DPW Spotlight Interview: Robyn Wellman

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

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

From Robyn's DPW Gallery Page:

I have always sketched for as long as I can remember. Seeing an original RC Gorman piece was like a spiritual experience for me as a kid and from then on I wanted to paint. Mostly through a self-guided art education, I'm growing as an artist, slowly changing from just a "painter" to an artist. I enjoy playing with and exaggerating color and perspective. I paint what makes my heart sing; mostly New Mexican landscapes and cultural icons as well as flowers. (click to view gallery)

Tell us a bit about how you first started painting.

I remember drawing and having an interest in art since I was very, very young.  I think I really wanted to become an oil painter when I saw the art works of RC Gorman as a young teen.  I can recall looking at his colors and having an almost religious experience.  At the time I mostly worked in colored pencils and did a lot of sketching.  When I got to college I took some painting classes but they were not very structured or thorough unfortunately and I was too young to really understand that I should have been looking into well established art programs.  But I bought some paints and brushes and basically started trying to teach myself.

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

Well yes, especially since I had so little formal instruction until just recently.  Even just understanding the materials and mediums was a puzzle to me.  I'd often stop painting for months at a time because I'd be so frustrated at my inability to grow further.  After taking some art workshops from Krysteen Waszack in Albuquerque, NM, I finally started to have some significant growth as an artist.  I'm now producing something almost every day.  And considering I have 4 children and run a business, that's an accomplishment that makes me pretty proud.

Ristras
(click to view)

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

What mediums and genres have you experimented with?

I started out with pencil, colored pencil and pastels, and worked in water color for a little while, but currently I stick closely to oil paints.  I have painted in acrylics as well but I really prefer the oils.  I love the rich color of oils.

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

I'm committed to oil paints for now.  I would like to try oil pastels and perhaps some inks, but for now, I have to feel like I'm confident with oils before moving on to another medium.

Luminarias at Talpas
(click to view)

Which ones are you looking forward to exploring?

I'd like to try the oil pastels and ink for a more "drawn" look.

Who or what inspires you most?

Oh my.. so many to name.  I am a huge fan of the artists of New Mexico.  The clear and bright air inspires the artists here to paint in very vibrant colors.  I absolutely love the art work of Ed Sandoval, Georgia O'Keefe, RC Gorman, & Miguel Martinez.  Recently, I've become a huge fan of Shonto Begay, Elizabeth Porter, Sally Bartos, Jennifer Cavan, Leigh Gusterson and of course my teacher, Krysteen Waszack who has helped me tremendously.  I've also been very interested in the illustrations I see in comic books.  I'd like to learn more about those artists.

Geraniums on a Porch
(click to view)

What does procrastination look like for you?

Frustration or fear.  I have struggled to fend off my own self-criticism and self-doubt.  When I get frustrated with myself, I have to put the brushes down and find somewhere else to put my creative energy for awhile.  I'm not a person who can put things off or sit still easily so I usually find something else to do until I can come back to the art with a more positive head space.  Now, if I find that I really don't like a painting I've done, I simply take it to the garage, sand it down and start over.  I also tend to paint the same subject repeatedly, experimenting and trying to learn from that.

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

I simply tell myself that life is very short and time slips by faster the older I get.  The chores will get done, but first.... I must paint!

A Valley in Taos, New Mexico
(click to view)

How do you generally arrive at ideas for your paintings?

I paint what I love. I think a painting is like a love letter.  I want to shout out to the world about how much I love the things I see around me.  My way of doing that is to paint this subject to show an audience how I feel about the land I love or how wonderful flowers are.

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

I have never felt burnt out with regard to art, only frustrated with myself regarding my skill level.  For me, art is life.  Nothing really matters much compared to the human ability to be creative.  I hope that my never ending interest in the things I see around me will continue to feed my art and hopefully keep it fresh and interesting.

The Entrance
(click to view)

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

Light.  Light and shadows.  I'm not yet where I want to be with regard to those, but I know I'm getting better all the time.

What makes you happiest about your art?

The act of painting puts me in a zone and I forget the rest of the world.  If I can paint, my other problems seem to fade into the background.  But more specifically, I enjoy playing with color and perspective.  I enjoy exaggerated colors and perspective.  I want the color to grab the viewers attention and lure them in and then I want the perspective to draw the viewer closer, step inside the painting and look around at my world.

