Today my extraordinaire art assistant is going to do an interview with (c)artbytsh about my “art career”. Here we go!
Do you have a studio philosphy? - Yes, to be present, in the moment, let go and have fun. I don’t think about anything while I paint. It’s a deeply theraputic, meditative time for me. I really try to create something every single day of my life. Whether it be on canvas, paper or a small art journal I am busy at making some sort of art- work. I may spend time writing and keeping my color journal. Recently, I played with paper clay and my peeps. Or I hang a canvas and let everyone make their mark on it and then I take over. I saw in my Nursing Career how Art heals clients.
Can you describe your art in three words? Oh, that one can be difficult. Each creation may have some of all of these or none! I would say; expressive, bright and fun.
Any thing you would tell to another young artist just starting out? Yes, don’t take yourself so seriously. Your career will develop over time with lots of hours painting that will include successes and many failures. Don’t let a failure end you! Keep Painting. Same goes for life. Challenges will get better.
What is the first thing you do before you start painting? Oh that’s easy, coffee first, a small biscotti, I sit in my chair and stare at my blank art wall. Then I lay my hands on my substrate and whisper a meditation . My work may begin with a sketch, or photo I have taken or an idea that I got in the middle of the night. Then, I choose my color palette and go for it. I may paint for two to fours hours straight. Once before a show I painted for 3 months straight every single day (8 hrs a day) to get ready. Which can be very tiring. The show ws very successful with sales. But I felt like crying when it was over. Art shows can be draining.
If you could paint or create anywhere in the world, where would it be? Probably the french countryside or Tuscany or Greece. However, Venice, Croatia, Hawaii and Costa Rica are very inspiring. I loved painting there.
Do you need quiet or noise when painting? Both. Sometimes I need motivating music (relaxing, zen like) or I need good old rock and roll. Other times I paint quietly. Really, It depends on my energy level and mood. When I teach a worshop I cringe if someone says “ can you turn off the music.?” When the rest of the class wants music. Because it is rarely loud just background music. I try to choose something quiet and inspiring in class. It gives them energy they just don’t know it. It is also a great distractor if you are a tight painter. I carry ear plugs now for them!
Where do you keep your midnight art ideas? On scraps of paper, a napkin or anything really I can find by my bedside table. I keep note paper around me while watching the news as well.
What do you wish your clients to know when they buy your art? Ahh… that they chose this piece because it inspired them in some way and I hope they bought it with their heart and eyes and that they really enjoy it. Because I really enjoyed making it.
What influences you as an artist? All the great Artist’s of the past. Additionaly, I love to visit art galleries when I travel ( The Met, Frick, MOMA, Louve, Rodan, Giverny, Monet Garden, Nelson Atkins etc…). I will spend hours looking at Monet, Sargent, Joan Mitchell, Matisse. I mean I really look from the side , from the bottom and staring full straight on. I am checking for layers and brush strokes. I love to travel and visit other cultures and check out the local art scene. A great palette inspires me as well as a great design and variable brush strokes.
What do you consider a great motivator for your art career? Always trying to improve my skills, the never ending drive and pursuit of painting and creativity as long as I can hold a brush and I am able to see. I recently had an eye challenge during lock down.
Did you come from Creativity? I came from a middle class family of very hard, dedicated workers. Yes, my father worked with metal sculptures and could build anything with his hands out of nothing. Including 4 custom homes. My mother should have been an interior decorator. All our homes were lovely decorated. I saw her make art out of weed thistles once as a child. It was beautiful. Once she poured resin grape clusters. They were fabulous. My late grandmother was a custom seamstress. My neighbor was an artist and she let me in her studio often as a child. They all encouraged creativity.
What makes you nervous? The nightly news! The 15 minutes prior to an art- show starting, the 5 minutes before I speak to my workshop attendees. They are always a little anxious.
What are you reading now? I am re-visiting Joan Didion “ The Year of Magical Thinking.” I have also started Donna Everhart “The Saints of Swallow Hill.” I love to read and always take 4 books with me when I travel. I like Rumi!
What are you currently working on now? I am writing a book, so I am deep in the creativity and editing stage right now. It’s really all written I just need to fine tune it. I buried it and put it off for years dealing with grief. However, now I am ready to dig deep into it. You know and make it happen. Additionally, I am working on an idea for my next art series. I am also working on some Christmas projects.
What is your favorite quote? Ahh I don’t have just one; - “Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life.” (Picasso ) and “Its not the load you carry that breaks you down, it is the way you carry it.” ( L. Horne ) “Start where you are and use what you have and do what you can.” (Arthur Ashe) - Finally “There are no rules . That is how art is born, how break throughs happen. Go against the rules or ignore the rules. That is what invention is about. (Helen Frankenhaler).
What do you think of social media? It is a necessary evil at times. A real time sucker. Important for Artist’s. However, some collectors will never see your Art in person only on the internet or your web site.
What are you known for? Creating bright art. I’ve been know to break art rules all the time. Smiling.
Why do you paint? It is a deep innate drive to paint and create. I paint because I can. I paint because I love it. Its the thrill and hard work of it all.
Thank you,
(c)artbytsh