DPW Spotlight Interview: Natasha Ramras

Each week we will spotlight a different DPW artist who will give away one of their best paintings.

To enter to win Natasha's painting, "A Dog" go to Daily Paintworks and click on the link at the top of the page announcing their interview.

From Natasha's DPW Gallery:

Natasha Ramras has been interested in art since she was a little child. She has a formal art education, but for a number of years was more focused on raising a family and her career. After learning to draw, sculpt and paint using a variety of mediums, she has chosen oil as her most favorite material. She loves painting water: any water, just about, and is fascinated by reflections. She is trying to paint every day.

Natasha has exhibited her paintings in Delaware and Wisconsin. Now she lives in Portland and paints the beauty of the Pacific Northwest. She loves to travel and finds inspiration everywhere she goes. (click to view gallery)

Tell us a bit about how you first started painting.

I finished a four-year art school when I was in high school. We learned the basics of drawing, painting, art history and sculpture among other things. I enjoy the creative process, but did not think this was my life’s calling. I have been working full time in a fairly technical job, mostly with numbers, and over the course of my work career have been drawn to the creative process to keep myself balanced. I painted when my kids were little, and off and on for years. Reading Carol’s book on daily painting, her own success and that of the fellow artists that she has watched over the years have spurred my interest in art again. I was not looking at art as something requiring long periods of “down time coupled with a lot of inspiration”, so I decided to give it a try and it certainly is working for me.

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

Yes, multiple ones over the years. I was lucky enough to get represented by a gallery twenty years ago, but could not keep up with the production requirements. At that time, I truly believed in “getting into the zone and finding inspiration” during my paining sessions. Unfortunately, those moments were rare and far between.

A Dog
(click to view)

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

What mediums and genres have you experimented with?

I love all of the mediums with color – watercolor, pastel, oil. I have done a lot of drawing too and like charcoal for its softness, but mostly I enjoy color in my work.

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

I am still trying to decide! I enjoy all three – oils for my ability to control the medium and correct mistakes, watercolor for being uncontrollable and for its transparency and pastel for its brilliant colors. I find my paintings being the brightest in pastel. Each medium has its challenges and rewards and the differences between them keep my interest up.

Cold!
(click to view)

Which ones are you looking forward to exploring?

I feel like there is still quite a bit to learn in each of the mediums. Eventually, I would like to learn how to control the watercolor and make it look effortless and uncontrolled at the same time.

Who or what inspires you most?

I absolutely love the work of Alvaro Castagnet, Joseph Zbukvic and Mary Whyte in watercolor. I am inspired by all of the great landscape painters, Charles Palmer, a local northwest artist, Clyde Aspevig, Scott Christensen, Sorolla and great Russian painters, like Repin, Levitan and Aivasovsky.

Horses
(click to view)

What does procrastination look like for you?

Waiting until 6-7PM to start painting daily, even if I had had the time earlier in the day would be an example. Also, sometimes I take breaks when the work is especially stressful and I feel drained in the evening. I have observed that if I force myself to paint on those days, I love every second of it, get a good product at the end and feel much more refreshed after I paint. Sometimes, making an excuse and not painting is just too easy.

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

I set an expectation that I have to finish the painting before my family can watch TV in the evenings on work days, so I have roped my family to be my “nagging support system” to get me going and not procrastinate.

Lavender Field
(click to view)

How do you generally arrive at ideas for your paintings?

I love painting everything I see. Ideas have never been an issue – I get fascinated with the simplest things and have more ideas than I can put on paper. One of the recent examples includes a painting of a leaf on concrete – I saw it on my way from the office to the car after work that day. The shadow pattern was so interesting that I had to paint it. My challenge to myself was to make that painting glow to represent the low autumn sun.

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

For me, switching between mediums helps to keep me engaged and interested. This is a great way for me to deal with failed paintings too – I just walk away and switch the medium and do something entirely different. I also love painting water—in any medium, of any kind, except brackish. It is very meditative for me to paint water. I am also lucky to live in one of the most beautiful places on Earth, with waterfalls, rivers, lakes, mountains and easy access to the Great Pacific. I think the Pacific Northwest is a landscaper’s heaven! Finding endless water subjects is not very difficult.

Fascination with the Smallest Wonders
(click to view)

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

I am taking classes at the local art college in drawing—both a classical approach to drawing and figure drawing. I really like getting the refresher course in the basics and learning new, sharper skills. I believe solid drawing skills make the foundation for the work with paint that I love so much and sharpen my observation skills. The biggest challenges for myself I set is to try representing the light to make the paintings glow.

What makes you happiest about your art?

