Thursday, April 2, 2020

DPW Spotlight Interview: Erin Rosen

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

From Erin's DPW Gallery Page:


Los Angeles native, Erin Rosen has been a professional painter for over twenty years. As an art major in college, her focus was primarily on the figure. However, right after graduating, she discovered her love of the Impressionist landscape and quickly became known for her ability to capture light. Alongside the landscape and figurative genres, Erin finds inspiration in a multitude of subject matter including urban scenes, still life, and animals. As often as she hears "Paint larger!", Erin continues being pulled to paint miniature for the freshness that can be achieved in them. Erin has been in numerous gallery and juried art exhibits throughout the years and is an artist member of the prestigious California Art Club. When not painting, she enjoys local road-trip photography and caring for her dogs.

Tell us a bit about how you first started painting.

Drawing and painting have always been as much a part of me as my eye color, so it’s hard to say when I started, but I can say that I went pro about three years after receiving my BA and subsequent teaching credential.

Another Bright Idea
(click to view)

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

What mediums and genres have you experimented with? Which ones have "stuck" and which ones have fallen away?

I have worked with oils, acrylics, watercolor, gouache, charcoal, and pencil.

Although I built my career with oil paint, I have a deep love for gouache as well, so those two have stuck with me.

As far as genres, while I started my career mainly painting landscapes, I love exploring other genres as well, including figurative/portraits, urban scenes, animals, and still life.

I tend to become rather obsessed with each one for a given period of time, and rotate them all continuously… I am still trying to figure out if this is a blessing or a curse…

Hot Stuff
(click to view)

Which ones are you looking forward to exploring?

I am currently on a still-life kick, so I am looking forward to painting the various items I have lined up, as well as hunting for new objects to paint.

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

I have learned to say “No” to invitations from people I care about in order to prioritize studio time.  Of course, as I write this, we are all quarantined, so that is not a problem for me right now!

Pink Bungalow
(click to view)

How do you generally arrive at ideas for your paintings?

I am very visual, so depending on what genre phase I am in, I will basically “hunt” for imagery that speaks to me. For example, while in my car-painting phase, I would go out driving at certain times of day and take tons of photos. Then I’d come home and peruse the photos until I saw something that struck a chord in me.

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

If I am inspired by my subject and am able to authentically paint it with decisiveness and without “fiddling,” I think freshness will naturally translate to the viewer. Rotating subject matter and staying authentic to what I truly want to paint definitely helps me from getting burnout.

Happy Hour

What is your biggest strength and your biggest challenge as an artist?

I would say my biggest strength is my ability to capture light. My biggest challenge is taking on the world of social media.

What makes you happiest about your art?

I am happiest when my art moves someone to want to hang it on their wall so that they can see it every day!

Vanilla Extract
(click to view)

Where do you see your art career heading?

I love to teach, so I plan to do more private teaching and coaching.

What three tips would you offer to people just starting out painting?

1. Try out a limited palette to simplify things, and then add only what is necessary to achieve your desired effect.

2. Experiment with different surfaces. Linen canvas is a world away from cotton.

3. Trust what you see; not what you *think* you see.

Thanks, Erin!

© 2020 Sophie Marine

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