DPW Spotlight Interview: Elena Konysheva

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

From Elena's DPW Gallery Page:

Hello! I'm Lena! I'm from Ukraine. I really like to draw from childhood. As far as I can remember, I draw all the time. In my works I try to reveal the theme of childhood - carefree, bright and joyful. I want my work to bring joy and happiness!

Tell us a bit about how you first started painting.

Since childhood, I have loved to draw.

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

There were stops: for a couple of years, I did not draw at all. I realized that I can't live without painting, it's my battery.

Friendship
(click to view)

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

What mediums and genres have you experimented with?

I paint with acrylic paints, they are bright and resistant to light, therefore the work is always colorful and also dries quickly.

Sunfowers
(click to view)

Which ones are you looking forward to exploring?

I am a self-taught artist with genres of painting I have not experimented with yet. For example, Impressionism; I want to work in this direction.

Beloved Friend
(click to view)

Who or what inspires you most?

Children inspire most of all, their pure and bright emotions I want to draw over and over again.

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

I draw in the morning while everyone is asleep.

Backyard Flowers
(click to view)

How do you generally arrive at ideas for your paintings?

I take ideas from my child and my childhood. I am a mother myself, when I look at my child, I will change my childhood.

Young Artist in Garden
(click to view)

What makes you happiest about your art?

I feel happy to be able to paint. Painting lightens my mood for the whole day. I will be very happy if my work can bring joy to someone and return them a little to childhood.

Roses
(click to view)

Thanks, Elena!

© 2020 Sophie Marine

DPW Spotlight Interview: Patricia Disantis

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

From Patricia's DPW Gallery Page:

Welcome to my gallery! I am a self taught artist. I have taken many classes with master painters and water marblers over the years. Some of you may know me from Shibumi Silks.

This gallery is devoted to abstract and impressionist art. I am influenced by a large variety of artists such as Matisse, Van Gogh, Klimt, Kandinsky, Pollack, Kusama, Shiraga, De Kooning and others.

I use a variety of acrylics, molding paste, wax, fabric, markers, etc. Many of my pieces are many layers of paint.

I often have a specific intention when creating a piece. So everything is very deliberate. Often I’ll sit with a finished piece for a few days or weeks and decide it needs something... it usually turns out being totally different! Often a picture seems to have a mind of its own... I’m just the holder of the tools... (click to read more)

Tell us a bit about how you first started painting.

I first started painting as a young women in my early twenties. I became very ill and was bedridden on and off for a number of years, painting and drawing was my therapy. About ten years ago, I learned water marbling, a rather obscure art form. I took lessons from a master water marbler. We do art shows all over the USA, that’s Shibumi Silks. A couple of years ago, in the slower winter months, I took a painting class.  Well! I’ve been obsessed ever since. The only starts and stops have to do with how busy we are with shows... that takes a lot of energy.

View From A Yellow Submarine
(click to view)

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

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

I’ve stuck with acrylics as we use those in marbling. I do play with additives and mediums and tools for mark making.

Kandinsky
(click to view)

Who or what inspires you most?

I have been inspired by a great variety of painters. Van Gogh and Monet of the impressionists. Jackson Pollack, Paul Klee, Kandinsky, Hans Hoffman and Willem De Kooning are stand outs in the abstract crowd. I’m lucky to live near the Yale Art Gallery so I can get my fill of these artists up close! The texture of some of these pieces has to be seen in person... the camera doesn’t capture it.

He said She said diptych
(click to view)

What does procrastination look like for you?

Procrastination boils down to ignoring what I don’t want to do. If the laundry is done or a least not out of control... then life is fine. Since I’d rather paint then do most anything else... that’s motivation to do the work. Painting is my reward for having gotten my work done... many times that’s spending four days out of town, driving, setting up, doing the show... driving home. Then there is the recovery day.  So when we’re really busy... painting is my longing.

Enthusiasm
(click to view)

How do you generally arrive at ideas for your paintings?

Ideas for paintings are numerous, from nature to looking at an old painting that I no longer like. I love the total redo. Every time I start a new piece I take something that I like from a previous work... then it evolves on its own. It’s a magical process of alchemy. It’s the ultimate in exploration. If I get into my painting studio... it’s a good day.

One of the interesting things about painting is the ugly stage. There comes a point in many pieces where I look at it and wonder how I made such a mess. Then I put it aside for a day, a week, a month...  out of that ugly stage has come the best pieces.

Nantucket
(click to view)

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

Art is always fresh by its very nature. Each piece is an individual, a new being with a life of its own. That’s what I love about painting. Ideas come. I don’t always know where they come from. I just have to show up in the studio.  

Spring in South Fallsburg
(click to view)

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

What I’m learning as an artist right now is to let things go when they’re not working. Inspiration comes but not on a timetable. Sometimes you just have to put a piece aside, wash your brushes and look at the one that is working! I always have a number of pieces going at the same time.

What makes you happiest about your art?

My art makes me feel free. The feeling of freedom is priceless.

Thanks, Patricia!

© 2020 Sophie Marine

DPW Spotlight Interview: Sally Fuess


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

From Sally's DPW Gallery Page:

I am inspired by the slice of life moments and the fleeting insights into an individual’s character whether it is animals or people. My process begins with ink sketches preferably from life but also video or my own photo reference. With oils, I paint in either a warm/cool vibrant palette over a toned background or a limited Zorn palette. I directly sketch my composition in oil on the canvas/panel and then build layers, playing with brushwork, glazing, pick-outs and palette knife. With my ink and watercolor drawings, the process involves fountain pens, large quantities of coffee, a big recycle bin and a little luck. Thanks for visiting!

Tell us a bit about how you first started painting.

I have always doodled but I took an oil painting class at UCLA and fell in love with it.



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

I was a lab tech for fifteen years but painted in my spare time. Currently, I am lucky enough to paint full time.


Common Squid
(click to view)

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

What mediums and genres have you experimented with?

I have dabbled with oils, acrylics, pastels, gouache and watercolor along with pencil, charcoal and ink.



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

I love oil and enjoy playing with watercolors, especially watercolor with ink. Acrylics and I have never gotten on well.


Goatitude
(click to view)

Which ones are you looking forward to exploring?

I really would like to get better with watercolor and someday study sculpture.



Who or what inspires you most?

I think the urban sketchers movement is really inspiring - I just love the freshness and international aspect of the art. I also love sculpture especially the Terme Boxer in Rome, anything by Michelangelo, Bernini, Rodin and ancient Asian horse sculptures. As far as 2D work, I love the draftsmen: Rembrandt, Sargent, Van Gogh, I. Repin, E. Schiele, Hokusai, Lucy Kemp Welch, Armin Hansen and Sergio Toppi. Subject wise: animals, water and people.



Owlish III
(click to view)

What does procrastination look like for you?

Fear of messing up. I don’t mind redoing something fifteen times to get it right, but I hate losing the freshness of the work. I find that if I stop and draw it until I know it well, then go back to the painting, it is very helpful.



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

Early mornings and headphones to block out the distractions.



Lowlander
(click to view)

How do you generally arrive at ideas for your paintings?

Travel, rowing, walking the dog and sketching. I also love harbors, wildlife sanctuaries, aquariums, zoos and preserves for animal reference.

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

Draw, sketch and then draw some more. I also find workshops invigorating.



Goofy Gull
(click to view)

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

Influence of Japanese prints on western art especially Van Gogh.



What makes you happiest about your art?

Finishing a piece. Selling a painting is awesome too.

Thanks, Sally!

© 2020 Sophie Marine