
George Van Hook - Truth and Honesty in Art (24)
04/01/20 • 75 min
George Van Hook is a painter adept in both oil and watercolor. What he paints is a visual response to the subject before him – whether it’s the landscape, a figure, or still life. The rich textures, harmonious colors, and design of Van Hook’s paintings are the ultimate expression of two converging forces – the external beauty of the world around him and his deep internal emotional response to what he sees.
George Van Hook lives in Cambridge, New York – a beautiful nineteenth-century village in the Hudson Valley. His artistic journey began early in his life, and like Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride, it took him through many formative experiences and places that influenced him to become the fine art artist he is today. In high school, he traveled throughout France and England working as a filmmaker. This experience exposed George to the wealth of museums in Europe and their priceless treasures of fine art. Seeing firsthand the breathtaking art in these museums nurtured within him a deep interest in not only art history but also in becoming a professional artist.
In this exuberant conversation, George Van Hook shares his fascinating take on art history, his philosophy of creating fine art, the rewards of working closely with artist friends who are dear to him, and the meaning of truth and honesty in art.
Mentioned in this episode:
George Van Hook: https://georgevanhookfineartist.com
NBC News report: Principal's door from Rockwell's iconic 'Shiner’ preserved: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/principal-s-door-rockwell-s-iconic-shiner-preserved-n833231
The Greater Journey: Americans in Paris by David McCollough: https://amzn.to/39ukuZr
The Paynes - Edgar and Elsie by Rena Neumann Coen: https://amzn.to/3dJFVZR
About the Artful Painter:
The Artful Painter website: https://carlolson.tv
Donate to support the Artful Painter: https://carlolson.tv/donate
Send me an email: https://carlolson.tv/contact
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artful.creative/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carl.olson.9847 https://www.facebook.com/carlolsontv/
Reading Essentials: https://carlolson.tv/reading-essentials
Subscribe to my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIo1YmQXnMm21b-Slkr69Tg
This page may contain affiliate links from which I earn a small commission. When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
George Van Hook is a painter adept in both oil and watercolor. What he paints is a visual response to the subject before him – whether it’s the landscape, a figure, or still life. The rich textures, harmonious colors, and design of Van Hook’s paintings are the ultimate expression of two converging forces – the external beauty of the world around him and his deep internal emotional response to what he sees.
George Van Hook lives in Cambridge, New York – a beautiful nineteenth-century village in the Hudson Valley. His artistic journey began early in his life, and like Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride, it took him through many formative experiences and places that influenced him to become the fine art artist he is today. In high school, he traveled throughout France and England working as a filmmaker. This experience exposed George to the wealth of museums in Europe and their priceless treasures of fine art. Seeing firsthand the breathtaking art in these museums nurtured within him a deep interest in not only art history but also in becoming a professional artist.
In this exuberant conversation, George Van Hook shares his fascinating take on art history, his philosophy of creating fine art, the rewards of working closely with artist friends who are dear to him, and the meaning of truth and honesty in art.
Mentioned in this episode:
George Van Hook: https://georgevanhookfineartist.com
NBC News report: Principal's door from Rockwell's iconic 'Shiner’ preserved: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/principal-s-door-rockwell-s-iconic-shiner-preserved-n833231
The Greater Journey: Americans in Paris by David McCollough: https://amzn.to/39ukuZr
The Paynes - Edgar and Elsie by Rena Neumann Coen: https://amzn.to/3dJFVZR
About the Artful Painter:
The Artful Painter website: https://carlolson.tv
Donate to support the Artful Painter: https://carlolson.tv/donate
Send me an email: https://carlolson.tv/contact
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artful.creative/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carl.olson.9847 https://www.facebook.com/carlolsontv/
Reading Essentials: https://carlolson.tv/reading-essentials
Subscribe to my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIo1YmQXnMm21b-Slkr69Tg
This page may contain affiliate links from which I earn a small commission. When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Previous Episode

Jim McVicker - A Way of Seeing (23)
Jim McVicker imbues atmosphere and light into his paintings that stir the heart. Whether it’s an expansive view of the Pacific coast near his home in Humboldt County, California, or an intimate interior still life set within his studio – his paintings are filled with a sense of solace and peace. Jim began painting full time in the mid-1970s. His early education as a painter began when working closely with artists Curtis Otto, James B. Moore, and George Van Hook. Painting nearly every day together, Jim assimilated what he observed, but developed his own voice. Though his primary joy is in painting representational art, Jim experimented heavily with abstract and non-objective painting for a few years. He says the lessons he learned from that period of experimentation positively influenced his approach to representational painting.
Jim values painting outdoors and in the studio. You could say he has two studios – the great outdoors and his home studio. In this episode, Jim encourages us to embrace painting direct from life and to allow ourselves to be taught by nature. Rather than rigorously follow tedious formulas and rules of design, Jim encourages us to trust our intuition as an artist. Jim’s keen use of his artistic eye, mind, and heart have beautifully honed his way of seeing.
