DPW Spotlight Interview: Karleen Kareem

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

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

From Karleen's DPW Gallery:

The historical town of Sanford, FL. is where I call home. This town has a lot of art and culture, and I love it. I live in a historical house and from there is where I do my artwork. Most of my work is Contemporary/Naive/ Folk Art / Whimsical. Recently, I started doing Abstract, which I enjoy very much. Since doing Abstract Art, I found it to be much harder to do than what I previously thought, therefore, I have a new admiration for those that are successful at it. My favorite medium is acrylic, but I do use watercolors, as well. I use either stretched canvas or quality canvas paper and for the watercolors, quality watercolor paper. (click to read more)

Tell us a bit about how you first started painting.  

There's a workbook called 'The Artists' Way'.  It's not just for artists, but for everyone because everyone was born with creativity.  When some of us were very young, our creativity was crushed by one way or another.  This book has twelve chapters (exercises) for you to do which brings out your creativity, whatever it my be. It helps you find that creativity hidden inside. Through this workbook, at the age of sixty, I discovered that I LOVE to paint, so I started painting every day.

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

So far, I haven't had any stops, but I've only been painting since the beginning of 2013.  I've heard that all artists go through that 'stop' period, so maybe that will happen to me too, but, I hope not.

Summer Cottage
(click to view)

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

What mediums and genres have you experimented with?

I do acrylic and watercolor.  I've tried soft pastels and oil pastels, but I don't care too much for those. Haven't tried oils yet, but that may come later on. As far as the genres, I enjoy contemporary landscape, cityscape and seascape the best.

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

As far as mediums, I have to say the pastels have fallen away.  And as far as the genres, I guess I would have to say the still life has fallen away.  But, you never know.  I change my mind a lot. Ha!

Flower Garden on the Hill
(click to view)

Which ones are you looking forward to exploring?

I look forward to someday exploring oils. I want to see the difference between acrylic and oil painting.        

Who or what inspires you most?

Color is what inspires me.  My favorite artists are the ones who paint with a lot of bright colors.
Colorful landscapes, colorful streets of the city, etc.

Spending Time on the Beach
(click to view)

What does procrastination look like for you?

I love painting so much that I procrastinate working on promoting my art.

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

Honestly, I need techniques to make time for other things like housework.  I do my housework while I wait for paint to dry.

Peaceful Mountain Living
(click to view)

How do you generally arrive at ideas for your paintings?

I might see some houses, or some buildings that I like and then I incorporate them into my painting. But, I have to say, that most of my paintings are from my imagination.

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

I don't do the same thing all the time, or the exact same style.  I like to try little things that make the art more interesting and a little different.  I see that some artists seem to do the same exact style on every painting, same medium, same colors.  I try to change my style a little and try different things.
But, I guess if an artist finds a style that they're really good at and it sells well, they might as well stick with it.

Sailboats and Fish
(click to view)

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

Well, since I'm a new artist, I still have a lot to learn and I'm learning all the time.  Right now, I'm learning how to place the color, what color I should place beside it and what, in my painting, I want to make as the focal point.

What makes you happiest about your art?

When I can finish a happy painting and it makes me smile, I'm happy because that's what I want my art to do... put a smile on the faces of people.

Thanks, Karleen!

© 2016 Sophie Marine