DPW Spotlight Interview: Naomi Bautista

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

From Naomi's DPW Gallery:


I started taking a basic painting class at a local community college after my daughter started kindergarten, which was thirteen years ago. Learning how to do fine art was something I've always wanted to do. Ever since I was little, I knew I was an artist. It was ballet that gave me a tool to express myself through movements with music. Now canvas is my stage. I pick up my brushes and let myself go. Whatever the subject I'm seeing can be just a reference of what my inner eyes interpret, and what comes out of the interpretation is something only I can create. How fun and exciting it is.I feel so fortunate to be able to do what I love to do. Thanks to my very supportive husband and daughter, I'm on a journey of self-discovery. (click to read more)

Tell us a bit about how you first started painting.

I first started painting fifteen years ago when my daughter started going to kindergarten. I started taking a very basic painting class at a local art school. I started painting with acrylics.

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

I've been fortunate to be able to continue to paint in the last fifteen years. I experimented with different mediums like oils, water color and even with clay to make potteries.

White Swan
(click to view)

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

What mediums and genres have you experimented with?

I always go back to oils. I like to be able to mix colors well and oils allow me to do well just that. Also it's the matter of being used to the medium.

Which ones are you looking forward to exploring?

I think I'd like to try using acrylic more in the future.

Who or what inspires you most? 

I like the Russian artist, Sergei Bongard. His emotionally expressive painting techniques inspire me so much.

What does procrastination look like for you? 

For me, procrastination looks like not trying to learn new and different skills and techniques and being satisfied with the status quo. Also for me, winter time is more challenging to push myself to be more motivated to paint because of the shorter day light hours and cold temperatures.

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

I do meditation every morning that ensures me to make good use of my time throughout the day. Without the daily meditation, I don't think I can spend my days efficiently.

How do you generally arrive at ideas for your paintings? 

I get ideas from different sources. I actually get a lot of ideas when I meditate. Also I always try to be mindful about learning different art techniques and ideas from almost everything I see like sceneries from car rides, magazines, photographs, posters, movies, TV shows, etc.

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

For me, painting is the best way to express my feelings and emotions. Although I feel frustrated and struggle with not being able to paint in a way I want to from time to time, I don't think I've ever felt burnout. I feel joy and appreciation for being able to do what I love to do the most. I think that's how I can keep my work vibrant and engaging in a natural way. Expressing joy like dancing on a canvas wearing shoes called paint brushes, that's the way I feel when I paint.

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

I feel like I'm getting into a new level of my artistic career now. It's very exciting to feel that I can extend and expand my techniques to the next level . Being out of the box and finding out my inner voice more.

I think 2018 will be a very exciting year for me as an artist!

Thanks, Naomi!

© 2017 Sophie Marine