DPW Spotlight Interview: Jennifer Boswell

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

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

From Jennifer's DPW Gallery:

I am a contemporary impressionist oil painter and I practice painting nearly every day from direct observation, sketches, memory and imagination in Santa Barbara, California. I paint a wide range of subjects (abstracts, architecture or urban landscapes, cloudscapes, landscapes, seascapes and still lifes) because it keeps me interested and motivated. I want to creatively express the beauty around me and bring the sense of peace I experience while painting to everyone that sees the finished work. The practice of painting is truly therapeutic for me as I believe art is for the world. (click to read more)

Tell us a bit about how you first started painting.

My first memory of painting was in kindergarten when I was standing at a table finger-painting. It was like the world fell away and I felt a sense of peace and knew painting was something I had to do.

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

Yes! After kindergarten, I had a gap until fourth grade and then I sketched and painted often until college where I obtained an Associate of Arts degree in Fine Art. At first, my plan was to get a B.A. in Art but I decided to switch to a nursing program and I obtained an R.N. Degree. Then, I married and had three children (not all at once!) which kept me very (happily) busy, but for the past twenty years, I've painted steadily and wholeheartedly in oils.

Last Summer
(click to view)

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

What mediums and genres have you experimented with?

Oils, watercolors, acrylics and pastels. I experiment with abstract painting and figurative work (both are challenging for me).

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

I paint exclusively in oils at this time. My favorite things to paint are still lifes, urban landscapes, cloudscapes, landscapes, seascapes and animals (especially cows and dogs).

PB and J with Raspberry Jam
(click to view)

Which ones are you looking forward to exploring?

I really admire the abstract expressionists and want to work more in that area.

Who or what inspires you most?

The works of Van Gogh, Monet, Cezanne, Edward Hopper and De Kooning and many more. Also, many current artists (many are on DPW!)

White Roses in Glass
(click to view)

What does procrastination look like for you?

If I'm doing laundry or organizing a closet or drawer, I'm probably procrastinating (my closets and drawers are quite messy!)

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

First, I write in a journal (the morning pages from "The Artist's Way") my goals and what I want or need to paint. I'll bring a post it note into the studio and work on those paintings unless I "feel" like painting a certain subject that often just "pops" into my mind!

Red Barn in Pennsylvania
(click to view)

How do you generally arrive at ideas for your paintings?

I sketch and take pictures when I'm plein air painting and develop more landscape paintings in the studio. When I'm driving around, I'll notice the light and shadow on a house and I'll come back another day to take pictures, sketch or paint it. I enjoy the DPW Challenge and entering contests which sometimes have a specific theme which makes me paint something I normally wouldn't.

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

I really like to start a painting and try to finish it quickly and then move on to something else. I think painting a variety of subjects and experimenting with abstracts helps somewhat.

Porch Window
(click to view)

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

To trust my intuition and when I feel the urge to paint something to act on it even if there are paintings on my "to do" list!

What makes you happiest about your art?

I have the opportunity to do what I love to do. That I can express myself through painting and the peace and serenity I feel as I paint might come through to the viewer.

Thanks, Jennifer!

© 2017 Sophie Marine