By Doreen Whitley

In life we make many decisions everyday. From the moment we awake in the morning we are faced with decisions, what to wear, what to eat, when to leave etc. Unconsciously, we make these decisions never really stopping to look at what makes us make life’s choices. Throughout the history of mankind we have treasured our great authors, architects, artists, and activists. Today, we try to preserve the great architecture, art, and writings of ancient Greece and Rome. We observe holidays for activists like Martin Luther King Jr., who fought for equal rights. All of these individuals used these professions as a means to express important ideas and issues.

How did all of the individuals in these valuable professions come to make the decision to leave such a great impact on our species? What decisions were made along the course of their lives to bring them into these professions? What impact did these decisions make on their environment? What influenced them to make these choices? In order to gain some insight on these universal questions, we need to start with local individuals in these same professions, looking at the impact they make on the environment. In interviewing these ones we can learn how these decisions are made and what differences and similarities they have. In this way we can also discern how the decisions we make affect our fragile environment. A detailed look at an individual in one of these professions concerning the environment will help us to answer these questions.

One profession in particular that has been esteemed through out time is the artist. From the dawn of civilization artists have been depicting their environments in some form. Primitive cave man painted surroundings and their interactions with these surroundings on the walls of their homes. Even during the dark or middle ages artists were used to decorate churches. Tourists spend great amounts of money to view neoclassical art in Europe. These artists were also used to paint pictures to depict scenes that would influence the public. Museums are filled with the work of these people and are viewed as the greatest works of humanity. All of these artists have different influences, styles, themes, and perspectives.

We can gain an insight as to what makes an individual choose to join this profession by looking at the life of a local environmental artist. First, we need to ask what is the criteria that needs to be met in order to obtain the title of "environmental artist?" An environmental artist is someone who expresses the natural environment through an artistic media. This idea dates back to the early impressionists. The impressionists were a collective group of artist of the late 1800’s. Aware that their work would be viewed as unconventional, thus lacking normal avenues of publicity, they decided to bring their work together in an exhibition. After the event their work came to be known as impressionism based on Claude Monet’s painting Impression: Sunrise (Cunningham & Reich 472).

The impressionists were viewed as radical because they concentrated on realism of light and color rather than realism of form and sought to reproduce the literal impression an object made on their eyes. These artists painted with an innocent eye. They painted what they saw not what they knew, which was different from the past politically influenced artists. These artist were guided by purely visual factors rather than formal or intellectual ones (Encarta 95). The impressionists were also viewed as unconventional because they ignored academic standards and lacked the emotion that the romantics put such a great deal of emphasis on. But most importantly, they rejected the role of the imagination. This group of artists simply observed nature closely with scientific interest.

What interested these artists most was the effects of light on an object than the exact depiction of the form. They believed that light tends to diffuse the outlines of the form and reflect the colors of surrounding objects into shadows (Cunningham & Reich). Impressionists preferred the primary colors (red, yellow, and blue) and the compliments (green, purple, and orange). By placing short brushstrokes of these colors side by side to bring out the vivid quality of each they were able to achieve effects of naturalness and immediacy. Although viewed as unconventional and scorned by hostile critics the impressionists were able to achieve a greater brilliance of color in their paintings than artists of the past.

While the impressionists had a good technique in portraying nature as viewed by the human eye, their work was not without feeling, such as a photograph. Rather the artists love of nature and color led them to be faithful to what they saw not distorting or changing it in any way. This reverence for nature is felt in their work. Two important influential impressionists were Claude Monet, and Pierre Auguste Renoir.

