DPW Spotlight Interview: Lisa Grizaniuk

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

From Lisa's DPW Gallery Page:

Lisa has been painting since a young age and knew very early in life that she simply had to be creative. She often works in acrylic but works in several different painting media as she was classically trained. 

Welcoming commissions, she enjoys working with those who want to have a work for their home or office and walking them through the process of a commission, large or small.

instagram @bancroftandtheorchard

All Set
(click to view)

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

Tell us a bit about how you first started painting.

I first started painting as a grade school student in a Saturday morning drop in class that I was able to attend with a good friend. I had taken lots of classes as a child, I grew up in a city that has a world renown museum and spent a lot of time inside.

The gentleman who ran the program didn’t even think twice about handing acrylic paint to someone who very well may waste it. He addressed me with a confidence in me that I had talent. It made me feel like I was on cloud nine. I was a kid. Too young to even babysit. He worked with me and spoke to me as if I was an equal. It made me think I stood a chance.

Peonies
(click to view)

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

My stops and starts were life changes: It would not have mattered what my career was, it would have hit a pause. But as all parents know, totally worth it. The other times I had a rough time were times I wasn’t selling a lot of art and galleries were struggling. A recession is a recession and people can’t buy art when they can’t pay rent or a mortgage. It’s tough to stay positive when nothing is selling. Especially for months at a time. But...

What mediums and genres have you experimented with?

I love to paint, I paint in oil, acrylic, and watercolor. I appreciate my traditional art education but have found acrylic works well for me. I’m mesmerized by color. Totally mind blown.

English Teacups
(click to view)

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

I’m all over the place for genre, florals are definitely enjoyable as I like to garden myself. There’s something about painting a tomato that centers me and I think it offers many challenges that aren’t always apparent at first glance. I love cadmium red. It’s a go to for me.

Who or what inspires you most?

Some inspiration may come from a bunch of flowers from my yard (or the market) but can also pop up looking at a field with a barn that’s screaming to be painted. It’s a combination of color, texture and light. I just never know when something will click. But when it clicks, it clicks and good music is a must. The creative process cannot begin in me without it.

Teacups and Berries
(click to view)

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

Making time for art isn’t easy but certainly denotes a rhythm for me that cannot be replaced by anything else. Flowers cannot grow without water and for me it is a similar feeling. I have to be creative, it’s like breathing. It gets easier as children get older but it needs to be a time carved out each day. Something is better than nothing. Beggars can’t be choosers.

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

There are times everyone has burnout or needs a recharge. At times I’ve done workshops, taught classes myself, or just found another outlet to be creative to find a new inspiration. It always works out.

One of the ways I stay fresh is to pay attention to what I see as repetitive, both in myself and other artists. Some repeats are good and some are just the same mistakes. I like to shake it up.

English Arrangement
(click to view)

What makes you happiest about your art?

What makes me happiest about my art is that I’m able to do it. I’m grateful God gave me talent, I’m grateful I’m married to my husband who supports my art, and I’m grateful that I am able to paint when I have the time each day. There are a lot of talented people who have to do something more reliable for income because their kids need to eat. Talent is just the first step. It’s like anything else, one has to practice to improve. But that’s not as easy to facilitate for some as it is for others. Don’t think a single brush hits any paint without that thought going through my head. I’m very aware that I am blessed, and I consider the time I make art to be a form of prayer.

Thanks, Lisa!

© 2020 Sophie Marine

DPW Spotlight Interview: Ute Gil

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

From Ute's DPW Gallery Page:

My goal is to create paintings that show my love of nature and animals while capturing the emotion of my subjects. I consciously reduce details, keeping my brushstrokes loose and impressionistic, allowing the viewer a more personal interpretation of the image. It is more important to me that a painting is compelling rather than true to reality. Much of my inspiration comes from the rural areas that I visit in Western Loudoun County, VA as well as my travels to other countries. The paintings are created both plein air and in my studio. Lately I have been experimenting with abstract backgrounds combined with realistic subjects. My hope is that you will enjoy my paintings as much as I did creating them. (click to read more)

Tell us a bit about how you first started painting.

Growing up in Germany, I took my first art classes as a teenager learning traditional folk painting and later silk painting. In my early twenties I moved to Spain where I was introduced to oil and pastel. I met my husband during that time and we moved to the US three years later. I took a long break from painting while raising two kids. In 2003 I started taking art classes again and haven’t stop painting ever since.



What mediums and genres have you experimented with?

I am experienced with acrylic, pastel, silk painting, watercolor and oil. By taking art classes from different teachers, I was introduced to all subject matters and came to realize that animals and birds interest me the most, even though they are quite challenging.

Chickadee
(click to view)

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

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

Oil is my favorite medium because of its textural qualities. Since my husband retired and we started to travel more, I was looking for a medium that is travel friendly. I’m painting now in watercolor as well and might offer them for sale sometime next year.



Which ideas are you looking forward to exploring?