I really enjoy the process itself and what it does to my perception of the world. Painting process is very calming and meditative for me. When I paint, I forget about the rest of the world and get to play with colors, what better activity could one ask for? It brings out the child in me. Painting helps me see the world differently, brighter, more rose-colored and beautiful. I look around and am in awe of the beauty I am surrounded with. I want to paint it all, catch the fleeting moment and let everyone else see how beautiful the world is!

Thanks, Natasha!

© 2016 Sophie Marine

DPW Spotlight Interview: Cory Proulx

Each week we will spotlight a different DPW artist who will give away one of their best paintings.

To enter to win Cory's painting, "The Receding Five" go to Daily Paintworks and click on the link at the top of the page announcing their interview.

From Cory's DPW Gallery:

Cory Proulx is a local artist living in Oakville, Ontario. After realizing art was his true passion, Cory led on to achieve a higher education in the arts studying at Sheridan College facility of Animation, Arts and Design, graduating with a Diploma in Visual and Creative Arts. He is currently pursuing a BAA in Illustration at Sheridan College. Cory's objective is to create beautiful oil paintings primarily working with "wet into wet" techniques. He explores not only with his brush but also with a wide variety of materials to create interesting and intricate marks for the viewer to interpret.

Tell us a bit about how you first started painting?

I tended to lean towards drawing as a kid and this followed through high school. I would say I didn’t actually start painting until my first year at Art College, which would be roughly about five years ago. Once I began taking classes and learning the fundamentals of painting, I simply got hooked and began to get more and more involved in the process. After two years, I graduated with a diploma in Visual and Creative arts and realized quickly that I wanted to continue to progress as an artist and take it more seriously. From that day forward, I decided that I would pursue my dream of way day becoming a professional artist. I am now currently in my third year studying Illustration for my bachelors degree at Sheridan College in Oakville, Ontario Canada.

The Receding Five
(click to view)

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

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

Yes of course, painting can definitely be seen as a love hate relationship but in the end I always come back to it for more. I would have to say the fine art side of my work tends to slow down during the school year for that a lot of my attention and focus weighs heavily on producing illustrative content. Although that slows down, drawing and painting never stops for me for that I’m always applying it towards some type of work.

Still Life
(click to view)

What mediums and genres have you experimented with?

This is a hard question to answer for that I have experimented so much over the years and never stop experimenting with new materials. I find it very important as an artist to experiment for that's how you continue to progress, grow and find new means towards your work and mark-making. To list a few traditional mediums and genres I’ve experimented with: gouache, gouache resist, acrylic, oil, ink, watercolor, charcoal, pastels, gesso, gold leaf, lino, print making, screen printing, sculpture, film, animation, wood working and the list could go on. Then on the digital side of things, I’m constantly learning and working in Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, After effects and Cinema 4D.

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

I wouldn’t say any of them have actually “fallen away” for that they all have their place and purpose and I indeed to continue to use them where they are needed. I could say that I tend to use gouache, acrylic, watercolor, oil, charcoal or digital tools on a daily basis.

Steeped Tea
(click to view)

Which ones are you looking forward to exploring?

Any medium that I cross paths with.

Who or what inspires you most?

I highly enjoy getting out when I can and going to museums, galleries and independent shows to look at artwork in person. A painting or piece of art viewed in person rather than over the computer can truly be a life changing experience and I would encourage more people to do this as well. I also get really inspired when being out in the wilderness, camping or at a cottage, exploring the land and lakes by hiking and canoeing. To end on a high note, being in school surrounded by friends, students, and instructors that are constantly pushing themselves to work harder, produce amazing work and content is truly one of the best forms of inspiration I can find.

What does procrastination look like for you?

During the school year, to be honest, there isn’t much time to procrastinate for that the work load and deadlines are very overwhelming so you're constantly working on things. I am, though, a huge believer in try, try and then try again if something isn’t working, but if all falls apart I’ve learned to simply take a break. When it does come around, it really helps having a dog to distract you and pull you away from work; I also just really enjoy hanging out with my dog haha.

Loose Pumpkin
(click to view)

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

I’m not sure if I actually have a technique for this; I just feel the need to be constantly working on something. If there was something I could say, it’s simply developing better time management for everyday activities so that you are able to produce work at some point in the day.

How do you generally arrive at ideas for your paintings?

It’s honestly always different, it could be the mood I’m in or the mood I want to portray in the painting. For still life paintings, a lot of the time I enjoy coming up with themes so that I can attach or create a story for the viewer to interpret.

Floral No. 2
(click to view)

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

Going back and forth from fine art to illustration really helps to create a balance in my artwork, although in some ways they can be linked together. I tend to work on one or the other for a long period of time, and then I switch it up so that I don’t get burnt out from either and then when new ideas come about they continue to stay clear and fresh. I would also like to say that getting a regular amount of sleep helps me stay in tune but unfortunately I’m not one to talk for that I don’t have much of a normal sleep schedule.

