Thursday, June 24, 2021

DPW Spotlight Interview: Juliya Fedotova

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

What did you want to be growing up?

When I was little, I loved George Lucas' Star Wars movie very much. And I have always dreamed of other worlds, planets. I thought that when I grow up, I will fly in a spaceship, I will see other Galaxies. As a child, I did not really like to draw, I did it badly and I often asked my brother to draw a spaceship for me. I remember, I always envied that that he managed to draw them, but I did not.

When did your artistic journey begin?

At the age of 13, I realized that I wanted to become an interior designer and enter the University of Architecture and Civil Engineering. When I found out that for admission you need to be able to draw, it was an unpleasant surprise for me! After all, I not only did not know how to draw, but also did not like it. I had to enroll in a local art studio to learn at least the basics of drawing.

After 4 years of study, I was able to understand what perspective is, learn how to mix colors, draw educational performances, still lifes, plaster heads. And fall in love with drawing forever! I could not enter the University of Architecture and Civil Engineering, but my knowledge was enough to successfully pass the exams at the College and get the profession "Fashion Designer", and later enter University for the specialty "History and Theory of Fine Arts."

Roses
(click to view)

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

Did you have long periods without creative expression? How did you get back on the horse?

After 3 years of study at University, I had to quit it because there was not enough money for education. My life began to resemble a pendulum: life-work (at that time I worked as a layout designer in the editorial office).

I couldn't look at paints and brushes at all, because I didn't understand who needed my paintings, and why draw them at all. I was so lost in my daily routine that I did not even understand how it was possible to live differently.

But after the decree, everything changed! I was finally able to clear my head and remember my dream - to paint and live freely. Free from an eternally disgruntled director, from working overtime, from monotony.

Once I just took out all my paints from the cabinets, bought a bunch of canvases and began to paint portraits to order. At first it was scary - like it or not, will it work out? But I, like Scarlett, said to myself: "I'll think about it tomorrow" and just drew. Oddly enough, my portraits began to enjoy great popularity and orders became more and more. Of course, this fueled my self-confidence and faith in myself as an artist!

Which mediums and genres do you gravitate toward? Which ones don’t appeal?

Of course, my favorite genre is a portrait, I still paint portraits to order. But this year I decided to try new genres and began to draw animals, flowers, still lifes, fruits... whatever I like! And this is such freedom! Every morning I wake up and ask myself only one question: "Julia, what do you want to draw today?" And, usually, over a cup of coffee, the answer emerges.

African Woman
(click to view)


What was the process like of pinpointing your personal style or finding your voice?

It's hard to say how my style developed. I just love bright decorative painting, I try to work on color in my works, I am constantly looking for new techniques to further emphasize their decorativeness. Stained-glass windows and mosaics inspire me; I transfer many techniques from there into my paintings.

I also think that it is very important to go to museums and look at the paintings of great masters. See what canvases they used, how they applied paint strokes, how they worked with texture, and then apply some of this in their paintings. A little from here, a little from there, plus my own vision, and this is how my style developed.

Name an artist (or artists), well-known or not, who you admire. Why?

My favorite artist is Vrubel, a Russian artist of the Art Nouveau era. He has very deep and soulful pictures with deep meaning. It was his style of painting that led me to the idea that a painting can be both deep and decorative at the same time.

Blue Heron
(click to view)

If you could offer one piece of advice to your younger, creative self - what would that be?

I would say in the words of the great artist Vincent Van Gogh: "If you hear a voice inside yourself: "You cannot draw," draw at all costs until the voice dies down. "

Do you utilize any habits or tricks for winning the distraction and procrastination battle?

Before, when I worked at home, I was always distracted by household chores. My husband saw how hard it was for me to combine drawing and chores. Now I have my own workshop, and when I come there, I know that I have come to work. At the moment, selling paintings is my only source of income, and I have a clear schedule of what to do and when. I think being organized is the most important thing that an artist should have if he really wants to sell his paintings.

