Thursday, December 31, 2015

DPW Spotlight Interview: Olga Wagner

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

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

From Olga's DPW Gallery Page:

Olga Wagner, is a North Carolina based artist whose work is held in private collections all over the world. She attributes her talent and exposure to different mediums to her parents, Jan and Iraida, who early on instilled in her love for classical art. Before settling in the United States in 1986, Olga's family lived in many countries where classical art was highly treasured and promoted, including Russia, Poland, and Germany. (click to read more)

Tell us a bit about how you first started painting.

I was born in Soviet Union and grew up in Poland and West Germany, where art education was and still is highly valued. Most of my classes had emphasis on drawing ability and thus my early art specialty leaned towards graphite and colored pencil work.


Original Contemporary Cow
(click to view)

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

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

Yes, from high school through the beginnings of my career, I gave up on art in order to study and grow in the field of engineering. I finished college and relocated to North Carolina when I took a job in telecommunication field. In 2007, after a loss of one of my beloved cats (Mr. Bigglesworth), I took to graphite pencils to create his portrait and my art career got jump start.

What mediums and genres have you experimented with?

I have experimented with pencils, pastels, acrylics and oils and have done everything from realism to abstract work.

Contemporary Owl
(click to view)

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

Even though I still have a soft spot in my heart for graphite pencils, most of my work now is done in oils. I just love the buttery feel of the paint and the way that I can massage the paint on the canvas. Also, the color selection is just amazing.

Which ones are you looking forward to exploring?

Right now, I am happy to stick with oils, but I am always looking to explore new surfaces or texture options.

Handsome Rooster
(click to view)

Who or what inspires you most?

As you can tell from my work, I am inspired by animals. Having volunteered for years in a no-kill cats shelter, I have met so many wonderful cats and kittens with their own stories and all looking for some love in this world.  I am moved by their loving, generous nature and try and reflect those emotions through my paintings.

What does procrastination look like for you?

Sitting down on the couch after coming home from work is a big no-no for me. Once I am down, it is hard for me to get motivated to get into my studio.


Original Contemporary Tabby Cat Kitten
(click to view)

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

I normally have the gessoed boards and/or canvases ready to go on the easel for the next day. In addition to that, I have my palette ready to go with the tubes of paint within easy reach.

How do you generally arrive at ideas for your paintings?

I have a vast collection of animal photos. In addition, I keep up with the photos of adoptable animals that are posted by local shelter. If the eyes talk to me, it is guaranteed that I will paint that animal.

Original Contemporary White Cow
(click to view)

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

I LOVE trying new colors. You never know which color will ultimately end up as part of my favorites. In addition, I love experimenting with different techniques. Anything from textured ground to palette knife work.

What makes you happiest about your art?

I love playing with colors and I love getting messy!  It makes me feel like a kid in a candy store.

Thanks, Olga!

© 2015 Sophie Marine

Thursday, December 24, 2015

DPW Spotlight Interview: Rachel Dowd

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

To enter to win Rachel's painting, "Blooms #5" go to Daily Paintworks and click on the link at the top of the page announcing their interview.

From Rachel's DPW Gallery Page:

I've always been an artistic type. My mom has tons of stories of the artsy messes I made as a kid. Truth is, I love all kinds of art. Sewing, drawing, painting, crafting, decorating, pottery, you name it. I've just recently discovered oils and I LOVE it! I don't know why I was so afraid of them all this time. All the solvents and chemicals and non-water soluableness made me put it off for way too long. (click to read more)

Tell us a bit about how you first started painting.

I’ve always had an artistic “bent” ever since I can remember, but I didn’t start painting seriously until 2013.  I haven’t been painting that long at all, but I feel like I’ve finally found what my soul has been searching for all these years.  I am soaking it up!  I really felt empowered to start painting seriously after I read Carol Marine’s book “Daily Painting”.  I felt like it was ok if I didn’t paint large paintings, and it was ok if I messed up, and it was ok to experiment and try new techniques.  All I had to do was just keep on keeping on and my talent will progress.  Her book really helped me let go of those last few hangups in my mind that were preventing me from giving it my all.

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

When I started painting, I used watercolors.  The luminosity of watercolor is what attracted me to it, but I found I had to plan too much to make my watercolors look the way I wanted.  There was no spontaneity in it for me.  So I dropped painting for a few years.  It was hard to pick up anything artistic after that while our family was growing and three beautiful little girls came into my life.  In 2013 I decided to get serious with painting and I decided to try acrylics.  Mostly because they were cheaper and cleaner to use, but I found myself getting more and more frustrated with them.  I couldn’t make them do what I wanted and they dried way too fast.  So out of frustration, I stopped painting for a while until I finally took the plunge and got into oils.  Oils to me were like a breath of fresh air.  I’ve been painting non stop ever since.  Although, being a mother and homeschooling definitely causes temporary stops every now and then.  I always come running back.

