An Interview with artist Brooke Harker

I had a chance to sit down with artist Brooke Harker who just returned from painting in China. Her work will be on view at booth # 349 at the Beverly Hills Art Show, Saturday and Sunday October 20th and 21st from 10:00am – 6:00pm

LR: Why did you go to China?

BH: I went to China to create a painting for the opening of Murray’s Irish Pub, the first Irish Pub in the southern city of Dongguan. I also hoped to spend time sketching and taking reference photos to create China themed paintings upon my return as I have had a fascination with China since childhood. I have wanted to go to southern china since I lived for a few months in the north right out of college and work with kids for the Beijing American Embassy. Then I lived out my childhood dream to run on the Great Wall of China, and now I feel like I got to live another dream, to return for more adventures.

LR: Tell me about painting in China? How did people react?

BH: I wasn’t really sure what to expect as I only paint outdoors in the states due to fumes and so prepared myself with a heavy-duty mask that is uncomfortable and makes me look like an alien. Luckily the pub had the option of a painting on the rooftop beer garden or a grassy yard outside. I opted to be on the grass as I like to feel my feet on the earth when painting.

LR: Did it change the way you paint?

BH: The painting I created was an exercise in focus. In LA, I generally work on several paintings in the same week. Due to the nature of how I am painting right now, I move a lot when I paint. As the painting in China was a portrait…I had to sit still and focus…a practice that can only benefit any work that follows. I have noticed myself even more focused upon returning to LA. I also bought a couple of paint brushes in Hong Kong, one of which has already painted a new work, “Sister Chinatown.â€

LR: Were you happy with the final product?

BH: Yes, I felt happy with the final product and more so happy that Alain, one of the owners and my long time friend was happy with the painting. The concept amused us: painting a German dog guarding a Scottish Beer for an English man who opened an Irish pub in China…

For more information: www.beverlyhills.org/artshow