Artist Jonathan Richter paints a picture for each pint of beer he drinks at the Yazoo Brewery in Nashville, TN. His quest for great beer reminds him of scouring garage sales and always finding a treasure. Join us for the garbage-free story behind the pint.
On a chilly night in November, we squeeze through a crowded hallway and make our way into the taproom at Yazoo Brewery in Nashville, Tennessee. It is dark here, but the corner table has just enough light to make it comfortable. As my husband and I greet a long-time friend with hugs, we are introduced to Jonathan Richter, a local artist who paints a picture for each pint he drinks in a pub.
Jonathan, tall and thin with a raucous crop of dark hair, extends his hand with a genuine smile. He makes brief small talk and returns his attention to a small tile situated on the table before him. At this point I remember that I’ve heard of Jonathan before. He paints quietly and rather quickly while the group gathers and conversations ensue. I watch the tip of his brush whisk across the tile and dip into the messy paper cup sitting to his left. Suddenly, an image begins edging its way out of deep, earthy smudges of color. A face takes shape, and Jonathan tells a joke. He’s with us briefly—then back to the painting.
We order a round of beer-Yazoo ESB and dos Perros-and Jonathan puts the finishing touches on the piece before him. He shares the childlike character with more familiar people at the table and I catch myself wondering what this is all about. Why would he want to paint here?
It turns out Jonathan Richter has been painting in pubs for nearly three years. Always a creative sort with a desire to paint, Jonathan evaluated the time he spent pubbing with his friends and decided to find a way to make that time more productive. He describes his pub painting as a creative release that allows him to work in a more free capacity from the technical animation and illustration work that comprise his “day job.” While both jobs are creative and intriguing, his paintings are opportunities to paint what comes to mind right away. Jonathan believes these paintings improve his technical work as well by providing a forum to experiment with ideas and color.
Jonathan jokes that his interest in unusual combinations means his favorite beers sometimes seem “soupy enough to eat with a fork.”
The second round of beer is served, which includes another ESB, the Yazoo Hefeweisen and Jonathan’s favorite Yazoo offering, the Onward Stout. With its arrival Jonathan pulls a long, narrow tile from his paper bag. He pauses, briefly leaving the conversation again, before dipping the brush into gloppy peach paint. His free hand samples Yazoo’s shepherd’s lunch: a tasty presentation of local cheese, peasant bread and grapes. Jonathan's enthusiasm for this simple yet delicious food offering parallels his artistic motivation, which strives to discover something unexpected and exceptional in the every day things of life. Likewise, he enjoys trying beers that feature unusual ingredients. He jokes that his interest in unusual combinations means his favorite beers sometimes seem “soupy enough to eat with a fork.” More seriously, he prefers stouts for their depth and toastiness.
Jonathan grew up in Milwaukee with an appreciation for beer and the brewing industry. Visits with relatives often included a trip to the Pabst Brewery where Jonathan says he came to love the smell of brewing. That familiar, sweet-cereal smell of the mash and the tart, tingling aroma of fermentation bring him back to his father’s home brewing experiments, which surely provided the foundation for Jonathan’s love of big, dark beers. Laughing in spite of himself, Jonathan admits to even liking “the wonky batches that don’t quite turn out just right. It’s like going to a garage sale to see what you can find.”
The evening concludes with a final round of hugs and smiles. As we leave Yazoo, I think about the three character-style paintings Jonathan finished while visiting with friends and enjoying some fresh, local brew. Like craft-brewed beer, Jonathan's paintings are bold and filled with nuance. I reflect on how easy it was to become accustomed to the constant activity from his corner of the table and the in-and-out nature of his part of the conversation. Jonathan mentioned respecting artists who maintain their social connections while still managing to be creative and in-tune with their art. He seems to have acheived those qualities himself. I found him to be witty, amicable and inspiring. Having a beer with an artist who paints for every pint was a welcome surprise. My only question now is how can I try his father’s espresso stout?