Chris Newman

the artist

I never imagined one before, but this would be 20 - 25 yr old male or a 16 - 23 yr old female, relatively tall but not unusually so, slim without being skinny or fussy about it. Dressed in soft, comfortable, sensible clothes that won't inhibit working in any way, and look smart enough without being overdone at all. Hair is kept tidy, short if male or lying naturally down the back if female. Dark in either case. Fingers are long and smooth, tapering elegantly. Probably make a good pianist or masseur/ masseuse. Lives in adequate comfort, nothing posh or flashy. Works either in shading or in 3D - either pencil or engraved glass, or carved wood or glass. Subject is always a fast-moving life-form, such as squirrels, dolphins, snakes, sharks, dragons, foxes, wolves, deer, etc. Tends to lean forwards towards work almost as if about to kiss away any tiny blemishes. Sometimes slightly shy but moderately proud of his/her work and confident enough in most situations. Quiet, liking classical music and soft lighting except while working, which requires silence and sharp, pure white light. Almost always gentle and easily moved to sadness.

the art

An example could be a deer stepping over a fallen branch in a forest, a perched wooden eagle or a glass dragon in flight. Maybe also some accompanying poetry.

the beret

This one is difficult, because a beret seems incompatible with the non-flashy image - it is more a symbolic than a functional piece of clothing. However, it could easily serve to keep hair clear of the face, so ... some dark colour, so as not to be startling. Black is a bit too conformist, and reminiscent of Paris streets. Green would be good for the forest when searching for inspiration - a good rich green like sunlight shining through spring leaves, but dark like the forest floor. Blue is tempting - Air Cadet blue, like mine. The beret, in whatever style, would be level, loose enough not to leave a mark or to distract and tight enough to stay put, and formed properly, folded down the right hand side, but far enough back not to obstruct peripheral vision.

Submitted by Chris Newman, (lsusa@csv.warwick.ac.uk), on Thursday, January 19, 1995, from United Kingdom