Thursday, April 28, 2016

DPW Spotlight Interview: Elizabeth Elgin

Each week we will spotlight a different DPW artist who will give away one of their best paintings.

To enter to win Elizabeth's painting, "Sun Dappled Cow" go to Daily Paintworks and click on the link at the top of the page announcing their interview.

From Elizabeth's DPW Gallery:

I love to paint! Period. Although I won the annual art award my senior year in high school (long long ago), "life" got in the way of my pursuing an art career. When I turned 60 I just decided to start; to learn as best I could. I am a member of the "It's never to late to start club". Thank goodness for the internet - so many wonderful art videos available. (click to read more)

Tell us a bit about how you first started painting.

Once upon a time, long, long ago, when I was in high school, I had the very best art teacher, dear Mrs. Glass. She encouraged me and was the first to tell me I had something worth pursuing regarding making art. Then life happened. I always did arts and crafts, and even took some college night classes in drawing in my thirties, but seriously pursuing my artistic side didn’t happen until about six years ago.

Sun Dappled Cow

Enter to win by clicking on the link at the top of the DPW home page announcing Elizabeth's interview.

Did you have any stops and starts in your painting career?

I can’t say my painting “career” has actually started yet. I’m still in the learning stage and although my artwork does sell, thanks to DPW, I certainly can’t quit my day job. But learning is its own joy and the curve is steep when you have limited time to paint.

What mediums and genres have you experimented with?

I started with acrylics and then moved to oils, and use both, depending upon the subject matter. Sometimes, I start with acrylics to work out the underpainting and finish with oils. I did take a few watercolor lessons and would love to do more with that as well. I love painting animals, still life, skies, water... everything really.

Goodnight Sun Take 2
(click to view)

Which ones have "stuck" and which ones have fallen away?

Watercolor, graphite drawing, colored pencil, pastels – haven’t really fallen away so much as have been put on hold while I try to improve with painting mediums.

Which ones are you looking forward to exploring?

I am currently looking forward to a workshop in May on paintings miniatures at the 1/6 scale; and then in June learning the indirect oil painting method for contemporary realism. I would like to try plein air but then I read about the heat, the wind, the bugs... maybe not.

Ladybug Ladybug
(click to view)

Who or what inspires you most?

Ah, the inter-webs. I love to look at the artists of both the past and present; my difficulty is that I love all different styles. There’s an ‘x factor’ in some art that just hits you, like your mind has met the artist’s mind and that painting moves you in some way. And not even all the art from that same artist will hit you. So I can’t explain it. When you see it, you suck wind for a second. There is no lack of inspiration to be found, from art to nature; from the way the sunlight shines through the window, to the way my dog looks at me.

What does procrastination look like for you?

I love ‘starts’. Blocking in a new painting when the idea is so fresh in my mind. Then comes problem solving... losing steam and confidence that I can finish... I sometimes have to set a painting aside for weeks, months, sometimes a year, until I feel I might be able to bring it to conclusion. But procrastination in finishing sometimes pays off. Often the problem that needed solving gets answered in a course I happen to take, or a blog I’ve read online. But I have lots of ‘starts’ sitting around. Sometimes I just have to decide it’s just a no-go and trash it.

Breakfast Reflections
(click to view)

What techniques work to ensure that you make time for your art?

Actually, I need a technique to ensure that I make time for housekeeping and cooking and doing laundry as my art imposes on those things. Those things slide, not my art time. As I still work full time, I often am too tired at night to paint. If I do paint on weeknights, the problem is I get excited and keep going and suddenly it’s 1:00 am and my morning alarm is set for 5:30. So mostly I really focus on my weekend time slots and look forward to it all week.

How do you generally arrive at ideas for your paintings?

This is funny to me. I see people on Facebook ask “I want to paint but what should I paint?” My problem is the opposite: how in the world can I ever paint all the things I want to paint? The availability on the internet of copyright free reference photos is massive, so the ideas are never-ending. Something catches my eye, or moves me in some way; I ‘see it’ in my mind as a painting, and have a little excitement inside to see it executed. Sometimes it even works out.

Lilacs in Copper
(click to view)

What do you feel you are learning about right now as an artist?

I just finished two classes at The Compass Atelier, oil painting and mastering color. Color mixing, seeing values, seeing subtle color shifts, warm vs. cool, those basics I need to learn to get the results I want. Also, we see so much these days about ‘painting loose’ and I have tried to pursue that but I’m not sure it’s really in my Virgo-detail-oriented nature. I took an online course and the instructor posted two paintings, one very loose and painterly, and one almost hyper-realistic. He was trying to make the point that the loose style was more appealing, but I kept looking at the realistic one and thinking... maybe not – for me. So I’m taking a class in June with Cindy Procious in traditional methods of indirect painting in realism. Those are the type of paintings that take my breath away, so I want to pursue that this year. So one thing I’m learning is what is the style that I really like, and not to let others ‘should’ all over me. Someday maybe I’ll have ‘my style’.

Garuda Aviary Fundraiser - Sir Winston
(click to view)

What makes you happiest about your art?

