Lawrence Packard, Illustrator
This
week we are highlighting artists participating in the 48th Annual St. Augustine Art & Craft Festival, this Saturday &
Sunday in St. Augustine, FL. www.staugustineartfestival.com
 |
| Artist Lawrence Packard |
Location: Pensacola, FL
Come and see Lawrence demonstrate the art of marine illustration at his booth, #K7, 11:30 to noon, Sunday, December 1.
What draws you to participate in art festivals?
Packard began participating in art festivals with his wife in 2003.
Originally from New Orleans, Packard’s home and studio, along with years of
collected art work, were destroyed by Hurricane Katrina in 2005. Rather than
rebuild, he and his wife bought a motor home and expanded their art show
schedule to include shows from Maine to Key West, participating in about 20-24
fine art shows per year.
How did you get your start as an artist?
Packard began drawing in 1968, he was a with a Combat Air Control
team in Vietnam. In an era before camera phones, Packard sketched the scenes he
saw to capture them. Stationed near the South China Sea, he sketched the local
fishing boats. “They were small, single sail sampans, but they had character.
In spite of their rag-tag appearance, they were graceful under sail,” Packard
recalls.
After discharge from the Air Force, he began drawing sailing ships
using nautical charts as canvas. Packard created his work at Jackson Square, in
New Orleans, giving people the opportunity to appreciate not just the work, but
the creative process. “I had my spot on the ‘fence’ and like all of the artists
on the square at that time, I created my work right there,” said Packard.
While creating the work is a reward unto itself, Packard enjoys
seeing the different ways that his work connects with viewers. A map may depict
an area special to them, or a ship may be a story brought to life. “The most
memorable was an old gentleman who started crying in my tent at the Krasl Art
show In St. Joseph, Michigan. The ship I had drawn was lost in a storm over 80
years before – it had been his ship. The story I told was of one survivor – it
was his story,” said Packard.
Words of Wisdom for young artists?
His advice to young artists is to have a passion for what you do,
don’t ever give up, adapt to the situation at hand and it will help you to
overcome obstacles. “Last and most important, my wife and I have been together
for almost 50 years. Find the right person to share your art and your life,” he
advises.
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