Spotlight
Sunday is series of interviews designed to introduce and highlight Chicago
Urban Sketchers individually. Now that our chapter has reached nearly 500
members it has become more of a challenge to meet every single member in person
and have a meaningful conversation. These posts concentrate on individuals
and speak in their own words.
Muriel Christensen
Interviewed by Alex Zonis
For
this week's Spotlight Sunday I interviewed Chicago sketcher Muriel Christensen.
I love Muriel’s sketches, portraits and her use of bold color. Thank you for
answering my questions, Muriel!
Alex: How did you first hear about the Urban
Sketchers community and what made you decide to join Urban Sketchers Chicago?
Muriel: On Facebook. I believe it was a pop up on
the recommended page. I decided to join since I wanted to enhance my drawing
skills. The best way is from live drawings and I'm not very comfortable doing
that alone in public, so why not join a group and sketch together. I also
wanted to do sketches other than portraits.
My husband is not a sketcher, but joins me
regularly, since he enjoys venturing out to the places that we did not know
exist. Maybe he'll pick up a sketchbook and a pencil one of these days.
Alex: When did you start sketching?
Muriel: I've been sketching and drawing since my
childhood, don't remember the age. But mainly portraits or people and mainly
from photos.
I remembered selling my sketches for 10 cents
(Burmese currency) in my first grade and gotten into trouble with their
parents. So, from first grade for sure.
I stopped sketching or doing art during my
adulthood, busy with schooling and raising family. But started doing it
seriously again after joining USK.
Alex: Funny about selling your sketches and getting in trouble! Did you have any formal training in
art, drawing or painting?
Muriel: Unfortunately, no. Do the workshops count? I
took several oil painting workshops at Palette and Chisel. My dad was a very
good cartoonist and was a professional artist when he was single, but gave it
up when he got married. His art only exists in my memory as all of his work was
destroyed in the fire in Burma. I did not learn much from him as his style was
more gestural, drawings which I foolishly did not appreciate at that time. He
gave me some pointers when I was young, but never encouraged me to go into art.
Not trying to be stereotype here, but I think this was a common thing in
Asian culture.
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| Elephants, Field Museum - Muriel Christensen |
Alex: What are your favorite subjects to sketch?
Muriel: I'm into portraits and figurative. People are
my favorite.
Alex: What are your favorite sketching tools?
Muriel: I've been experimenting with different tools.
For sketching, micron pens, markers but started using watercolor after
seeing several great watercolor sketches from USK members.
Alex: Do you have a website, blog or social media accounts where
people can see more of your work?
I also have a Facebook art page for friends to
view. Link to FB page is https://www.facebook.com/MACPortraits or the FB page is called Muriel Christensen Art.
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| Carousel horses, Architectural Artifacts - Muriel Christensen |
Alex: Does your regular “day” job involve drawing? Does drawing
help you in your life?
Muriel: No, I wish. My job is
mainly technical. I believe my drawing and artwork helps me release some of my
day-job stress. It helps in a therapeutic way. Drawing helps me to see things
and it helps me to appreciate every day ordinary objects. It is now my
visual journal or diary and I take the sketchbook wherever I go.
Alex: Thank you
for sharing, Muriel! I appreciate your time!
I enjoyed visiting your website! I'm a friend of your sister, April. Keep up the great work.
ReplyDeleteThanks Muriel, nice to get to know you a little through this interview. I like your line work, especially where you've added people to the sketch.
ReplyDelete