When I get a note from someone who has purchased my art, or commissioned a pet portrait, and the painting has really moved them. I’ve had people tell me “Oh, your chickens brought back such fond memories of my grandma’s farm”, or even that they cried when they got their pet portrait in the mail. Those are the moments you feel, ah, the struggle is worth it.

Thanks, Elizabeth!

© 2016 Sophie Marine

Thursday, April 21, 2016

DPW Spotlight Interview: Jean Fitzgerald

Each week we will spotlight a different DPW artist who will give away one of their best paintings.

To enter to win Jean's painting, "Geraniums" go to Daily Paintworks and click on the link at the top of the page announcing their interview.

From Jean's DPW Gallery:

Jean Fitzgerald is a North Carolina impressionist painter. She received her BA in Art from Western Kentucky University and also studied at the Corcoran College of Art and Design, and with Jack Beal and Sondra Freckleton. She taught watercolor workshops, and sold her artwork at outdoor art festivals and in galleries in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio, Virginia and North Carolina. She has worked in oils, watercolors, and acrylics. (click to read more)

Tell us a bit about how you first started painting.

I have been engaged in art for most of my life.  I have a BA in Art Education from Western Kentucky University and pursued further studies at the Corcoran College of Art and Design.  During the nineties, I sold my work at outdoor art festivals and then in galleries in North Carolina.

Geraniums

Enter to win by clicking on the link at the top of the DPW home page announcing Jean's interview.

Did you have any stops and starts in your painting career?

I stopped painting for twelve years while I taught full time, and I have returned to painting since I retired five years ago.

Lavender Fields
(
click to view)

What mediums and genres have you experimented with?

Over the years, I have worked in water colors, acrylics, oil pastels and oils.  I am currently painting landscape, still life, florals and abstracts.

Who or what inspires you most?

The artist I most admire is John Singer Sargent because of his use of light.  By carefully controlling the values in his paintings, the works seem to glow.  I attempt to achieve this glow in subjects by using backlighting.

Orange Reflections
(
click to view)

What techniques work to ensure that you make time for your art?

I paint in the morning before I start anything else in order to assure that I have adequate time to work.

How do you generally arrive at ideas for your paintings?

My garden, travels, and the landscape of the South provide me with my subject matter.  I have photographed interesting possible subjects over the years, but I only rely loosely on the photo reference.

Dimensions
(
click to view)

What do you feel you are learning about right now as an artist?

I continue to explore dramatic lighting and to push myself to eliminate unnecessary details while using expressive brushwork.  I am also making videos to share with other artists my working methods and how I use oil paints without solvents. I am married to the author, Michael Hammonds, and we reside in North Carolina and Ohio.

Peach Flowers
(
click to view)

What makes you happiest about your art?

I am happiest with my paintings that have drama and interesting brushwork.  I attempt to keep them fresh by avoiding excessive detail and by not overworking them.


Thanks, Jean!


© 2016 Sophie Marine

Thursday, April 14, 2016

DPW Spotlight Interview: Annabel Chance

Each week we will spotlight a different DPW artist who will give away one of their best paintings.

To enter to win Annabel's painting, "No. 37 Deer" go to Daily Paintworks and click on the link at the top of the page announcing their interview.

From Annabel's DPW Gallery:

Hello! My name is Annabel Chance. I work traditionally in opaque and transparent watercolors. I'm inspired by nature and wildlife to create my colorful paintings. If you have any questions or comments I'd love to hear from you :)

Tell us a bit about how you first started painting.

I'm from Florida and have had the pleasure of seeing the Gulf and being around nature from a young age. I've been told that I started finger-painting what I saw at the beach to show my parents before I could talk.

No. 37 Deer

Enter to win by clicking on the link at the top of the DPW home page announcing Annabel's interview.

Did you have any stops and starts in your painting career?

My painting career is still pretty new. I wanted to get some more practice with my watercolors. That's when I signed up for an account with Daily Paintworks to motivate me. I really didn't expect to get so much positive feedback but I'm grateful for all the encouragement.

My wildlife paintings are a return to my childhood where I would just enjoy sketching at the beach or by the bird feeder.

What mediums and genres have you experimented with?

I've had the opportunity to play with oil and acrylic but I think that I have the greatest affinity for watercolor.

Bluebill
(click to view)

Which ones are you looking forward to exploring?

I've been thinking about creating some abstract watercolor paintings.

Who or what inspires you most?

The content of my work is inspired by the animals that I paint: their behavior and personality. Visually, I'm caught between a love of representational art and the abstract. John Singer Sargent is my favorite painter.

Snow Leopard
(click to view)

What does procrastination look like for you?

I struggle a little with photographing my paintings and sharing them online. I'm always ready to paint but I don't have the same focus for formatting images, writing descriptions or choosing keywords.

What techniques work to ensure that you make time for your art?

Keeping a space that is ready for me to paint is really important. I make note of ideas for paintings, collect references, and prepare paper in advance so when I have enough time to paint there aren't any obstacles in my way.

