A resident ‘apple’ returns to art and sets up July show at Honeycomb Café

The apple didn’t fall far from the tree. Oh, sure, it rolled away a bit and in its own way changed the landscape. But it remained shaded by the branches that had once cradled it, and bore their indelible markings.

So it was with Daniel Island resident Ginny Paternite. Growing up as a fan of – and often model for – her artist father, it seemed she had a little watercolor in her blood. She was raised in upstate New York, and when it was time to further her studies as a young adult, it was no surprise that her dad encouraged her to attend art school. Conceding to a love of art, for its own sake as well as the connection to her dad, Paternite earned an undergraduate degree in art education from the University of Iowa and taught in Iowa and California for three years. But taking a bit of a turn with a Master’s in social studies education from Miami University in Ohio, she ventured on a 17-year path of teaching high school American history while raising three children. During what was largely a creative hiatus, her passion for painting bore little fruit.

It wasn’t until retirement and a relocation that Paternite was able to re-devote herself to the brush and canvas. She and husband Carl moved to Daniel Island, their “dream retirement location,” in 2011. Their children are grown (Ryan, 44, lives in South Orange, New Jersey and works as artistic director at Birdland Jazz Club in New York City; Erin, 38, lives in Oxford, Ohio and works as a child mental health researcher at Miami University; Meghan, 32, lives in Bluffton, South Carolina and is an ER physician at Beaufort Memorial Hospital), and seven beloved grandchildren are a bit of a commute from Charleston.

And so Paternite has gifted to herself a natural transition back to art. She has joined the Daniel Island Art Guild as well as two other local artist associations, has become a regular at area workshops, shows at events from the Blessing of the Fleet to the Mount Pleasant Arts Festival, and has ongoing exhibits in Charleston galleries. From landscapes and still life to portraits of people and pets, Paternite paints on pure inspiration as well as client commission. She is displaying at the Honeycomb Café in Daniel Island for the entire month of July, and we had the pleasure of chatting with her in advance of her set-up at the restaurant.

Jennifer Johnston: What art education did you glean from your dad versus your formal training? Can you point to a piece of advice your father gave you that hands-down trumps what you learned in the classroom?

Ginny Paternite: An art education degree prepares you to have a little bit of knowledge in a wide variety of artistic media: painting, printmaking, pottery, sculpture, photography, etc. I’ve always wanted to develop my oil painting skills because my dad was an oil painter and I grew up watching him paint, learning through his example. I’ve only had time to hone my skills since retiring five years ago. Since moving to Daniel Island, I’ve immersed myself in painting, taking classes and workshops, joining three artist guilds, and painting nearly every day. I think Dad would be proud!

JJ: Aside from your father, what artists did you grow up admiring? Who is hanging on your walls today?

GP: There are so many artists whose work I love, it’s hard to choose a favorite. I admire Winslow Homer’s marine paintings; Edward Hopper’s landscapes with architecture; Dutch artist Rien Poortvliet, a masterful painter of wildlife and pets; and contemporary American artists, such as impressionist Tom Nachreiner and portrait and figure artist Christopher Zhang. I wake up every morning to Hopper’s “The Lighthouse at Two Lights,” which hangs next to my bed. Of course, some of my dad’s paintings fill my walls, as well as my own!

JJ: On what, and with what, do you prefer to paint?

GP: I pretty much just do oil on canvas but have had some fun painting house portraits on slate as gifts for friends and family.

JJ: How important is it to you to capture the personality of the people or pets you paint? Can you share a secret or two about how you actually do that?

GP: It’s extremely important to capture a subject’s personality when doing a portrait. I like to use an interesting pose and include a personal item in the painting like a preferred item of clothing, hat, jewelry, etc. When I paint a pet portrait it’s fun to include a favorite toy. I also focus on the eyes, using lots of light and reflection.

JJ: Kids and pets (and sometimes adults) have difficulty sitting still, so how on earth do you paint a fidgety child or a squirmy animal?

GP: I paint from a photo or a composite of photos.

JJ: What are the benefits of being a member of the Daniel Island Art Guild? Does the feedback you receive from the art community impact your work differently than that from your customers?

GP: The Daniel Island Art Guild has given me the opportunity to meet some wonderful artists on Daniel Island and learn about exhibit opportunities on the island. I’m also a member of the Mount Pleasant Artist Guild and Charleston Artist Guild, where I exhibit at the CAG Gallery on East Bay Street downtown. I paint every Thursday morning with a group of terrific artists in the Mount Pleasant Artist Guild. We critique and help each other. Another set of knowledgeable eyes is always appreciated. I’ve won several recent awards at exhibitions and have sold several works at the CAG Gallery. All of this serves as valuable feedback and affirmation!

JJ: Will the pieces you are showing at the Honeycomb Café be offered for sale? What’s the best way for folks to contact you for commission work?

GP: Yes, most will be for sale. Some will not be for sale but are examples of the kind of commissioned work I do. Honeycomb has generously offered to accept payment if someone would like to purchase any piece. I’m happy to accept commissions for portraits, pet portraits, home portraits, or anything, really. In addition to the pieces on display at Honeycomb Cafe, all my work may be seen online at artistginnypaternite.com. I can be contacted at ginnypaternite@gmail.com for commission requests.

Daniel Island Publishing

225 Seven Farms Drive
Unit 108
Daniel Island, SC 29492 

Office Number: 843-856-1999
Fax Number: 843-856-8555

 

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