Naked Woman
(click to view)

In moments of self-doubt or adversity, how do you push forward?

I'm not always good at drawing. There are just bad days when nothing comes out. But over the years of drawing, I realized the following: if it didn't work out today, it will definitely work out tomorrow! On such disastrous days, I try to get out into nature, walk in beautiful places, look at the clouds, just get inspired...

What are some of your long and short term goals for yourself or your art?

Now I paint on completely different topics, some are more successful, some are less. And the goal of this year is to understand which genres and themes are worth developing further in my work, and which ones to abandon.

If we talk about long-term goals, then this is participation in art fairs and exhibitions. I want to paint big pictures, do interior work.

Little Tulip
(click to view)

What does success mean to you personally?

For me, success is about being a sought-after artist and, at the same time, painting topics that interest me. Although, even just being able to draw every day is already a great success for me.

What is one of your proudest moments in your creative life?

With my dedication and perseverance. Not all paintings come out equally well, but I don’t give up and try to draw them over and over again. With each new painting, I find new techniques, ways to solve this or that problem. And this always leads to moving forward!

Thanks, Juliya!

© 2021 Sophie Marine

Thursday, June 17, 2021

DPW Spotlight Interview: Rosalind Morgan

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

From Rosalind's DPW Gallery Page:

My passion for art began before I can remember, and was encouraged by my parents throughout my early life. The path to where I am now has not been a straight one and the drive to create laid dormant for long periods, but it never went away.

In the summer of 2018, I visited the Cinque Terre in Italy where the desire came flooding back in full technicolour, loud and proud!

Since then, I have been following Carol Marine’s model of daily painting, which equipped me to consistently paint regularly (and happily!) for the first time.

In October 2020, I decided to quit my job, move back to England from the USA, and make the leap to painting full time; a goal that came fully to fruition in March this year.

I live in Buckinghamshire with my mum and our happy, 14 year-old marmalade cat.

What did you want to be growing up?

An artist! I’m interested in many things, but always come back to visual art. There have been fallow periods during which I pursued other creative outlets, all of which I’ve enjoyed, but painting refuses to go away.

When did your artistic journey begin?

I imagine it started at birth! I was fascinated by the visual world as a child, always looking closely at plants and insects, and my parents encouraged my drawing and painting. I’m told that when I was four, a drawing of mine was chosen for the cover of my school’s annual magazine. My parents were very proud.

Cherry Pair
(click to view)

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

Did you have long periods without creative expression? How did you get back on the horse?

I don’t think I’ve had a period of any significant length without some form of creative expression, but I have had periods of months and years wherein I did no drawing or painting. Advice from other artists and inspiration from looking at their work, through instructional books and, more recently, the internet, are what helped me find my way back. Daily painting, specifically painting small and often, was the key to moving forward as this approach released me from the need for every painting to be successful. Removing ego from the conversation empowered me to embrace the learning curve. Of course, that’s an ongoing battle, but it’s getting easier - and painting’s a lot more fun now!

Which mediums and genres do you gravitate toward? Which ones don’t appeal?

I’ve discovered art I love created in all mediums and genres. Colour’s what gets me the most excited about anything. I use oil and gouache for my own work, simply because I enjoy using them and have found them easier to use than acrylic and watercolour. Learning watercolour is one of my ambitions though and many of my favourite artists are watercolourists. I also hope to do more landscapes in the future. At the moment I’m enjoying the possibilities within still life oil painting - they’re endless! And cats are my favourite subject for gouache. With both mediums, I enjoy starting with thinner layers, followed by thicker paint with more texture. I work alla prima as it suits the loose style I’m striving for. 

Pensive Tabby
(click to view)

What was the process like of pinpointing your personal style or finding your voice?

