THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, November 19, 1995 TAG: 9511170882
SECTION: CAROLINA COAST PAGE: 22 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Mary Ellen Riddle
DATELINE: EDENTON LENGTH: Medium: 77 lines
ARTIST John Becker is a studious man who enjoys reading art books from cover to cover.
Much like an engineer - he claims to be a frustrated one - Becker approaches his portrait painting with precision. And his love of acting and the theater can't help but bring feeling to his work.
Whatever the recipe, he's painted more than 80 life-filled portraits with no patron known to complain.
The English-born artist is at the point in his painting career where he feels comfortable with his medium and his models.
His wife, Carol, plays an integral role in the process. She quickly establishes rapport with people and works to relax them. By questioning clients and showing samples of portraits, she gets an understanding of their expectations.
Becker will work from life or from photographs. If you hire him, you may have to sit for an hour while he photographs you from all angles.
The camera and brush are wielded by Becker on these jobs, but Carol is also a painter. Her artistic knowledge comes in handy.
``She has a great sense of style, design and clothing,'' John said.
She's a natural for helping the client choose clothing and accessories to wear for the sitting.
Becker ensures success by giving his customers a sneak preview. He does this by painting a smaller version of the portrait before attacking the larger canvas. At this point, the picture is discussed with the client.
Virginia Wood, whose husband, Benbury, was having his portrait painted, wasn't happy with the background color on the painting study. So Becker used a different color on the final rendition. He produced a work so lifelike that the family dog, Poppy, barked at his master's likeness for 20 minutes.
For a theme show put on by the Chowan Arts Council, Becker painted a mother and child. Not only was the double portrait a blue ribbon winner, but the subject's husband couldn't resist buying the painting, even though the family was spending plenty of money to restore an old home.
It is important to note that the eyes of Becker's models speak clearly of their individuality, not just to his apparent ability to paint what is there.
To call the man just a portrait artist would be limiting, for he approaches his work with as much respect for the land or interior as the figure.
In his portrait painting of a boy and dog, Becker places them fishing in a boat. This placement brings us closer to the individual by having him in a favorite environment.
Becker succeeds again this way with a massive scene of Paris Valley in northern Virginia. Posed in the foreground is a beautiful red-headed farm girl who stares out of the painting with a natural grace that's undeniable in her stance and that echoes through the valley.
A portrait of Becker's daughter Anne immortalizes the coming of age of a 20-year-old woman dressed in her debutante gown, cradled by Edenton's waterfront. Anne looks away from the viewer, light playing on her hair and face. While the face is painted in a tighter style, the hair is more playful and painterly, set with bolder strokes.
Playful could well describe Becker, who exercises a dry wit. Coupled with Carol's unassuming, warm manner and their shared love of art and theater, you have a thriving team.
The Beckers met in the Midwest, while both were involved in a touring company. As Becker puts it:
``One thing led to her mother, and here we are.''
Painting full time came after they put both children through school. While Becker calls the theater ``a fascinating phase of my life'' and performs locally, it's painting that brings a melody to his lips. ``I love painting,'' he said. ``The moment I get in front of the canvas with a paintbrush I start to whistle.''
``He sings, he whistles,'' Carol said. ``He's just happy.'' ILLUSTRATION: Photo by MARY ELLEN RIDDLE
Thomas Becker's portrait of Benbury Wood, right, was so lifelike
that Wood's dog barked at it for 20 minutes.
by CNB