Thursday, September 28, 2017

DPW Spotlight Interview: Rick Nilson

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

From Rick's DPW Gallery Page:

I am a painter. I have not always been a painter. I paint like this now. I am trying to improve my skills with these oil paints and brushes.

Tell us a bit about how you first started painting.

I started painting in 2007. I had a general contractors license and I was building "spec" houses. I was abruptly out of a job and money. While waiting for the next shoe to drop I taught myself to use MSpaint.

I was encouraged to try stretching some canvases. So I did. My first paintings were just that. 1x2 pine frames hand made with cotton "duck" cloth from Walmart. I bought gesso and some acrylic paints. That was late 2007 and 2008.

Hope
(click to view)

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

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

Oh yeah. I don't like to talk about that.

What mediums and genres have you experimented with? 

I am still learning oil painting.  I have drawn a lot of house plans and a lot of "Site Development Plans" for real estate developers as a landscape architect.

PhatCrab
(click to view)

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

Oil Pigments and all the opportunity is gone. I love it when a good painting comes together with an Epic Title. i.e. Cable Ranch Dynasty. I think sticking with the blog after Facebook took most of the market share is something that "stuck".

Which ones are you looking forward to exploring?

Ask me that when I am tired of oil pigments.

Collington Harbor
(click to view)

Who or what inspires you most?

As a painter I guess Van Gogh. I saw his stuff, his crabs I guess, and thought... I can do that. Jennifer Young taught me how to paint. She posted tutorials for me in 2008 on her blog.

What does procrastination look like for you?

It is an ugly thing, isn't it?

Green on Guacamole
(click to view)

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

My wife has a job. I have a studio.

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

I honestly don't know.

Calico in Blue
(click to view)

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

Not to be so hard on myself or my paintings. That is hard.

What makes you happiest about your art?

A good title is better than a mediocre painting, Sometimes I make myself smile looking at a painting I am creating. How self indulgent is that?!

I do like the new process I have tried. Saw a guy doing a video about how he used the same technique. I write about it in a couple of posts. Strange Brew and Eat Corn. Recent paintings.

Thanks, Rick!

© 2017 Sophie Marine

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