Whitbeck Notes
Spring 2026
The Golden Apple
18" x 24" oil on panel
Just recently at one of my last art shows in Florida an artist neighbor of mine turned me onto a podcast called The Independent Artist Podcast that had been running for a few years now. It is hosted by two longtime art show artists and they have on as guests other fellow artists, usually seasoned veterans, from the festival scene. Humorous, serious and informative all rolled into one. And as I have found to be helpful with long hours in the studio listening to music or books on tape as I paint, I ended up binging most of the seasons in a short time.
The rapport between the hosts themselves and the way in which they were able to create a relaxed, casual conversation with their guests was great and so well done.
At first I picked the episodes with the artists that I knew or were acquainted with, then moved on to others who I only knew by name. But it was great to hear other points of view from my colleagues, other aspects of this world that I have been apart of for so many years. And one of the subjects that came up over and over again with the guests was that of being true to your work. And for the most part it was not a topic broached by the host as something on a list of questions to be asked, it usually just came about naturally, fed by other thoughts and ideas as time went on until it sprouted and became a part of the conversation on its own.
Weasel and Mouse
20" x 16" oil on panel
And every time it came up I felt myself saying "Yes! Yes, I get it. I understand that." And it made me proud. Proud that I could be one amongst my fellow artists who were still, after many years as professionals, creating work out of their love for it. For them it was not "What will sell this year" or "what is the trend I need to cater to", it was what will my passion produce today, what will the creative muses push me towards. They all mentioned how important that was in being able to create work that is true to you, truly a piece of art with its genesis coming from the mind of the artist. And I would believe too that that is as important to the collector as it is to the artist. Knowing that what now has a place in ones home is original and authentic to the artist who made it.
For the past twenty-plus years I have been true to myself, true to my work. For those of you who have followed me from the beginning, you all know that for me it has always been the Dutch, Netherlandish art, the Golden Age, 16th and 17th century Dutch and Flemish paintings. That has been, is, and always will be my driving force in how and what I choose to paint. And I think people appreciate that, knowing that what comes out of my studio is authentic and original.
Even if the old masters is not their thing, they can still see and enjoy the energy and skill when looking at my work. In conversation with a patron after purchasing a piece they sometimes would say that still life was really not their interest, not what they usually collect but that this painting was amazing! Or that they go for more contemporary, modern art but are really drawn to my paintings. I think that this not only comes from the technical skill they see, but also from those many years of painting what I love, compounding, panel after panel into the one before them at that moment. They sense and feel the energy behind it.
Cornucopia
14" x 18" oil on panel
I will admit that it has been a harder row to hoe, in that finding my people patience is a must. Finding the areas of the country where my work will be appreciated has taken many years and much travelling. And I think too that because I paint in such an old school manner and technique and that it is primarily old world type still life, I have narrowed my market a bit. So in painting what I love for all of these years and not what I know would sell easier, I have had a harder go of it. And having listened to my fellow artists over the past few days I know most of them have gone through similar experiences and had to make that extra effort to sell their work and find their people. Like my fellow artists, for this reason, we all cherish and appreciate those admirers of our work even more and consider it a special bond with them, people who can see and understand what it is that we are trying to do and can also see in our work what it is that gives us such enthusiasm and that drives us to get into the studio every day and produce.
Frosted Elfin with Flowers
12" x 9" oil on panel
One aspect of this that needs to be mentioned is that I see nothing wrong with producing art with strictly a business model in mind. I have friends in the outdoor art festival scene who will change their subject matter for whatever region of the country they are in; beach scenes for Florida, mountain scenes for the west, that sort of thing. Or they will alter their work to what is selling well that particular year, the trend at the time. Sometimes this works, sometimes not. It is a business and it is all about the selling. Pretty smart.
My thought is that for me I am fortunate that I can make a living at what I love to do. First came the passion and interest, then came the business side of selling it. One then the other, in that order. For them it was business first, then "what will sell". There is nothing wrong with either, just two different ways of looking at it. And if patrons are happy with what they are buying, then great! I just like the fact that when my work is sold, they are actually buying a piece of me, James Andrew Whitbeck. It is a good feeling and I look forward to getting better, pushing myself, growing and all of the adventures ahead and all the people that I will meet.
Royal Bouquet
36" x 48" oil on canvas
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Florida was great! I just returned home from that. March is a fine time of the year to leave Massachusetts for a bit. I do love my Massachusetts, I truly do, but dirty snow and muddy driveways not so much. Sitting here now, in my studio, I already look forward to the 2027 Florida Tour. I plan on adding Saint Petersburg to the list next year. So it would be, if accepted into all of the shows (click here for the Notes on show applications) Vero Beach, Winter Park then St. Pete, all consecutive weekends.
But now I have turned my attention towards the mid-west tour in June and producing work for that. This tour consists of the two Chicago shows of 57th Street the Old Town and then finishing up with Des Moines. Click here to access my Art Shows page of my website for more information.
This year has also been a big one for commissions. They just keep coming! I love commissions and the creative process and back and forth that happens with the patron. The collaboration is such that when all is said and done and the painting is finished, it is my feeling that the new owner is just as much a part of the painting as I am. Click here to visit the Commissions page of my website if interested in starting one of your own.
Finches Floral
18" x 24" oil on panel
Thank you all for enjoying my Notes and feel free to write or call with any questions or comments.
All my Best,
James Whitbeck
(413) 695-3937