Blooms #5
(click to view)

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

What mediums and genres have you experimented with?

I think I’ve experimented with nearly every medium since I was a child.  Pastels, colored pencils, pencil drawing, watercolor, acrylics, oils, you name it.

My genre of choice right now is florals.  I can’t get enough of them.  I also have interests in landscapes and portraits too, but that will come in time.

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

All have fallen away, except for the oils.  Love them oils.  Sometimes I’ll take one of my sketchbooks on an outing and sketch in pen and watercolor, but not very often.  And I never get tired of flowers.  I’m waiting for the day that I decide that I’m ready to try something different, but it hasn’t come yet.  Until then, I will be happy painting flowers indefinitely.

Genuine Friendship
(click to view)

Which ones are you looking forward to exploring?

Lately, I’ve been intrigued with water soluble wax pastels.  I’d really like to try those out, mostly just for fun. I like the idea of a solid stick of color melting into a painting.  I’m not sure if that’s how they really work, but I like the idea.

I really want to start working on portraits, but that is a little too intimidating right now.  I used to draw portraits all the time and loved it, but painting them is a whole different skill altogether. Someday...

Who or what inspires you most?

Some of my favorite artists are Dreama Tolle Perry, Erin Fitzhugh Gregory, Erin Hansen, David Mensing, and Emily Jeffords. John Singer Sargent and Joaquin Sorolla have a special place in my heart too.

Color and light seem to inspire me the most, especially high contrasting light.  The soft evening light and the way it makes everything glow stops me in my tracks.  I love impressionism and it never fails to amaze me how a few well placed brushstrokes can register in someone’s mind as a specific object. Our brains are incredible! Impressionism also allows each person’s imagination to “fill in the blanks” and see what their heart wants to see.

Obviously, I love flowers.  They are, without fail, happy and joyful and they just lift the spirit.  I think each flower has a unique personality and I love capturing that in my paintings.  My hope is that the joyfulness in my floral paintings is able to encourage someone and lift their mood, if even for a moment.  

Color is in Everything
(click to view)

What does procrastination look like for you?

Procrastination for me is usually a half-finished painting on my easel that will sit there for a week because I’m stuck somewhere on it and I’m scared that I’ll ruin it.  Eventually the need to paint overrides my fear and I’ll finally finish it.  I’m usually very relieved and happy with the finished product and kicking myself for not finishing it sooner. Or glad it’s over and I can move on to something new.

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

Well, being a wife and a mother to three children always takes first priority, but I’m learning more and more lately, that my art takes a close second, so I try my best to make time for it.  I’m a better mother and person in general when I make time to paint.  I am calmer and happier and more emotionally present with the people who need me.

Blooms #6
(click to view)

How do you generally arrive at ideas for your paintings?

I paint whatever “speaks” to me.  The shimmer of gold, the color of light filtering through a rose petal, the sweeping lines of stray leaves and branches, or the glow of white hydrangeas in the sun. I try to never paint something just because I think everyone would like it.  Those paintings don’t have “life”.  If I stay true to what I’m led to paint, even if it’s not my best painting ever, it is still alive and saturated with emotion.  I love that.

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

The more I paint, the more I try to loosen up and show some energy in the brushstrokes.  I try to make the painting and the brushstrokes themselves both equally beautiful.  It totally thrills me when I take a chance and drag my brush across an area of the painting and it just works!  If a painting looks too stiff and detailed to me, then I perform “art cpr” and swipe my brush across the whole thing.  I can almost hear it take a breath!

I don’t normally experience burnout.  If I do, I know I’m doing something wrong.  Usually the culprit is that I’m not painting for myself anymore and it’s become a chore.  When that happens, I throw all my unnecessary concerns out the window and look for something that is begging me to be painted - no matter what it is - even if it’s not flowers!

A Riot of Desert Color
(click to view)

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

I am learning to enjoy the process of painting. Letting go of my fears and just having fun with it.

What makes you happiest about your art?

When I’m painting I feel like everything around me just falls away.  All my cares and worries disappear and for a short time, all is well and perfect.  It’s better than a massage!  Happy accidents are great too!

Thanks, Rachel!

© 2015 Sophie Marine

Thursday, December 17, 2015

DPW Spotlight Interview: Emiliya Lane

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

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


From Emilya's DPW Gallery Page:

I'm a mother, an artist, a thinker and a meditator. Iam a pragmatic idealist and romantic dreamer. Complex but with simple needs, I am in constant search for balance, beauty and harmony. I'm growing, evolving into my true self more every day. (click to read more)

Tell us a bit about how you first started painting.

