DPW Spotlight Interview: Ekaterina Prisich

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

From Ekaterina's DPW Gallery Page:

Hello! I'm a Siberian artist and designer. In my paintings, I pay attention to the harmony and beauty of simple moments of life and elements of nature.

Tell us a bit about how you first started painting.

I can say that I have been painting for as long as I can remember. This hobby began in childhood. Over time, I entered art school and became more seriously engaged in painting and arts and crafts. It so happened that after leaving school, I connected my life with art too.

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

Although I always understood that I loved painting, I decided to get a modern profession. So I entered the graphic design department at university to study computer programs, typography, art history, and other interesting disciplines. After graduating, I got a job in my specialty, and at that time I practically stopped painting. This period lasted about five years. Only in the spring of 2020 I plunged headlong into the world of paints and canvases again.

Pomegranate fruit on branches
(click to view)

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

What mediums and genres have you experimented with?

Thanks to studying at the Faculty of Arts, I was able to try myself in painting, drawing, graphics and sculpture. Much has been studied in genres: from still life and landscape to portrait and figure composition. I was also fond of fashion illustration and botanical painting.

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

Currently, I am fascinated by the search for harmonious color combinations when depicting landscapes with acrylics, as well as painting plants in watercolors. Sometimes I paint portraits of people and animals. But I can say that graphics and drawing are not very attractive to me now, perhaps I will return to this later.

Burnt orange abstract landscape
(click to view)

Which ones are you looking forward to exploring?

Even during my studies at the university, I really liked working with clay, these were educational works like bas-reliefs and copies of heads of famous sculptures. Now I would like to learn how to make real ceramics and dishes. It just fascinates me to watch the work on the potter's wheel. It would be great to master this technique and deal with glazing and firing.

Who or what inspires you most?

My parents instilled in me a great love for the plant world. My mother is a biologist by education, and now she and my father are engaged in the cultivation of flowers and fruit trees. I always get a huge portion of inspiration when I come to visit them, walk in the greenhouse and my mother enthusiastically tells me about her wards. It is especially impressive when, amid the frosty Siberian winter, I find myself in a real blooming garden. Perhaps this greatly influenced my work, botanical watercolors are my love!

Sunset light in a mountain village
(click to view)

What does procrastination look like for you?

Most of the time, I have no difficulty getting started, as I enjoy painting, priming canvases and packing. Although sometimes I feel a great desire to draw, but all the ideas seem somehow inappropriate. And then I spend a lot of time looking for a new inspirational idea.

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

I have identified for myself several main areas of life, which I always pay attention to. Art is one of those things so I have a dedicated time for painting almost every day.

Apple branch
(click to view)

How do you generally arrive at ideas for your paintings?

I have several ways. Sometimes I am so impressed by nature, moments from life, plants, color combinations that they do not leave my head until they are expressed on canvas or paper. Also, my mother sends me a lot of beautiful photos of her plants. Often I have a desire to make something specific and I look for suitable references on the Internet.

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

Probably, due to the fact that I have been painting on a regular basis recently, I have not yet had time to burn out. This activity inspires me. Of course, I take breaks from time to time, I leave for nature or the countryside to see my parents. This allows me to miss painting and return to it with renewed vigor.

Rose hip watercolor
(click to view)

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

Now I am perfecting the composition and coloring of my paintings. Working with color fascinates me so much, I look for harmonious combinations and begin to see them where I have not noticed before. I am surprised to find that even a gray cloudy day begins to play with new colors, and I am becoming fans of those artists whose work I could not understand before. It's so wonderful to look at old things and see something new.

What makes you happiest about your art?

My art gives me peace and confidence. I really missed it before. I constantly doubted whether I was on the right path before I returned to painting. Now I feel that I am doing what I really like and that makes me happy.

Floral painting Original art Boho Flowers artwork
(click to view)

Thanks, Ekaterina!

© 2021 Sophie Marine

DPW Spotlight Interview: Judy Rath

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

From Judy's DPW Gallery Page:

I have been drawing all of my life. I am a self-taught artist and, while the internet is a wonderful place full of information to be learned, I fall back on my father’s teaching and my basic skills which include observation and interpretation.

Nature is my home. It teaches me endurance with pain and distress, joy in its constancy, relief in its solitude and knowledge that everything passes eventually and, despite all of the destruction humans visit upon it, it still stands strong. It will be here long after we are gone, still immutable, still beautiful.

Human structures are all simply tents, blowing in the wind and standing for just moments. We can celebrate them as temporary homes but our only true home is this earth and all it gives us. I paint that home, that awesome, welcoming, forbidding, vista of this land that I love.

Welcome to my home, our magnificent earth.

