BGSU senior draws inspiration from exclusive art residency

Paul Verdell inspired by Chautauqua Institution's intensive studio program

Photo by The Chautauquan Daily/Paula Ospina

By Amber Stark ’99

For centuries, artists have set off on grand adventures to find inspiration, motivation and, sometimes, themselves. It was in this vein that Bowling Green State University senior Paul Verdell recently traveled to a secluded lake resort in southwestern New York for a seven-week artist residency.

Verdell admits he didn’t really know what to expect from the experience at the Chautauqua Institution, but it turned out to be more than he could have imagined.

“I didn’t know what it would be like going in,” the studio art major said. “I kind of thought I’d be there to paint for seven weeks. But there was also instruction, critiques, the opportunity to talk about our work and learn where to find inspiration – what other artists to look at, books to read.

“It was a very good surprise. I needed that direction. I am working on putting works into the Bachelor of Fine Arts Show, and this helped me prepare for that.”

The Chautauqua Institution is a not-for-profit education center and summer resort that, among other things, promotes “excellence and creativity in the appreciation, performance and teaching of the arts.” It is located on 750 acres along Chautauqua Lake and features a variety of art, literary, religious and recreation activities during its nine-week season.

Originally from Los Angeles, Verdell moved to Fremont, Ohio, when he was 13. After receiving an associate degree in fine arts from Owens Community College, he moved back to California for two years before starting at BGSU in the fall of 2015.

“BGSU has a really great arts program,” he said. “The faculty are amazing. We have talented students. We get really good visiting artists. And we have great facilities.”

Those facilities include studio space where students can create anytime they want.

“Being surrounded by like-minded people who are interested in painting as a career, helps,” he said.

Spending time with other artists was one draw of Verdell’s summer residency in visual arts at the Chautauqua Institution’s School of Art (VACI). The intensive studio program ran from June 24 through Aug. 12.

“I gained a lot of experience being around other artists,” he said. “We all became a family. We were comfortable talking about each other’s work, providing honest advice. It was very professional, very supportive.

“They all know how difficult it is. They understand the struggle of being an artist, and the struggle of finding yourself as a painter.”

Verdell learned about the elite program from his mother, Ann Savage, who learned about it from a coworker. He was one of only 39 visual arts students selected for the residency, which included dedicated time to paint and draw and an instructional component featuring resident and visiting artists. The experience also included a pop-up art show.

Additional highlights included time to focus on his work and learn from other artists.

“I found inspiration in the art community at Chautauqua and in the people,” he said. “As someone who is still trying to find where I fit in the art world, it was an amazing experience.”

Verdell describes his paintings as a mixture of figurative, abstract, and portraiture.

“I try to do everything,” he said. “But one of the things I learned this summer was that you don’t have to do too much to make a work of art; sometimes less is more.

“I have a tendency to overwork my works, but I learned to hold back. Works that have thought, but don’t take as much time, can be just as satisfying to create as those that take longer.”

Painting and drawing helps Verdell sort through and share his thoughts.

“Art becomes this place where you can have these discussions – about black identity, politics, being biracial – and it’s helpful,” he said. “It helped as I was trying to figure out where I fit in the real world.”

To help students fit in at Chautauqua, residents adopt them for the summer. They show students the community, share meals and talk about art. While some students found the experience overwhelming, Verdell said he highly recommends it.

“It was the perfect amount of time,” he said. “I got to make a lot of work, but there was a balance with downtime.”

Two other notable experiences from the summer included finishing a series of drawings in oil pastel and learning how to screen print.

Verdell is president of the 2-D Artist’s Association, a student organization dedicated to creating alternative study and promotional opportunities for 2-D arts students at BSGU. He plans to graduate in spring 2018 and wants to obtain a Master of Fine Arts, but will likely take a little time off first. He’s considering other artist residencies, going overseas or trying to get into galleries during that time.