Thursday, September 24, 2020

DPW Spotlight Interview: Irina Beskina

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

From Irina's DPW Gallery Page:

To me, subject matter is not as important as the dramatic presence of light in a scene. Whatever I paint – a still life, a landscape or a cityscape – I try to paint not things, but rather the effects of the light. Capturing its fleeting magic is what I try to achieve in my works.

Tell us a bit about how you first started painting.

As all kids, I liked to draw and paint, but I don't think I did it better than other kids around me. I kept making quick pencil sketches on every piece of paper throughout my school and university years, and my classmates made jokes that there was no need to put my name on my notebooks as they were easily recognizable by countless heads and figures covering every empty spot, but I never thought about painting seriously until I turned twenty-five. By that time I had gotten a master degree in applied math and worked as a software engineer, so I found a year-long night course in drawing and painting, and that's how it all started.

Radishes
(click to view)

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

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

Yes, I hardly did anything art-related between thirty and forty. During that decade I started a family, and  we moved to another country twice. Combining a full time job, family, studying a new language and just learning to live in a new place took all my time, but those were interesting and very intense years. I hardly  regret not being able to paint then.

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

I tried gouache, soft and oil pastels, but once I started painting with oils I hardly ever wanted to do anything else. What I love about oils is their versatility, rich color and texture, and also the fact that it is a very forgiving medium: one can hardly make a fatal mistake with oils, and that gives me the freedom of experimenting.

Green Apples
(click to view)

Which ones are you looking forward to exploring?

There are so many things to learn about oils, that a lifetime is not enough to master it.

Who or what inspires you most?

Тhe world around us is so picturesque that I constantly catch myself thinking how I would paint things that I see. Another source of inspiration is works of other artists, both great and famous painters whose paintings you can find in museums and not so famous, but also great artists that show their art on Daily Paintworks, on Facebook, Instagram, etc.

New Shoes
(click to view)

What does procrastination look like for you?

For quite a few years I combined a full time job and daily painting, and there was no room for procrastination: I knew that if I didn't start painting right after I was done with my work, I wouldn't paint that day at all, and knowing that was enough to run and start painting as soon as I was free. A couple of years ago I started painting full time, and now it happens that I delay the moment of starting a new painting. My recipe is simple: take a piece of paper and start making a quick sketch for the new painting. If it turns out good, I usually can't wait to start painting.

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

That's simple: since I like painting more than doing most other things, I just go and paint. If I don't have time during the day, I can paint at night. Actually, about half of my paintings were started after 10pm.

Here Comes The Sun!
(click to view)

How do you generally arrive at ideas for your paintings?

I believe that pretty much anything can be a subject for an interesting work of art. The most mundane things can be painted beautifully. An artist has so many tools for that: one can use an engaging composition, choose an unusual point of view, catchy brushwork, interesting color combinations, etc. Sometimes when I need to kill time waiting for something, I play a game: I ask myself, what would I paint, if I had to do a painting standing right where I am now? Usually it's not a problem to find something "paintable". It can be a sun-lit bright-red fire hydrant standing knee-deep in the green grass, an old window with dusty cracked glass, or even clutter around my kitchen sink. Ideas are all around us, we should just look carefully.

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

I think the universal way to avoid burnout is to keep learning something new. Trying new approaches and techniques, picking up subjects that I've never tried before, taking workshops with artists whose works I admire - all those things help to move forward.

Black Cat
(click to view)

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

I like painting from life, but for years I've been painting in the evening, and my favorite genre was still life. A couple of years ago I started painting en plein air. Painting outdoors is so different from studio painting, that I have a whole lot to learn about it.

What makes you happiest about your art?

When I do a painting following all the usual "rules" like finding a strong composition, making a careful sketch, not hurrying up the value stage, carefully mixing colors, etc, I often may come up with an okay piece, but for the painting to turn out really well I need something more: a bit of good luck, some sort of "painter's tailwind". That happens extremely rarely, but when it happens, it gives such a powerful feeling of flight and freedom, that it's worth all those hundreds of failed paintings I did in the past.

Broken Egg
(click to view)

Thanks, Irina!

© 2020 Sophie Marine

Friday, September 18, 2020

DPW Spotlight Interview: Tamami Tokutake

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

From Tamami's DPW Gallery Page:

Always been a secretively creative sort. In the past I have pursued — in various degrees — oil painting, photography, watercolor, drawing, creative writing, and textile arts. My current passion is pastel, and I am drawn to the colors and texture of it. I find the tactile aspect of fiber art in creating pastel painting.

Now I start thinking about the next painting the moment I wake up. Create daily, because you know, life is short.

I am a native of Japan, and now call Northern California and Nevada home.

Everything is Temporary
(click to view)

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

Tell us a bit about how you first started painting.

A few years back, my family and I just happened to stroll into a local small art supply store that was having a closeout sale. I was still working full-time and with a young child, so I didn't want to get into a time-consuming art adventure. After all, I already had a bunch of watercolor paper and brush in the corner of the garage somewhere... Then I found a beautiful wooden box with Russian-made soft pastels at a discounted price. I always wanted to try pastel. For when I retire and have more time, I said to myself, and the pastels came home with me. It sat on my bookshelf for a couple years, until I came across a pastel painting class at a community college. I'm still not retired, but why should that stop me?

Birds Calling
(click to view)

What mediums and genres have you experimented with?