Thanks, Robyn!

© 2015 Sophie Catalina Marine

DPW Spotlight Interview: Jenny Doh

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

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

From Jenny's DPW Gallery:

Regarding my paintings, a person once told me that she liked my "whimsical angst." I really like that description and am happy to classify my painting style as such. I also like to describe my style as "magical realism," where I celebrate the essence and not just the likeness of my subjects from both my real life and imagined life. (click to read more)

Tell us a bit about how you first started painting.

I started painting in 2010 when started to take several intuitive acrylic painting workshops. Given that my first love has been yarn (knitting and crocheting), I was surprised to discover how much I loved painting. I quickly became diligent about practicing and working to develop my own style. In 2014 I took an oil painting workshop and loved it. I continue to explore both acrylics and oils and love them both and find that the more I paint with oils, the better I become with acrylics, and vice versa.

Bird
(click to view)

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

Which ones are you looking forward to exploring?

I'm dying to really get into watercolors. I plan on doing that in 2016. I've dabbled in it but never really carved out substantive time to concentrate on it and practice it. I'm excited to see how watercolors will influence my acrylics and oils.

Who or what inspires you most?

For me, there is hardly any person, place, or thing that DOESN'T inspire me. Everything inspires me and affects the way I think or feel and whether I know it or not, influences what and how I paint. I recently had the honor of being invited by The Getty to talk about my thoughts regarding the topic of inspiration for their new program titled The Getty Inspired. You can read it here if you want.

Having said all of the above, I would say that if I had to name my most significant muse to date, it would be Japanese novelist, Haruki Murakami. I am a big fan of his books. I've read all of them. The genre of his works is frequently called "magical realism." He is masterful in getting the reader to consider fantastic story lines within alternate realities that he creates. I know his works have influenced some of the subjects I've painted and also the mood that I frequently cast onto my subjects.

Neon Trio
(click to view)

What does procrastination look like for you?

I usually procrastinate on things that are related to the painting life but isn't the actual act of painting. For example, shooting photos, uploading photos, packing, shipping, etc. And I'm even worse about things like getting business cards made and ordering cartridges for my printer. But I remind myself that all of these activities that aren't that enjoyable for me all support the thing that IS enjoyable for me, which is painting.

I also have a tendency to procrastinate on things that I know I need to do to further my ability to paint. For example, figure drawing. It's difficult for me because I haven't had that much experience with it and I have to go out of my way to find opportunities to do it. But I know that even if the human figure isn't a current subject matter for me, knowing how to draw the human figure will help me become a better painter of other subjects. It's incredible how it works that way. And who knows ... maybe I will someday end up regularly painting the human figure.

Crab Apple
(click to view)

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

Lately, the fact that I'm participating in Daily Paintworks with a personal commitment to complete a small and list it (almost) every day is a wonderful technique that gets me to paint. Once I feel that I have that rhythm under my belt, I plan on figuring out ways to carve out regular time to do larger explorations on big canvases. I love painting smalls and I learn something with each one. I don't want to stop painting large so I want to make time for both.

How do you generally arrive at ideas for your paintings?

By studying the art of other artists, by reading literature, by cooking lavish meals, by listening to good music, by listening to interesting podcasts, by having good conversations with people.

Roses in a Jar
(click to view)

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

I suppose I will answer that with an assumption that I AM keeping things fresh and engaging. Am I? I hope so. Synonymous to "fresh" is "relevant." Everyone wants to feel relevant. I think I try my best to do this by choosing colors that feel interesting and exciting. I also do this by sprinkling in some feelings of "magical realism" into my works where things aren't depicted completely realistically.

Bird
(click to view)

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

I am learning about how keeping certain subjects farther from me (like flowers) allows me to paint them better in an abstract sort of way. When the subjects are too close, I get way too caught up with the details. Keeping the subject far away makes everything a bit vague, which allows me to make large chunky strokes that work for me.

What makes you happiest about your art?

That for the most part, it is made within the context of non-censored freedom.

Thanks, Jenny!

