Tell us a bit about how you first started painting.While painting Easter Eggs my wife, Karen (a designer), commented I had artistic talent. Up until then, my creative outlet had been cooking. I had very good results, but the weight we gained not so much. A couple of years ago, Karen gave me a "painting class" as a gift to further explore my creativity (and perhaps lose some weight. I was somewhat apprehensive since I had not had any formal art education (other than the nuns in kindergarten) but I really ended up enjoying it. There was no pressure (other than what I put on myself), and our instructor, Kat Corrigan, made the class instructional and fun. That’s when I started painting as my main hobby.
What mediums and genres have you experimented with?
The Easter eggs were in watercolor, but that is the exception. The vast majority of what I do is in acrylics. At first it was because that was the medium taught by Kat. However, I found acrylics fun and easy to handle, as well as quick drying. I did play around with charcoal drawings, originally to work on value relationships, and later to practice rendering of accurate proportions. More recently I ventured into oils, jumping into a Plein Air workshop. Being used to quick drying acrylics I found oils frustrating at first but grew to appreciate their versatility and final results.
Looking upriver in a Fjord on the way to Bergen, Norway (click to view) Enter to win by clicking on the link at the top of the DPW home page announcing Francesco's interview.
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| Looking upriver in a Fjord on the way to Bergen, Norway (click to view) Enter to win by clicking on the link at the top of the DPW home page announcing Francesco's interview. |
Which ones have "stuck" and which ones have fallen away?
Acrylics have definitely stuck, but I would like to continue learning to use oils and practicing with charcoal.
Which ones are you looking forward to exploring?
I’d like to continue exploring oil, but also try watercolors (outside of Easter eggs).
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| Pippa Littleton (click to view) |
Who or what inspires you most?
Landscapes and light, the ocean, majestic buildings, historic sites, beautiful shapes such as Vespa scooters, my two dogs, and whatever Karen suggests would be a good composition (she has a very good eye).
What does procrastination look like for you?
Actually, painting is a way for me to procrastinate on other tasks I have to do at home.
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| Fiat 500 in its natural habitat (click to view) |
What techniques work to ensure that you make time for your art?
With a full-time job, I don’t have time to paint during weekday work hours. As a result, most of my painting is early morning or later in the evening, plus I try to paint on Saturdays. Taking a painting class on Saturdays ensures I paint at least on that day, but also during the week for homework.
How do you generally arrive at ideas for your paintings?
Many of my paintings are inspired by photos I’ve taken on trips over the decades. Places and sights in Sicily imprinted in me from birth are one of my favorite subjects. More recently, whenever I see something that would make a great subject or composition for a painting, I stop to take a photo.
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| The end of the trail is near! (click to view) |
How do you keep art "fresh?" What techniques have helped you avoid burnout and keep your work vibrant and engaging?
Since I’ve only started painting a few years ago burnout has not been an issue and keeping my work vibrant and engaging is still a work in progress.
What do you feel you are learning about right now as an artist?
To really pay attention to what I’m seeing, from the big picture to the small details, seeing the light, shadows, interpreting color and values.
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| Passeggiata in Erice (click to view) |
What makes you happiest about your art?
Seeing the end result when it works.
Did you have any stops and starts in your painting career?
No stops yet.
Thanks, Francesco!
© 2019 Sophie Marine
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