I’m planning on introducing figure into my landscape. Many times, the reason why I paint something in the first place is the subject itself but I spend lots of time thinking about how to express it on the canvas. I’m very interested in combining abstract, impressionistic backgrounds with realistic subjects and finding ways to simplify complex references.

Butterfly
(click to view)

Who or what inspires you most?

I get inspired by my world around me. A color pattern on a sweater, a new color paint tube, travel to a new place. Inspiration is everywhere. I then start exploring which painting technique would best produce the desired effect.



What does procrastination look like for you?

Procrastination happens when I’m worried about the outcome of a painting. I’ve learned to trust my abilities and enjoy the painting process. I accept that not all paintings are going to be master pieces and that the worst thing that can happen is that I have to scrape the canvas again. But even a failed painting has something to teach. I’m so much more relaxed these days and give myself permission to explore new techniques and new art tools. This is usually when all the magic happens, exactly when I’m not worried about having something to show at the end of the day.

Meadow
(click to view)

What has helped you to grow as an artist?

I started to paint small in order to accelerate the learning curve. Small allows me to experiment, to not worry about the result since the time invested in a painting is so much less than a large one. Another way to grow is painting in series. This allowed me to get familiar with the subject at an even deeper level and then play with the subtleties of each painting.



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

With painting it’s the same as with going to the gym. You just have to show up even though you might not feel like it at the time. I know that there is never the perfect time to paint, there is always some work in the household waiting for me. I make it a priority to paint every day, even if it is only for an hour. 

Sheep
(click to view)

What is your biggest challenge as a professional artist?

My biggest challenges are the non-painting activities like maintaining a website and social media presence, writing monthly newsletters and taking and editing photos of the paintings. This seems to take up half of my time and keeping up with the ever-changing technology can be daunting. To have a great support group of other artists who have done this is essential in getting it all done and not feeling overwhelmed.



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

To keep my art “fresh”, I learned that it is vital to paint what interests me, not what I think would sell. I keep true to myself and do not worry if anybody will like my painting.



Chickadee
(click to view)

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

2020 has been a challenging year and we artists have to be creative in how we market our paintings in this ever-changing environment. Unfortunately, it’s not only about having beautiful art, it’s also about how to connect with the collector. I used to know all my collectors personally and now have to learn to navigate the online market. I was surprised to have received some very sweet messages from happy buyers and learned that even selling online can be personal, just in a different way.



What makes you happiest about your art?

The creation process can be like meditation. I lose track of time and can disconnect from everything around me. Many of my sales are to local collectors and some have become friends. And the happiness is complete when I know that the painting found a new home where it is being loved.

Zinnias
(click to view)

Thanks, Ute!

© 2020 Sophie Marine

DPW Spotlight Interview: Inge Peeze

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

Biography

Inge Peeze grew up in the Netherlands and lives with her husband in Bilthoven. After studying Pedagogy, she worked in education for a number of years. She then switched to a completely different field and started providing product innovation for large multinationals. Seven years ago she made another switch and became a full time artist. She has since graduated in Painting at the Classical Art Academy in Groningen. Inge has a studio in Bilthoven and also works as a drawing and painting teacher.

Artist’s Statement

ART RELIES ON BOTH CREATIVITY AND SKILLS

In my view, a good painter is someone who can not only think conceptually and creatively, but also has an excellent command of techniques and the skills to give shape to his / her ideas. I am happy that there is a comeback of classic craftsmanship right now!

Tell us a bit about how you first started painting.

In my youth I was always drawing and I got a lot of positive reactions. My creative side, however, was not very stimulated from home. When I wanted to go to art school at the end of my secondary school, my parents did not approve of this. In their eyes, becoming an artist was not a profession where you could earn a living. So I chose a different education. After that my attention to drawing faded into the background. Unfortunately, I didn't know anyone around me who was involved with it. It wasn't until much later that I met a colleague who made me enthusiastic about painting. I took a course and soon many more followed. The passion for painting was born!

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

Since I discovered oil painting my drive has never diminished. I have been painting almost daily for years now, with the exception of weekends.

Spidershaped
(click to view)

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

What mediums and genres have you experimented with?

At the art school in Groningen we were offered many different techniques to experiment with: charcoal, pastels, acrylic, tempera and oil paint.

Which ones have “stuck” and which ones have fallen away?

Painting with oil suits me best and I have specialized in that in recent years.

Swimming Eggs
(click to view)

Which ones are you looking forward to exploring?

In the future I would like to work with mixed painting techniques and experiment with it.

Who or what inspires you most?

I recently started with daily paintings to experiment with color and composition. I like to work with strong color contrasts and interesting flat compositions. Still life gives you the most possibilities in that respect. Daily painters like Carol Marine have inspired me to get started with this. I also look a lot at artists who, in addition to using solid color contrasts, abstract strongly as well. Such as Wayne Thibaud, Georgio Morandi, Raymond Strapans and Ean Uglow.

