DPW Spotlight Interview: Linda Apple

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

To enter to win Linda's painting, "Musical Mickey Mouse" go to Daily Paintworks and click on the link at the top of the page announcing her interview.

From Linda's DPW Gallery page:

Linda Apple has been a full-time artist for over 40 years. Growing up in the Appalachian hills of Southern Ohio, she was active in drawing and painting at an early age and received artistic support from creative and loving parents. Awarded a scholarship to the Columbus College of Art & Design in 1964 was her first step of a life-loving journey into the creation of art.

Always seeking new ideas and experiences led Apple to France, Italy, Greece, Sweden, Mexico, Canada and the U.S.A. southwest. Over the past 40 years, her work has gained international recognition being exhibited in Mexico, Canada and the U.S.A. while finding it's way into many prominent collections around the world. Life experiences have influenced and altered her work many times throughout her career. In addition to her painting, Apple has created sculpture for over 20 years. The earlier pieces were large, in a classic style, in wood, marble and welded metal. Now they are smaller figures in mixed media. Technical and personal aspects of her work have merged to produce touching and whimsical images that stir the imagination and inspire the viewer to notice the little everyday moments of our life.

"I would describe my work as a mix of realism and impressionism. The completed paintings have an authentic painterly representation of the subject, often with a touch of humor. I went online with my work and became part of the daily painters network in 2006." Over 1200 paintings have been sold to collectors in the United States and in countries around the world, such as the United Kingdom, Italy, Australia and Japan.

Musical Mickey Mouse
(click to see original image)

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

Tell us a bit about how you first started painting.

I have been doing art as long as I can remember. My mother once told me that I started to draw as soon as I could hold a crayon but I have no memory of that. I do remember drawing and painting all the time. It was art or archeology for me so when I received a scholarship to the Art College, the decision was made.

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

Yes, but not by choice. In the early 80's, I was hit by a car while crossing a street and it took about 7 yrs. away.

What mediums and genres have you experimented with?

Lets say that glass blowing is about the only medium I haven't tried. I use to do large stone sculpture - loved that. I still do small (usually humorous) mixed media sculpture and enjoy experimenting with different mediums. I never seemed to be able to settle on just one. I have actually wondered why anyone would do just one thing, when there are so many fun things to do.

Bicycle Blues
(click to see original image)

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

I stay mostly with oil painting because it's the easiest to sell and having art as my only income, that is important. Most of my art was very large for many years but now I reserve the larger work for galleries or commissions. I miss doing large stone sculpture but it has become physically too difficult for me, so I have tried to fill that gap with small sculptures.

Which ones are you looking forward to exploring?

I am exploring new ideas everyday in my painting and working on different subject matters and concepts. I think that when I work on sculpture it gives me a different perspective. Working in three dimensions gives me more insight into light, shadow and design. I think what draws me to do sculpture, is the fact that I can combine all the different skills I have learned over the years. Sculpting, design, painting and sewing all into one.

Have a Coke
(click to see original image)

Who or what inspires you most?

Humor, people and animals. I love to put a bit of humor or a little twist of some sort into my work.

What does procrastination look like for you?

Awful! of course I do it, who doesn't? I usually procrastinate by doing my daily mundane chores that we all have to do and which rarely ever involve art. Art is the fun, easy part!

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

Well, I don't know if you would call eating a technique (more like motivation) but when you put it into the context of no art = no money = no food, works for me! Basically, I don't make time for my art, I do it all day, almost everyday!

Woman on Cell Phone
(click to see original image)

How do you generally arrive at ideas for your paintings?

I am a lurker. Watching people, looking at details, a lot of sketching, reading and movies. I also go to the museum and do a lot of online viewing of art. Keeping in touch with what others are doing can spark new ideas. For instance, my son is an avid cyclist and being around that gave the inspiration for my bicycle shadow series.

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

Well, that's a good question. I think that when you do anything for many years, you are going to get burnout. I used to get upset when I felt like I didn't have a new idea in my head or couldn't seem to "do it" but now I think that it is a time when your brain is figuring out new things and processing information. So when it happens, I try to relax and go with the flow. I go out and do a bit of metal detecting or get away from it all, even if it is just a few hours. Also, I spend some time playing with other mediums; sculpture and sketching will almost always give me a new idea. It is one of my essentials to creating.

The Adventure
(click to see original image)

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

After forty-three plus years at this, I really have no idea. Most of the time, it comes as a surprise. Something just pops up and I think, "oh, that's new"!

What makes you happiest about your art?

The fact that at sixty-six years of age, I still love doing it. I also love to hear the joy from my buyers and how it touches them. I get a chuckle to know that a painting is hanging on a wall in Hong Kong or Australia. Going online was the best decision I ever made. Forty years ago, I would have never thought that would happen.

Thanks, Linda!

© 2013 Sophie Marine