I have tried oil (middle school art club!), watercolor and pencil drawing. I liked them all, but pastel suits my personality; it's forgiving and I can go as quickly or slowly as I want. I can even reuse the paper! I would like to try oil again sometime, as the brush strokes look very fresh and expressive. I would love to get my hands onto portraiture also. Taking a class is not easy right now with the global pandemic, but we are fortunate to have so many good online materials.

Old Gate
(click to view)

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

It's a constant learning process. Lately I keep asking myself as I paint; "What am I trying to express? What is my story?" I think it's important that you don't forget this inner voice. I want to go beyond just painting beautiful things beautifully, but I'm not sure what it is yet. One of the things I love about the act of painting is this silent conversation you have with yourself. Especially right now, I feel fortunate to have art in my life.

Chill in the Air
(click to view)

What makes you happiest about your art?

Last month, I painted a small floral piece, but I wasn't quite happy about it. I debated whether to scrap it or not, but I posted it on DPW and Twitter. An old coworker of mine found it and bought it (at a friend discount price!). She said it brought her a much needed brightness; "Keep on painting. It makes a difference in other people's lives." This comment from her has given me a lot of encouragement.

Blue for Saturday
(click to view)

Why create?

"When you don't create things, you become defined by your tastes rather than ability. Your tastes are only narrow and exclude people. So create." -- Why The Lucky Stiff

Val
(click to view)

Thanks, Tamami!


© 2020 Sophie Marine

Thursday, September 3, 2020

DPW Spotlight Interview: Laurie Johnson Lepkowska

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

From Laurie's DPW Gallery Page:

Hi! I studied art in college and like so many, life got in the way and carried me in another direction... later in life I made the decision to quit my job, sell my home and study full time at the Scottsdale Artist School... taking over thirty-two workshops and classes; and studying with such notable artists as Michael Malm, Kim English, Dan Gerhartz, Sherry McGraw, Nancy Chaboun and Peggi Kroll Roberts. (click to read more)

Tell us a bit about how you first started painting.

When I was twelve years old, my dad brought home some drawing paper, pencils, an easel and other art supplies just for me. I must have shown some desire to create art that he would think to do that. I remember drawing every night in our living room after that, so he sent me to Saturday art classes at the local art center. I painted there for years. I definitely was just an average kid painting silly things but I learned to love the atmosphere of creativity and loved the smells of paint and turpentine and anything that smelled like an art studio.

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

Oh yes, after high school I headed off to college and planned to be someone famous in the art world and then love entered the picture. One day, while I was drawing a fountain on campus, a young photographer asked if he could take my picture and years later we married. Life just got in the way. I went to work so he could finish his studies and become a CPA and after he graduated I stayed in sales. Many moons later, I realized I took a wrong turn and so now divorced with no children, decided to take a leap of faith and move to Scottsdale, Arizona to study art full time. That is where I learned the true fundamentals of painting and drawing. I remember a great instructor saying to the class when we were all complaining about how hard it was to produce a good painting - "If you want to do something easy, then become a brain surgeon. You can be one in seven years."

Rose Colored Glasses
(click to view)

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

What mediums and genres have yo
u experimented with?

I experiment and waste lots of money trying all kinds of supplies. I'm sure the people at the local art store love seeing me because I never leave without spending at least $150... and after experimenting, I always come back to oil painting. I have found a true love for gouache and I also love slow drying acrylics when I paint at home. I'd love to try sculpture at some point in my life.

Who or what inspires you most?

I LOVE to go to art museums - I'll be the person tearing up in the corner because I just got to see a John Singer Sargent in real life. There is nothing more wonderful - I remember one year being in Paris with an art group and we walked through the Louvre at night and I remember staring at this wonderful little Vermeer painting in the moonlight and pinching myself because I was there. The masters like Sargent, Sorolla, Cassatt, Bouguereau and Zorn all inspire me to keep going. I'm sure I'll never be in the art history books (like I thought in college) but damn, the journey's been GREAT!... who cares!

Sunlit
(click to view)

What does procrastination look like for you?

Knowing you have to get some paintings done for a show and not knowing where to begin, so you freeze. I've been there and it's not a good feeling. 

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

I still work full time, so I get up every morning at 4:00 AM and paint or draw until I have to get ready for the day. I always get in a good couple of hours of checking out art on Daily Paintworks and Instagram and then starting a painting or producing a drawing. I've been doing that for many years and can see the difference in my work. 

Inspired by the Beauty Around Us
(click to view)

How do you generally arrive at ideas for your paintings?

There are times that people walk into my studio or I see someone in a store and I'll ask if I can paint or draw them. So far no one has called the police. I always have success when someone's beautiful face inspires me. I also look for photos that make me smile - lately I've been on SKTCHY and have found so many interesting photos to inspire me.

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

I often try new colors on my palette after studying other artists' work - lately I've been putting more blues and greens in faces and I'm liking the results. I also take two painting classes a year to have an artist pass through my life for a few days and learn from but sadly that hasn't this year... yet !

Distracted
(click to view)

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

Patience for sure... there are so many great artists on Instagram that I admire and wish that I could paint one tenth as well as - I know it will take time and I can't compare myself... I just have to keep learning and eventually I'll see the improvement . I always get excited when I think, wow ten years from today, I'll be a really good painter... maybe... hmmmm... maybe that brain surgeon idea wasn't such a bad one!

What makes you happiest about your art?

That I always have a friend. I am never lonely. We will be "buds" to the end!

The Copper Pot
(click to view)
Thanks, Laurie!

© 2020 Sophie Marine