What makes you happiest about your art?

I simply love to draw, paint and tell stories.

Thanks, Cory!

© 2016 Sophie Marine

DPW Spotlight Interview: Anja Berliner

Each week we will spotlight a different DPW artist who will give away one of their best paintings.

To enter to win Anja's painting, "086 Mantelwetter" go to Daily Paintworks and click on the link at the top of the page announcing their interview.

From Anja's DPW Gallery:

She was born in the sixties in Saarbruecken/Germany near the french border and graduated at the University of Arts Berlin.

With the daily paintings Anja Berliner just started in July 2016. She loves the unspectacular moments of the daily life in Berlin. And raspberry cake. (click to view gallery)

Tell us a bit about how you first started painting.

I can't remember when I began. As child I assume. Seriously, I started painting three months ago.

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

Yes and no. I painted about one picture in four years. Then this year in July, I began with daily painting. But drawing I practiced very much and continuously over the years.

086 Mantelwetter
(click to view)

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

What mediums and genres have you experimented with?

I have drawn with graphite, colored pencils, fineliner, charcoal and have painted with watercolors, gouache, acrylics, oil painting, oil pastel. I printed with screen, linoleum, etching, stencils and experimented with machine embroidery.

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

Acrylics have stuck, as well as watercolors and oil painting. Charcoal and red chalk have definitely fallen away. I hate the noise they make on the paper and the dust and smear all over.

068 Mops
(click to view)

Which ones are you looking forward to exploring?

I look forward to exploring oil painting.

Who or what inspires you most?

The interplay of sunlight and shadow, colors, every day things like the subway and the coffee, working people and pastries. And of course wonderful artists such as Wayne Thiebauld, Andy Warhol, Xenia Hausner, Carol Marine, David Shevlino and so many more.

082 Die schwarze Tasche
(click to view)

What does procrastination look like for you?

Many works in progress and not finished.

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

Wanting to show my daily paintings on my blog forces me to paint.

064 Die blaue Tür
(click to view)

How do you generally arrive at ideas for your paintings?

I paint what I love or what touches my mind.

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

When painting, I think about how much I love the smell and the colors and the light and the noise. I try to be IN the situation like an actor who IS the person he plays in that moment. About the avoidance of burnout, I can't say anything yet. I just began the daily painting three months ago.

063 Himbeerkuchen No.5
(click to view)

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

Not to struggle with the whether and why at each new painting. Since I decided to do my daily paintings, I don't question it. I just do it. At least for one year. That saves a lot of energy.

What makes you happiest about your art?

The shining of the colors. The smell of the brush cleaner. And the miracle when I paint abstract strokes with the blind confidence of a sailor on the high seas and suddenly it turns indeed into a raspberry cake.

Thanks, Anja!

© 2016 Sophie Marine

DPW Spotlight Interview: Cindy Gillett

Each week we will spotlight a different DPW artist who will give away one of their best paintings.

To enter to win Cindy's painting, "Morning Calm" go to Daily Paintworks and click on the link at the top of the page announcing their interview.

From Cindy's DPW Gallery:

My medium of choice is soft pastels. I find the vibrant colors intoxicating and painting without paint brushes very freeing. I try to paint each and every day. Painting small pieces daily helps to keep me focused on composition, color harmony, and values while enjoying the application of soft pastels. (click to view gallery)

Tell us a bit about how you first started painting.

Two and a half years ago, I read an article in the Pastel Journal about how natural the progression is from drawing to painting with soft pastels.  I was intrigued!  I have always been a person who loved art and could draw but never really found the right painting medium for me.  So, I bought a few soft pastels and dove in.  I found that working with soft pastels was a perfect medium to compliment my drawing skills and (at long last) I had the time it would take to develop my artistic side.  Since then, I have been devouring books, blogs, YouTube videos, workshops and tutorials in an effort to unleash "The Artist Within" (which happens to be the name of my blog).  Looking at my drawer full of pastels makes me feel like a kid in a candy store! They’re just so gorgeous!  No matter how dead tired I am at night, when I first wake up in the morning, I can’t wait to get back into the studio and paint!

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

There have been many "starts and starts".  I’ve never really stopped being an artist… I don’t think anyone really can when art is so ingrained in a person.  But, I did have a tough time finding the time to paint while working and raising a family (which were my priorities).  Then, once I had the time, I struggled a bit to find the right painting medium.  Now that I have the right medium, I am consumed with painting and with the business side of selling my artwork as well.

Morning Calm
(click to view)

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

What mediums and genres have you experimented with?