From a very early age (three to be precise) I knew my identity, I knew I was an artist. I was just painting and drawing day and night. My parents recognized this and were very supportive of my artistic abilities and enrolled me into art school at age seven. I've been constantly surrounded by the visual arts ever since. I graduated from art school at age sixteen and was accepted into University, aged seventeen. Altogether I had fifteen years of art training.

Wedges
(click to view)

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

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

I had a good ten years break from painting, when I was juggling with family and two businesses. I came back to my painting after my husband passed away six years ago. I realized that it was time to return to my roots, my creativity, in order to heal.

Nostalgia
(click to view)

What mediums and genres have you experimented with? Which ones have "stuck" and which ones have fallen away? Which ones are you looking forward to exploring?

I worked and experimented with many mediums including watercolor, acrylic, gouache  - but the texture of oil always will be my favorite and to this day I'm learning and playing with this medium. The flow-y, rich, textured stroke movement feels heavenly.

Who or what inspires you most?

Although I paint with bold and bright colors, the subject that is most inspiring to me is the subtle transitions of color, emotion, feeling, light... intangible passes... soft wind, mystical shifts.

Chasing Shadow
(click to view)

What does procrastination look like for you?

I procrastinate creatively - If I need to pay taxes or bills, I will just paint myself to exhaustion.

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

I don't make time for art, I have to make time for other things. Art IS my life. It's become like breathing to me. Most days, I get up at 6am, do my yoga and meditation and then go to my studio to paint. I come back after 10pm. Though yesterday, I'm embarrassed to say, I came back after 12am. I
also teach art two days a week. So for many years now, I've painted daily.

Midnight Snack
(click to view)

How do you generally arrive at ideas for your paintings?

Ideas for my paintings are out there, everywhere. Nature is the most amazing, limitless, timeless subject for inspiration. I live in the most beautiful place an artist can be. The most banal, predictable, practical or seemingly boring thing is an inspiring subject to me - a lemon, a glass of water, a rose in a tea cup.

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

The only technique or gimmick I use, to help my art stay fresh and let my soul sing, is to just paint even more.

Ocean at His Fingertips
(click to view)

What do you feel you are learning about right now as an artist? What makes you happiest about your art?

Right now I'm learning about how to express and paint an emotion on canvas, learning how to paint not the subject but a sensation of the subject; lot's of textures and manipulation of paint application and the moment it's happening, bringing an intense joy and happiness. Also to see how my students grow and develop, to see when they "get it" is the most rewarding feeling... A fulfilling happiness.

Thanks, Emiliya!

© 2015 Sophie Marine

Thursday, December 10, 2015

DPW Spotlight Interview: John Pierre DeBernay

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

To enter to win Jean Pierre's painting, "Pink Rose in Water Glass" go to Daily Paintworks and click on the link at the top of the page announcing their interview.

From Jean Pierre's DPW Gallery Page:

Jean Pierre DeBernay is an award winning artist who has achieved success and recognition in a variety of media. A native of Normandy, France, he moved to Colorado in 1974, after beginning his career at Hallmark Cards, designing social expression products for seven years. In Colorado, he became Art Director of Current Inc., the largest direct mail social expression product company in the Country. All the while, he entered juried exhibitions nation wide and was rewarded with inclusion in prestigious museums and art centers throughout the US. (click to read more)

Tell us a bit about how you first started painting.

As eighth graders in France, we were tested on recitation of famous works of literature. We were also graded on our penmanship by writing these works in a notebook and could get extra credit by illustrating them. Our teacher was not particular about the provenance of the artwork; so I ended up with a following of friends who wanted me to illustrate their notebooks in trade for marbles - our favorite activity at recess being marble shooting contests. Anyway, this kept me busy with my colored pencils and started my budding “career” as an artist.

Pink Rose in Water Glass
(click to view)

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

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

When I came to the United States, I was thrown into ninth grade to “sink or swim”. My art teacher took a special interest in me and encouraged me to paint in watercolor.

What mediums and genres have you experimented with?
 
In college, I experimented with oil paints, pastels, printmaking and sculpture. I went through my abstract period but settled on realism and turned out what I consider now some very ugly works.

Northwest Coast
(click to view)

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

Watercolor has been my favorite medium throughout my artistic career, not only because of its spontaneity but also because of necessity.

Eagle Over the Rio Grande Gorge
(click to view)

Which ones are you looking forward to exploring?