I consider myself at the beginning of my career and think my personal style is still evolving. Hopefully change will continue throughout, but I expect a consistency of subject matter and mark-making will emerge over time. For now, I’d say I’m a representational artist who wants to be able to express in a painting the beauty I see that brings me joy. The most important aspects to me in a piece of art are colour and shape, which rely on accurate values and strong design. So these are what I’m always aiming to achieve.

Name an artist (or artists), well-known or not, who you admire. Why?

How long have you got?! A short list is Karen O’Neil, Teddi Parker and Sarah Sedwick for still life. Ken DeWaard, Kim English, Trevor Chamberlain, and Anne Blair Brown for landscape. Lena Rivo for gouache. Claude Simard and Su Blackwell for work I love that’s completely different to what I do myself. 

And I can’t not make a special mention of Carol Marine! Carol has been the single most important influence in getting me back into painting. Her book, Daily Painting, provided the tools I needed to get started painting again after many dry desert years. I follow Carol’s guidance in general and specifically for still lifes in oils and her gouaches of animals are the inspiration for my pet and animal portraits. 

Juicy Orange Quarters
(click to view)

If you could offer one piece of advice to your younger, creative self — what would that be?

This is going to take a long time. That’s one of the beauties of learning and you’re going to do a lot of bad paintings before you get near to where you want to be. Your love of learning and the visual world is what will carry you through and there are many other things you need to learn about yourself before you’ll be ready to be a painter. 

Do you utilize any habits or tricks for winning the distraction and procrastination battle?

Yes, I tell myself I only have to paint for a short time- as little as ten minutes. Then once I’m doing it, I usually find I get into the flow. I also think it’s important to honour the ebb though, and not try to force the flow if it’s just not happening. It might be that I need to refill the creative tank before I’m ready to make something again, so then I’ll look at work by other artists or do something completely different to give my brain a break.

Tuxedo Cat
(click to view)

In moments of self-doubt or adversity, how do you push forward?

I remind myself that doubt and adversity have their function. They are here to keep me pushing on to improve and not get complacent. They also never last. So far at least, they haven’t outlasted the desire and drive to create. 

What are some of your long and short term goals for yourself or your art?

I could write pages on this! And do, in my journals. A love of learning and growth underpin my approach to art and life in general. In a nutshell, I strive to keep improving artistically and personally by setting and writing out tangible short-, mid-, and long-term goals. My specific plans and goals are constantly evolving and tracking these draws a map of where I’m heading and a way to gauge how far I’ve come. 

Divide and Conquer
(click to view)

What does success mean to you personally?

To live a life committed to authenticity and personal improvement. Continual growth both as an artist and a person - identifying, facing and working through fears. Anne Blair Brown says, “In some of us there’s the need for growth that transcends the need for oxygen.”

What is one of your proudest moments in your creative life?

In 2020 I decided to quit a life that wasn’t working for me and didn’t even feel like my own, move back to England from the US, and jump in to becoming an artist full time. Fears are the signposts directing me to the next area of change needed. I’ve learnt that facing fear and commitment to positive action is the only way for me to build a life of which I can be proud.

Thanks, Rosalind!

© 2021 Sophie Marine

Thursday, June 10, 2021

DPW Spotlight Interview: Samantha Koehn

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

From Samantha's DPW Gallery Page:

All my watercolor paintings are painted with non commercial watercolors. The majority of my watercolor paint is bespoke. From vendors on Etsy, one Japanese company and a vendor who has been around for nearly a century. I prefer to paint with non commercial paints, I am a collector and prefer to support small business, just like myself. I also believe it brings something special to my art. And the colors, boy, do I love the colors of the bespoke watercolors, real pigments.

I am available for commission work. I am reasonably priced, and my turn around is often fast, depending on the subject matter. I prefer hard objects as opposed to fluffy, cats, dogs, or pets. I will leave those commissions to the experts!

Thanks for stopping by, Sam.

What did you want to be growing up?

