DPW Spotlight Interview: Alina Vidulescu

Each week we will spotlight a different DPW artist who will give away one of their best paintings. To enter to win Alina's painting, "Florence Panoramic View" go to Daily Paintworks and click on the link at the top of the page announcing their interview.

From Alina's DPW Gallery:

I love to paint landscapes, and architecture but am also trying different subjects and styles. Most of my paintings are inspired by my travel. I love painting with acrylics but occasionally use oil.

I paint because:
• It makes me smile.
• I love yellow, purple and the smell of fresh cut grass.
• I love contrast.
• I like the way the brush sings. I paint anything that makes me happy.

My work is collected throughout the United States, Canada, Europe, and Australia.

See some of my sold work here: www.yessy.com/alinavidulescu

Tell us a bit about how you first started painting.

I picked up the brushes pretty late in my life, and discovered that I probably loved painting all the time, and had no idea about it. I studied, and worked in the finance field, and while working in corporate America, I took up painting as a hobby. In 2008, after my work contract ended, with the support of my husband, I decided to give painting a chance. It took me a while before I was comfortable saying that I was an artist.

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

After my daughter was born, I guess I can say I stopped painting constantly. Now that she's started school, I am trying to paint a few times a week. My goal is to be a daily painter, and hopefully I'm not that far from achieving it.

Florence Panoramic View

(click to view)

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

What mediums and genres have you experimented with?

I started painting with oils, an odd choice for a beginner but just went with it. I loved it but because oils dry slow. When my storage was limited, I switched to acrylics. It's still my favorite medium.

Recently, I started experimenting with oil pastels. I'm still getting comfortable with them, so am sticking with acrylics for now, and playing with the pastels from time to time.

If I want some texture or something different, I am also working with sea shells and sand dollars, fabric and other things, and give mixed media/assemblage a go. My daughter also enjoys working with me on projects like these.

As far as genres, I love painting landscapes and cityscapes (rooftops especially), and also still life. I tried some abstract as well.

Landscape
(click to view)

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

Acrylic is definitely my favorite medium.

I don’t paint still life so often anymore, and abstract is something I don’t identify with.

Which ones are you looking forward to exploring?

I definitely want to learn, and work more with oil pastels.

Who or what inspires you most?

I love the impressionists, but also a lot of contemporary artists.  I get inspired the most by my travels but also by every little thing. I always see paintings when I look around: be it the light on my neighbor's house, the sunset or the flowers I pick at the supermarket.

Prague Rooftops
(click to view)

What does procrastination look like for you?

Internet is a big distraction, but in my defense I spend a lot of the online time looking at art.

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

Keep the studio area clean. I cannot start working on a new piece if things are everywhere!

Glenfarclas Distillery
(click to view)

How do you generally arrive at ideas for your paintings?

As I said before, travel is a major inspiration for my paintings but really, inspiration is everywhere around me. The important thing is just to keep looking and find the beauty in all places and things.
When I feel I need a new idea, I always go back to the pictures I took on my trips. Looking at other artists' work is always inspiring as well.

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

I alternate the subjects when I feel it's time for a change. Also, I am changing my palette; using some colors I haven't used in a while, getting some new colors from my local art store. Sometimes taking a break also works wonders.

Alversund Norway Fjord
(click to view)

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

I am really trying to get to a looser style. I am working on learning when to stop, not over do it.

What makes you happiest about your art?

When I paint, I am the master of my own world. There are no limits or rules, just beautiful colors and pure joy!

Thanks, Alina!

© 2017 Sophie Marine