Claude Monet’s painting Red Boats at Argenteuil is the best example of the impressionists attempt to banish all interpretations from their art. In this painting Monet had recorded all the colors he saw in the water and the reflections of the boats without trying to blend them together, would have been done in the past. This results in the actual impact that would have been felt to the eye with the lights and the color of those boats. Monet always worked outside, painting simple landscapes and scenes of contemporary middle class society, violating traditional conventions in the interest of direct artistic expression. Monet was able to retain his loyalty to visual perception throughout his long career. He came to be known as a master of meticulous observation who sacrificed neither the true complexities of nature nor the intensity of his own feelings (Cunningham & Reich 474). Later in his career Monet devoted himself to painting changes in light and atmosphere caused by changes in the hour and the season, using his own observation and the law of optics. He soon found himself eliminating black and gray from his palette, breaking down light into its color components, much like a prism does, resulting in the reflection of light as it actually meets the eye. Monet along with most of the impressionists of his time was greatly influenced by the landscapes of the English painters, John Constable and J.M. W. Turner. His art is said to represent impressionism in its purest form.

Pierre Auguste Renoir preserved the general principles of Impressionistic painting while adding something different to it. He shared Monet’s interest in reproducing the effects of light in patches of color, but unlike Monet he brought a more human interest to his work. Unlike artists of the past who sought to depict the suffering of the lower classes and the injustices of the world, Renoir explored the beauty around him. While Monet was limited to the natural world around him, Renoir liked to use women to enhance his natural back drops. Simultaneously, he developed the ability to paint joyous, shimmering color and flickering light in outdoor scenes such as the festive Moulin de la Galette. Using the light and shade techniques made popular by impressionism Renoir became known for his ability to depict the lustrous, pearly color and texture of skin and to impart lyrical and plasticity to a subject, therefore his portraits of women in particular are unsurpassed in the history of modern painting in their representation of feminine grace (Cunningham & Reich 476). Unlike many other impressionists Renoir traveled widely throughout Europe in order to see past Renaissance paintings and learn from them. These ideas resulted in work that was ultimately true to nature in color and shadings, huge landscapes, and most of all plenty of detail.

While the impressionists were known for their realistic observations and reflection of their aesthetic surroundings, on the opposite side of the pendulum came the abstract expressionists of the mid 20^th century. Their paintings were primarily concerned with the spontaneous assertion of the individual through the act of painting. Their art is characterized by the concepts behind the art than by a specific look. Like the impressionists their art is very unconventional, but unlike the impressionists their art is without recognizable images. The abstract artists style vary but they all share an interest in the physical reality of paint on canvas or paper rather than narrative content. In spite of this focus, their work has a sense of strong emotion.

It’s emotion along with the "innocent eye" of the impressionists, that Cathy Demko, a local environmental artist of Marco Island uses to describe her style. Like the impressionists, Cathy believes in achieving the most accurate depiction of her subjects by using the right amount of color and shading. She admires the abstract artists for their outpouring of emotion but knows that there is the same amount, if not more, of emotion in an impressionistic or landscape painting which is an important component in painting nature. If the technique overshadows the emotion the audience can feel that and the work loses its power. This is not to say that technique is not important but it is important to strike a balance between the two. Cathy knows and uses this approach to define her style. These two highly regarded schools of art have influenced this Southwest Floridian artist but there is more about herself that led to become an accomplished artist.

Cathy Demko has painted the environments of such places as Arizona and Vermont. She visited Marco Island due to the urging of a friend. As she drove over the Judge Jolly Bridge that leads to the island, she thought, "If my husband wants to buy a house here, I must be crazy to say no!" Incidentally, Cathy found herself living on the in 1973. She admits that the water is what originally drew her to the area, but the overall wildlife and vegetation is what kept her here. After fourteen years in the area she is currently residing at Henderson Creel a small development on the river outside of Marco Island. Whether or not she living in Florida, Vermont, or Arizona, one thing remained the same; Cathy always painted her natural environment.

With a talent that hailed from youth and encouraged by her mother and school faculty, Cathy was always drawing something. Although artistically inclined, Cathy admits that she had not had the opportunity to truly start painting until she was older and already had a family of her own. She began painting in Arizona when a friend gave her a set of paints and coached her through her first landscape.