I grew up in London, England. Fashion, Arts, Theatre Arts, anything that was not related to office work was really where I wanted to be. I lacked the confidence to be a part of these genre’s - I was VERY shy. Alas I did not end up with a career in these areas!

When did your artistic journey begin?

I have always had an artistic journey since I was little. Art in secondary school was my favorite subject. I do not think there has been any part of my life that I have not dabbled in art in some way. Up until today, art has always been a hobby. I was laid off from my long-term career in corporate retail at the end of 2019. Then 2020 hit. To cope I decided to paint one picture a day for the year 2020. As the year progressed my work grew. My supportive husband encouraged me to put myself out there and open an Etsy shop for my art. I would say the abundance of my art path, has been from 2019 to present day.

Big Tree Big House
(click to view)

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

Did you have long periods without creative expression? How did you get back on the horse?

I do not have long periods without creative expression. A couple of days at most. I usually go for a walk, exercise, visit with my kids, or surf the internet for inspiration to shake the cobwebs. Right now, I have an abundance of energy and creativity. Maybe ask me this question again in a couple of years! I do understand burn out though, humble enough to know it will happen one day.

Which mediums and genres do you gravitate toward? Which ones don’t appeal?

Right now, all my art is watercolor. I LOVE this medium. I love the fluidity, the motion, the texture. I love that you can paint transparent or layer and layer until you get the desired intensity. Watercolor feels natural to me.

I used to only paint with acrylic. I loved how I could get messy with the paint. Now it makes me feel a bit suffocated. Oils. I have not dabbled with. They intimidate me. Maybe they are too technical for me!

Magic Garden
(click to view)

What was the process like of pinpointing your personal style or finding your voice?

I do not like to be very technical or concise with my art. I am a pretty fluid person by nature, and I think this reflects in my art. I like pretty things, and I paint pretty. My rt does not always have to make sense.  I think in the past six months I have found my true voice, I seem to paint now with a similar style, no matter the subject matter. I try to remember to paint with whimsey. Would I like to be in this picture, would I be happy in this picture?

Name an artist (or artists), well-known or not, who you admire. Why?

My husband. Jim Koehn. He is a historian with a twist. He is very technical and has been painting for close to forty years. I have learned SO much from him. It helps to live in the same house!

My favorite famous artist is David Hockney. I mean come on! His landscapes, who would not want to be in his countryside.

Mule Ears, Big Bend National Park
(click to view)

If you could offer one piece of advice to your younger, creative self — what would that be?

Never think you cannot be the person you really want to be. Confidence comes from within, love yourself first. The rest will follow, even if it takes forty years.

Do you utilize any habits or tricks for winning the distraction and procrastination battle?

Procrastination is minimal in my DNA. I am what my mother called a “do-er”. I only tend to procrastinate when it comes to numbers! I do get distracted, more in the way of too many choices. I must learn to focus on one thing at a time.

Ocean Blues
(click to view)

In moments of self-doubt or adversity, how do you push forward?

For me self-doubt is a painful experience. A discussion with (usually my husband) shakes my self-doubt. His positive outlook usually kicks me into gear. Even if it takes me a couple of days for his words to register. I guess patience pushes me forward.

What are some of your long and short-term goals for yourself or your art?

I am happy to be able to paint daily. My long-term goals are to keep doing just that. Short-term and long-term it would be nice to sell more of my art because it speaks to people.

Garden Shed
(click to view)

What does success mean to you personally?

This question does not relate to me just for art. Success for me is to be happy in all aspects of my life.  As a wife, mother, friend, sister, to have found the right tribe. To live with a humble lifestyle, that affords nice things now and then, and affords road trips, travel, and paint!

What is one of your proudest moments in your creative life?

The year 2020. When I was brave enough to put myself out there and not be afraid of what people think of my art. If you do not like it, fine, if you love it, awesome.

Thanks, Samantha!

© 2021 Sophie Marine