vicky
mclain
FOR VICKY MCLAIN, ART IS EVERYTHING. “It is a way to express feelings inside
of me. It is a way to share myself with others. It is a gift from God. It is something that
I don’t understand why I have, but I cherish every minute of it.”
Vicky’s parents discovered their daughter’s passion when she was only three years
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old. “My dad had left a pack of cigarettes sitting on the coffee table. I found a piece
Inspired by artists such as Rembrandt, Paul W. McCormack, Burton Silverman, Joyce
of paper and a pencil, and I drew it in a 3-D perspective as well as a three-year-
Hall, and Joy Thomas, Vicky enjoys admiring their creations. “I can look at their
old could do. When they found the drawing, they both agreed that I had talent.”
work and feel something. They all exemplify realism, but all have ‘feeling’ when you
Throughout her childhood, she loved coloring with crayons, painting with watercol-
look at their work.” Out of these artists, McCormack has inspired Vicky the most in
ors, and painting by numbers with oil paint. Each time she was around art supplies,
portraiture work. “I took a four-day portrait workshop taught by him in New York
Vicky became enraptured with her work. “I often joke that if I had been an only child,
as a fiftieth birthday gift from my husband a few years ago. It was the key to really
my parents could have bought some coloring books and crayons, thrown them on
learning how to observe the subject I am painting and find the details. His way of
the floor, and left for a week, and I would not have noticed they were gone!”
mixing oil paint to get flesh tones was life-changing for me.”
She didn’t realize the impact of her talent, however, until her seventh grade art
She describes her style as realism with passion. This is accurate, as Vicky puts
class. “We were to pick out a photo from a magazine and draw it. I found one of a fish
her heart into each piece she creates. “I love to tell a story and remind people of
jumping out of the water with a fisherman in the background fighting him. I drew the
the past. I want to preserve for posterity things that have gone by the wayside, like
water splashing and spent a lot of time on the scales. When I finished, I could not
an old barn or rusted cars. I have a need to rescue things whether they need rescu-
believe I had drawn that freehand. My classmates and teacher loved it. That drawing
ing or not, which carries over into my art. I am moved by old buildings that have
was THE moment I knew I wanted to be an artist.” It was the teacher of this class
been abandoned. They tell me the story of their past when they were used to store
who fueled Vicky’s creativity. “I was an obsessive overachiever in school and al-
tobacco, hay, cotton, tractors, etc. I want to put them on canvas before nature
ways wanted to make good grades. My seventh grade art teacher, Mr. Ron Davidson,
takes over and engulfs the buildings in vines. There is beauty in a dilapidated barn.
gave me leeway on my grades when I took risks. When my risks failed, he did not
Memories linger for someone.” She also enjoys painting people and pets. “My fasci-
punish me with a bad grade. Since then, I have always tried to push the limits with
nation with painting people is driven by that inner voice that is always pushing me to
increasing my abilities as an artist. One time in the seventh grade, we were to draw
do a little more and be a little better. For me, portraits are the ultimate zenith in art.
what we wanted to do as a papier-mâché project. Mr. Davidson would look at our
I must master this craft. I must also tell the story of the person I am painting, even
drawing, and if he liked our subject, we could start the sculpting process. I chose to
if it is a ‘CEO style’ portrait. I would want it to be more than just standing in front
do a bust of the Mona Lisa. I remember walking up to his desk and handing him my
of a bookcase with hands crossed wearing a suit. I want people to see the person.”
drawing. His eyes bugged out. He paused, looked up at me, smiled, and said, ‘That
Oil paint is Vicky’s favorite medium, as she can manipulate it while it’s wet to
will be fine.’ It was a rough go. I molded, layered and smoothed the newspaper as
glaze layers over the dry areas to create a glowing effect. She also loves working
I went. I made a couple of painting mistakes on it, but he gave me an ‘A.’ You must
with graphite and charcoal. “That is nostalgic for me because of that seventh
be fearless if you are an artist. You cannot worry about the grade you will make, the
grade fish drawing.” No matter which medium or tool she’s using, Vicky’s heart
award you may or may not win. You must stick to your guns, and be creative and
is content simply by creating. “It is a part of who I am. Claude Monet once said,
true to yourself.”
‘Colour is my day-long obsession, joy, and torment.’ My mind never shuts down
Although she worked various jobs in retail and insurance, wh en asked what she
when there is so much out there that God has given us to see, enjoy, and feel. If I
did for a living, Vicky always replied, “I am an artist.” She adds, “The ‘real’ jobs
don’t have a brush in my hand, I am painting in my mind. I am constantly trying
just paid the bills!” When her husband, Jim, retired in 2000, the couple moved to
to figure out what colors I would mix to recreate a something I have just wit-
Chesterfield, South Carolina. At this time, Vicky became a full-time freelance artist.
nessed. It never stops.” Her favorite piece she has created is the portrait of her
“I wake up in the morning knowing I get to go out and do a job I absolutely love.”
husband, Jim, a retired Army Major and Vietnam combat veteran. CONTINUED...
APRIL 2016
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