DPW Spotlight Interview: Marjorie Landrin

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

From Marjorie's DPW Gallery Page:

I have been making art since I could hold a crayon. Growing up in the time of "abstract art" being taught in schools. I went for something more practical. I studied architectural design and technical illustration which gave me income producing jobs. I picked up art workshops at places such as Scottsdale Artist's School as finances permitted. I've had the usual "stops and starts" with painting that come with life events such as becoming a cardiac RN, caretaker for parents, marrying for the first time at fifty-four to my best friend who like me cannot stand city life. We have built our own house and forged a unique outdoor life in the past eight years. Now is the time for me to get back to my "sweet spot" which is painting. The idea of small Daily Paintings caught my attention and I'm enjoying it. No guilt over wasting a lot of time and money on large paintings the average person can't afford. We'll see where this new journey takes me...

Tell us a bit about how your first started painting.

I don't remember a time when I didn't paint and draw. My first “lessons” came when my Mom decided I should do something other than school at age eight. I was easily bored. The only thing we could find was ballet at the time. That only lasted about two weeks. Then she found an artist that gave lessons to kids and I got to start oil painting. I was in heaven. I loved the smells and the mess and everything about it. I did that when I could in between school and camping with my family.

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

I had continual stops and starts in my painting. It was never my career since I hated doing commercial art and supporting yourself as a fine artist is not always practical. I first went into technical illustration and architectural design and I even worked in aircraft designing ground support equipment. Then I became an RN. Reality often pushes art to the back for a time. Then you realize that you can't quit painting or your brain stops working as well.

Reel Time
(click to view)

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

What mediums and genres have you experimented with?

I've tried almost all the mediums and my art closet can attest to that. I needed to be able to use most of them competently since I also taught local college classes for a time. I also like to paint any subject that catches my eye.

Which ones have stuck and which ones have fallen away?

I like oil and pastel the best. I've never gotten watercolor to do what I want it to do. I don't have the patience to “leave the whites” but I really admire a good watercolor.

Flaming Desert
(click to view)

Which ones are you looking forward to exploring?

I would like to explore a water-based paint that would act like oil but dry in a day for traveling. I haven't found one that suits me yet.

Who or what inspires you most? 

Nature inspires me the most. I love the effects of light and shadow and the different colors of light.

Young Woman in Denim
(click to view)

What does procrastination look like for you?

The longer I go without painting the harder it is to start again. The blank canvas seems to tell me I can't do it. It seems to be some kind of fear of failure reaction. So I either have to paint every few days or it's a major struggle after that.

What techniques work to ensure you make time for your art.

I avoid phones and the computer as much as possible. That's not hard for me to do since I don't like them that much anyway. I try to use my best time for painting and save the chores for when I'm brain dead. I can't have a set schedule because the mini-farm/logging life (www.jdsbirds.com) has to be done dependent on things that can't be controlled or predicted.

Hidden Valley
(click to view)

How do you generally arrive at ideas for your paintings?

I'm usually excited by the light and dark pattern or colors that I see.

How do you keep art “fresh”. What techniques have helped you avoid burnout and keep your work vibrant & engaging?

I find that I have to switch subjects and techniques frequently or I get bored to death and it shows in my paintings. I admire people that can keep painting similar things over and over to perfect their skill but I don't seem to be capable of that. I tend to want to paint whatever catches my eye.

Saguaro Kings
(click to view)

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

I'm trying to teach myself to remember everything I already learned over the years and to quit making the same silly mistakes over and over again such as: Not using enough paint! Cleaning my brush with turps and then using it again before it's totally dry (pulls the paint off the canvas). Not simplifying enough. Too much brushing and not enough looking.

What makes you happiest about your art?

When I get into the zone of painting, everything else in the world goes away and I don't have to think about anything. I just get to be Marge.

Thanks, Marjorie!

© 2019 Sophie Marine