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