Thursday, June 27, 2019

DPW Spotlight Interview: Alice Harpel

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

From Alice's DPW Page:


I am a fine artist residing in Crawfordsville, IN. Upon retirement from the Indiana Department of Education, I have created a second career in the fine arts.

Most of my artwork originates from my original photographs, my plein air experiences, and my memory. I paint primarily in oils, acrylics, and pastels and often introduce other elements, such as collage paper, to achieve my desired vibrant colors and texture. (click to read more)

Tell us about how you first started painting.

As a young child and like many artists, I loved art and being creative. Living in the country next to a very small town, art was my entertainment. When I was first married, my husband was convinced he saw talent in the drawings that I would do in my spare time. So, he quickly went out and purchased my first set of art supplies. And that was the beginning of being a self-taught artist.

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

As stated earlier, my start really was when my husband “invested” in all those “bright, new, shiny” art supplies. So convinced of my talent that he was also a willing partner to take some of my paintings to art shows for me when I was “unsure” of this new thing I was doing.

My stops have been the raising of our two children and returning to a teaching career (but not as an art teacher) which then led me to go onto earning a Doctorate in Educational Administration. At that point, I put away my paints and brushes for 35+ years later, only to return to them upon retirement. And about a month before retirement, I ordered $1000 worth of art supplies from websites, and anxiously waited to return to my passion.

Acrylic spring tulip floral painting impressionism
(click to view)

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

What mediums and genres have you experimented with?

When I first returned to painting, I worked in watercolor, but once I started to work more with acrylics, I became spoiled. My most recent medium for experimentation has been soft pastels.

The genres that I have experimented with are abstract work and painting figures (little girl ballerinas).

Which ones have “ stuck” and which ones have fallen away?

I no longer do watercolor unless it works as an underpainting for pastels. Acrylics have spoiled me there. I still play with abstracts and create “little girl” ballerina paintings, along with my traditional landscapes and florals.

Sunflower still life acrylic bouquet floral art
(click to view)

Which ones are you looking forward to exploring?

I would like to explore a looser style with my pastels. And I would also like to see how I can combine my acrylics with pastels with my abstract work.

Who or what inspires you most?

Besides the local artists who have made it to the national level, there are several I follow on the Internet. To name a few: Tom Christopher (pastels), Roger Dale Brown (oils), Jill Carver (oils), Nancy Franke (oils).

Oil red barn winter landscape painting
(click to view)

What does procrastination look like for you?

Procrastination---cleaning my studio, cleaning my home,  looking through old art books.

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

I frequently do an early morning walk where I can clear my mind to focus on the day. I also create a “mind map” at the beginning of each year and refer to it monthly. This pushes me to make time for all aspects of my art.

Sunflower floral flower garden acrylic painting
(click to view)

How do you generally arrive at ideas for your paintings?

Since I live in a rural community, all I need to do is drive down a country road—nothing else is needed. All the beautiful colors that Mother Nature “paints” on her flowers always leads me to creating new floral art. I will enter competitions that have a theme that forces me to think of ideas for new paintings.

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

I like experimenting with new colors and techniques---pushing myself to loosen my style. Even though the initial endeavor might not be successful, the process always leads me to new ideas over time.

Wildflower day lily stream creek meadow painting
(click to view)

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

I am analyzing how my pastel painting techniques can help me be a better oil/acrylic artist. I want to see how these pastel ideas can translate to another medium.

What makes you happiest about your art?

I love the process of creating. I also get satisfaction when I “redo” an earlier painting. It is in this process that I can see the techniques I have learned over time that now makes this current work a better piece.

Thanks, Alice!

© 2019 Sophie Marine

Thursday, June 20, 2019

DPW Spotlight Interview: Heather Douglas

Each week we will spotlight a different DPW artist who will give away one of their best paintings. To enter to win Heather's painting "Fire Escape NYC #2" go to Daily Paintworks and click on the link at the top of the page announcing their interview.

From Heather's DPW Page:

Heather Leigh Douglas began her artistic career in oil painting and has expanded into the encaustic process as well. While her oil paintings are highly realistic her encaustics often take on a freer approach.

Douglas has exhibited in national and international juried shows across the country including galleries and museums. She has had solo shows in the New York Metropolitan area of both her oil paintings and encaustics. Some of her pieces have been used in films and television commercials. (click to read more)

Tell us a bit about how you first started painting.

I must begin by saying that, like a lot of artists, I have always been involved in one artistic endeavor or another, with lots of experimenting. As a studio art major in college I studied a variety of techniques which included oil painting. I also learned batik but used the process to create landscapes. After college I began taking classes in photography and eventually set up my own black and white darkroom. Oil painting was something I pursued on and off while creating and selling my batik landscapes.