© 2015 Sophie Catalina Marine

DPW Spotlight Interview: Elizabeth Johnston

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, "Three Pears" go to Daily Paintworks and click on the link at the top of the page announcing their interview.

Click here to view Elizabeth's Daily Paintwork's gallery page.

Tell us a bit about how you first started painting.

When I was a kid, I dreamt about being an artist but didn’t have any art education resources in my town. So my first foray into painting was when I went to college.

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

Yes! I had my son during my sophomore year in college. I was working toward a double major of Fine Art and Graphic Design and I decided that it would be easier to get a job in graphic design and felt like at the time, that was the right thing to do. I got a job in advertising after I graduated and didn’t paint for a full 10-12 years. When my son became more independent in high school and was out of the house, I suddenly had a lot of time on my hands. I signed up for an oil class at a local art store and that was the true beginning of my painting life. Looking back, I wish I had had more faith in myself in college!

Three Pears
(click to view)

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

What mediums and genres have you experimented with?

Acrylics, watercolor and oils. Oils are my primary medium with acrylics being my second. I haven’t touched watercolor in years, although I really enjoyed that medium. I am mainly a still life and portrait painter. I have also painted a few landscapes and recently dove into cloudscapes after a sky and cloud workshop that I attended.

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

Oils and acrylics have stuck. Still life and portraits mostly. Abstracts have fallen away. I love some abstract pieces, but it’s not for me.

1941
(click to view)

Which ones are you looking forward to exploring?

I’m not sure if I’m looking forward to exploring additional mediums as much as additional subjects. I have a long wish list going that includes paintings I think will sell well, commissions, requests that include some animal portraits, various still life subjects, and then the subjects that I just feel I need to paint to advance my skills, like landscapes. I also have a soft spot for narrative art. I would like to be better with telling stories in my paintings.

Who or what inspires you most?

It might sound generic, but I find inspiration in anything and everything. And it changes often. So far, there is no profound inspiration to my work like some other artists have found. It hasn’t happened on that level for me yet. I’m still searching for my muse, I suppose. While I search, I’ll paint whatever seems like fun to paint that day.

12:8 Red Delicious
(click to view)

What does procrastination look like for you?

Procrastination happens with me when I get overwhelmed. Right now, I work a full-time job, teach a weekly painting class as well as try to paint 3-5 days a week. I’m also trying to sell my house and train for a marathon. It’s a lot. When I get overwhelmed, I can let myself freeze up and do nothing.

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

I had to quit seeking permission from others to make time for my art. I don’t mean literally asking, “Is it ok if I paint?” It’s deciding in my own head that if I want to be a painter full time, I have to work on it and it is just as important as other things in life and not just a hobby. Also, I now have a dedicated space for painting. I was painting on the coffee table in the living room. It’s a chore to get everything out and put everything up each time you want to paint. Now, everything is out and ready to go when I get to my studio space. That saves a ton of time.

Doris
(click to view)

How do you generally arrive at ideas for your paintings?

By constantly looking around. Outdoors, on the internet, around the office, photos that I take on vacations, at other painters' work. I see painters on Daily Paintworks finding beauty in the simplest subjects and hanging around this site has really taught me to look at everything and wonder if it would be fun to paint. Some of these guys make power lines look good. Power lines! I used to think I would have to travel to find wonderful things to paint. And while I still fully intend on seeing the world, there is an infinite supply of subjects all around me right now.

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

I find a lot of enjoyment in alla prima painting. The challenge of mixing the right color, putting down the stroke and then stopping… not over blending and not muddying colors… is a constant challenge. I’m also an impatient painter, I like a painting finished in a single sitting. I’m working on that. I’m going to start some larger works soon in addition to my small daily paintings.

Yellow Peppers
(click to view)

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

Is it ok to say everything? I feel like, recently, I’ve made large strides in color mixing, form, and value. It’s hard for me to focus on one without bringing the others along for the ride. Every painting I do feels like I’m starting fresh from the beginning and I have to pay attention to the basics to bring out a successful painting. I am also in the process of making painting a business, so I’m diving in to learning the ins and outs of that side of it. Planning time to update blogs, packaging, shipping and all of the non-painting aspects of selling my work are keeping me very busy.

What makes you happiest about your art?