No. 36 Chihuahua
(click to view)

How do you generally arrive at ideas for your paintings?

I try to focus on three things in the early stages of my paintings: form, expression and color. I'll decide on an animal I'd like to paint and will attempt to make it instantly recognizable. I study animal behavior and expressions and I try to bring that through in my work. I also try to create a color scheme that is appealing on an abstract level.

How do you keep art "fresh?" What techniques have helped you avoid burnout and keep your work vibrant and engaging?

I think watercolors are prone to becoming too fussy. I begin with a big wash of color and then I carve out the subject. I don't want to hide that this is a watercolor painting. I love the big abstract splashes of intense color and I've thrown away my masking fluid.

No. 24 Mourning Dove
(click to view)

What do you feel you are learning about right now as an artist?

I'm learning to do the work that I love. Even though I was told that there wasn't much of a market for watercolor animal paintings, I think that my genuine affection for and fascination with wildlife comes through in my work. Other people that love wildlife have really responded to that.

What makes you happiest about your art?

I have so much focus when I'm painting. I work with purpose and confidence. I used to worry about ruining my painting but now I just respond to whatever the watercolor decides to do. I don't try to control the flow of paint. I rely on it to be unpredictable. It's a unique process to other methods of painting I've tried and it feels like a collaboration with the medium.

Thanks, Annabel!

© 2016 Sophie Marine

Thursday, April 7, 2016

DPW Spotlight Interview: Rentia Coetzee

Each week we will spotlight a different DPW artist who will give away one of their best paintings.

To enter to win Rentia's painting, "Happiness" go to Daily Paintworks and click on the link at the top of the page announcing their interview.

From Rentia's DPW Gallery:

I have been creating all my life! Combining patterns and colours brought me hours of pleasure! Then I discovered painting, Pandora's box! Grateful to art teachers willing to share and guide! Golden advice, miles on the canvas!!! (click to view)

Tell us a bit about how you first started painting.

I had empty nest syndrome six years ago and a great art teacher led me to a full time job and an all consuming passion. I tried to paint years ago but babies and life had other plans for me.

Did you have any stops and starts in your painting career?

When I started six years ago I never looked back. I was fortunate enough to get into galleries very soon and that gave me a lot of self-confidence. I paint every day from 8am until 4pm. It is a job that I take very seriously and I love every moment of it.

Happiness
(click to view)

Enter to win by clicking on the link at the top of the DPW home page announcing Rentia's interview.

What mediums and genres have you experimented with?

I paint in all mediums except watercolour. I have a very heavy hand for watercolour. Oils are my favourite at the moment as well as pastel. I use charcoal in all my drawings and inks are so clear and versatile to work with. I love all genres, portraits being my strongest and landscape my weakest although I am working on it.

Which ones have "stuck" and which ones have fallen away?

Everything has stuck like glue except watercolour - not there yet.

My Cat Amy
(click to view)

Which ones are you looking forward to exploring?

I would love to explore mixed media and have an acute yearning for abstracts. Hope to get the opportunity to explore it further.

Who or what inspires you most?

I adore DPW - best discovery I ever made. I absorb and dissect all artworks, look at artists' galleries and really learn. The weekly challenge is great and I try to get to it as often as possible. My husband and children inspire and motivate me every day. They are my biggest fans but harshest critics. I find inspiration in a beautiful or unique photo. My cellphone is always on hand for impromptu photos which I paint asap. Nature and our Creator inspire me every day to improve! I do courses all the time, read art books and watch art dvds!

Lunch 2
(click to view)

What does procrastination look like for you?

What is that??? I only procrastinate when I have to cook, clean or do admin! Painting… never!

What techniques work to ensure that you make time for your art?

I am very strict with my working hours. My husband and kids had to learn the hard way. When I work I don’t chat and I try not to get diverted. I am constantly completing commissions with deadlines. I strive to be happy and fulfilled in all aspects of my life and I hope that shines through in my artwork.

Let's Go Boating
(click to view)

How do you generally arrive at ideas for your paintings?

I am constantly googling pictures and ideas. I get a lot of references from friends on FB. When I see an idea I immediately know that I have to paint it - whether oils, acrylics or pastels.

How do you keep art "fresh?" What techniques have helped you avoid burnout and keep your work vibrant and engaging?

I look for a different approach and try new mediums. I also try to think out of the box and into something original! I avoid burnout by relaxing with my family, special time with my husband and sleeping well. When I paint I stand with a mirror 3m behind me, that helps me not to get too tight and keeps my paintings fresh!

Kobus
(click to view)

What do you feel you are learning about right now as an artist?

Painting shapes with Chantel Barber is the course I am doing right now. What an eye opener. Right now I have arrived at the point where I no longer want to render. I try to get myself into my artwork. Fresh, original and uplifting is what I strive for.

What makes you happiest about your art?

I'm happiest when someone says I have captured a soul or the essence.  An insult to me is when someone says it looks just like a photo. I am ecstatic when I look at a piece and it is just so - even if no one else thinks so!

Thanks, Rentia!

© 2016 Sophie Marine