I am a soft pastel artist and consider myself still experimenting with those.  I have also drawn with graphite, colored pencils, charcoal, pastel pencils, and have painted with watercolors, acrylics and one oil painting (many years ago).   I cover all genres never allowing myself to settle on one genre (just yet anyway).  I still consider myself a student so I force myself to paint all genres especially those out of my comfort zone until I’m satisfied I can do them all… at least reasonably well.

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

Right now pastels have stuck… everything else is taking a backseat.

Fly 30 - The Lady Amherst
(click to view)

Which ones are you looking forward to exploring?

I look forward to exploring oil painting. The methodology in painting with oils is similar to pastels so it will be a natural compliment to pastels.  However, I’m in no hurry because I’m not sure I want to mess with the cleanup involved (brushes and palette) and the need to mix colors.  The reason pastels are great right now is that I can look at my pastel box/drawer and chose the colors I want to paint with and get started immediately.

Who or what inspires you most?

All artists are inspirational to me in one way or another.  I admire anyone willing to put their art "out there" for the world to see.  It can be very intimidating, especially at first.

I also love the old masters and I have to say given the physical limitations Van Gogh had, I admire his persistence in the face of such a conflicted life.  I recently read Van Gogh’s Letters, edited by H. Anna Suh.  Those letters really opened my eyes!  Most of Vincent’s letters were written to his brother Theo and included many of his sketches and paintings.  I was blown away by how elementary his first drawings were.  In my humble opinion… they weren’t very good but, he had a passion to persist.  He drew and drew then added charcoal and finally added color via paint.  One quote that struck me was: "Not only did I start drawing at a late stage, but added to that it may be that I may not be able to count on so very many years of life".   He wrote that seven years before he died.  It was what fueled his obsession to draw and paint so much and to progress so greatly in such a limited timeframe.  And, it reminded me that I too have a finite time on this earth… so I too am passionate to paint and progress as much as possible before I leave this earth.

Sisters
(click to view)

What does procrastination look like for you?

Procrastination for me looks like dust build up and piles of laundry.  Because art is such a passion now, I have a hard time breaking away to do the mundane things around the house.  I am (or was) an extremely good housekeeper (probably too much so)… now, things don’t have to be "perfect".  Good enough, is good enough for me.  I think a Roomba vacuum is in my future!

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

I am usually up very early (5am or so) because that’s when I have the most creative energy.  My motto is: "if I’m not painting by 10am, then I’m probably not painting".  We also had a very large master bedroom (15x30) that I converted into an art studio (aka woman cave).  I have a lovely fireplace, TV and seating area as well as my desk and easel area… it is my artistic haven!  I believe making an inspirational space in your home (no matter how big or small) helps keep a person motivated.

Chasing Shadows
(click to view)

How do you generally arrive at ideas for your paintings?

I have mountains of photos taken over the years that give me inspiration.  I also like to set up still life settings at home and of course look at the artworks of other artists past and present.

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

Because I paint all genres, I hop from one to another to change things up.  That helps a lot.  I also paint in series or themes now and then.  It’s always a challenge to come up with something "fresh"!  I just concentrate on painting what I like and then hope others might like it too.

Poppies Down Under
(click to view)

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

Perseverance!  And, in two and a half years, I’ve finally gained confidence.  At first, I was consumed with self doubt.  In my head I was saying "what the heck are you doing", "you don’t know how to do this", "this looks TERRIBLE" etc. etc. etc.  Then I read "Art and Fear" by David Bayles and Ted Orland and I realized this self doubt was typical.  It’s no different than someone musically inclined learning to play the guitar or piano… practice, practice, and more practice.  Then, finally, I began to improve and see some paintings that didn’t look too bad.  Then I actually started to like most of them… but it did take a lot of work!  And, once in a while (I will admit), I don’t like a painting… and it doesn’t like me!

I heard it takes two hundred paintings before you find your "style"… then I heard three hundred to five hundred.  When you’re first starting out, these numbers are daunting!  That’s why Daily Paintworks and completing several 30 Paintings in 30 Days Challenges have helped me stick with it and therefore grow as an artist.  Yep, perseverance!

What makes you happiest about your art?

Well, I finally learned to control color.  When I started, I used every color I could get my hands on… I had absolutely no self control.  All those colors were intoxicating!  Now, I’m finally disciplined enough to pick a color palette first and stick with it throughout the painting. My paintings therefore have more color harmony.  I’m very happy that I finally like my own work… and especially happy when someone else does too!

Thanks, Cindy!

© 2016 Sophie Marine

DPW Spotlight Interview: Martha Lever

Each week we will spotlight a different DPW artist who will give away one of their best paintings.

To enter to win Martha's painting, "Orange You Glad I'm Pink" go to Daily Paintworks and click on the link at the top of the page announcing their interview.

