DPW Spotlight Interview: Cory Proulx

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

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

From Cory's DPW Gallery:

Cory Proulx is a local artist living in Oakville, Ontario. After realizing art was his true passion, Cory led on to achieve a higher education in the arts studying at Sheridan College facility of Animation, Arts and Design, graduating with a Diploma in Visual and Creative Arts. He is currently pursuing a BAA in Illustration at Sheridan College. Cory's objective is to create beautiful oil paintings primarily working with "wet into wet" techniques. He explores not only with his brush but also with a wide variety of materials to create interesting and intricate marks for the viewer to interpret.

Tell us a bit about how you first started painting?

I tended to lean towards drawing as a kid and this followed through high school. I would say I didn’t actually start painting until my first year at Art College, which would be roughly about five years ago. Once I began taking classes and learning the fundamentals of painting, I simply got hooked and began to get more and more involved in the process. After two years, I graduated with a diploma in Visual and Creative arts and realized quickly that I wanted to continue to progress as an artist and take it more seriously. From that day forward, I decided that I would pursue my dream of way day becoming a professional artist. I am now currently in my third year studying Illustration for my bachelors degree at Sheridan College in Oakville, Ontario Canada.

The Receding Five
(click to view)

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

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

Yes of course, painting can definitely be seen as a love hate relationship but in the end I always come back to it for more. I would have to say the fine art side of my work tends to slow down during the school year for that a lot of my attention and focus weighs heavily on producing illustrative content. Although that slows down, drawing and painting never stops for me for that I’m always applying it towards some type of work.

Still Life
(click to view)

What mediums and genres have you experimented with?

This is a hard question to answer for that I have experimented so much over the years and never stop experimenting with new materials. I find it very important as an artist to experiment for that's how you continue to progress, grow and find new means towards your work and mark-making. To list a few traditional mediums and genres I’ve experimented with: gouache, gouache resist, acrylic, oil, ink, watercolor, charcoal, pastels, gesso, gold leaf, lino, print making, screen printing, sculpture, film, animation, wood working and the list could go on. Then on the digital side of things, I’m constantly learning and working in Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, After effects and Cinema 4D.

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

I wouldn’t say any of them have actually “fallen away” for that they all have their place and purpose and I indeed to continue to use them where they are needed. I could say that I tend to use gouache, acrylic, watercolor, oil, charcoal or digital tools on a daily basis.

Steeped Tea
(click to view)

Which ones are you looking forward to exploring?

Any medium that I cross paths with.

Who or what inspires you most?

I highly enjoy getting out when I can and going to museums, galleries and independent shows to look at artwork in person. A painting or piece of art viewed in person rather than over the computer can truly be a life changing experience and I would encourage more people to do this as well. I also get really inspired when being out in the wilderness, camping or at a cottage, exploring the land and lakes by hiking and canoeing. To end on a high note, being in school surrounded by friends, students, and instructors that are constantly pushing themselves to work harder, produce amazing work and content is truly one of the best forms of inspiration I can find.

What does procrastination look like for you?

During the school year, to be honest, there isn’t much time to procrastinate for that the work load and deadlines are very overwhelming so you're constantly working on things. I am, though, a huge believer in try, try and then try again if something isn’t working, but if all falls apart I’ve learned to simply take a break. When it does come around, it really helps having a dog to distract you and pull you away from work; I also just really enjoy hanging out with my dog haha.

Loose Pumpkin
(click to view)

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

I’m not sure if I actually have a technique for this; I just feel the need to be constantly working on something. If there was something I could say, it’s simply developing better time management for everyday activities so that you are able to produce work at some point in the day.

How do you generally arrive at ideas for your paintings?

It’s honestly always different, it could be the mood I’m in or the mood I want to portray in the painting. For still life paintings, a lot of the time I enjoy coming up with themes so that I can attach or create a story for the viewer to interpret.

Floral No. 2
(click to view)

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

Going back and forth from fine art to illustration really helps to create a balance in my artwork, although in some ways they can be linked together. I tend to work on one or the other for a long period of time, and then I switch it up so that I don’t get burnt out from either and then when new ideas come about they continue to stay clear and fresh. I would also like to say that getting a regular amount of sleep helps me stay in tune but unfortunately I’m not one to talk for that I don’t have much of a normal sleep schedule.

What makes you happiest about your art?

I simply love to draw, paint and tell stories.

Thanks, Cory!

© 2016 Sophie Marine