DPW Spotlight Interview: Lynne Reichhart

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

From Lynne's DPW Gallery Page:

Lynne Reichhart graduated from SUNY Potsdam with a BA in Computer Science. After 20 years of corporate life, she turned to her passion for art and let her creative side emerge. She found the Munson Williams Proctor School of Art and began taking classes. Lynne has always lived in Upstate New York in a rural setting. Much of her inspiration comes from nature and the beautiful Adirondack Mountains. She has also been lucky enough to travel to Europe with camera in hand for more inspirational subjects! (click to read more)

Tell us a bit about how you first started painting.

I drew and painted as a kid all the time.  I loved to draw my favorite rock stars.  My best gift as a kid ever was an art set that included oil paints, charcoal, pencils, paper and more!  This present really got me into art.  I would create until the wee hours of the morning listening to my favorite radio station.

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

After my initial foray into art as a kid, I had a long break with getting a degree in computer science and my 20 year career as a systems analyst.  The deadlines and travel wore me down so I retired and took up art once again after the year 2000. Since then I have been creating art of some sort continuously and opening more on-line venues to sell my artwork.  It has been a fun ride so far and I love it!

New Crayons
(click to view)

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

What mediums and genres have you experimented with?

Once I returned to art, I began making ACEO size pieces with colored pencil.  It turned out to be a good starting point since they are only 2.5 x 3.5 inches and didn't require many resources.  I then graduated to  4 x 6 and 5 x 7 size pieces in acrylics or watercolor selling them on eBay.  I eventually took the plunge to 'larger' pieces.  I still work pretty small in comparison to others in acrylic and watercolor.  My style is primarily realism.  With my detail oriented computer background I love to explore all the small details in my paintings.  I have dabbled in abstract work, using collage and paint, but find it very difficult for me.

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

I still enjoy creating primarily smaller format art (up to 11 x 14") in a realistic style with acrylic as my favorite medium.  I have added still life subjects to my repertoire and love setting them up with favorite items I have collected.  Landscapes are my second favorite subject.  I rarely use colored pencil anymore except for adding small details to my paintings.  I have decided that abstract is not my thing.  I have two abstract collage pieces of mine that I really love, but have no plans to do more.

Cocktails and Mustard
(click to view)

Which ones are you looking forward to exploring?

I took a workshop using alcohol ink and had so much fun with it.  I purchased supplies, but have never found the time to get back into it.  I also have the supplies to try scratchboard and really want to give it a try.  The problem is that my detailed paintings take me a lot of time to create and there is always another show or commission needing my attention.  Hopefully I can give them a go soon!

Who or what inspires you most?

Even though I tend towards realism, I am inspired by the impressionists such as Monet and Van Gogh.  I also appreciate John Singer Sargent and Hopper.  I am in awe when I visit an art museum and love seeing all the different styles.  The huge paintings in the Louvre just amaze me.  I can't imagine how the artist doesn't get lost in the wall sized canvas.

I live in rural Upstate New York and am inspired by the beauty around me.  The beautiful lakes, waterfalls and mountains nearby feed my creative juices.

Montmartre Circa 1977
(click to view)

What does procrastination look like for you?

I have to admit that my favorite way to procrastinate is to spend time on the internet.  I can validate it by calling it marketing, but I need to cut it short.  Once I finally start working,  I am much more motivated.  I do have problems painting longer than a couple hours at a time.  After about 2 hours, I am ready to hang it up - unless I see a problem that needs to be resolved.  I have to fix it immediately.

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

My studio is in a corner of my kitchen.  I keep my work in progress up on my easel where I can see it.  At some point it is impossible to ignore!  I  also have 2 groups that I paint with most weeks so that gives me a reason to get off my butt and paint!

Red Poppies Three
(click to view)

How do you generally arrive at ideas for your paintings?

Since I paint from photographs, I have to admit that cell phone cameras have made this much easier.  I used to be out and about and see a scene that I would love to paint, but had no camera.  Now everyone has a camera everywhere.  Since I love to paint landscapes,  I am always looking for subject fodder when I am traveling, hiking or even just taking a walk.   When it comes to still life arrangements, they seem to just come to me.  I lay eyes on a favorite item in my house and can envision it being part of a fun still life painting.

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

I find that the best way to keep art "fresh" is to be passionate about the subject.  I really have to be invested in the subject to create a great piece.  Even though I paint realistically,  I still add something of myself to each piece.  I alter a color, eliminate an object or move it around, for example.  I also try to have each new piece be a challenge in some way. For example, it may involve painting a new texture such as the first time I painted glass.

Waimea Canyon
(click to view)

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

There is a large variety of talent and personalities in the 2 groups I paint with.  I find that painting in a vacuum is difficult.  I love to see other artists' work in progress and hear what suggestions they have for my work.  I find that observing how other people see things differently than I do teaches me a lot.

What makes you happiest about your art?

When I finish with a piece and am satisfied that it is resolved to the best of my ability, I am thrilled.  I also love when others appreciate my work.  Selling a piece puts me over the moon.  The fact that a stranger spent their hard earned money on something I created is so fantastic.  Even something as simple as a person 'liking' my painting on Facebook gives me a lift.

Thanks, Lynne!

© 2019 Sophie Marine