From Martha's DPW Gallery:

Hi... My name is Martha Lever and I'm from Jacksonville, FL. I have been an artist for thirty-two years, I started off as a calligrapher and through the years I developed into a lettering artist and designer. I have studied with many world-renowned calligrapher teachers including the calligrapher to the Vatican as well as with several teachers who are contributors of the St. John’s Bible Project. (click to read more)

Tell us a bit about how you first started painting.

My art journey began about thirty-four years ago with my first calligraphy class. I love lettering and decided to pursue this art and find the best teachers. I studied with many wonderful calligraphers and soon started to paint backgrounds and images to go with the quotes I had written. Gouache is the medium I used to letter in color therefore mixing colors early on was something that I had to learn. This mixing of colors and adding images to my lettering eventually led to a progression of painting with watercolor, acrylics, and oils.

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

Yes, I have had a few stops (mostly slowdowns actually) in my painting career, but usually those stops were moving me in another direction with a new medium. About three or four years into my oil painting career, I experienced a block so severe that I didn’t know if I would ever paint again. Nothing profound caused this block although the naysayer monkey on my back and my inner critic probably were partly to blame.

Many months went by and I began to pull out of it when I took an oil painting workshop from Dee Beard Dean in St. Simons, GA. Also in Carol Marine’s book, “Daily Painting,” she included a section on blocked painters which made me see that this happens to even the best of painters.

Orange You Glad I'm Pink
(click to view)

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

What mediums and genres have you experimented with?

I love experimenting with different mediums and have enjoyed them all, but I currently love oil painting and can never see myself leaving that. I enjoy gouache because even though it’s a watercolor, you can layer the colors, even lights over dark. This is a great way for me to paint a thumbnail to plan out an oil painting. I also love transparent watercolors and acrylics. Before I started using oils, I was heavily into the mixed media genre and stayed there for many years. I have also dabbled in encaustics and watercolor batiks.

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

I really do think that my first love will always be lettering and calligraphy. I letter all the time and recently addressed all of my son’s wedding invitations. That was a labor of love for sure. I probably won’t pursue encaustics, so I can safely say that one fell away actually before it got started. I still use acrylics quite often and also watercolors. So, I can’t say that any one of those have fallen completely away.

Not So Mellow Yellow
(click to view)

Which ones are you looking forward to exploring?

When you are immersed in the mixed media world, there are many mediums that lend itself to this genre. So at some point or other, I have probably tried most of them, except for pastels. I have seen some beautiful work by pastel artists, so maybe pastels is something that I will one day explore.

Who or what inspires you most?

Oh my, there are so many people that have inspired me along the way in every genre I have been through. It would take up several paragraphs to name the people that have influenced me the most, but I will name a few from my current oil painting career. Carol Marine was the very first influence on me to start daily painting. I would stalk her endlessly and longingly devoured her daily paintings on her blog. I have never had the opportunity to take any of her workshops, but her book, Daily Painting, as I mentioned before, is one of the best out there.

I have also just returned from probably the best painting workshop I have ever taken from Melanie Morris called, “Fast and Furious Painting.” I also admire the works of Barbara Flowers, Trisha Adams and Maggie Siner. Then there are the Masters of course; Sargent, Van Gogh and Cezanne just to name a few. And for the “what” that inspires me, it’s seeing the beautiful paintings from these wonderful painters that inspires me.

Tulip Spray
(click to view)

What does procrastination look like for you?

Procrastination takes on many forms for me. Usually it’s cruising Dick Blick or Cheap Joe’s for a new paint color or paintbrush that I definitely don’t need. Sometimes, it’s a complete reorganization of all my paints when I know that they will be quickly become unorganized again as I paint the next painting. Sometimes, it’s a cleanout of the art closet. Most of my procrastination is art related which must be my unconscious, distorted way of minimizing my guilt for not painting.

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

Throughout the years, these techniques have changed. At the moment, this is the technique that seems to be working for me: the last thing I do for the day before I go to bed is set up a still with the flowers I have bought that day from the local market. I plan the size of canvas I will use and draw it out with charcoal ready for the next day’s painting. I have a terrible time leaving it there because I want to jump in and paint it. But, if I did that my creative adrenalin would start flowing and I would be up until all hours. So, I let it be and go to bed looking forward to painting that still life the next morning.

Blue and Beautiful
(click to view)

How do you generally arrive at ideas for your paintings?

I would like to say that I walk around in nature and look for beautiful things that inspire me to paint, but I must admit that I don’t like bugs, heat, cold or carrying heavy things. In other words, I don’t plein air paint. In the beginning, when I started with oils, I would spend hours on the internet just trying to develop different ideas that I might like to paint. At first, I only painted from photographs that either I had taken or I had found from the “Paint My Photo” copyright free site. But lately, the beautiful flowers that I buy and set up in my studio have inspired me more than anything.

