We spotlight members of the Chestnut Group to learn more about who they are and their experience.
Sarah Clinton
Treasurer
www.sarahclintonart.com
Where do you live? Where is your home town?: I moved to Nashville in 2009. I grew up in New England, but I graduated from HS in Portland, ME so I still think of it as my home town.
How long have you been a Chestnut?: 1-5 years
Are you a full-time, half-time, or hobbyist painter? it depends on the time of year!
What attracted you to painting? Even when it is a struggle, it is a good struggle. Most of the time, it makes me feel better.
Why did you want to become a Chestnut? The artists in some of the first community art classes I took in Nashville recommended it (I think it was Ed Routon or Mike Sowers or Gayle Levee) They all probably talked about it at some point. When I started to devote more of my time to painting, I knew it was a good time to join. And there was a “Paint Your Heart Out” session with Trey Finney using Gouache, which I had just started to experiment with at the time.
What do you like most about being a Chestnut? It is a really supportive community of artists- and I like that it spans from the most professional artists with all the accolades in the industry, to beginner hobbyists. The shared mission of supporting our parks, preserving the landscape in TN, and the experience of attempting to capture it in 2 dimensions brings everyone together.
What are/have been your most favorite places to paint? Lockeland Springs Park last spring. Who knew it was the site of a bottled “healthy” spring water company at the turn of the century (winning a grand prize at the world’s fair in 1904!?) Another cool thing to look for is the circular saw blade imbedded high in one of the trees there, left from a previous tornado (before 2020).
We want to know a little about you: What are your favorite things to do? places to visit? Nashville/Franklin/TN restaurants? coffee shops? stores? markets? authors? books? podcasts? I love to travel (next stop- DC- get me to that portrait gallery!), try different foods (anything I don’t have to make!), hike different landscapes. I like musicals (Hadestown is my most recent love) and pretty much any live music. “Creative pep talk” is a podcast I enjoy listening to either while I paint or walk the dog. I also enjoy listening to art podcasts and hearing artists I admire talk about their work. John Dalton’s interview with Michelle Doll was one that stuck with me. I was actually interviewed in the “Artmamas podcast” in October and I talk about the Chestnut Group (briefly) in it! Here is the link: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/art-mamas-podcast/id1610399039
What is the best advice as an artist that you have ever received? Paint every day!
Ashleigh Suarez
Recording Secretary
www.asuarezart.com
Where do you live? Where is your home town?: Nashville, TN
How long have you been a Chestnut?: 5-10 years
Are you a full-time, half-time, or hobbyist painter? Half-time
Why did you want to become a Chestnut? The opportunity to meet like-minded individuals with a passion for painting from life. Having a group like this is rare and it’s been such a gift. I’ve met the most amazing artists and built some life-long friendships, while acquiring incredible artistic instruction and generally wisdom to help carry me through this life I’m creating 🙂
What is your favorite Chestnut memory? Omg. So hard to pick a favorite memory! My mind immediately conjures laughing so hard my face hurts over some witty comment from Bitsy King…I often feel I’m chatting with an older, wiser, and much funnier version of myself when it comes to Bitsy. She reminds me of how much I have to look forward to :). I love how each member I form a friendship with shifts my perspective somehow. The Chestnut members are some of the funniest, most wise people I know.
What are/have been your most favorite places to paint? Radnor is definitely my favorite local spot both for its beauty and accessibility. Montana has been my most favorite destination paint spot…so far 😉
We want to know a little about you: What are your favorite things to do? places to visit? Nashville/Franklin/TN restaurants? coffee shops? stores? markets? authors? books? podcasts?
I’m a big fan of Frothy Monkey but you’ll also find me at The Well, by Lipscomb. I like to go where I can sip coffee and people watch. I’ll often bring along my sketch book and either doodle or draw others sipping their coffee. I find connection with others in that silent exchange. I’m not a huge go out on the town type although I do go wild a handful of times a year and those usually involve A LOT of dancing. But for the most part, I love a good evening gathering with a small group of friends on my porch, a charcuterie board and a nice fire. And laughter. I have to have the laughter.
What is the best advice as an artist that you have ever received? You ALWAYS have 15 mins a day to devote to art. Whether it’s a simple sketch before bed, journaling about your creative journey, cleaning your palette, brushes, or studio, packing your plein air pack so you’re ready to paint in a moments notice…these are all ways to stay engaged with creativity. I strongly believe we attract what we put our energy toward and even as a busy single mama, I can always find 15 mins to attract more creative energy into my world. Thank you, Marjorie Hicks. That was the best advice ever.
What is your favorite piece of advice or words of wisdom – that you have received or like to share? “Nothing happens for no reason” – Kim Barrick. She encouraged me to follow the flow…follow the signs I’m shown and create the life I want for myself and my children. I keep that in mind when I’m painting…you can always scrape off, rework, add or subtract…there are no “mistakes”…just milestones that all get incorporated into your work. Painting really is a metaphor, always teaching us how to live life consciously.