Fire Escape NYC #2
(click to view)

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

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

When I had my first of three daughters, I put aside painting and batiks and focused primarily on photography. This along with a bit of watercolor painting became my artistic outlet for the next nineteen years. When a friend wanted to buy a painting of my daughter’s, which she refused to sell, I set up an easel and did an oil painting for him. I had forgotten the joy that comes from painting and suddenly I couldn’t get enough of it!

Spring Beauty
(click to view)

What mediums and genres have you experimented with?


One day, ten years ago, I came across an encaustic in an art exhibit and was fascinated. I began trying to learn the technique, which very few people seemed to know about then. The beauty of encaustic for me is that it combines three of my favorite artistic methods. Encaustic uses melted wax, which I had used in my batik days, and oil paint, which is used to color the wax. The medium is so versatile that it also allows me to use my black and white photography to create toner transfers into the wax.

Black Fern
(click to view)

Which ones have "stuck" and which ones have fallen away? Which ones are you looking forward to exploring?

I no longer use a darkroom. My primary focus has become encaustic, although I’ve just begun to experiment with cold wax and oil paint, which I am really enjoying. I also plan to create a series of encaustic monoprints on paper, and perhaps some other forms of print making down the road.

Fire Escape NYC - M2
(click to view)

Who or what inspires you most?

My inspiration comes from the world around me. I am a nature girl who loves the ocean, hiking, woods and gardens, but I’m also drawn to architecture and the energy of metropolitan cities. I always seem to get a boost after going to a museum exhibit or a gallery show. Just seeing what other artists are creating is always inspirational.

What does procrastination look like for you?

Procrastination is such a dirty word and I know it well! Much as I love the computer and all it has to offer, it can take over if I’m not diligent. Of course there are a host of other things that love to play procrastinator too.

Red Purse
(click to view)

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

I begin each day by tackling whatever errands and appointments must be taken care of in the morning. My reward is spending the afternoon (and often into the evenings), working in the studio without the distraction of other things on the “to do” list.

How do you generally arrive at ideas for your paintings?

A majority of ideas stem from my photography. I often go on photographic excursions with the sole purpose of gathering material to paint. I also use patterns I find in nature (such as rocks, wood, seaweed, etc.) to create more abstract pieces.

Maine Stone #5
(click to view)

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

I find travel to be a wonderful stimulus for creating “fresh” work.  Often times however, just going to a different part of New York City (I live nearby), opens me up to new ideas.

What makes you happiest about your art?   

I am so grateful to have something that I have loved doing all my life and that I can continue to do, till the end of my days!

Thanks, Heather!

© 2019 Sophie Marine

Thursday, June 13, 2019

DPW Spotlight Interview: Elaine Hahn

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

From Elaine's DPW Page:

Elaine Hahn, a native of Kansas City, Missouri, holds a BA and MA in Art from the University of Missouri, and has studied with noted artists throughout the United States, England and Mexico. Her early career was influenced by her experience at Hallmark Cards in Kansas City. She is a Signature member of the Paint America Association Signature Society, the Florida Plein Air Society, a member of the Oil Painters of America, the American Impressionist Society, and is a Signature member of the American Watercolor and the National Watercolor Societies. (click to read more)

Tell us a bit about how you first started painting.

I loved drawing at a very young age. My mother would put me in classes at the Kansas City Art Museum for kids in the summer. I went on from there to study art and get my degrees in art.

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

I was a Marine Corps wife and moved every three years. That made many starts and stops for twenty years.

River View
(click to view)

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

What mediums and genres have you worked with and which have stuck and which have fallen away?

In school I tried most every medium from print making to encaustic wax painting. This was good because I knew I favored drawing and painting. I chose oil painting at first. A group of artists in Virginia, where I lived then, started an Art Co-Op where we taught classes and on the main floor had a gallery. That group still exists in Occaquan, Va. I was teaching print making and pastels at the time. The Watercolor artist left, and my students asked me to teach Watercolors. I had just seen a watercolor demo by the famous artist, John Pike, while attending a pastel workshop and he made it look so easy. I said I would try!! That started my twenty year journey with Watercolors.

Bushels of Crabs
(click to view)

Who inspired you the most?

I’ve taken workshops from many artists and was inspired by them all. Albert Handel and Kevin MacPherson were two of my favorites. I also really admire Richard Schmid and have learned a lot from just reading his books.

Feeding Time
(click to view)

What does procrastination look like for you?