Tell us a bit about how you first started painting.

I’ve been painting and drawing all of my life but I only started to invest regular time in it in 2015. I set up a small area in my house as a work space and started playing with various media. Being retired made it so I wasn’t fighting work and housework to find time to paint. I had been making jewelry and was in a gallery in my town but decided to paint instead. I dove in headfirst and have never stopped and my studio grew with it.

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

You know, I hesitate to call it a career as it is just part of me from as far back as I can remember, but, sure; family, jobs, life all gave me months and years of “stops and starts.” I always found time to sit and draw, though. Painting was added as my children left home but work still was the most critical. Food and shelter, etc. Retirement gave me all the time I wanted.

Soaring Sky
(click to view)

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

What mediums and genres have you experimented with?

Which haven’t I? LOL! I need to be clear that I have no formal art training. I started with encaustics in 2015 and added acrylics, resin and alcohol inks. I dropped the encaustics and did mostly acrylic pours with resin and alcohol inks with resin, too. I enjoyed that for awhile but alcohol inks fade in UV light so I couldn’t sell originals, only giclees. Also, I found resin needed a clean room as dust and fur show and we have pets. You can guess my frustration!

I also am more of a representational artist and while I enjoy the occasional abstract, it’s not my forte. I wanted more control over my medium and acrylics gave me that but the fast drying time made it a challenge. I tried pastels and fell in love with them immediately and have been using them for almost a year now. I can make them as loose or as controlled as I wish.

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

Pastels are my preference; acrylics, resin and alcohol inks occasionally. I’ve never been interested in oils and encaustics aren’t for me, either.

Sierra Nevada Morning
(click to view)

Which ones are you looking forward to exploring?

I can’t think of any. I’m still learning about the ones I use.

Who or what inspires you the most?

Nature. This earth. The fact that it has and will survive everything humans can do or have done to it and still be the source of life, amazes me. We are so blessed and so many don’t ever think of it or stop to consider that, in the scheme of things, we are truly not that important. We are part of nature, not in charge of it and, as much as we destroy, it continues to thrive. Change, yes, but it will be here long after we are gone.

Twilight at Deer Meadow
(click to view)

What does procrastination look like for you?

My house. I don’t procrastinate with art, I procrastinate with housework. I’ll walk right by dust, unmade beds, etc. to get to my studio. I’ve put in too many years cleaning to give it anymore of my time, unless it’s absolutely necessary like kitchen (I love to cook) and bathrooms (thank goodness for Clorox). Those get attention.

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

Self interest and ignoring other things that need doing. I used to be a pleaser but, in my older years I’ve realized that I want to do what I want to do and, as long as I’m not hurting anyone, that’s what’s happening. I do work around appointments and the few commitments I make but those are few and far between now. I’m a hermit naturally so this year hasn’t been that much of a change. I paint when I want to. It’s lovely!

Kent Pond, VT
(click to view)

How do you generally arrive at ideas for your paintings?

I’d say the internet is my greatest source. I have a few photographers who have given me permission to use their work and public domain photos are a great source. My work doesn’t involve political or social commentary, other than respect of nature and the earth. It’s hard to miss/ignore the beauty of our world, even the smallest blade of grass has its place.

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

With everything out there from grass to trees to earth and sky, how could anything I paint not be full of wonder? There’s nothing more beautiful and “fresh” than every bit of nature!

Sunset at Flat Creek
(click to view)

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

I assume you mean techniques and art education and I admit I know none of this. I tried to learn all of the “rules” about composition, value, depth, structure, notans, etc. and I found it turned my pleasure into displeasure, made it a job instead of fulfillment, so I stopped “learning” and just painted. I’m not advocating that for anyone else. I’m just an untrained artist and, without an impressive CV, I don’t expect to be taken seriously. That’s fine. I love what I do.

What makes you happiest about your art?

Making it. Sitting down at my easel and choosing the substrate, the medium, the colors and using those as I choose. Some work well right away, some don’t but it’s all joy. I love sitting down and losing myself and coming back to awareness hours later. There’s nothing else like it and, as long as I’m able, that’s what I’ll do.

Western Highlands, Scotland
(click to view)

Thanks, Judy!

© 2021 Sophie Marine

DPW Spotlight Interview: Ans Debije

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

From Ans's DPW Gallery Page:

18th of Januari 2020

I am proud to say that I have won the third prize with my painting ‘Starring’ in the 'Painting of the year 2019' competition. It is absolutely fantastic that my paintings were immediately sold during the opening of the exhibition at Kunstzaal van Heijningen in The Hague (the Netherlands)! 

