Artwork by Richard Vander Meulen

My Love of 53 years

My name is Dick Vander Meulen, 73 years old, and live in South Carolina. I am an architect by trade but because of the economy have not done any design work for the last five years.

I have not had the opportunity of a formal education in art or architecture but have learned a lot from books and some private architecture courses but no art courses. I have always enjoyed art even as a child. I remember drawing street maps in the third grade and as early as the 5th grade was drawing horses and dogs.

Over the years I have done a variety of sketches but most of my time has been spent in architecture designing houses and commercial structures. I simply have not had the time to do artwork.

Also, over the years I have acquired numerous media, such as pastels, water color and oil colors but have never had much chance to use them to any great extent.

Recently, I have taken more time with the water colors mainly doing greeting cards for family and then some oil portraits for family, even a horse for my daughter, and I want to do much better in the art that I do. My greatest challenge has been time and knowledge of anatomy and in painting get the right flesh tone. Many times when I have been to the doctor I review the anatomy sketches on display and think it would be so great to be able to do those drawings.

Over two years ago I started a seascape for another daughter and it is still only in sketch form. I have always wanted to do oil portraits and that is why I have done two recently.

My wife from a picture taken thirty years ago (the difficulty is that the only photo is 1.5″X3″ in size). The other is a copy of a painting of Jesus that was done by Greg Olsen. I have generally done pretty well in proportions but really need more in depth understanding of anatomy, therein my desire to win this competition.

I have followed the Drawing Academy for sometime receiving regular emails and believe these courses would enhance my artwork tremendously.

I have seen amazing progress in the works displayed by the Drawing Academy students. I would be overwhelmed if only I could do so well. I only work part-time and am on Social Security and simply cannot afford the course being on limited income. I would certainly appreciate all the votes I can get.

Thank you