By Jennifer Carrasco
As an artist and a traveler, I discovered very quickly that people were often offended or uneasy with being photographed but fascinated if I drew them. So I drew them and drew them.
The Filipino Igorot mountain tribes figured out that they could charge for a photo. Like this adamant old Bontoc gentleman. (Not my photo, but I’ll bet you dollars to donuts that there was haggling before the photo was taken.) I don’t have drawings from that time in my life (before 1978), alas.
When I was in Pusan, Korea on one of my art residencies, I went to the public market with my camera and sketch book. Those tough old ladies selling piles of gingko root and hot peppers were adamant about no photos, but when I started drawing them, they were pleased and fascinated. Some of them wanted to buy the drawings, and when I shook my head no, they grabbed me by the arm and took me for coffee!
From 1978 on, I drew any people who would sit still for me, and some who wouldn’t.(like my 4 year old son who I bribed with ice cream to convince him to sit for me. He informed me that there was to be “no penis drawing”. OK. I said. It’s a deal)
I drew and painted a lot of people as they were sleeping. (It’s boring to pose for a long time) My husband and son...siesta time!
It’s a real icebreaker if one draws or paints…almost anywhere. I sat on a curb in the Pere Lachaise Cemetery in Paris and painted watercolors of the trees and tombstones.. The famously snooty Parisians stopped and spoke to me approvingly and even smiled!
And here I am just off the Kremlin Square in Moscow, Russia, with a group of teenagers and their teacher. We didn’t talk much…they just watched and gave me thumbs up.
Jennifer Carrasco is a longtime West Seattle resident and internationally recognized muralist whose work combines historical depth, mythic storytelling, and botanical elegance. With decades of experience painting large-scale trompe l’oeil and chinoiserie murals for clients ranging from Tommy Bahama to private collectors, she brings a distinctive Northwest voice to decorative arts. Her artistic journey has taken her from Peace Corps service and teaching in the Philippines to NEA residencies across the globe, and long ago she chose to make West Seattle her home.
