Thursday, June 25, 2015

DPW Spotlight Interview: H.F. Wallen

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

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

Tell us a bit about how you first started painting:

Growing up, art was a form of escapism discovered at a very early age.  I don't remember a time when I didn't draw, paint and sculpt whenever possible.  Even if all there was was mud, I found a way to impose some design or image with it.  In school, I was the kid sitting at the back of the class drawing on the margins of my workbook instead of doing the assignment.

I sold my first piece in fifth grade - it was a clay sculpture of a unicorn; I think I got $20.00 for it.  When I was young, I nearly always received encouragement for my art, so attending college as an art major came as a bit of a shock.  Don't get me wrong, no one came out and told me I didn't have talent, but, the prevalent message was, "Don't do what you're doing, do something else."  So I changed career paths, and gradually packed away my art supplies.

Beautiful Eyes
(click to see original image)

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

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

A few years ago I hit a couple of significant bumps with work and I began to reconsider art as an option.  I did a search for drawing classes in my area, just something to get my feet wet... Instead I found a beginning oil painting class at the Classical Art Academy in Boulder, CO.  Best decision I ever made!  For the first time ever, I had found an instructor who taught what I needed to know; basically how to paint the way I envisioned my paintings should look.  Mostly it was just good basic materials and tools information, but Michelle Philip is also an incredibly kind teacher with a good eye for seeing what needs to be fixed.

About two years ago, I made the decision to move to Iowa to free up time and resources to concentrate on my art.  Since then, I have received several awards at local artist shows, and had a show featuring my paintings at the Witter Gallery in Storm Lake, IA.  Last fall I decided to give Daily Paintworks a try and things have been going really well since - nothing is as encouraging as finding people who really appreciate your art!

Pike Place Market Entertainment
(click to see original image)

What mediums and genres have you experimented with?

Oil paint has definitely become my medium of choice, I love the color intensity and versatility. I've tried, but I don't have the patience for watercolor, and acrylic paint always seems sticky to me.  As for other art mediums, I have to be careful; I'm kind of an art supply junky, every time I see some new product or or new twist on an old one, I want to try it! I actually had to pack up all my non-oil-painting paraphernalia and store it in the garage to keep from getting distracted.

Who or what inspires you most? 

For inspiration, I look at a lot of other artists' work: Jill Soukup, Qiang Huang, Tibor Nagy, Elena Katsyura, the list could go on and on... I seem to fight a constant battle to stay loose in my own work, so viewing artwork that has a sense of mystery to it helps remind me what I'm aiming for.

Lake Isabel
(click to see original image)

What does procrastination look like for you?  How do you keep art “fresh”?  What techniques have helped you avoid burnout and keep your work vibrant and engaging?

I'm easily distracted so procrastination is an issue. TV is the worst; the minute I turn it on I forget everything I wanted to get done, so I try not to turn it on. Basically, I'm learning that it's true, if you paint every day you get better.  I don't manage to paint quite that often, but I'm working on it.  I have discovered that if I go too long without painting, it takes a lot longer to get back into it and do anything that isn't complete garbage.

Green Eyes
(click to see original image)

The flip side to this is that avoiding burnout gets tougher, painting small helps, most days I can finish something in one sitting, other days - nothing comes out right and I have to stop and walk away to preserve my sanity.  If I just feel stuck, I pick up a pallet knife instead of a brush - some of my best paintings have been done almost entirely with a knife.

How do you generally arrive at ideas for your paintings?

Finding ideas for paintings isn't usually a problem, finding time to paint even a fraction of the images I want to capture is the real challenge.  I have thousands of photos to work from, and I want to add still life and plein air painting this year - I have my pochade box all packed and ready to go!

Willow Creek Bridge
(click to see original image)
What do you feel you are learning about right now as an artist?  What makes you happiest about your art?

I love painting. It can be incredibly frustrating, and it's never easy, but however the end result turns out, I've still accomplished something. I'm always learning, always seeing new things that would make a great composition. I just hope that I can keep that going, but I have so far to go, I can't really imagine an end.

Thanks, H.F.