The jury's judgment is as follows:

A great work in its expression despite the small size. A daring classic and therefore timeless work. The background is perfect in its simplicity and the limited space is optimally utilized. From a distance it is a very photorealistic work with a fantastic material expression and up close it is an almost modern and expressionist work with large brush strokes. The painting is painted ton sur ton with a limited palette and consists of only exciting parts.

(click to read more)

Tell us a bit about how you first started painting.

From an early age I have loved drawing and painting. On my fifteenth birthday I got a set of oil paint and I started a short course in oil painting. The teacher must have been a fan of Dali because the works I have left from that time all have something surrealistic about them.

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

After high school I was accepted at the Art Academy in Rotterdam, but also at the Design Academy in Eindhoven. I had to choose and chose the latter. I don't regret it, but it did mean that the freedom of painting was considerably limited by the fact that what you create had to be applicable to the consumer market. I chose to design interior and fashion fabrics.

Witzig
(click to view)

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

What mediums and genres have you experimented with?

Over the years I have tried many techniques and mediums. Watercolor, ink, mixed media and printing techniques such as monotype and drypoint etching. I wanted to make larger works and therefore started painting with acrylic on large canvases. I also used multiple mediums on those large canvases such as modeling paste, sand, pieces of patterned fashion fabrics, acrylic and oil paint to create textures. At that time I used the oil paint very diluted with a painting medium to let it run as a transparent layer over parts of the painting.

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

At the moment I only paint with oil paint on a small sized panel (up to 12 x 16 inch).

Unadorned
(click to view)

Which ones are you looking forward to exploring?

The development towards new techniques is gradual and sometimes occurs 'by accident'. The thought of having to radically renew my style or technique from one moment to the next paralyzes me. I had one of my small paintings (Nikka whisky from the barrel) enlarged to 75 x 55 inches, printed in 3D on Dibond (aluminum). It's impressive! I would like to try in the future if it is possible to paint it directly in that size and with the same look as the little ones. A challenge, I don't have the strength, the space and money for it right now.

Who or what inspires you most?

I lost my job about two years ago. All of a sudden I had time to paint more often. I was already working on still lifes but wanted to paint more loosely. During a search on the internet a painting by Carol Marine came across. Her story about daily painting immediately appealed to me. No more staring at a large blank canvas for weeks, but just making a tiny painting every day, yay!

I try to make an impression of the object with as few brushstrokes as possible. Sarah Sedwick's tutorials on Stroke Economy are very helpful. So many good artists from past and present are an inspiration to me.

White balsamico
(click to view)

What does procrastination look like for you?

Sometimes, to postpone painting, I would go to thrift stores in search of small utensils with a quaint look. Now that all stores are frequently closed due to the Corona lockdown, I don't get out very often. So no procrastination, but work with what I can find around the house. I now know that you don't need to have any special things. The way you paint something makes it special.

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

I still get up every morning with the happy thought that I can paint another day!

Nikka whisky from the barrel
(click to view)

How do you generally arrive at ideas for your paintings?

I almost always have still life as a subject. For me it is important that the light does something special with the object that I want to paint. I spend a lot of time setting up and lighting a still life.

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

I enjoy looking at the work of others. At the moment mainly via social media and the internet. I look forward to the time when the museums can reopen. Together with my three painter friends we are a group that meets twice a month. Sometimes we paint and sometimes we chat all evening. I have to admit that I don't get outside enough at the moment. I think it's a joy to play a round of golf. That is actually the only time that I am outside in nature. Something completely different from painting. I should do that more often.

Up close
(click to view)

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

I have to learn not to be too critical of myself and my work. Easier said than done.

What makes you happiest about your art?

It's great that my art is increasingly appreciated and bought by people all over the world. I paint with great pleasure and it is nice to know that people enjoy it!

Grape Escape
(click to view)

Thanks, Ans!

© 2021 Sophie Marine

DPW Spotlight Interview: Stephanie Penman

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

From Stephanie's DPW Gallery Page:

Most women shop for shoes or clothing, I buy art supplies. I am happiest when I am creating, painting, making jewelry, sewing or even hammering nails into boards. My father was a commercial artist, so I grew up with art supplies at my fingertips. To this day my “go to” cutting tool is a razor blade and if I’m gluing something together it probably will involve rubber cement. My father’s paintings line every wall of my parent’s home (and a few of mine). I am in awe of each and every one. I photograph small sections of them and try to copy and learn from them. When my dad’s eyesight made it too difficult for him to paint, he offered me his acrylics and oil paints as well of any of his brushes – I took them home determined to find that talent hidden somewhere in me. That was early 2014, since then I have been waking up every morning to the inspirational artists of DPW, and dabbling in my basement studio as much as possible.  It is time to stop WATCHING, and start DOING!! So here goes nothing!

