Interview with Artist Helen Harris

About Helen

Exploring mixed media art has been my quest in recent years. I am a graduate of the Philadelphia College of Art ( University of the Arts). A BFA in Graphic Design introduced me to a career in the commercial arts.Freelance and teaching assignments ranging from coloring books to spot illustrations later evolved to include employment in signage and display.

I was born in upstate New York. My childhood exploration of fields,lakes and mountains inspired my early interest in art. While raising three daughters, my interest in painting was never forgotten. Today I exhibits my mixed media paintings at outdoor shows and galleries in the northeast.

Click here to reach Helen’s Website

ARTIST STATEMENT

Fragmented by rock forms,forests and turbulent waters, these multi-layered landscapes,seascapes of mixed media define my work.

Using only calligraphic brush strokes to define detail, the mix of color is splashed through an assortment of watercolor and rice papers,papyrus and fibers.

THE INTERVIEW

Q: What medium or mediums do you work with?

A: I work in watercolor,gouache and acrylic with a mixed media of textures. The textures are usually torn papers of rice banana,bark and papyrus and painted watercolor papers.

Q: How long have you been an artist? How did you get started?

A: I have been painting professionally since 1974.  A BFA in Graphic Design introduced me to a career in the commercial arts.Freelance and teaching assignments ranging from coloring books to spot illustrations later evolved to include employment in signage and display.

Q: Do you have any formal training or are you self taught?

A: I am a graduate of the Philadelphia College of Art ( University of the Arts). The public library and North Light Book Club sustained later years of study.

Q: Do you have any favorite art supplies that you would like to recommend?

A: I use Kilimanjaro 300lb. watercolor paper (available from Cheap Joe’s). I recommend it for anyone using collage techniques. It is very supportive for collaging techniques as well as providing a superb surface for watercolor,gouache and acrylics and requires no stretching.

Q: Do you work with any specific styles or subject matter?

A: My subject matters are generally landscapes & seascapes with textural elements enhancing the surface.

Q: Can you recommend any books videos or other resources that will help new artists?

A: I highly recommend the creativity books by Julia Cameron, especially “The Artist’s Way”.  I have found the work of marketing coach Alyson Stanfield helpful in heading an artist in the right direction professionally. Read her book “I’d Rather be in the Studio”

Q: How do you get ideas to create a piece? What inspires you?

A: Walks, bike rides ,car rides..anywhere I see the lay of the land. Early in my studies I made a habit of forming a composition of a scene as I passed by .Blinking as if my eye were a camera and capturing that particular moment, the light,a scene, an object, as I passed. Those images, cataloged in my minds eye are then what I draw upon for my later paintings.

Q: Are there any artists that have influenced you and why?

A: Gerald Brommer..collage techniques.

Nita Engle..sparkle & light and freedom in watercolor.

Pat Dews…design,collage

Stephen Quiller..acrylic

Don Getz..watercolor/acrylic

Each of these artist have given me an “ah-ha!” moment that advanced my work.

Q: Do you have a website you would like to share?

A: This link will bring you to  Alyson Stanfield’s marketing site with a free newsletter and information to purchase her book that I recommend to anyone trying to make a living as an artist.

Q: Finally do you have any last words of advice for beginner artists?

A: If you treat every painting or line as precious then you show that you are fearful that you will never create again. Paint,draw ..with abandon,everyday!Have at it..it’s only a piece of paper,not brain surgery!

Interview with Artist Leslie Tribolet

About Leslie

Leslie Tribolet lives on Kauai with her husband and her animals. She studied at Santa Barbara Art Institute back in the 70’s, but with pencil as her medium of choice. During her battle with both cervical and breast cancer, she decided to try to learn how to paint for something to do. She dabbled in watercolors and loved them, but seemed that everyone on Kauai was painting with watercolors, and that she found to be boring…..

She was introduced to the Genesis Heat Set Paints in 2007, and loved it because of the ease of finishing her work quickly, without having to wait for the paint to dry and it was “different”. These paints are dried with heat, (heat gun or an oven) which speeds up the process and it is great, especially with living in the humid air of Hawaii. She has always been drawn to ethnic faces, so she decided to try her hand at painting them with these paints, and it worked. She hopes that you enjoy looking at them as much as she enjoys painting them.

Visit Leslie’s Website Today…

Q: What medium or mediums do you work with?

A: I really only used the new Genesis Paints when I paint now. I will dabble with the watercolors when I get bored with same’ol, same’ol. But really like having the ability to paint really fast and Genesis Heat Set Paints allow me to do that.

Q: How long have you been an artist? How did you get started?

A: I have been involved with art in some form since I was a kid. I attended the Santa Barbara Art Institute when I was 19 for a year and loved it. I drew with pencil in figure and head drawing classes mostly, but did take a couple of sculpture classes where I really had a blast. Someday I hope to get back into sculpting.