In addition, I have been interested in magical realism for a long time. Especially artists such as Edward Hopper and his followers such as John Register, David Hockney, Quint Buchholtz etc. During my studies I have already been working in this direction and I also have plans to continue with this. My magically realistic work cannot be found on my DPW website, I have another website for that.

Sugar Bowl
(click to view)

What does procrastination look like for you?

I find that I have to find a balance between the time I want to invest in daily paintings and the magically realistic work that takes me much longer. It is difficult to let this go together. I have now chosen to make daily paintings exclusively for a while, so that I can fully focus on this and therefore make steps faster.

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

I work very disciplined. I paint on fixed days and hours in my studio. If I have little inspiration, which has not happened much, I will just skip a day. I also notice that it is good to insert a period of “vacation” every now and then, to free your mind from everything.

Purple Flowers
(click to view)

How do generally arrive ideas for your paintings?

My inspiration usually comes from looking at work by other artists. So many museum visits, watching YouTube videos, visiting exhibitions and reading books about art. I have a large collection of art books, both art historical and art techniques. I also collect a lot of art images on Pinterest.

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

I have a broad interest, which does not end with certain artists or just a favorite art movement. So I let myself be inspired from a different angle every time.

Orange Slices
(click to view)

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

In the past year I have mainly studied color theories, such as that of Johannes Itten, and I always try to apply new color combinations and effects in my work.

What makes you happiest about your art?

Knowing that there are many people who appreciate your art and find it worthwhile to give it a nice place in their home.

Let's Go Bananas 2
(click to view)

Thanks, Inge!

© 2020 Sophie Marine

DPW Spotlight Interview: Elizabeth Blanchard

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

From Elizabeth's DPW Gallery Page:

I am a native and current resident of the Tidewater area of Virginia (now referred to as Hampton Roads). I still get to visit the home where I grew up in Portsmouth where my parents still live. My growing up years on the Elizabeth River, family boat trips up the Chesapeake Bay, summers of crabbing and fishing on the pier, and later trips to the Outer Banks of NC have influenced my bent toward anything water. (click to read more)

Tell us a bit about how you first started painting.

In 2011 I found myself a stressed out homeschool mom of three. I needed something outside of kids and home, so I tried to remember what I did before marriage and kids. Art! I used to love art, so I called my friend to sign up with me for a six week oil painting class. That session turned into another and another while I started teaching art at our homeschool co-op, which led to teaching K-12 at a school, which then transitioned to teaching privately. I am back to homeschooling and back as the teacher in the oil painting class that started it all.

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

I had a twelve year break after my college years until I started painting again in 2011.

Behind Saint John's Church
(click to view)

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

What mediums and genres have you experimented with?

I have tried just about everything from wire sculptures to pyrography, to printing, to clay, to collage, to packing tape body sculptures, among many other projects in preparation to teach art. Teaching kids is a great way to get out of a rut, out of your comfort zone, and to appreciate styles you never would try for yourself. Apart from teaching, I have tried watercolors, gouache, acrylics, pastels, and pencil.

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

I find it difficult to work on watercolors and oils simultaneously, so I rarely use watercolors anymore.  Pastels and acrylics are also on the back burner right now.

The Cow Painting
(click to view)

Which ones are you looking forward to exploring?

Gouache is a medium I’d really like to work on and learn how to use well. Also I need to get my 16 year old daughter to teach me how to paint digitally.

Who or what inspires you most?

The most powerful and meaningful source of inspiration is my Lord, Savior, and Friend Jesus Christ.  I see Him in the beauty, order, and unpredictability of creation. Painting is my way of worship and meditation. If I have something in my ear while I’m painting, it will be worship music of some kind. Secondly, I find help, inspiration, and instruction from contemporary artists, whether online or local. I learn so much from fellow artists.

Quilted Light
(click to view)

What does procrastination look like for you?

It looks like homeschooling, potty training, dirty laundry, dishes, cooking, driving someone somewhere, or playing word games on my phone. It’s not hard to find an excuse to put off working on that painting.

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

Teaching my weekly oil painting class forces me to keep painting, thinking about painting, get out of the house, be with other artists, and keep pushing myself to learn more in order to teach others.

Boogie Boarding
(click to view)

How do you generally arrive at ideas for your paintings?

I go outside.  I try to paint local and the things and places I know. I rarely paint anything I haven’t seen or experienced first hand.

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

Burnout happens to me when I push too hard for a finished product. I have to be ok with failing, with taking my time, and not thinking about the deadline. I go back to focusing on it being an act of worship.  I do think that those times when nothing is working and I can’t put out a decent painting, are the times I’m doing to most growing as an artist. Those seasons are productive in unseen ways.

Crab on a Plate
(click to view)

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

There are so many things to learn! I think I'm figuring out better what kind of painter I want to be and narrowing down my style. What is important and what isn’t. I’m learning to be more worshipful.

What makes you happiest about your art?

Every painting is an accomplishment.

Windsor-B
(click to view)

Thanks, Elizabeth!

© 2020 Sophie Marine