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

Oh my, keeping it fresh, vibrant and engaging! Therein lies the challenge for any daily painter for sure. Overworking and fiddling too much with my paintings are the biggest hindrance in retaining the freshness and vibrancy of a painting. I know when I am overworking and sometimes I have to say to myself, “Put the brush down and back away slowly.” Lately, to avoid burnout, I have been giving myself a time limit of about an hour to an hour and a half to complete the painting. If I hang in there too much longer than that, the painting and I both suffer.

I'm Going This Way
(click to view)

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

In keeping with the previous question, I feel that as I paint daily I am learning more and more how to keep it fresh with vibrant colors, better values and shapes that read correctly. It’s a process and a journey but one that is really fun.

What makes you happiest about your art?

To answer this question, I have to refer to a book that made a great impression on me called, “Outliers, The Story of Success” by Malcolm Gladwell. In his book he sites many interesting people who are successful because of one thing—they have put in their ten thousand hours (or ten years) of study and practice to become the masters of their craft.

The happiest thing for me now is that I can see that my paintings have taken a turn for the better. I am happier when I paint; I am more confident when I paint and goodness gracious—I am enjoying it! I have experienced a few years of agony and ecstasy in learning this art of oil painting, but I might be about half way in on my ten thousand hours and maybe, just maybe, I will continue this journey of daily painting and get to be an Outlier! That would be ecstasy for sure!

Thanks, Martha!

© 2016 Sophie Marine

DPW Spotlight Interview: Mary Jabens

Each week we will spotlight a different DPW artist who will give away one of their best paintings.

To enter to win Mary's painting, "Sunlight in the Canyon" go to Daily Paintworks and click on the link at the top of the page announcing their interview.

From Mary's DPW Gallery:

I love living in Southern Utah! We have desert, mountains and all four seasons is my description to people who ask. The diversity in what to paint each day can take several minutes to decide: red rocks, trees, big vistas, close up to mother nature, it is endless. And when my dog, Max, comes along, it makes an even better way to spend the day! Of course, he is in training regarding patience in painting in one spot for awhile!! (click to read more)

Tell us a bit about how you first started painting.

I started with crayons when I was little and kept going! During an illness when I was younger, my mom bought me my first set of paints/brushes and lessons. I was hooked forever. Later in life, a friend interested me in painting outdoors (plein air). I immediately knew this was a perfect match for me.

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

Yes, I think all creative souls have the “ebb and flow” of art. Creating has always been a healing mechanism for me so that makes it even more personal. I moved a lot based on my husband’s work. That brought many new places to see. Some of these moves inspired me and some not so much. When I just couldn’t paint, I spent my time absorbing art and finding my way. I think I will always have starts and stops, it is part of my life’s rhythm.

Sunlight in the Canyon
(click to view)

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

What mediums and genres have you experimented with?

I paint in oils now but have done watercolor, acrylic, pen and ink, and colored pencils. I am an impressionist painter in oils/watercolor and more of a realist in the pen/pencils. There are so many mediums to delve into, I have to stay focused or I would be hopping from one to another and never accomplish anything!

Which ones have stuck and which ones have fallen away?

Oils stuck with me since that first childhood lesson. I may have used other mediums along the way but oils were my love. I tried acrylics, just never made a connection with them. I would probably do more watercolors if I didn’t have to plan so much. I like to let my mind wander when painting and watercolor is not receptive to that path!

Rain in the Vallery - Silver Ree
(click to view)

Which ones are you looking forward to exploring?

I am intrigued by encaustic, gauche and fiber media. I took a bookmaking workshop that was astounding. The possibilities of combining found objects and created art at the same time is endless.

Who or what inspires you most?

I have several close friends who are my mentors/friends and crazy painting buddies. They, along with past friends/mentors, let me see their world as they see it through their mediums and that is incredible. With today’s media access to art, I am inspired daily by new artists and their work, many I would never have known about if it weren’t for the internet. Growing up in Montana I have always loved Edgar Payne, Thomas Moran, Charlie Russell and way too many others to list. I am in awe of Jill Carver, Mark Bodges, Brian Blood, Scott Christensen and Tibor Nagy.

Morning Sunshine and Mountain Daisies
(click to view)

What does procrastination look like for you?

I worry too much about everything to be a successful procrastinator. I drive myself crazy making sure my commitments are done ahead of schedule… well maybe except for housework!

