlying sketches. In art school, when we are taught to use watercolor, we are taught that the there is a method to follow, this method must be obeyed, or your temperamental medium will rebel and you will be left with a soupy mess and buckling paper. Watercolor is the only medium that in art school and lessons, students are encouraged to abandon their creativity and follow the rules. Watercolor is a medium unlike any other medium. 
Joan is taking that unique medium and making it work for her. Her structures are solid and her images are complete, the buildings look and feel like buildings. You do not normally see through a wall. Why should you see through a wall, just because it is painted in watercolor? You shouldn’t. While her walls are solid and edged, the areas of foliage around them are as soft as if you could feel the plants themselves. This too is difficult, because Joan is giving you the same consistency in style and application, while using a different texture to create something that in real life is soft and delicate. This is noticeable in her floral work as well. (“Pink and Yellow Roses”) The flowers are soft and meet the background with a definite start and stop, but do not lose their delicate nature against a solid cement-like background. To take a medium that is as hard to maneuver as watercolor and make it look as if it is second-nature, is truly a talent.
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| Ryan Tramonte |
 Ryan Tramonte is the General Manager of French Art Network and Rue Royale Art Partners of New Orleans. With galleries in Carmel by the Sea, California; Santa Fe, New Mexico; New Orleans and Key West, Florida; the company’s family of galleries represents 54 artists from across the globe. With his office in the center of the French Quarter at 541 Royal Street, Ryan has managed to surround himself with some of the most beautiful aspects of New Orleans, its artists. Artists mold the way we think and live on a daily basis, they are one of society’s most prized possessions. Ryan, himself works in all mediums, but centers his work on painting and collage. |
joan your work is beautiful!
T.M. Andre'