During my years as an illustrator for Hallmark Cards and Current Inc. which required more realistic interpretations, I developed my own style of more impressionistic work for galleries.

Who or what inspires you most?

My favorite artists are Monet, Sorolla, Sargent, Matisse and Dufy. Nothing excites me more to paint than to visit museums and attend other artists’ showings.

Coffee Pot Range, Sedona
(click to view)

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

These days, I’m rediscovering my love also for oil paints. I’m working on loosening my brushstrokes even more. I get my inspiration from my travels and, closer to home, I have my own little wild habitat and “Monet” ponds with perfunctory waterlilies and Chinese Irises that attract my favorite subjects. My flower garden also gives me plenty of painting material.

Blue Vase Floral
(click to view)

What makes you happiest about your art?

I have an art ministry which encourages children and adults to paint with me in acrylics and I thank God every day for having given me a talent and passion which has made my life worthwhile.

Thanks, Jean Pierre!

© 2015 Sophie Marine

Thursday, December 3, 2015

DPW Spotlight Interview: Claire McCall


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


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


From Claire's DPW Gallery Page:

Claire McCall is a self-taught artist and much of her process has developed intuitively over the years rather than by the 'rules'. Claire's unique style is rapidly gaining recognition in Australia with a number of awards to her name. (click to read more)

Tell us a bit about how you first started painting.

It was the exhibition of one artist that flicked the switch for me in my early thirties. I decided then and there, with blissful ignorance, that painting would be my second career path, even though I had never studied art or tried my hand with a paintbrush.

In fact, throw in some flawless optimism as I thought not of how I might learn to paint, but dreamed of my first solo exhibition. It has been said that “you don’t find art, it finds you.” Well... art found me, just a little later than most.

Sandcastles Petite
(click to view)

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

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

Twelve years on… and with two beautiful children added to the juggling act, there have been many painting miles spent refining my skills with varied and bold brush strokes to give my works visual texture.

There have not been many stops and starts in my painting career as I am happiest when painting... so as busy as life gets, I always try to get back to the easel whenever possible.

Certainly, there have been a number of boosts along the way as I have achieved success in a number of art shows, notably winning the prestigious Melbourne Clifton’s Art Prize in 2012.

Catch Me If You Can
(click to view)

What mediums and genres have you experimented with?

I did give pastels a try early on but oil paint is definitely my medium of choice. I love the application of oil paint with its buttery texture and beautiful surface shine when not overworked.

Using brushes only in the early days, I originally picked up the palette knife to loosen my background technique. With a brush in hand, I was often tempted to agonise over the detail. I actually love the loss of control that the knife provides.

The result has been a unique signature style, and a greater mastery of “alla prima” painting that gives my impressionist works spontaneity and freshness.

Which ones are you looking forward to exploring?

Recently, I travelled to Italy for a workshop to study impressionist landscapes with Colley Whisson, one of my favourite Australian painters. Currently I paint figures as focal points on an abstract background. I would like to add ‘figures in the landscape’ to my repertoire, so I am working on my impressionist landscape painting technique.

Beach Day
(click to view)

Who or what inspires you most?

There have been no formal art lessons in my time as a painter, only a few demonstration workshops by a select few ‘painting heroes’ of mine. My greatest teachers have been the artworks of the impressionist masters of yesterday and today.

As a visual learner, the written word has meant very little in my journey, but the images of bold impressionist strokes, rich colour and bright lights have been everything.

What is the greatest compliment someone can pay you about your art?

The greatest compliment is to genuinely stop in their tracks. They may want to take the time to study the range of values and textures of my paintings. Or they may study the drama of abstraction vs realism that is my style. Or perhaps just because it captures their eye and holds their attention. This is when I feel that I have really made an impact on the viewer.

Dad and the Boys II
(click to view)

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

With a busy always changing family life, there’s no technique – just whenever possible, even if it is late nights or the weekends. I am lucky that my studio is attached to our house so grabbing pockets of time here and there to paint is easy. With an ‘alla prima’ style of painting I can pick up and put down the palette knife at any stage of my painting which does suit my lifestyle. I know now why I have not yet attempted watercolour!

How do you generally arrive at ideas for your paintings?

The human figure captured in everyday moments is my constant inspiration. Typically, it’s a figure turned away from the viewer in a candid pose. The viewer is invited to complete the story – to fill in the blanks about time, place, thoughts and emotion.

With a camera always on hand, I have endless ideas for painting and have gained a keen eye for composition just viewing the world around me through the lens.

Beachside VI
(click to view)

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

The great thing about palette knife work is the unexpected results and happy accidents that occur along the way. Even painting a series of works keeps me engaged as each piece has its own vibe and unique sequences of thick paint that could never be replicated.