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

I work full time so painting time is always a challenge. Since my husband died I am in a whole new world. It has taken me a bit to figure out how to keep my life going. His gift to me in the last few years was to handle much of homelife, freeing evening/weekend time to paint. It is a daily challenge to find that normalcy I had before. Now I tend to let my “other” responsibilities override my time for art. Knowing that of myself, I am learning to be selfish about painting. Defining what is important helps me put the guilt away and go paint! I find my emotions and state of mind are on a much more even keel when I paint often. That is the incentive now.

Spring in the Canyons
(click to view)

How do you generally arrive at ideas for your paintings?

Living in Southern Utah has endless subject matter. I start driving and am cognizant of “glimpses.” A quick shot of light or a shadow shape, these are my favorite. Color or combinations of colors that scream my name make me turn around to find them. When I need additional inspiration, I look through my photos and paintings reliving the thoughts and feelings at the time I was there.

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

That is a hard question. It is easy to fall in the pattern of repetition painting: scenes I have painted many times and require little input from me, just memory. To avoid this, I change up everything: places/subjects and time of day. I paint in every season and all types of weather. Color is a catalyst which spurs me to find new ways to express what I am seeing. I have a friend who loves to paint everything. He constantly pushes me to expand my painter’s mind and abilities.

Cedar Breaks - Spring Flowers
(click to view)

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

Seems like so much, my head is a jumble sometimes. Right now it would be edges. They are so elusive yet so important. I am also working on variation - light to dark, warm to cool in each object and the painting as a whole. Composition, and keeping the viewer’s eye moving throughout the painting.

What makes you the happiest about your art?

Setting up my gear and pushing paint makes me smile. I love it when a viewer’s comments are exactly what I was thinking and hoping to convey. Painting lets me focus on the process and set aside life’s issues for a little while. More importantly, painting heals me. It gives me an outlet for the negativity of the day and replaces it with hope and joy of life.

Thanks, Mary!

© 2016 Sophie Marine

DPW Spotlight Interview: Rebecca Helton

Each week we will spotlight a different DPW artist who will give away one of their best paintings.

To enter to win Rebecca's painting, "Asparagus Adorned" go to Daily Paintworks and click on the link at the top of the page announcing their interview.

From Rebecca's DPW Gallery:

Family, friends, faith, and now, finally, painting most days.

It's been a circuitous route! I can't remember not being interested in drawing and others' artwork, so I majored in studio art in college. However, my other great interest was science. The next 35 years were spent raising kids and with careers in medicine and biology. I loved browsing art museums, but I drew and painted only intermittently. I got back to it and received my MFA in 2009. I was fortunate to be able to teach both art and biology, but still crazy-busy! Finally, I'm back where I started, painting and sketching almost daily. Each day is a new beginning. A new day to see, to learn, to experiment, to struggle, and to enjoy the process. I'm blessed! (click to view gallery)

Tell us a bit about how you first started painting. Did you have any stops and starts in your painting career?

I first started painting in high school and college, though not a lot. I majored in studio art, but was mostly interested in sculpture at the time. My career took me in a very different path, so I rarely painted for a very long while. I finally took it up again several years ago, but still, between work and family, it was quite intermittent. In January this year, I was able to start painting nearly daily. It took several months to get any skills back, and I started posting here on DPW in May.

What mediums and genres have you experimented with?

I have worked in acrylics, oils, watercolors, and pastels. I've painted just about every genre at one time or another. Generally, though, my work is representational. Nonrepresentational work just doesn't feel like me.

Asparagus Adorned
(click to view)

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

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

Currently, I'm working almost exclusively in oils, with a pastel painting on occasion. At some point I'll probably work on some watercolor paintings again, but one thing at a time. I still have so much to learn about oils and just painting in general. One of my favorite quotes is by Winston Churchill. "When I get to heaven, I mean to spend a considerable portion of my first million years in painting, and so to get to the bottom of the subject." I haven't put in my first million years yet.

The past few months, I've been primarily doing still life paintings, along with a few landscapes and reworking some old photos. I'm really interested in landscape paintings right now, but most of those I've done so far have been trashed or wiped out (this is where you're supposed to laugh with me).

Egg and Silver
(click to view)

Who inspires you most?

This is difficult to answer – there are so very many wonderful painters. Currently, I'm really enjoying Catherine Kehoe, Tim Kennedy, David Roth, and several of the wonderful artists here on DPW! I never tire of looking at work by Euan Uglow, Richard Diebenkorn, Edouard Manet, Joaquin Sorolla, John Singer Sargent (particularly his works from the Middle East and North Africa), and so many others.

What does procrastination look like for you?

A fully-read book returned to the library.

By Tremaine Shelter
(click to view)

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

I do best with routine. I start painting shortly after my granddaughter leaves for school and stay at it until life interrupts. Some days it works out very well; other days not so great. I'm an artist, but like everyone, I also have a lot of other competing roles. Balancing is difficult, so I try not to get too obsessive about sticking to routine. On the other hand, I do manage to do at least something with painting nearly every day.

