DPW Spotlight Interview: Neil Carroll

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

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

From Neil's DPW Gallery:

I am a self-taught artist from London. My wish to become an artist was always blocked by real life commitments but the desire never left me. With the required time now available I am pursuing this ambition, painting in oils since 2011.

"I don't try to paint what is in front of me, I try to paint something with atmosphere and interest based on the subject. I remove as much detail as possible and paint as broadly as my mood allows." (click to read more)

Tell us a bit about how you first started painting.

I have always wanted to paint but never had the time available to give it a good go. Having dabbled here and there I realised I would need a significant amount of time to achieve anything satisfactory. About six years ago, I stumbled on the work of Qiang Huang which I was drawn to and followed his work. This lead me to discovering David Leffel who's work inspired me to take up Still Life. I had never considered Still Life to this point.

So I merged the inspiration of David with the Daily Painting of Qiang and decided to become a Still Life Daily Painter and have been doing this now for about five years. I have used Daily Painting as a method of self learning.

Carnations
(click to view)

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

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

I have over the years attempted to get into painting so yes but have no intention of having any further stops. As far as I am concerned, I will be painting until I drop.

What mediums and genres have you experimented with?

I painted with watercolour many years ago and tried out oil paints for a couple of paintings and knew that was for me so when I started painting again it was oil paint all the way.

Cup and Apple
(click to view)

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

Watercolour has fallen away. I don't have a hunger to use any other paint but who knows what the future will bring.

Which ones are you looking forward to exploring?

Charcoal and pencil.

Who or what inspires you most?

David Leffel is the overriding inspiration but I admire many other artists. Although I have never met David, through studying his paintings and watching his films he has provided the knowledge and I have supplied the effort.

Rabbit
(click to view)

What does procrastination look like for you?

I don't worry about procrastination. If I need to step away from the easel I do and if I know I am slacking I let it run its course. The mind must be right or the painting will suffer. If the mind wants to do something else I generally allow it. Instead of doing something like surfing the net, I try to do something else connected with painting, tidying the studio space, research etc.

If I have to force myself to paint I will only do so if I have enough reserve of energy. Non-painters may see this as puzzling, but the energy is not the same energy as carrying a load of bricks somewhere, it's the emotional energy to create which is in short supply on some days. There are days it feels like I have no ability to paint and I wonder how I have managed to produce what I have to date.

Carnation in Glass
(click to view)

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

I have all the time I need to maintain my current output as I made time five years ago. I did this by dropping everything I was doing that was not a priority. You either commit to painting or you don't.

I intend to be as good as I possibly can be and this requires time, lots of time.

How do you generally arrive at ideas for your paintings?

A mix of visualising a subject in my imagination, thumbnail sketches or just plonking objects in my light box and pushing them about until something appears.

Orange with Upturned Vase
(click to view)

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

Procrastination prevents burnout and a deep well of desire keeps me moving forward.

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

My limitations.

What makes you happiest about your art?

The achievement and the creative process.

Thanks, Neil!

© 2016 Sophie Marine