What makes you happiest about your art?

I recently held my first solo exhibition in Melbourne called ‘Child’s Play’ This was an exhibition exploring endearing memories of childhood. The positive response was overwhelming and gave me the opportunity to engage with the viewer and hear of the stories and emotions that my paintings could evoke. What makes me happiest about my art is that it can help people to tell the story of their lives.

Thanks, Claire!

© 2015 Sophie Marine

Friday, November 27, 2015

DPW Spotlight Interview: Toni Goffe

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

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

From Toni's DPW Gallery Page:

Toni Goffe studied painting, illustration and (secretly) double bass at Southampton College of Art in Hampshire between 1952-1956, gaining a National Diploma in Design. On completing the course, he moved to London where he freelanced as an illustrator and studied painting with a number of private tutors. He supported this by playing double bass professionally in many notable London jazz bands. During this period, Toni started illustrating children's books on a freelance basis. (click to read more)

Tell us a bit about how you first started painting.

I have always drawn and painted since I was a child, an only one, as it happened. I spent a lot of time on my own amusing myself by drawing everything around me and then drawing everything I could think of.

My mother and father were always laughing at cartoons from the daily papers. This started to interest me and humour has always played a big part of my life.

I remember the first cartoon I was shown. It was of a very hairy dog; hair all over it's eyes with a pair of scissors in it's mouth and its paws up on the arm of a armchair where sat its master... no words.

It fascinated me that with a few lines you could get across an idea that would make people laugh. Thinking about it, that is what I have been trying to do for most of my life.

The Duchess
(click to view)

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

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

Yes, lots. I walked into the local art college in Southampton in Hampshire England with some drawings and they took me on. That was a longtime ago when passing an entrance exam hadn't been thought of yet.

There my interest in drawing was extended to include painting and illustrating. In the last term of my stay there I was taught by a cartoonist/illustrator who renewed my interest in cartooning for a living. It was being in the right place at the right time situation.

Cartooning was at its height. Every newspaper had a full page of cartoons; magazines, too. As the art college hadn't told us how to make a living painting, cartooning it was!

I had also bought a double bass with some money my mother was putting aside for 'my tools' when I became an engineer (my parents choice of career) and moved to London. I supported myself playing in jazz bands during 'the traditional jazz boom' (another 'being in the right place at the right time situation.')

Cartooning had come to an end and now jazz playing had taken over. This also came to an end some years later when a jazz club in Liverpool produced a group of strange, longhaired boys called The Beatles and our band and jazz disappeared into oblivion.

I still had illustrating to fall back on and that is what I did for the next ten years or so, mainly children's books. To cut a long story short, I moved to Boston, Mass. in the USA to run an art gallery for a great friend of mine, John Stobart, a renownd marine painter and then back to the UK to start a publishing company. I then started another art gallery, designing sculpture and finally getting back to painting full time.

Strangely, I am chairman of a group of painters called The Hampshire Artists Co-Operative in the same gallery we started in the 70's.

That's My Dad
(click to view)

What mediums and genres have you experimented with?

When illustrating, I would use pen and ink and colour with either watercolour or inks and to cover up the mistakes, gouache. I then moved on to acrylic. When painting, I used the same technics starting with watercolour on a heavy watercolour paper, about 300 gms, then adding acrylics and finally, just acrylics. In the meantime, I played with oils but didn't like the smell or waiting for the paintings to dry.

Acrylics have improved a lot and now I'm using a cross between the two, half oil and half acrylic, but the waiting time is still annoying. I like to get on with the painting and with these daily paintings I like start and finish on the same day. I often paint with a brush in one hand and a hairdryer in the other.

Other mediums I have tried are pastels and watercolour. They work very well together.

Gouache I used for a long time. I liked the chalkiness of pastels and gouache together. I have been trying to get this 'look' with acrylic with some success.

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

Since reading Carol's book on Daily Painting, I have cut down to just watercolour and acrylics and only painting at a smaller size (6 x 6 / 6 x 8 /11 x 7 inches is ideal for me at the moment.) When I read her book, I realised that I had had similar problems with art colleges and galleries as she had, so this daily painting is new to me and a perfect way to paint.

You Looking at Me?
(click to view)

Who or what inspires you most?

Well, as I have just said, Carol Marine, certainly has made a big difference in my life and way of working. No more agonising over too large a painting and which gallery to try and get it in and coping with the length of time they would take to sell. Now I know that if a painting is not working out I can just throw it out of the window and pick up another board and carry on without fussing or missing a beat and worrying as I would with a large canvas.