Blueberry Minions
(click to view)

How do you generally arrive at ideas for your paintings?

It's corny and trite, but I really do get excited when I notice something different about the way light is hitting an object; when that happens, I want to share it. For me it generally starts with the purely visual. But sometimes as I work on a painting, I start seeing symbolism or a new meaning, which in turn may lead me to change the image. I occasionally discuss this in my blog and comments on DPW, but mostly leave it to the viewer to insert symbolism or just enjoy the visual concept.

Muriel and Mother, 1926
(click to view)

What makes you happiest about your art?

I tend to go through periods when very little seems to work out as I'm pushing to change a habit or learn something new. It feels like I'm just slogging through mud for a while, documenting my failures with a photo and then wiping them out. But when I finally do something I am happy with, whether because it turned out well or just that I really learned something, it's like hitting the lottery! It makes all that slogging surprisingly worthwhile.

Thanks, Rebecca!

© 2016 Sophie Marine

DPW Spotlight Interview: Setsuko Lawson

Each week we will spotlight a different DPW artist who will give away one of their best paintings.

To enter to win Setsuko's painting, "Bottles" go to Daily Paintworks and click on the link at the top of the page announcing their interview.

From Setsuko's DPW Gallery:

I was born in Japan, but have been in US for almost 30 years. I try to paint a few paintings or drawings a week. It will be great if I can do a daily painting but when I have a daytime job, a few paintings a week are good to me. I love to take walk in neighboring parks and woods, and sketch or take photos for my future art works. When I encounter the great light or shadow effects, I will be excited and can not wait to start working with it. I also like to paint the still life, especially the transparent objects like porcelain, antique glass, and antique marbles. I simply enjoy creating images.

Tell us a bit about how you first started painting.

I was born and raised in Japan.  After I received my degree in American literature, I decided to improve my English by taking some courses in the United States. But, I did not like studying English in the classroom as a language any more. Since I always liked to paint and draw, but did not have many chances, I decided to take some art classes and experience the language among native English speakers. Unfortunately, I did not improve my English skills very much. On the bright side, I found out that I really like drawing and painting.

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

I did not ever totally stop painting, but I was not productive at all for decades. Probably because I was not happy with what I was doing, and was not eager to create new art works. Recently, I realized that I needed to paint and draw many images if I was ever to get anywhere artistically. Even if it meant creating many not wonderful works in order to improve. Every day now, I am striving to create better paintings. I know I am improving, and I am at point that I am very happy just holding a brush. Painting has become pleasurable for me now.

Bottles
(click to view)

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

What mediums and genres have you experimented with?

I usually switch between oil and acrylic. I have worked on many surfaces including canvas, paper, and different types of boards and panels.

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

Sometimes my paintings have compositional problems. If this is the case, I can put a painting away for a while. I know I can go back later and most likely find my compositional solutions. But if the painting does not have any charm in it, then I will not spend additional time to fix it, instead I will go on to a new one.  I have to feel that “spark” in my work to be completely satisfied.

Afternoon Shadow
(click to view)

Which ones are you looking forward to exploring?

I like to work gold leaf into drawing.  Also, I am working more now with digital arts.

Who or what inspires you most?

There are so many contemporary, incredible artists. I am awed by many of them. I like to find the most comfortable chair in the bookstore and keep reading and looking at many artists’ works and their strategies. The magazines and books are my friends. My favorite masters I always go back to are George Inness, Ingres, Rembrandt, and also a Russian painter named Nicholas Anokhin.

Summer Evening
(click to view)

What does procrastination look like for you?

I am a queen of procrastination. Therefore, I do not give myself a chance to do it. After my husband goes to work around 6:30, I sit and start to work. That is it.


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

I do not have any techniques but my schedule helps. I usually teach the night classes at the nearby college so that I have just about all day for myself.

Old Glass Marbles
(click to view)

How do you generally arrive at ideas for your paintings?

It is the hardest thing for me to decide what to paint next. I usually spend time taking photographs and keep them in the right categories. Later, I check them with a fresh eye and create the composition using Photoshop.

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

I try to add drama or some stories behind the image. It doesn't need to be anything big. It can be a contrast between values, textures, or shapes. Also, I like to switch the medium. Digital art especially gives me a new attitude toward image making.

Alice
(click to view)

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

I've learned a lot of techniques, skills, and theories. Now I am learning how to apply those wonderful things to my works.

What makes you happiest about your art?

These days painting and drawing has become therapeutic to me. If I can sit and work on my painting or drawing, I am a very happy person.

Thanks, Setsuko!

© 2016 Sophie Marine