© 2015 Sophie Catalina Marine

Thursday, June 18, 2015

DPW Spotlight Interview: Alex Warnick

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

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

From Alex's DPW Gallery Page:

Hi! I'm a natural history artist from southern Indiana. Ever since I was a kid I've had the desire to draw and paint nature so that I could bring the "outdoors" inside and surround myself with the things that fascinate me. I graduated with an art degree from Brigham Young University Idaho with an emphasis in scientific illustration, and now I get to spend every day combining two of my favorite things, painting and the natural world! Life is good! (click to view bio)

Tell us a bit about how you first started painting:

As early as my memories go, I remember painting and drawing.  I used to sit next to my older brothers as they drew pictures on poster boards for school reports and copy every pencil stroke. Under their tutelage I learned to draw cardinals, giant squid, turtles, etc.  From then on I was always playing artist, cutting out cardboard frames complete with plastic wrap “glass” for my drawings.  The same passion for art continued through high school and into college.  Now I get to play artist for real, and it’s the fulfillment of a childhood dream.

Kiskadee
(click to see original image)

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

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

Having recently graduated from college with an art degree, I have no stops under my belt.  Just one exciting start!

What mediums and genres have you experimented with?

For years I painted with watercolors and oils.  Only in the past six months have I switched to acrylics, and I love the medium.  In college I began as a landscape painter, switched to figurative painting, and then finally settled on a scientific illustration emphasis.

North American Nuthatches
(click to see original image)

Who or what inspires you most? 

Ever since I was a kid I have been surrounded by people who are fascinated with nature.  I remember my dad transforming a room of our house into a model of the local ecosystem (complete with a fish tank featuring the flora and fauna of a nearby river, dragon fly larva that hatched and flew free in the house, and frogs that found their way into adjacent bedrooms…it was short-lived).  Like my dad I also have a desire to bring nature inside and surround myself with the things that fascinate me, but instead of fish tanks, I use fine art.  Over the years it has become a passion that has transformed into a lifetime pursuit.  That’s why I paint.

What does procrastination look like for you?

Bird watching!

North American Eiders
(click to see original image)

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

For me it’s important to have a system of accountability.  I find it’s helpful for me to have a blog or an Instagram account or Facebook account that features my art.  If for no other reason than it compels me to constantly create new artwork for the sake of those following what I do.  It’s also a wonderful way to receive feedback during the creation process.  Nothing gives me a greater boost of motivation than when I learn someone loves what I’m creating!

How do you generally arrive at ideas for your paintings?

I’m constantly combining different elements in nature, a certain flower or a certain tree with a certain bird, etc. until a light bulb goes off and an idea for a painting is born.  It’s usually a combination of colors that inspires me first.

Wood Duck Hen
(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’m constantly trying to paint something that perfectly expresses the aesthetic message I have to share with the world.  What makes painting exciting is that I don’t fully know what that aesthetic message is yet.  It motivates me to keep experimenting and keep progressing.  Some day I’ll put my paintbrush down at the end of a painting and give myself a high five because I finally did it!

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

Gamut masks, light-fastness in pigments, and painting mediums.

Melospiza Sparrows
(click to see original image)
What makes you happiest about your art?

One time my sister said to me, “You can’t have a Wood Duck.  You just can’t.  But you can paint a Wood Duck.  And then you have one.”  My art is my way to collect all the things I love in nature, and make them mine.  It brings me a lot of happiness to have the ability to do that, and to be able to help all the other people out there who have seen the loveliness of a Wood Duck and just wished they could have one.

Thanks, Alex!

© 2015 Sophie Catalina Marine

Thursday, June 11, 2015

DPW Spotlight Interview: Suzanne Woodward

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

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


From Suzanne's DPW Gallery Page:

I have lived most of my life along the coast of Maine. I love the ocean with its jutting ledges, desolate beaches in winter, crashing waves, and raging storms. All provide a mood to be captured or a story to tell. I am inspired by the natural beauty found "right in my own backyard." I enjoy exploring and translating these the beautiful scenes that are part of my everyday life into paintings. (click to read more)

Tell us a bit about how you first started painting.

