Erin McGee Ferrell
Artist Statement 2010
My paintings are not created behind closed doors. They are created on the streets of Philadelphia and in the fields of South Jersey. I invite you to watch me work as I stand my easel on the Ben Franklin Bridge, the Art Museum steps, and on the sidewalks of the Italian Market. For me the process is as exciting as the product. Look for me in the crowded markets, the tourists’ destinations, and famous landmarks. While my adrenaline pumps, large colorful oils on canvas are created in these people rich places.
Some Artists have an image of how the finished canvas will look and they work toward that end. I see many possibilities for workable solutions. My finished paintings often surprise me. The process of layering paint and reworking line justify to my art making experience the value of persistence. Artistic maturation is having the experience to identify at what point the challenge is met.
Sharing my painting process with the public is a gift, not so much for the outcome but for the vulnerability of failure. The composition on my canvas may not work. The balance of line, color, and design may be horribly rendered… but you bore witness to my endeavor. I created a moment of pause and wonder in the business of the mundane.

Alex Onkow, a student at Tyler School, Temple University Philadelphia created this Video interview of me painting on the streets of Philadelphia. Check it out! Erin M Ferrell

Here is the link to it.

http://astro.temple.edu/~tub66955/erin.html