DPW Spotlight Interview: Ling Strube

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

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

From Ling's DPW Gallery:

Ling Strube is a distinctive and a passionate artist who was born and raised in China. At a very young age, she had expressed her ardent love for art especially in painting. After finishing high school, she decided to enter into an art school to formally train for three years. In the year 1990, she migrated to Australia and started working as a street portrait artist as her first job. Her effectiveness fostered after getting employed as an illustrator artist in few of the reputable companies in Australia. In 1996, she attended Eastern College of TAFE in Melbourne, Australia and took up Computer-aided Art and Design for two years which broadened her knowledge in the field of art. She then later worked as a Graphic Designer in Trellian Pty. Ltd. in Melbourne. By the year 2000 she migrated to Germany for good. (click to read more)

Tell us a bit about how you first started painting.

When I was still a young girl, by chance I saw a lady artist who lived in our neighborhood drawing a beautiful portrait. This aroused my great interest. After I finished high school, I took some workshops and learned some basic painting and drawing skills. Later, I studied graphic design as my profession in art school but it has always been my dream to become a painter.

Persimmons and a Knife
(click to view)

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

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

Yes, since becoming a graphic designer, I have constantly been involving in the graphic design business and working with my computer. But now and then I still like to paint, especially when I have a lot of stress. Painting is a very pleasing way to relax.

What mediums and genres have you experimented with?

When I started to paint, I experimented with acrylics and watercolor. Later, I found out that oil is my favorite medium. Regarding genre, flower and still life are still my main subjects but I also like to paint landscapes and animals very much. I have drawn many portraits for people and sometimes also painted these in oil.

A Beautiful Summer Day in Germany Village
(click to view)

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

Working with oil definitely stuck with me. I haven’t painted watercolor for a long time. I hope that one day I will pick up this wonderful medium and work with it again.

Which ones are you looking forward to exploring?

Recently, abstract landscape has appealed to me very much. If possible I would like to learn some of the techniques and skills for this. I am looking forward to exploring abstract style.

I am the Queen
(click to view)

Who or what inspires you most?

My works are highly inspired by some of the renowned artists of the 19th century - Claude Monet, William-Adolph Bouguereau and Nicolai Fechin. I am also inspired by some renowned contemporary artists including Richard Schmid, David Leffel, and Sherrie McGraw. All the beautiful shapes and nice color combinations from nature inspire me.

What does procrastination look like for you?

Searching for a new subject or thinking about a new composition to paint sometimes makes me stuck. It is a bit difficult for me to paint the same subject with a similar composition. I prefer my paintings to all look new and fresh.

Amaryllis
(click to view)

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

People can always find the time to do what they really love to do. As a wife and mother, housework takes me a lot of time but painting is always the most important thing for me to do first. When I need a little rest or to avoid staring at the subject for a long time, I do some house work or, after a few days of continuous full time painting, I have one day of rest to do some more housework.

How do you generally arrive at ideas for your paintings?

Flowers and still life are the main subjects for me. I often go to the flower shop and observe various flowers then choose the one that inspires me. I also like to collect some nicely shaped objects for my still life painting. In addition, I carry a camera as often as possible. Playing around with my photos in Photoshop can also help me to have an idea.

Still Life with Tullips
(click to view)

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

I don’t continue one subject for long time. For instance, after doing a few flower paintings, I will change to painting still life or landscape. I am lucky I live in Europe and travel a lot. This can really help me avoid burnout and keep my work vibrant and engaging.

Thanks, Ling!

© 2017 Sophie Marine