Cathy feels a strong influence form the impressionists' landscapes, although she describes her style as more realistic yet full of emotion. This is not surprising considering the early impressionists themselves came upon their style through an attempt to achieve greater realism, a tradition that dates back to the dawn of the Renaissance with artists like Giottto. Cathy achieves this style by choosing her subject first and then her media. Although oils are her favorite she likes to use graphite when sketching animals or watercolor for birds. When a subject strikes her as "art worthy" Mrs. Demko does an extensive research on the subject. In this way she can get a feel as to what media would be most appropriate. This research also allows her to get to know her subject better and get a feel for their habits and way of life.

Cathy claims that she is most partial to painting life, although while living in Vermont she once found herself on a quest to paint the diminishing barns. This journey led her to realize that not only were these ancient edifices declining but more importantly so were the natural landscapes surrounding them. From there she turned her attention to landscapes and in particular the sea. Cathy suggests that there is "something special about someone who paints the sea." She believes that this takes not only talent but much patience. She finds it to be difficult because truly painting the sea is something that can not be taught. You have to be able to feel the motion of the waters and be able to express the life force within it, not an easy task. This is reminiscent of the impressionists struggle to present their subjects most realistically, while allowing their own emotions to blend in with the current.

Cathy Demko knows that her realization in her natural environment has given her a new perspective. Unfortunately, after being drawn to the barns because they were being lost, like all of us Cathy realized she began to appreciate them more now that they were almost all gone. Letting her art speak for itself, this sense of loss is felt in her work. Cathy admits that she is saddened by the decline in wildlife, but uses her art to wake others up and keep them aware to this "shrinking". After an area has been painted, a few years later she may go back and paint it again, although unfortunately most of the time there is not much left to paint. In this way her work is used to preserve Florida’s wildlife. After painting the once abundant animals and plant life she becomes to feel for them as friends , feeling a great loss when they decline.

Always a fan of the water she has observed that event the water itself is changing. Cathy says she has noticed a definite change in the color of the waters surrounding her property. She has also noticed the disregard for these waters by boaters who feel free to use this natural resource as a dumping ground for excess oil, garbage, or anything else that is not needed anymore. When asked if she ever paints a landscape again after a building has been put on it she says no "there’s just no feeling in buildings." Cathy finds Florida to be the most "gentle and serene" of all the places she has lived and painted. This is why she is happiest when painting, although her subjects are sometimes a cause for sorrow.

Unfortunately, along the road to progression mankind has been very destructive to his own natural environment. All over the planet we are becoming more aware of the consequences of this self destruction. We are now becoming more environmentally friendly and trying to undo our mistakes of the past. More and more we are recycling and trying to "save" land masses. This conservation and land management effort has become the center of political debate between activists, commercialism, and politics. Currently, and in the past, art has been used as a medium to influence the public involving such political matters. As a nature lover, Florida resident, and artist, Cathy expresses a feeling of remorse for this controversy and most of all its cause. However, she claims that she does not see her art as having a message to convey about conservation. She simply lets her subjects speak for themselves. Each piece of work contains its own message that may say something different depending on its audience.

Mrs. Demko defines painting as a very lonely art. She also admits that the more you know the harder it gets because you now know what you should really be doing. Perhaps this is why she took up teaching. On the outset of her students first oil painting class she tells them that the most important thing is to not be afraid, concentrate on developing their own style, to not be concerned with the progression of other students, and most importantly to relax and have fun.

Cathy’s life as an artist has given her a "new eye," this is another reason why she began to teach. As with most teachers Cathy has a deep love for the subject of art and wants to share this love with her students. She wants them to also be able to acquire a "new eye". Cathy feels that it is important for an individual to take some sort of art class. This is because an artist learns to really see things. Just as the impressionists were able to replicate the colors of the spectrum, Cathy hopes that her students will be able to eventually really appreciate the importance of choosing colors correctly and using the right amount of shading and light. She believes that once an artist is able to paint using these techniques the world will never look the same to them.