I’m great at this!! I read the book The War of Art by Steven Pressfield and had to laugh. I fit right in!  A great book on how to deal with procrastination for artists.

Hull Reflections
(click to view)

How have you dealt with burn out in your career?

After spending my twenty years in Watercolors, I felt I needed a change, as I was getting burned out. It was a big one!! - back to Oils and painting Plein Air. At that point, I needed to get out of the studio, experiment and also try a different medium while painting outdoors. I loved it and did many Plein Air events and saw a lot of beautiful places where I painted.

Then after several years, I came full circle back to the studio, still working in oils but, doing Still Lifes instead of landscapes. It was at this time I found Daily Paintworks. This really helped motivate me to do a painting a day for many months. I really know that this challenge was a big help for me. Often times now when I feel stuck I go back to that challenge of a painting a day. All artists should all be very thankful for this Daily Paintworks site.

Sparkle
(click to view)

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

Now I am motivated by doing paintings that I feel are worthy of entering into national shows. Subject matter is usually coastal oriented (we live on the water in Florida) or Still Lifes.

Sunset Glow
(click to view)

What makes you happiest about your art?

When I paint for hours and time flies and everything goes amazingly right. I wish more moments like this happened. Also, when someone appreciates my paintings or loves them enough to buy it.

Thanks, Elaine!

© 2019 Sophie Marine

Thursday, June 6, 2019

DPW Spotlight Interview: Gina Garding

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

From Gina's DPW Page:

Hello! I am a Minneapolis-based painter. I've been painting for about 5 years and learn something new every time I'm at the easel. I love keeping it fresh by painting a wide variety of things, but I'd have to say my favorite subject is pet portraits. You can see more of my work on my blog (www.ginagarding.blogspot.com), or follow me on instagram (@ggardingart). Thanks for stopping by!

Tell us a bit about how you first started painting.

I always loved to draw and was a very creative and crafty kid, and about five years ago my mom urged me to take a painting class to balance out my left-brained job as a statistical programmer. Fortunately for me my first class was with Kat Corrigan, and her excitement and passion for painting was super contagious and got me hooked!

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

I’ve had periods where life got busy and I got out of the habit for a while, but in the last couple years I’ve been more consistent and the stops are shorter and less frequent.

Duck Reflections
(click to view)

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

What mediums and genres have you experimented with?

I paint with acrylic, and have a couple hours under my belt experimenting with water-based oils.

Which ones are you looking forward to exploring?

I’d love to learn oils, and I plan to keep trying those. I would also really love to try gouache sometime, I love the look of it and I’ve heard it’s quite opaque in nature and that suits me well for how I paint.

Focus 2
(click to view)

Who or what inspires you most?

I was very inspired to try painting pet portraits by Kat Corrigan. I don’t know a lot of art history, so my other inspirations tend to be current artists that I follow on social media. I love the work of Teddi Parker, Patty Voje, Sharon Shock, Cathleen Rehfield, Holly Storlie, Katya Minkina, Robin Rosenthal, and there are so many more…

What does procrastination look like for you?

Getting inside my head too much! Sometimes anxiety sets in, that I don’t have enough time to paint something the way it “should” be painted, so instead I leaf through reference photo ideas or spend time looking at others’ works.

Koi
(click to view)

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

Refer to previous question - it’s not usually an issue of enough hours in the day for me, so much as it is getting out of my own head thinking that I need more time. The one post-it note I have taped to my easel says “Don’t think, just paint!”.  I try to set a goal of touching paint to canvas even for 20 minutes, and it often turns into longer than that.

How do you generally arrive at ideas for your paintings?

I often paint from reference photos, and there’s a great website Paint My Photo.com that I love to peruse. It’s kind of like a thrift store, in that you never know what you’ll find and there are some real gems. I also do pet commissions so those are kind of decided for me.

Ready for My Close-up
(click to view)

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

I keep it fresh by painting what most excites me at the moment. I’d love to do a series, but I’ve found if my excitement of the subject wanes it really affects my painting. The things I paint usually have no connection to each other -  it’s how my brain works! I’ve found having a large file of potential reference photos helps avoid burnout, because there’s always something that I’ll find new and exciting.

Callie 10
(click to view)

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

Sticking with paintings through the rough patches. Sometimes a painting just needs to be abandoned and I’m ok with that, but I’ve had some good successes by working through the “ugly” and coming out the other side. Also, patience with myself. I go through phases where my mind sees how I want something to look but my hands can’t do it yet – it’s frustrating but remembering that practice is a part of it helps.

Thanks, Gina!

© 2019 Sophie Marine