Mentioned in this episode:
Jim McVicker website: https://jimmcvickerpaints.com/
Jim McVicker on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRlfpZgtf3Ya9S_T0iGKvVQ
Video: Jim McVicker: A Way of Seeing: https://youtu.be/_Vpgg-Pa4p0
Theresa Oats: https://theresaoatspaintings.blogspot.com
Curtis Otto: https://www.northcoastjournal.com/humboldt/curtis-otto-was-a-painter/Content?oid=3398139
George Van Hook: https://georgevanhookfineartist.com
Morris Graves: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morris_Graves
How Much Water Can You Safely Add to Acrylic Paint? – Just Paint - Golden Artist Colors, Inc.: https://www.justpaint.org/how-much-water-can-you-safely-add-to-acrylic-paint/
A Craftsman’s Legacy: Why Working with Our Hands Gives Us Meaning by Eric Gorges: https://amzn.to/2SCvYEW
About the Artful Painter:
The Artful Painter website: https://carlolson.tv
Donate to support the Artful Painter: https://carlolson.tv/donate
Send me an email: https://carlolson.tv/contact
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artful.creative/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carl.olson.9847 https://www.facebook.com/carlolsontv/
Reading Essentials: https://carlolson.tv/reading-essentials
Subscribe to my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIo1YmQXnMm21b-Slkr69Tg
This page may contain affiliate links from which I earn a small commission. When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Next Episode

Michael Chamberlain - Forging His Own Way (25)
Michael Chamberlain says that if Vincent Van Gogh were alive today, he would be a vlogger on YouTube. Van Gogh was a prolific letter writer to an audience of one - his brother Theo. However, as a vlogger on YouTube van Gogh’s message would likely reach hundreds of thousands of fans. As a 21st century California-based impressionist, Michael inspires an audience on YouTube of well over 160,000 subscribers. In his videos, he tries to show the mistakes he makes. He candidly admits that none of the paintings in his videos are gallery ready. Upon returning to his home studio, he tenaciously works out whatever problems they may have until they are ready to hang in a gallery.
You know that old adage, “you can’t teach an old dog new tricks?” Michael says it isn’t true! He says an old dog has more time and experiences that can make us better students of painting. The key to learning is coming to grips with the rate of failure. Failure is a necessary part of the process. When first starting out learning to paint it’s all too easy to believe in the myth of the genius. Michael admonishes that we can’t allow ourselves to buy into the illusion that professional artists turn out one great painting after another. Indeed, there are many failures in between the good ones.
Michael says that the difference between a good painter and a great painter is the ability to say “I’m going to figure this out and I’m going to be tenacious about solving these problems.” And that is exactly what he strives to do: Michael Chamberlain is tenaciously forging his own way.
Mentioned in this episode:
Michael Chamberlain: https://www.chamberlainpaintings.com/
Michael Chamberlain’s YouTube Channel (chamberlainpaintings): https://www.youtube.com/channel/UClTZKdjGPqdf7aeo29vPMoQ
Emma Chamberlain YouTube Channel (Michael's daughter): https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC78cxCAcp7JfQPgKxYdyGrg
Gallery Representation:
STUDIO Gallery SF: https://www.studiogallerysf.com/mc16-gallery
Elliott Fouts Gallery: https://efgallery.com/artist-works.php?artistId=171219&artist=Michael%20Chamberlain&editionType=
Books:
Fill Your Oil Paintings with Light & Color by Kevin Macpherson (affiliate link): https://amzn.to/2xWCoao
Gruppe On Painting Direct Techniques In Oil by Emile A. Gruppe (affiliate link): https://amzn.to/34hYakF
Gruppe on Color: Using Expressive Color to Paint Nature by Emile A. Gruppe (affiliate link): https://amzn.to/3aSEczC
Brushwork: A Guide to Expressive Brushwork for Oil Painting by Emile A. Gruppe (affiliate link): https://amzn.to/2RhE9Wb
Art Supplies:
4F Pumice: https://amzn.to/2JIFd1p
RayMar Wet Painting Carriers - 16" x 20” Carrier (affiliate link): https://amzn.to/2V2NXEG
About the Artful Painter:
The Artful Painter website: https://carlolson.tv
Donate to support the Artful Painter: https://carlolson.tv/donate
Send me an email: https://carlolson.tv/contact
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artful.creative/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/carl.olson.9847 https://www.facebook.com/carlolsontv/
Reading Essentials: https://carlolson.tv/reading-essentials
Subscribe to my YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIo1YmQXnMm21b-Slkr69Tg
This page may contain affiliate links from which I earn a small commission. When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
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