I’m happiest in my art in those moments when I know that it’s going perfectly and that the painting is going to turn out well. It just feels like I am doing exactly what I’m meant to be doing in life. And I keep trying to make that happen again and again.

Thanks, Elizabeth!

© 2015 Sophie Catalina Marine

DPW Spotlight Interview: Adebanji Alade

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

To enter to win Adebanji's painting, "Urban Shadows Highlights III" go to Daily Paintworks and click on the link at the top of the page announcing their interview.

MY PASSION

Adebanji has sketched and painted almost all his life and he currently works full time as a painter from his studio in Chelsea, London. Whether he works indoors or outdoors, he strives to bring the life, vitality and movement of 'the sketch' into his paintings. He sometimes refers to his paintings as colour sketches as they capture the feelings of the scene as seen with all the life in it!

He is currently an Associate Member of The Royal Institute of Oil Painters. His works have been exhibited at the Mall Galleries in London with the Royal Society of Portrait Painters, Royal Society of British Artists, The Pastel Society and The Royal Institute of Oil Painters. (click to view gallery)

Tell us a bit about how you first started painting.

I first started painting in college. It was part of the course in General Art at Yaba College of Technology in Nigeria (1992-1997). I never really got the hang of it because I just loved to draw. But what really got me hooked was when one of my lecturers did a demonstration for us in the class. That was it! I saw his procedure, replicated the procedure any time I went out to paint and it worked!!

Urban Shadows Highlights III
(click to view)

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

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

Yes, I did have a major stop-start in my art career. It was when I left Nigeria in 1999 to resettle in England (I was Born in England in 1972, my parents took me to Nigeria in 1980, I didn't come back until 1999). It was a great culture shock. I came back to England with so many of my African paintings but they didn't get any recognition. I was so discouraged for almost 4 years!! I just couldn't see the point. Then I decided to change my subject matter, I decided to paint English scenes too! And that was it!! People responded in England and they started buying and I also started winning a few major art competitions!

What mediums and genres have you experimented with?

I have experimented with all mediums. Oil, acrylic, watercolour, pastel, charcoal, pencil and coloured pencils, and mixed media. I mainly love to paint people and places. I love the play of light and shade on people's faces. I love beauty, moods, emotions, texture on human faces. I also like people in general, I mean lots of people, crowded people, people congested in lots of places! I also love places -the mood in a place, the light and shadows, the effect of rain and reflections on a place and just painting a place for it's beauty and historical importance!

Human Congestion
(click to view)

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

I seem to have stuck mainly with oil and acrylic and the occasional pencil or charcoal piece. I seem to have done less of watercolour and pastel through the years. But I have a love for mixed media and I'll occasionally do that too.

Which ones are you looking forward to exploring?

I'm looking forward to exploring the combination of acrylic or oil with coloured pencils and ink, I love to draw into a painting! I want to infuse some energy into paintings with the marks, energy and effects of drawing!

Evening Light Leadenhall Market II
(click to view)

Who or what inspires you most?

My inspiration comes from what God has created! The natural world!!! But to be precise... people and places inspire me!! I just can't hold back walking through life once I leave the door of my house. Everything around catches my attention and I'm constantly sketching every single day (I'm an addictive sketcher). I love sketching people on public transport, I get a buzz from that and sketching inspires me to explore, which then leads to making more and more art!

What does procrastination look like for you?

It looks subtle and dangerous! I don't like to say this, but I used to be a professional procrastinator. It was the fear of failure, I'll do every other thing apart from painting and drawing. I'll clean, arrange and tidy the house and studio, watch art videos, read art books and magazines, go to galleries, browse and search the web for great artists and great sites, I'll buy art materials and lots of art materials, I'll talk about it BUT never really do it! But I started listening to motivational tapes by Dr Eric Thomas, Les Brown and TD Jakes and they basically got me hooked on the power of delivering and executing. They got me out of the fear-failure mindset!

After the Rain Towards Trafalgar Square
(click to view)

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

The main one that works for me is to have black surfaces all around my studio, staring at blank surfaces makes me want to paint. The other one is simple, just never think about it, just get straight to the studio and do it! I no longer follow my feelings, I just follow the facts and the fact is, I have to make more art. I'm no good with routines but I am a firm believer in setting targets and meeting them. The feeling of setting a goal and achieving it makes me feel better and do better!