Tell us a bit about how you first started painting.

I truly cannot pin point a single event or time when I started painting. I learned about DPW probably through Pinterest and was intrigued. I bought Carol’s book Daily Painting and was inspired. Because I was working it was difficult to carve out time to paint every day, but fortunately I am a morning person, so I started using that time for painting and experimenting. My father was a commercial artist who worked out of a studio in our house. He was the original Mr. Mom working from home and taking care of four kids while my mom worked as a nurse. We always had markers, paint, rubber cement and canvases to play with, but none of us followed in his footsteps. Actually until I started painting myself, I never fully appreciated his amazing talent, which is sad. Now I wish he were here to guide me and answer questions, sometimes I think he is doing just that, only remotely.

What mediums and genres have you experimented with?

I love crafting and making art. If anything, I have probably dabbled in too many mediums. I have never met an art supply I didn’t like… as is evident by my studio area. I make jewelry, even have taken classes in the lost art of wax casting. Lately I have been experimenting with collage, making my own painted Yupo paper. I have taken a classes in printmaking and really love Linoleum Block carving - may try to add that to my “to do” list this year.

Just For You
(click to view)

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

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

I mostly work in acrylics, they are way more forgiving. I want to spend more time experimenting in oil, but I always manage to make excuses like “maybe next week” or “after I get back from my next trip.” I don’t know why but they seem like such a big commitment with mediums and solvents and clean-up. I think I just need to sign-up for an Oil Painting for Beginners class and just dive in.

Which ideas are you looking forward to exploring?

Maybe trying to work more with a limited palette and get more comfortable with color mixing. Master flesh tones and paint more people. Also, fluid acrylics, they are so vibrant – I want to work them into my process.

Hanging Out
(click to view)

Who or what inspires you most?

I love nature and the Southwest. Hummingbirds and cactus fascinate me. The Grand Canyon and Sedona are magical.

All the other artists on DPW inspire me to keep going and put in the time. It took me probably three years to get up enough courage to join DPW and I posted my 62nd painting the other day. I don’t want to tell you how many are in the basement in the “to be burned” pile.

A trip to an art museum or gallery can always inspire me, or a nice long hike.

What does procrastination look like for you?

Spending time scrolling through social media sites, looking at other people’s art, photographs on sites like Pixabay and PaintMyPhoto looking for inspiration. Full blown procrastination usually results in me going to TJ Maxx or Target.

Summer Fun
(click to view)

What has helped you to grow as an artist?

People that support and encourage me. I can always count on my sister to be an objective critic. She and I have been carving out time to paint together which is difficult because we live over 1000 miles apart, but we have had many Sister Paintalongs that have been very productive. Sometimes we paint from the same reference photo and the results are so different, I just love that.

I think workshops are great because you get to try things from a different artist’s perspective and it is a forced chunk of time just to work on art. Covid has put a damper on this, but hopefully soon we can return to some semblance of normalcy.

I love studying other artists that I admire, their brushstrokes, color palette, background, etc. I am so thankful to artists who share their knowledge on social media, with videos or progress photos.

Listening to art podcasts also helps my growth. Learn to Paint with Kelly Ann Powers and Studio Insider – Susan Nethercote are my go-to's.

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

I started using a planner about a year and a half ago and it has been a game changer. I write in everything I want to get done that day with a little box next to it. I may be a bit over the top about this, I even include nine boxes that are for my seventy-two oz of water that I try to drink. The satisfaction I get when I check those boxes keeps me going. I think it makes me feel somewhat in control of my life.

I mark out time just to plan art… like, “come up with three reference photos” or “photograph still lifes of XYZ.”

Intense Stare
(click to view)

What is your biggest challenge as a professional artist?

Becoming one. Finding my style. My father was a very realistic painter and I tend to gravitate to that even though I would like to paint “looser.”

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

This year I am signed up for two online fifty-two week courses. One is more “art play” and the other is Miniature Workshop by Jed Dorsey – I love his use of light and shadows. I am hoping these will push me creatively.

Also, if I’m not feeling like painting, I don’t force it. Sometimes not painting and doing something else, like reading a magazine or taking a walk is all I need to send me running back to the easel. I trip to Dick Blick or Michael’s can help too.

Untitled
(click to view)

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

I am learning to be patient with myself and if it isn’t working take a break, don’t force it. Keep going!

What makes you happiest about your art?

Turning on the music and losing myself. Time flies in the studio (aka basement).

I love the connection my art has with my dad (who passed away last year) and my sister.

Wonderful Weeds
(click to view)

Thanks, Stephanie!

© 2021 Sophie Marine