This theory also holds true for detail. Cathy feels that through her art she has become an amateur naturalist and feels that there is a strong connection between an artist and its subjects. Mrs. Demko realizes that once she paints something it will never look the same to her. When she looks at a small shrub she no longer sees a clump of green mass, but rather she sees the special and unique quality of each leaf that makes the whole bush. She sees the tiny life giving veins of each leaf and the order in which they are arranged. As a bird flies across the horizon she is able to appreciate the intricate placement of each feather, and the species unique structure. Cathy explains that this is what makes her class difficult at first, but once they are able to achieve that eye of detail they realize just how difficult it is to recreate the complex organisms of nature, giving them a reverence for art and nature itself. When her students express this, Cathy is truly satisfied with teaching and does not regret sharing her secrets to a good painting and a real work of art.

Cathy had mentioned that painting was a lonely art but for some of her students this fills a void. Most of her classes are made up of older people, she knows that some of them take her class just to fill time in between tennis or the beach and will probably never pick up a paint brush up again. For these students she simply wants to teach them the basics and gain an appreciation for light and color and most importantly their subjects. However, some of her subjects may have lost a spouse, or maybe far away from their family and friends, and for them art becomes a comfort. These students that may be feeling lonely now have a set of paints and works of art to call friends. This also gives her a sense of accomplishment and makes her happy to be able to share her love of wildlife and painting.

In order for her students to learn this appreciation for nature and be able to truly "see" these organisms she recommends painting on location to get a true sense of their subjects. Cathy’ s classes not only provide learning for her students, but she also gains something from her students as well. She enjoys watching her students eyes be opened to this new world of color and appreciation. This helps her to not lose sigh and keeps her enthusiastic in her work. Seeing her students once a week helps to keep her ideas and work fresh, since she is always giving them new projects. Cathy is also able to learn more about Florida wildlife, because with a class of up to ten students, each one may choose different subjects. As they research them, they share this information with her. As the teacher she is also able to reinforce her knowledge since her students are extremely inquisitive.

Most importantly, like the impressionists Cathy encourages her students to try to paint on location as much as possible, yet without losing the emotional fire of the abstract artists. Still life and photographs do not lend this same quality, although memory can add even more. Mrs. Demko says that she still often paints the waves of the sea from memory and although a challenge, this proves to be very relaxing. Cathy hopes that her students will share her same passion for painting as well as life, and continue to enjoy nature while developing their own style.

As we look at the lives of the artists from the school of impressionism , the abstract, and teachers like Mrs. Cathy Demko, it is evident that a desire is necessary to accomplish what they have. This desire however, does not completely answer all our questions regarding the decisions made in choosing this creative occupation. This desire needs to be accompanied by a talent, technique, individuality as well as support from friends, family, and mentors. In making this decision it is important that this desire and passion is always kept as the utmost important component in life’s decisions regarding one’s path. We see that all of these artists have a need to share their work with others, and as individuals we have a need to appreciate fine works of art. This proves that true success is measured at the level of happiness, fulfillment, and joy that is generated by their work and is not attached to a price tag. In this regard it is concluded that the emotion that drives an artist to paint and is reflected in their work is in fact more important than just having fine tuned technical skills. This emotion is in fact what drives them to be so successful.

The interactions we experience with others throughout our lives are important to our overall learning experiences as we strive to be a better person. Throughout our journey’s we take the positive qualities from all we meet. From Cathy Demko we can take her reverence and devotion to nature and her environment , support it conservation, while letting it speak for itself, not viewing it as an entity that can be owned. We also borrow her passion for what she does and hope to find something that inspires that same passion within ourselves, so we can also attain her same amount of true success.

In interviewing Cathy we can realize that it takes a combination of things to bring an individual to decide what they will to with their life. It seems that Cathy’s decision was made for her. She was given an artistic gift. However, this gift was cultivated by support and training from her parents and school faculty. Artists throughout history influenced her. All of these decisions have helped her to make a valuable impact on her community and environment. Cathy has chosen to share her gift through teaching, while raising environmental awareness to her student audience.

Cunningham, Lawrence & Reich, John. "Culture and Value, A Survey of the Western Humanities." Harcourt Brace College Publisher, 1994: New York.

Microsoft ® Encarta Copyright © 1994 Microsoft Corporation.