I am always amazed at the artists out there and how good some of them are. I usually find something about their work that is inspirational. What else inspires me? Things around me, mostly cats, birds, animals in general, humorous situations. I still paint the occasional landscape or harbour scene. I like the sun hitting various surfaces and the colours that you find in shadows. Everything really.

What does procrastination look like to you?

It has never been a problem. After I wake up, I like to get into the studio as soon as I can and get started on what I've been thinking about all night. I probably have too many ideas. I wouldn't mind if they were all good! It's the separating the good from the bad that takes time.

I know that if I wake up one morning and I don't want to paint I'd think it was time to give
up... but I wouldn't.

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

That's an easy one, my dear wife Jill. It wouldn't work without her. When we meet new people and I say what I do, they then ask,“What do you do, Jill?” and the answer to that question is “Everything!” I'm pretty useless at any DIY and Jill is asking me for power tools for birthdays now... should I be worried?

We work as a team... and it seems to work well.

Caring Mum
(click to view)

How do you generally arrive at ideas for your paintings?

I always have a sketch book with me where ever I go. I find that ideas come at the most inconvenient times and if I don't get something down on paper then and there I forget. I gets worse the older I am so it's essential! A must! Sitting in the evenings quietly with the sketch book and a pen poised for action is normal in our house, even when viewing T.V.

If I have say, a harbour in mind, I will scan it like a film; 'fly' around the harbour looking at the different views until I find one I think will work. I have painted a lot of aerial views of this sort.

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

Good question. There are always those days where nothing works. You know it's going to be a bad day and you think you can master it, work through it and come out the other side with a good painting. I think at the first sign of burnout one should leave the studio immediately and do something that is the opposite of painting and outside if possible like a run, a walk (with a camera), and get as far away from the studio as possible.

I found martial arts a good ploy. I did judo then moved on to aikido and now tai chi. It has to
be something physical. If I have a really bad burnout, I take a trip somewhere and don't take my
paints.

Jugged Puss
(click to view)

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

Another good question! I do find painting exciting and a never ending learning experience. I'm always trying to paint in a looser style. My years as an illustrator had made my work very tight so getting rid of that is a learning curve. I have been painting from life more which I was told years ago by my friend John Stobart is the quickest way to learn to paint... and he is right!

Carol says the same in her book. It is strange you get told something that could change your life and you don't get around to doing it, maybe for years. I guess there is too much information out there and it's hard to filter the right information for yourself.

What makes you happiest about your art?

Getting to the studio and closing the door, shutting out the outside world and then it's all up to me in my own world. I have all my 'things' about me to make paintings and with luck I'll know what I'm going to do. Sitting and sipping tea and thinking about what I'm about to paint and then doing it... ah blissful happiness.

Thanks, Toni!

© 2015 Sophie Marine

Thursday, November 19, 2015

DPW Spotlight Interview: Jiyoung Kim

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

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

From Jiyoung's DPW Gallery Page:

Hi, my name is Jiyoung Kim and I was born and raised in South Korea. Now I live and work in a small studio in Burnaby, B.C, Canada. I usually paint one or two paintings everyday unless life gets in the way. At the corner of my studio, there is a small table which I call it 'my painting stage' and there, I set up a still life objects and paint them from life. My current interests are the things around me like cups, fruits, wrapping papers, ribbons, bowls, plates........ and those that I use and see everyday. I find the beauty of ordinary objects and like to paint them. I am inspired by light, shadow, colors, reflections and the mood created by weather and many many more by nature. Sometimes even a single word or quote does wonder for me. (click to read more)

Tell us a bit about how you first started painting.

As a child, I made a wish to Mr. Claus on Christmas Eve. I grew up with my three siblings (four kids including me: three girls and one boy) and only my father worked at the time so my parents always had tight budgets. I kept begging them to buy me a set of paints. We had crayons, but there were four kids all sharing one set and many were worn out or missing. I wanted something that was my own. Their answer was always 'I am sorry, honey. We can't'.  They had to say 'no' because if they bought something special for me, they'd have to buy something special for each of us and you know how the story goes.

One day however, my parents asked all of us what we wanted from Santa. We all had never-ending lists.  They smiled.  On Christmas morning, we each received one gift.  I got color markers instead of the paints and brushes that I had hoped for, but for the most part, that didn't mater. It was the start of my art career with my very own tools.

