DPW Spotlight Interview: Jean Fitzgerald

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

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

From Jean's DPW Gallery:

Jean Fitzgerald is a North Carolina impressionist painter. She received her BA in Art from Western Kentucky University and also studied at the Corcoran College of Art and Design, and with Jack Beal and Sondra Freckleton. She taught watercolor workshops, and sold her artwork at outdoor art festivals and in galleries in Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Ohio, Virginia and North Carolina. She has worked in oils, watercolors, and acrylics. (click to read more)

Tell us a bit about how you first started painting.

I have been engaged in art for most of my life.  I have a BA in Art Education from Western Kentucky University and pursued further studies at the Corcoran College of Art and Design.  During the nineties, I sold my work at outdoor art festivals and then in galleries in North Carolina.

Geraniums

(click to view)

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

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

I stopped painting for twelve years while I taught full time, and I have returned to painting since I retired five years ago.

Lavender Fields
(click to view)

What mediums and genres have you experimented with?

Over the years, I have worked in water colors, acrylics, oil pastels and oils.  I am currently painting landscape, still life, florals and abstracts.

Who or what inspires you most?

The artist I most admire is John Singer Sargent because of his use of light.  By carefully controlling the values in his paintings, the works seem to glow.  I attempt to achieve this glow in subjects by using backlighting.

Orange Reflections
(click to view)

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

I paint in the morning before I start anything else in order to assure that I have adequate time to work.

How do you generally arrive at ideas for your paintings?

My garden, travels, and the landscape of the South provide me with my subject matter.  I have photographed interesting possible subjects over the years, but I only rely loosely on the photo reference.

Dimensions
(click to view)

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

I continue to explore dramatic lighting and to push myself to eliminate unnecessary details while using expressive brushwork.  I am also making videos to share with other artists my working methods and how I use oil paints without solvents. I am married to the author, Michael Hammonds, and we reside in North Carolina and Ohio.

Peach Flowers
(click to view)

What makes you happiest about your art?

I am happiest with my paintings that have drama and interesting brushwork.  I attempt to keep them fresh by avoiding excessive detail and by not overworking them.


Thanks, Jean!

© 2016 Sophie Marine