Thursday, March 17, 2016

DPW Spotlight Interview: R Kwong

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

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

From Rita's DPW Gallery:

Hello, This is Rita from Hong Kong.

Attracted by the tomato cover from Carol's "Daily Painting"; amazed and inspired by Carol's skills, ideas and suggestions; impressed by David's website and here I am. This is a great way to push myself to practice more and improve. Thanks for the setting up the platform and thanks for visiting my gallery. (click to view gallery)

Tell us a bit about how you first started painting.

It's been my dream to learn Chinese painting since I was little but it wasn't until fourteen years ago that I had the opportunity to pick up Chinese painting.  I was lucky to have found a great teacher.  It’s been a slow yet amazing journey.

Roses Are Yellow
(click to view)
Enter to win by clicking on the link at the top of the DPW home page announcing Rita's interview.

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

There are many down moments when I am not able to do simple stroke the way I want to. Those are the moments that I want to quit but I keep going and realize that there are two things: a) there is something called magic brushstroke where you can create a perfect brushstroke that you are not going to redo again. It's like magic. As such, the more you practice, the more magic strokes you are gonna get.  b) there is something called power minute where concentration is the key.  If you don’t have time to practice, just concentrate and do a few minutes of practice, each day.  It's better to concentrate and practice for short periods of time than to practice long periods of time without concentration.

Early Bird
(click to view)

What mediums and genres have you experimented with?

I started portrait and figure drawing in pencil, charcoal, oil and acrylic last year.  I totally love the mediums and subject.  Although Chinese and Western mediums and method are different, I see them sharing common grounds and I only wish to try as many as I can for more inspiration.

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

I am still exploring different mediums and I don't want to get stuck in a particular one yet.  If I had to pick a medium to get stuck with, it would be Chinese painting.

Daisy-like Chrysanthemum
(click to view)

Which ones are you looking forward to exploring?

Soft pastel.  I have not tried any soft pastel but already am in love with it.  I am reading Pastel Painting Atelier, hoping to have the time to explore.

Who or what inspires you most?

My husband inspires me the most.  He has semi formal art training while I don't.  He has sharp eyes and he is very honest about my paintings.  No, he doesn’t teach me but his critique is helping a lot.

Baby Chicks
(click to view)

What does procrastination look like for you?

I do have trouble with that because I have a demanding full time job.  I basically can only paint on weekends. Joining Daily Paintworks is the key to disciplining myself to paint after work. Thanks again for the Daily Paintworks platform. I only wish I can be determined one day to quit my job and do full time painting.

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

I set aside weekends for art appreciation.  It sounds strange to need to break apart art and non-art time, but it works for me.  My full time job is very demanding and I don’t get to see daylight on weekdays working in the office.  I need to catch daylight on weekends to do sightseeing, painting, reading or go to art classes.

Yummy
(click to view)

How do you generally arrive at ideas for your paintings?

From sightseeing.  I pay attention to wild flowers, insects, birds in particular.  I have friends doing bird photography and their photos inspire me a lot.

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

Read books.  Go out into nature.  Do photography.  Go to art galleries.  Best thing: go to auction preview - you get to see real paintings from masters!

Wisteria
(click to view)

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

Never give up.  There is never an end to art.  Keep seeing, searching and painting.

What makes you happiest about your art?

When I look at my own piece, I say to myself, humm, that's not bad. I hope my piece brings you joy too. Thank you Daily Paintworks.

Thanks, Rita!


© 2016 Sophie Marine

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