See-Through
(click to view)

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

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

During high school, I attended an atelier for a year to prepare for an entry test of art universities.  To enter a university in Korea, students were required to finish one drawing and one painting within a given time as well as complete a written examination similar to SATs. (I don't know if they still do it the same way. It was almost 23 years ago.) For a year, I attended the atelier Monday through Friday and sometimes weekends as well. The daily practice greatly improved my work and I was able to obtain an art major. I majored in Metal Art (which is sculpturing and crafting with metal) so during that time, I did very little painting. I still had some drawings or renderings for school projects, but very few. After graduation, I was unable to find a decent paying job in my field, so to pay the bills, I kept the job that had put me though school and the painting stopped.  Years later, I moved to Canada and married my husband and had a son. Once married, my full-time job became home-maker and it wasn't until my son became old enough to go to school that I started to take a few community art classes and start painting again.

However, my true passion for painting emerged when I bought Carol Marine's book 'Daily Painting'. I had an extreme thirst for painting and her book was an oasis for me. It showed me how and where to start. I knew that daily practice truly works from attending the atelier so I jumped right into Daily Painting Movement.  I felt lucky to discover her book at a time in my life where I was ready to pursue my passion. Without her book, I would have strayed longer.

Which ones are you looking forward to exploring?

It's little notional to explain but I will describe it this way:

One of my favourite art quotes is from Charles Reid's book titled ' Watercolor Solutions'. On page 56, he wrote:

'I recommend having a book of John Singer Sargent's watercolors on hand to study each evening before going to sleep. Beyond his amazing skill as an artist, Sargent had lessons to teach us. His message to us: Keep it simple, keep it fresh, don't correct, don't over paint and let the viewer finish the painting. He made us use our imagination.'

The phrase - 'Keep it simple, let the viewer finish the painting' has given me answers about why I like certain paintings more than others.  I would love to explore how to create the scenes in front of me in a simpler form and allow the viewers to use their imaginations and(or) tell a story.

Motionless
(click to view)

Who or what inspires you most?

[Moods influenced by weather such as rain, water puddles, fog and snow creates]. Light and shadow, reflections, colors, shapes. Ordinary objects like mugs, glasses, bottles... and the list goes on and on. I have to say everything - even a single quote does wonders.

I also inspired by other artists' works. There are so many talented artists out there and I am thankful for this internet world which makes it possible to discover them.

What does procrastination look like for you?

Procrastination happens to me when I am physically or mentally exhausted (or sometimes both). I often find that it happens when I am lacking nutritious foods and sleep. So when it happens, I take care of myself by having regularly scheduled and healthy meals, taking warm baths with scented bubbles, having a glass of wine (normally I don't drink but I do when I need extra rest), listening to music and dancing like nobody is watching me (I'm not a good dancer so it's always at home alone - well, sometimes my son watches me but I don't care) and getting enough sleep. Usually It refreshes me for the next day. If this doesn't help me to get things done, I simply wait until I feel like I do.

Standing on the Edge
(click to view)

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

I always leave my easel and brushes ready in my studio even though I am not painting. So when the creative moment strikes, everything is ready. When the moment comes, I don't wash my hair, I don't care about cooking or cleaning and just keep painting until I get exhausted.

How do you generally arrive at ideas for your paintings?

I am told that some people get their best ideas when they walk, some when they take a shower, some when they hang out wet laundry, do dishes or clean house.

All these seem to work for me as well, however, I often get my best ideas when I am sitting on a comfy chair and doing nothing but enjoying trees or clouds moving slowly through my window and hearing children chattering and giggling in distance. It doesn't mean that it works every time (often it makes me fall asleep), but my light bulb often lights up when I am doing generally nothing but just emptying myself.

Also, sometimes I go out 'prop hunting' to a mall. I often come back with nice items to paint.

Green Glass Bottle
(click to view)

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

My brushes go on a strike often. When they started to yell at me ' Hey, we aren't getting enough vacation days or sick days. You're a horrible boss!! if you don't provide great benefits for us, we're gonna sue you! Then I stop,  give them a good rest and stay away from painting until they say they'll work for me again.

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

I am exploring how glass and water cause objects to appear distorted.

Surrounded
(click to view)

What makes you happiest about your art?

The moment when painting becomes meditative and I reach 'the flow stage'. It doesn't come often, but when it does, everything feels peaceful.  It feels as if the stresses of life fall away and I find my true self.  It's therapy for my soul.

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

The fear of 'what a fresh surface - how can I ruin it' syndrome has fallen away. Whenever I buy a good quality sketchbook, canvas or panel, I admire the fresh surface so much that I am afraid to make a mark on it. Now the fear has lessened.  I try not to care about how good they are - they are made for creating art and would be meaningless without any expression on them, so I just get the ball rolling.

Thanks, Jiyoung!

