Ingbretson opens studio

By Larry Clow
HippoPress.com

Artist Paul Ingbretson doesn't consider himself a teacher.

"Teaching is a funny word," he said. "I consult."

Ingbretson's studio in Langer Place, located at 55 South Commercial St., was open to visitors June 12, as part of the Open Doors Manchester art and culture tour. The open studio was a rare treat; Ingbretson said the studio is typically open only once a year to visitors, or by appointment.

The studio is large, taking up much of the second floor of Langer Place. Each student's work area is sectioned off by hanging drop cloths. Each work area is littered with canvases, easels, and works in progress. Finished and unfinished works line the walls of the studio, along with shelves of busts, statues and other props used for still life paintings. Once a week, Ingbretson comes to the studio to critique students' work. Ingbretson focuses on "training the eye" of students, showing them how to paint objectively and accurately.

"Training of the eye is a big thing," he said. "People think (the artist's eye) is personal, but it's not."

Ingbretson primarily teaches a 19th century painting style modeled after the Boston school of painting. Ingbretson has been at Langer Place for eight years. He came to Manchester because he was attracted to the vacant mill buildings.

"I looked at 13 places, and this was the 14th place I looked at," he said. "It had the best windows, the best lighting and the best landlord, and I thought 'Why didn't I look here before?'"

Ingbretson said Herb Langer, owner of the building, was "a real asset" for artists.

Along with teaching at the studio, Ingbretson also serves as a state representative from Haverhill. He said there's a definite connection between art and politics.

"It's idealism … in painting, you're trying to reach an ideal of beauty," he said. "It's the same in politics … freedom and the constitution and liberty are all ideals."

Jan Stiles has been a student/artist in Ingbretson's studio since September. Stiles said she came to the studio to get more artistic training.

"Within ten seconds, I knew I was home," she said. "I learned more in the first two months from Paul than I did from any other teacher."

Stiles said Ingbretson teaches in a very unique way.
"It's classical work that's not really taught anywhere else," she said. "It's really adult learning. It's not being spoon-fed to us."

Artists are at work in the studio at all hours, which inspires creativity, according to Stiles.

"I tried working at home and it was a complete flop," she said. At the studio, there is "definitely an energy … among the students."

Ingbretson said there are currently two empty spaces in the studio. All artists are welcome at the studio, but Ingbretson said he's primarily looking for "fresh young talent … with a love of painting and absolute determination to achieve."

The road to becoming a professional artist is a long one, Ingbretson said.

"There's a certain body of discipline that's hard. It takes three or four years to get confidence in your drawing … another 10 years to get a sense of ownership of your style," he said. "Or, as they say in the art world … 'miles of canvas.'"

Larry Clow can be reached at hippo@hippopress.com