To enter to win Michko's painting, "Refreshing Canyon" go to Daily Paintworks and click on the link at the top of the page announcing their interview.
From Michko's DPW Gallery page:
My main interest is traditional realistic landscape painting. I am a devotee of past American masters such as Sydney Laurence, Edward Wesson, Edgar Payne, Eustace Ziegler, Andrew Wyeth, John Carlson, Thomas Hill, William Keith, Albert Bierstadt and Ted Lambert. My love for the beauty of nature made me travel and live in many parts of Europe and North America. My preferred medium is acrylic. (click to read more)
Refreshing Canyon (click to see original image) Enter to win by clicking on the link at the top of the home page announcing Michko's interview. |
Tell us a bit about how you first started painting.
When I was kid, I remember keeping an empty chocolate box with a picture of mountains on it, a landscape that I loved watching over and over. When I grew older, I found out that the picture was a painting by Edgar Payne. The real support came from my parents, they used to encourage me and buy me all kinds of art supplies.
Did you have any stops and starts in your painting career?
I had many stops and starts. During my university years, I gave up on painting during my exams. Nevertheless, painting was part of my income to support my education expenses. Although I marketed my paintings most of the time, I always considered painting a hobby that I loved most, therefore stops and starts were frequent but brief.
Green Edge (click to see original image) |
What mediums and genres have you experimented with?
All kinds of mediums; for me all mediums are pigments and they all work the same way. You see, when the art is good there is no need to worry about the medium. Sometimes I prefer a good drawing with pencil to an average oil painting. However, my favorite medium is acrylic because it gives me a beautiful dry chalk and the dazzling soft reflexes that I love. Sometimes I experiment with my own mediums by mixing acrylics with other water based mediums to give more excitement to my paintings.
Do you like plein air painting?
I love plein air, but most of the time I make the sketching of the composition using pencil or watercolor on the spot and take some pictures. I prefer to continue the true painting in my studio.
Heading Home (click to see original image) |
What is your favorite subject to paint?
I love painting mountains, but I don't mind any subject I feel inclined to paint. Here in Ontario, we don't have mountains so I have to rely mostly on photos. Although I have been to many parts of the world, I still prefer where I am and retrieve my references from the web.
Who or what inspires you most?
What really inspires me is the beauty of the nature itself and then the past American landscape masters such as Sydney Laurence, Edward Wesson, Edgar Payne, Eustace Ziegler, Andrew Wyeth, John Carlson, Thomas Hill, William Keith, Albert Bierstadt, Ted Lamber, etc.
Scary Road (click to see original image) |
What techniques work to ensure that you make time for your art?
I paint when I finish doing other things needed for the family and the kids. When painting, I like to listen to news, music or to radio talk shows.
How do you generally arrive at ideas for your paintings?
Ideas for painting come from everywhere: the internet, magazines, a scene I see while I am driving outside or watching a movie.
Observer (click to see original image) |
How do you keep art "fresh?" What techniques have helped you avoid burnout and keep your work vibrant and engaging?
I am inspired by artists of the past and I have a few of their books in my library. I also love the Southeast and its history.
What makes you happiest about your art?
When people appreciate my painting. I post my paintings on my Facebook regularly and sometimes on Wetcanvas. I love to read comments and feedback made by people and other painters about my work. Thank you Daily Paintworks!
Thanks, Michko!
© 2014 Sophie Catalina Marine Cruse
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