DPW Spotlight Interview: Katia Kyte

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

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

From Katia's DPW Gallery:

I always wanted to be an artist. When I finally had an opportunity to paint full time, I found out that it wasn't easy. Painting can be joyful when it goes right and a great frustration when it doesn't. I learned that "for improving painting skills, it is far better to paint thirty one-hour paintings than one thirty-hour painting" (Craig Nelson).

I live in a small coastal town called Lincoln City in Oregon, USA with my daughter Sasha. Please contact me at kyteart@yahoo.com if you have any questions. If you would like to stay connected via Facebook, "like" my page called Katia Kyte Oil Painter. Thank you so much for your comments and support! (click to view gallery)

Tell us a bit about how you first started painting.

I grew up in Russia. As a middle schooler, I took art classes on composition, drawing, still life and art history. I remember when my friend and I first experimented with oils. It was at her house and we painted a landscape together. I still remember the scent of oils. We were both so proud of it and ended up repeating the same landscape on our own.

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

I pursued different goals in my career. (Actually being an artist wasn't even an option.) After graduating high school, I went to a linguistic university and was seriously thinking about moving to Moscow to work as an interpreter for an embassy. It never happened. Instead, in 2008, I immigrated to the US - the land of unlimited possibilities - and started taking art classes as I always was interested in art.

Wooden Blocks
(click to view)

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

What mediums and genres have you experimented with?

I tried acrylics, watercolor, and experimented with cold wax. For a while, I painted impressionistic landscapes with a palette knife.

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

I've always loved oils. Its aroma, feel, colors - it all makes my heart sing. :) I'm staying faithful to this medium.

Rainbow Carrots
(click to view)

Which ones are you looking forward to exploring?

There is so much to learn about oils. I probably won't live long enough to explore that medium fully. However, I'm looking forward to drawing more, especially human figure. I find drawing with ink very relaxing.

Who or what inspires you most?

I would say artworks of Konstantin Korovin and Sergei Bongart. If I need to be reminded of where I am going, I go to my Pinterest album with their paintings.

Azalea
(click to view)

What does procrastination look like for you?

Instead of painting, I might get obsessed with renovating my studio. Or decide to get a certain fabric for a still life I had in mind. I might spend my whole "painting time" searching for that fabric.

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

Usually, having a deadline works for me. I set a goal, for instance to paint thirty paintings in thirty days and post every day on my blog. If I have a show coming up, that definitely forces me to find time to paint.

Cherry Tomato and Peppers
(click to view)

How do you generally arrive at ideas for your paintings?

Some days, I decide to paint something red or I choose to finally paint that vase that I have bought months ago, so I make an arrangement around it. Also, plein air painting seems to give me plenty of ideas.

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

I have a timer in my studio. Usually, I set it for an hour if I paint a 6"x6" still life (it doesn't include preparation and setting a still life). When it beeps, I'm not allowed to touch the painting. I usually don't look at it for a day or so. It helps me to avoid the urge to fix something in it.

Daffodils on Purple
(click to view)

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

I'm learning to let go and just paint. Being as patient and supportive as I can towards myself and my art.

What makes you happiest about your art?

That I am free to paint whatever I want.

Thanks, Katia!

© 2017 Sophie Marine