I've liked drawing ever since I was a kid, but never did much with it until I was a young adult. I did some traveling while taking a break from college and lived in New Orleans for a while. I would go down to Jackson Square everyday and hang out with the artists. I even tried my hand at "face painting" during Mardi Gras and made money doing it. I had a lot of fun and when I got back into school, I switched my major to art. My grades immediately improved because I had found my passion and I was on my way. It's been my true North ever since. 


Marshland in Spring
(click to see original image)

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

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

It hasn't always been on the front burner for me, but I've been able to do it in some capacity along the way. In my 20s, I worked full time and took the occasional night class. In my 30s, I got married and had kids. I had this grand idea that I would "get lots of painting done" while the kids took their naps. Of course, that didn't happen, but still I managed to take workshops and classes which helped me to keep my brushes wet, so to speak. As my kids got older, I found myself with more time and energy freed up for my art. Then I started going on painting retreats along the Maine coast.  In the last five years, I've worked on getting my art out into the community and have had numerous shows in my area. I honestly feel as though I'm just getting started. I'm really excited to see what happens next. 


What mediums and genres have you experimented with?

I've worked in printmaking, photography, drawing, collage, oil painting and watercolors.

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

I took an oil painting class in college and struggled badly. Nothing I did worked out. I had more immediate success when I took a watercolor class and was much happier with the results. So I spent the next 25 years painting with that medium. I switched to acrylics a few years ago and haven't looked back. I'm getting the color saturation and intensity with acrylics that I just was not able to get with watercolor and I'm having a lot more fun.

The Island Way
(click to see original image)

Which ones are you looking forward to exploring?

I want to give oils another chance. I was so frustrated with the medium in college but that was a long time ago and I've learned so much since those days. I think I could actually do something with oils now. 


Who or what inspires you most?

I love the effects of sunlight as it moves over the landscape.  Living in Maine and having access to beautiful scenery along the coast is incredibly motivating to me. I especially resonate with Monhegan Island and make it a point to get out there every summer. I also love the Outer Banks in North Carolina. I've had some great workshop instructors too - Carl Schmalz, Carlton Plummer, Guy Corriero and Don Andrews. Lastly, having a core group of artist friends to paint with has been important to me over the years - it's a lot of fun to gather and paint.  


On the Way to Monhagen
(click to see original image)

What does procrastination look like for you?

Facebook!


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

At first, I carved out time for painting by taking a class. That guaranteed that I would get 3 hours in per week, at the very least. That's when my children were young. As they got into middle school, I declared Wednesday mornings as my painting time in addition to my weekly class. It doesn't sound like much, but I was consistent and produced a lot of paintings when I followed that schedule. Like anything else, it's a matter of making it a habit. Now I paint almost everyday. Joining dailypaintworks.com also made a big difference for me. I don't post every day, but I am painting a lot more because I love uploading my work and getting feedback from other members. I love doing the challenges too. One of my favorites was the "Donut Challenge". I went down to The Cookie Jar and bought my favorite treat - a cream-filled, raspberry turnover. Painting it was fun, but eating it was even better!

Winter Afternoon
(click to see original image)

How do you generally arrive at ideas for your paintings?

I enjoy painting on site, but with my schedule, I can't always get outdoors. I always carry a camera and when I see something that looks intriguing, I take a ton of pictures. I take photos almost everyday. Having a lot of reference material available keeps the ideas coming.


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

I love taking workshops and classes. I get so much from watching someone else paint - I study how they apply the paint, how they mix color, how they make brushstrokes, how they "solve problems", what their process is and what their thinking is. Looking through art books is another motivator for me - it gives me a fresh perspective on what's possible.



Manana Island - Noon
(click to see original image)

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

I'm learning to get bolder with color and tackle new subject matter. I aspire to say a lot with a little, but still have a long way to go. Over the past few years I've been learning how to integrate my art into social media outlets. DPW has been instrumental in that department. I love the community here and the support we have. The thought of building a website has always been daunting to me, but having a site on DPW has given me the confidence to move forward online. I've recently created an FB page, a website is in construction (finally!) and I have joined Twitter. 



What makes you happiest about your art?

I love how I feel when I'm involved in a painting. I don't think about anything else. Time slips by and I'm totally engaged. Of course, it doesn't always go smoothly and I'm not always happy with my results, but when I'm successful, it's an incredible feeling. There is really nothing else like it.