How do you generally arrive at ideas for your paintings?

I arrive at ideas for paintings by walking around with a curious mind. I'm constantly thinking, "How would that look on a canvas?" I've now become obsessed with taking millions or photos and insane sketching... just to keep generating ideas.

The Cromer Pier
(click to view)

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

I keep my art fresh through constant sketching! I go around with the mind and soul of a sketch hunter, sketching everything that catches my attention and inspires me! That process helps me never ever have a need for new subject matter or variations in a subject matter. I am constantly sketching. As mentioned earlier, I am an addictive sketcher! Also, whenever I notice I am getting into routine, I simply try out a new medium or a new surface or a new subject that I haven't explored in a while.

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

As an artist, I am learning more about the power of having a motivated and positive mindset. I never knew how important this was in the past. But now I am beginning to realize that success on the canvas comes more from the success of my thinking. I have completely changed my mindset about painting, sales and exhibiting. It's a process and I am beginning to realize more and more, everyday, that, "If you think you can or think you can't, you are most probably right." - Henry Ford

The African Doll
(click to view)

What makes you happiest about your art?

The one thing that gives me the greatest joy in my art, is not actually the painting. It's the sketching! Every time I bring out a new sketchbook, I SMILE, because I know it's going to be full of exciting adventures!!!

What advice would you give to any artist today?

That would be clear - BELIEVE IN YOURSELF. The greatest thing we lack as artists is self confidence. Once we loose our confidence, it all goes pear shaped from there! The next one would be, "SKETCH, SKETCH, SKETCH, DRAW, DRAW, DRAW!"

Thanks, Adebanji!

© 2015 Sophie Catalina Marine

DPW Spotlight Interview: Elizabeth See

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, "White Rabbit" go to Daily Paintworks and click on the link at the top of the page announcing their interview.

From Elizabeth's DPW Gallery Page:

I live and paint in the Columbia River Gorge. I used to be a potter, but gave it up to paint. I have focused on painting the animals of the area, both wild and domestic. (click to view bio)

Tell us a bit about how you first started painting.

I first started painting eight years ago.  I started by taking classes from Cathleen Rehfeld at the Columbia Art Gallery in Hood River, Oregon.

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

I have had no starts or stops at all.  I have been painting steadily since the day I started.

White Rabbit
(click to view)

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

What mediums and genres have you experimented with?

I tried acrylics for about twenty minutes.  I did not like the fact that I could not get the coverage I wanted.  I did not like the fact that they dried so quickly that I couldn't change my mind and start over again again and again and again as I can with oils.  I tried watercolors for about two hours and decided that I like the depth and intensity I can get from oils better and gave them up.  I think that if I were to change to another medium, I would need to get a really good teacher.  I did work as a potter for a number of years before becoming an oil painter.

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

Pottery fell away or rather I kicked it out the door by selling my wheel and my kiln and not looking back.  Pottery is just too much work and frustration to be a good creative outlet for me.

Snowy Owl
(click to view)

Which ones are you looking forward to exploring?

I would like to do some mixed media with watercolor and or pastel.  It would be easier to work outdoors with these mediums because they require less set up and dry so much more quickly than oils.

Who or what inspires you most?

Really good pottery still inspires my paintings.  I love raku.  I love the basic and intense colors and the simplicity of it.

Mountain Goat
(click to view)

What does procrastination look like for you?

Cleaning my house.  My house would never get clean if it weren't for the fact that it is what I do when a painting is giving me fits.

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

I got rid of all other hobbies and eat a lot of take out.

Towhee and Yellowthroat Northwest Birds on a Branch
(click to view)

How do you generally arrive at ideas for your paintings?

I go to the zoo or county fairs and look at animals.

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

I am a painter.  What else am I going to do?  Knowing this keeps me from burning out.

Rabbit Huddle
(click to view)

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

Right now I am having fun with different shades of white on white.  I hope it snows this winter so I can paint a lot of snow.

What makes you happiest about your art?

The thing that makes me happiest is the fact that I don't have to think about anything else while I am making it.

Thanks, Elizabeth!

© 2015 Sophie Catalina Marine