© 2015 Sophie Catalina Marine

Thursday, November 12, 2015

DPW Spotlight Interview: Aniko Makay

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

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

From Aniko's DPW Gallery Page:

I am an artist from Hungary, Europe. For 15 years my main medium was silk, silk painting. It was soft and feminine material, and let me use and invent creative solutions year by year. Nowadays I am dedicated to paint in oil. I changed medium, there was no special reason, I longed for being renewed. And I did. Surprisingly- yes, it was really unexpected - I felt a new chapter began in my life. As I go deeper and deeper, there are so much to explore, so many paintings that I want to paint. I feel energized. (click to read more)

Tell us a bit about how you first started painting.

I really don't know. My first memory is that I was amazed by the yellow of a tram-car, and the BLUE of my knitted dress; I carefully saved a complete set of forty felt-dip pens that I got from America because their colors were so precious to me. I just fell in love with colors when I was five and I'm still in love with them. In those days, I painted coloring books and was usually told how to color a page. Now I as a grown up, not much changed. I feel I still painting coloring books, but on the other hand, everything changed because no one tells me how to paint the colors of a painting. How liberating is that?

Mountain Tops
(click to view)

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

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

Oh, yes. My color-lover soul was resentful and bored when I was taught how to draw (graphite and charcoal). It was to me as if the juice of life was sucked out of me. I gave up art for years. I became an economist by degree, though I haven't spent an hour as an economist because I once accidentally tried silk-painting and I was hooked by the colors. I decided to continue with silk painting as a hobby, then full time, then more than full time, until I burnt myself out completely.

Later I found a new medium (oil) that brought me new happiness and healed me deeply.

Seascape
(click to view)

Who or what inspires you most?

I am curious about the world. I am still amazed by colors and wonderful lights as sunshine goes through an object. I still very sensitively observe the world around me and I like humor.

What does procrastination look like for you?

Procrastination for me is lack of energy. I'm still learning how to say no to things and activities and persons that suck my energy out of me. If I am energetically charged, I am focused and I know my priorities and procrastination is not an issue at all. So procrastination is just a red flag to me, a signal that I have to stop and say no.

A Teacher of Stillness
(click to view)

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

I think that art at its base is or should be as natural for everyone as singing is for birds. Naturally, we are empty vessels and energy and happiness overflows from us and wants to create through us. Our task is to show up. I don't think I need to do any technique to make time, as birds don't do any technique to have time for singing. I usually to think that showing up was all I need and that art makes time for itself in my life. This is my ideal world until an obstacle shows up and my peaceful happy life goes who knows where.

I have observed that it's not only the obstacle that bothers me but the huge amount of time I spend solving and thinking and rethinking and resolving, constantly struggling to find the perfect solution. As my head is full of problems, I can't be an empty vessel. Instead I'm just a muddy blur. A muddy blur is not healthy, not even effective and has zero creation in it, believe me.

Over the years I have studied a few techniques to lessen the struggle time: meditation, yoga, Brandon Bays' Journey Practice, Byron Katie's Four Questions - these are my life and art savers. If I spend less time with struggling I certainly have time for art, it is 100%.

A Poppy Field
(click to view)

How do you generally arrive at ideas for your paintings? How do you keep art "fresh?" What techniques have helped you avoid burnout and keep your work vibrant and engaging?

My first inspiration is color. Is that a surprise? If a small beam of sunlight goes through a clear glass and projects a new color, I become hooked and vibrant. I am constantly looking for that vibrant, enthusiastic feeling, when something lights up in me. If I don't have that feeling, I don't have a chance of painting a good painting. I had to learn this the hard way. So this is my first and foremost 'rule' to keep in mind: trust the feeling. If I don't have that feeling I drop my theme. If I am energetically in good shape and ready, I find these vibrant feelings everywhere I go and I find them often.

I love to travel, in that special 'tourist mode' I find vibrant feeling moments by the dozens. I keep travel journals to record them and unfortunately forget all my themes afterwards. If I have the chance, I love to take photos of them. They are better reminders.

I chase my blogfriends' vibrant feeling paintings also. They nurture my soul; they give me enthusiasm and energy. I really appreciate them.

Wednesday Market
(click to view)

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

Oil painting is quite new to me and there is a lot of experimentation ahead. I would like to paint series like the dog series I painted lately. Series give direction and focus to the mind, so the overflowing energy can flow like a stream. I would like to eliminate all the elements of job-like painting and effort.

What makes you happiest about your art?

So many things makes me happy about my art. The whole process of creation is wonderful; the wonder that a few patches of color become a flower or a house is still amazing. The true magic for me is beyond all of this: when my intention resonates in the viewer, oh, that is the full circle. I love that special moment immensely.

Thanks, Aniko!

© 2015 Sophie Catalina Marine