Thanks, Suzanne!

© 2015 Sophie Catalina Marine

Thursday, June 4, 2015

DPW Spotlight Interview: Patty Voje

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

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

From Patty's DPW Gallery Page:

I grew up on a small hobby farm in rural Cottage Grove, Minnesota, where I developed a love for farm animals and nature - two of my favorite subjects to paint. My real job is Creative Director and President of Spot Communications. I like spending my free time "unplugged", oil painting as often as possible. In an effort to become a better painter in 2015, I'm challenging myself to crank out 200 paintings, which I'm finding is no small feat while holding down a full-time job, but I'm determined. :) (click to view bio)

Tell us a bit about how you first started painting.

I've always loved art. I have an amazingly bad painting of Elton John that I did in 7th grade, :)

Summer Chicken
(click to see original image)

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

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

I've never allowed myself to consider art as a career. I took the more practical path of "designer". After art school, I got a job in advertising and pretty much walked away from fine art until my late thirties. Then I'd get too busy with work and take more time off. A few years ago, I finally returned and currently I'm painting more than I ever have before. Though I work full time, I'm determined to become a better painter, and the only way I can do that is to churn out a ton of paintings. So, that's what I've been doing - painting every day.

What mediums and genres have you experimented with?

I tried watercolor but found it too unforgiving. I've also tried acrylic, but really prefer the buttery feel of oil painting. I also flunked a pottery class once.

Agnes
(click to see original image)

What are you looking forward to exploring?

I really admire painters that have mastered architecture. I'd love to be able to take on more complex compositions. I have a painting trip to Italy planned for next fall, I'm hoping to work on my street scenes skills before I go!

Who or what inspires you most? 

I've always been inspired by artists such as Edward Hopper, John Singer Sargent and Anders Zorn. I also have to add Rosa Bonheur to that list - that lady could really paint farm animals! Which brings me to farm animals. I grew up on a hobby farm and farm animals will always have a special place in my heart. That explains why so many cows make their way onto my canvas.

I'm also inspired everyday by the art I see on Daily Paintworks. There's a lot of amazing talent out there and I love to bask in the genius of others. Lastly, I have to say, my mother. I'm the youngest of nine kids. My mother used to set up her small metal easel and tackle a painting with 9 kids under foot. My memory of her is a constant reminder that I'm capable of accomplishing more in a day than I think I can. :)

Don't Fence Me In
(click to see original image)

What does procrastination look like for you?

I don't procrastinate when it comes to painting, I have just a small window everyday to paint. I look forward to it too much. I never take that time for granted.

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

I read the book "Daily Rituals of Artists" and realized that most people just need 2 to 3 hours a day to really accomplish their artistic goals. I've also given up housework and TV, that frees up a wealth of time!

Princess Crabby Pants
(click to see original image)

How do you generally arrive at ideas for your paintings?

My paintings are either done on location or from photos that I have taken, so I take a lot of photos. I'm always on the lookout for a handsome herd of cows, a rolling hill or fresh bouquet.

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

I still consider myself new at this, so I'm always looking at different colors, brushwork and technique. I read a lot of art books, there's always new methods to try. My favorite is Alla Prima by Richard Schmid, not a cheap book to pick up, but worth every penny.

Puppy Love
(click to see original image)

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

After studying with teachers the past few years, I currently find myself, quite horrifyingly, learning on my own. I feel like I've taken off the training wheels and am learning to trust myself to build on what I've learned, incorporate what works for me and see what rules I can break. The Daily Paintworks site has been an immense help and source of inspiration for me.  I love seeing what others are doing. I love reading about their process. I also appreciate the feedback I've received on my work. It keeps me motivated. There's so much to learn, I'll never be done!

What makes you happiest about your art?

I love the process. I'm happiest painting. Sometimes paintings work, sometimes they don't, but the process of painting is definitely my happy place. :) I also love hearing from people who have purchased a painting. A woman who recently purchased a lilac painting shared a story of why lilacs mattered to her. It was a lovely note and made my day. It's wonderful to know your art is appreciated.

Thanks, Patty!

© 2015 Sophie Catalina Marine