Forstmann Invites the World To Watch Him at Work

In these days of self-distancing — when buyers can’t visit art galleries or studios — one Sharon, Conn., artist has found a unique way to bring attention to his work.

Eric Forstmann, 57, has been posting video clips online to show the behind-the-scenes work of creating art at his Torrington studio.  He is represented by Jane Eckert in Kent, Conn. (www.janeeckertfineart.com).

The website is updated frequently, as he works, and shows him setting up a subject (in this case, still lifes) and doing prep work, like hashing out initial sketches. 

From idea to canvas

In the first video, Forstmann arranges on wooden shelves a variety of props: vases, glasses, a small kettle, knickknacks.  Another clip (filmed on his iPad) shows the sped-up process of sketching.  In a third video, he starts to  actually paint. 

The growing “Following Forstmann” collection can be seen online at www.vimeo.com/user113839073/videos.

Forstmann said he plans to continue to make more videos. Eckert Fine Art is posting updates on Instagram and other social media, and on the gallery’s website (www.janeeckertfineart.com/eric-forstmann).

Forstmann sheepishly admits he is “tech unsavvy,” and said that when Eckert brought up the idea, “I was hesitant at first.

“I’m not well-versed at being online. But I’m getting there. I got an email address just three years ago. I’ve never had a Facebook page. I am talking to you on my Samsung Convoy 4 flip phone,” he said during the April 30 interview for this article. 

“It’s not that I am a Neanderthal,” he clarified. But he’s wary of the temptations that come with using a smartphone.

“I’d rather spend my time painting” than web surfing.

Nonetheless, Forstmann has been something of an internet art pioneer, with the video posts about his painting process. 

“The way things are now, it’s hard to get people to your studio,” he said. “These little films keep your name out there. You can see what I’m painting.” 

Forstmann said he was also inspired by artists he met at an artist residency at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City: “Artists under 50 say, ‘You can’t live without Instagram,’” he said.

Slowed by COVID

Like everyone, the COVID-19 crisis threw Forstmann off track for a while. Following two successful major art fairs in February, he confessed, he hadn’t been making much art. 

“I thought I had COVID-19 at the beginning of March,” he said. “I had all the symptoms.” 

He added that, “I’ve never taken off more than a couple of weeks” from painting. 

He was able to get tested, but got a “negative” result — which wasn’t that comforting, he said, considering how often the tests come up with false negatives. 

The emotional impact also factored in. He compared the global pandemic to the aftermath of 9/11, when he doubted whether what he did artistically mattered.

Following a month of isolation, he felt once again inspired. He went out and did several small landscapes on Route 22 in Millerton, N.Y., near McEnroe Farm.

“It restored my faith in what I do,” he said. “There were even cheers and thumbs-ups from passersby.”

The luxury of a studio

After working from his home in Sharon for many years, Forstmann is now in a studio space in Torrington. His first studio was above the Five Points Center for the Visual Arts on Water Street (he is on the Board of Directors of the downtown Torrington gallery). In May 2019, he moved around the corner to 79 Wall St. 

“My production level went way up when I got away from my home studio,” he said. 

Muted but luscious scenes

Forstmann creates moody, haunting still lifes and landscapes, working mostly with oil paints. The works are striking: dried stalks in a ribbed drinking glass; hanging linen shirts that are colorful but muted. His works have distinct emotional dimensions.

Eckert Fine Art has a show of his work planned for June, though it may be postponed until October. Forstmann said it will be interesting to see how the concept of crowds will change when the pandemic is over.  In the meantime, he will continue with his video clips. 

“I’m still trying to come out of the fog and see what the reaction to this will be,” he said. “I’m trying to let it happen without thinking about it. I only can work the way I work, and hopefully find things fulfilling.”