DPW Spotlight Interview: Daphne Boder

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

ARTIST’S STATEMENT

Fresh. Light. Creation. Warmth. Peaceful. Joyful. Contrast. Surprise.

These are words that describe what I want my paintings to convey. There are beautiful places and spaces that go unnoticed and overlooked.  Painting opens my eyes to see what might not be noticed as I walk along a path. But when a piece of landscape is captured on paper with soft pastels I elevate the overlooked and unnoticed to a memorable and special status.

Yellow Bush
(click to view)

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

What did you want to be growing up? 

I always did want to be an artist. When I was in elementary school my best friend enjoyed writing so we decided I would illustrate her stories. In high school I was the school newspaper artist and took private lessons. But for some reason I decided to major in political science. Big mistake. So in my junior year I changed my major to art and then after that year I went to the Art Institute of Pittsburgh. 

 

When did your artistic journey begin? 

After finishing school I worked for printers in production art design and layout and began working seriously in watercolors. 

Bright Path
(click to view)

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

While I was raising children I put the paints away. And then when everyone went away to school I began tiptoeing back into various artistic mediums. I began an art journal and that led to monoprinting. Finally my son, who was working in an art gallery at the time, showed me some paintings and said they were soft pastels. I immediately went and purchased some inexpensive ones and some paper and I have never looked back. That was about 5 years ago.

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

I love soft pastels. I love not having to mix color. The color is immediately available. I also enjoy watercolors and I have been experimenting with oil and cold wax. I am a committed landscape painter and I have done some still life. I am not interested yet in portraits. 

Distant Storm
(click to view)

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

I think there is nothing like painting daily, or at least 5 out of 7 days. I read Carol Marine’s book, Daily Painting, which made so much sense to me. Oddly enough, the pandemic has been part of that process. There wasn’t much else to do! I thank God for that time. I also think that taking workshops from artists I admire has made a huge impact. Learning from master pastelists has given me the tools to explore and given me the freedom to ask the questions, “What if I tried this?” 

 

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

I admire Winslow Homer and Andrew Wyeth. These two come to my mind first. There are many contemporary artists whose work I love as well: David Lidbetter, Russell Chatham, Tony Allain, Marla Baggetta, Lyn Asselta, Teresa Saia, Alain Picard…there are so many! How much space do I have? 

 

Beginnings of Fall
(click to view)

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

Don’t be afraid! 

 

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

For some reason, I feel like all the busy-ness of a day needs to be dealt with before I can get started. I can’t have anything hanging around in my head that I need to do before I paint. Clear the deck, so to speak, so there can be no distraction, nothing else calling my name. 

Winter Bones
(click to view)

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

I remind myself that this is not something unique to me. Every artist must confront those thoughts. So if they can continue, so can I. So in those times of self doubt I will work on something more familiar rather than try something brand new. That way I am protecting myself from further discouragement. 

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

I want to become a Signature member of the Pastel Society of America. That’s a long term goal. In the short term, I work towards submitting art for local and national juried exhibitions. I think those two goals keep me striving for the best I can do. And personally, I want to continue to produce work that reflects the beauty all around us. 

Pond Sparkles
(click to view)

What does success mean to you personally? 

When someone buys a painting and tells me they can imagine themselves in that place or that the landscape calls them out to explore for themselves, that means so much to me. One buyer told me when she opened the package the painting brought tears to her eyes. That’s success. 

 

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

Being invited to be A Spotlight Artist is pretty special. I have received a couple of Awards of Excellence. Those were proud moments, also. I think when folks purchase a painting, that might be the best success of all. 

Spring!
(click to view)

Thanks, Daphne!

© 2022 Maddie Marine