DPW Spotlight Interview: Mk Cha

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

Tell us a bit about how you first started painting.

Luckily, I had a lot of opportunities to travel and reside in many different countries for years. As I visited various museums, I realized that visiting art museums and looking at paintings makes me happy. Since then, my hobby has been appreciating paintings. One day, I came to this idea of, "Why not start painting on my own?" However, at that time, I couldn't even draw a tiger that my son asked for, let alone draw a cat, and ended up drawing a mouse-looking animal.

Grapefruit
( click to view)

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

What mediums and genres have you experienced with? Which ones have “ stuck” and which ones fallen away?

When I first started painting, I started with watercolors as it could be easily prepared. The subtle colors and expressions of watercolor were enough to fascinate me. However, watercolor isn't an easy medium for beginners to learn by themselves. Not only did I have to deal with the concentration of water and paint well, but I also had to have a definite plan on highlighting and shading before starting any work. However, oil painting was different. I was able to freely correct any mistakes or to apply a change of ideas at any time. The rich color and lively brush stroke produced unexpectedly good results and made me delighted beyond my expectations.

Sliced fruits on black
( click to view)

Who or what inspires you most?

Throughout life, everyone feels both joy and sorrow, although the emotion ratio is not equivalent objectively or subjectively. Some feel more sorrows and others think they have more joys in their lives. I want to keep and maintain those "joy" emotions/moments such as beauty, happiness, and peacefulness in my life for a long time by painting and capturing these moments (even when there are more "sorrow" emotions/moments). I wish anyone could feel comfort, joy, and rest while looking at my painting.

The little pleasures in my daily life (having a cup of coffee with friends or freshness of a plate of fresh fruit) and the thrilling scenery from planned trips are enough to inspire my painting activities.

For lovers who are starting
( click to view)

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

I usually set deadlines for my paintings and try to meet them to prevent myself from procrastinating and use my time more efficiently. 

But, there are occasions when I cannot complete the paintings on time even when I try my best. When this happens, I think to myself that I do not have adequate painting skills to express what I want on time yet, but I know that these struggling moments will eventually lead me to where I want my painting skills to be. This motivates me to work harder everyday.

On a peaceful day
( click to view)

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

I admire artists who practice/paint similar art objects countless times because I find it difficult to even practice the same type of paintings. When I get bored of painting Still Life, I move onto Landscape. Then, when I get sick of Landscape, I start painting Portraits.

I understand that painting such a variety of genres as a beginner is less efficient, but I believe that this is my way to keep drawing.

Lunch with lily of the nile
( click to view)

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

My initial interest in art derived from famous paintings in museums, so my standards/expectations of paintings as an observer were at the level of famous Virtuosos. When I actually started painting at a late age, I was discouraged due to the gap between my painting abilities and my expectations. Thinking back to it now, I am embarrassed of how ignorant I was. It reminded me of the nature of things - I cannot reach what I want to pursue in a short period of time. I learned that I could only develop step by step while enjoying every step and process as an artist and a person.

Thanks, Mk!

© 2020 Sophie Marine