Q: Do you have any formal training or are you self taught?

A: The only formal training I have had other than the drawing classes at the Institute, is a couple of classes from some local artists here on Kauai. I really am pretty much self taught, learning through trial and error….

Q: Do you have any favorite art supplies that you would like to recommend?

A: I would recommend to anyone wanting to learn how to paint, to invest in about 6 basic colors of the Genesis Paints. From that you will be able to pretty much make up any color… I would be happy to assist with the information to anyone who wants to know how to start with the Genesis Paints.

Q: Do you work with any specific styles or subject matter?

A: I seem to be drawn (no pun intended) to painting people… maybe it was all those drawing classes of people at the Institute. I just find them to be challenging and fun. I will get bored now and then though, and switch over to plants or whatever I want to explore… no good with animals. Too much hair for me and I admire those who can do it! My style is realism. I like to make my paintings look as close as I can to a picture. A lot of people don’t appreciate that technique, but I do. When I go into a gallery, I immediately go over to the realism paintings.

Q: Can you recommend any books videos or other resources that will help new artists?

A: I would recommend to anyone wanting to start to paint, to go to artrenewal.org and explore around the gallery. Wonderful paintings from new to very, very old. I learn a lot just by looking at the way someone painted….

Q: How do you get ideas to create a piece? What inspires you?

A: I am inspired by great faces. That is why I like to paint ethnic faces. There is so much more character to an ethnic face. I am not interested in painting some beautiful model with blue eyes and blonde hair…. boring.

Q: Are there any artists that have influenced you and why?

A: I have always been in-love with Norman Rockwell!

Q: Do you have a website you would like to share?

A: My website is : http://www.leslietribolet.com

Q: Finally do you have any last words of advice for beginner artists?

A: Advice is to jump in and start painting. I get discouraged when my paintings are in the beginning stages, so I keep in front of me a piece of paper that has this little boy that I painted with photos from the start to finish. The beginning of his painting was awful and I almost gave up. I didn’t, and he turned out to be one of my best paintings in my opinion. I look at that to remind me to KEEP GOING!

Interview With Artist Nicole Roy

About Nicole

I live in Ontario, Canada where the scenic views are just spectacular.  Art is a very important factor in my life. I have a small studio/shop in my home where I love to spend most of my time right up to the early hours of the morning.  I anticipate starting new projects and challenges… I thrive on deadlines & working under pressure sometimes…it’s a rush and I love it! I am always welcoming commissions from clients.

Q: What medium or mediums do you work with?

A: I work with a variety of mediums, with charcoal being my #1 for people/pet portraits.  I do my landscapes with acrylic paints.  I’ve recently started to dabble with soft pastels, which I find very enjoyable and relaxing.

Q: How long have you been an artist? How did you get started?

A: I have been drawing since childhood, but didn’t make a fuss over it…when you are young, you think it’s not a big deal and anyone can do this.   I did my first pencil portrait at age 12, it was of Elton John, done from an 8 track tape cover… My parents were amazed by it and both encouraged me to do more, but I didn’t except for horse drawings, since they were my love at that age.  Then in my late 20’s I got back into it slowly, and in my mid 30’s, decided to become a full time artist.

Q: Do you have any formal training or are you self taught?

A: I am self taught, but I have learned helpful tips & ideas from art books…  Most is from learning by experimenting & trying different techniques to see what worked for me…  Everyday is a learning process and a lot of my smaller works are unplanned & spontaneous.

Q: Do you have any favorite art supplies that you would like to recommend?

A: I do… For my portraits I absolutely love  “General’s Charcoal” pencils…the 4B Soft and 2B Medium are my favorites.  I love all paper as they have their use from different mediums & technique use…many types of paper as weight, tooth and colors make for interesting drawing sessions and all must be acid free.  For my paintings…any acrylic paints or brushes are fine, but my surfaces are unique! I paint landscapes on leaves, rocks, seashells, along with canvas…There are not many items that I won’t paint on.

Q: Do you work with any specific styles or subject matter?

A: I guess you could say my style is realism…for the portrait area of my work…  My subject matter ranges from people, pets, some wildlife and landscapes that often include sunsets.

Q: Can you recommend any books videos or other resources that will help new artists?

A: There are so many great art books, but a few that might help new artists are: “The Drawing Bible” by Craig Nelson…there’s a bit of everything in there…  Anything by Jerry Yarnell, whether it be his books or videos…  Bob Ross videos are also relaxing, inspiring and very enjoyable…You have to love that voice of  his…memorable!

Q: How do you get ideas to create a piece? What inspires you?

A: Inspiration is brought on by many things.  Rain is not only an inspiration for me but I find it very  cleansing & motivating…it seems to get my creative juices flowing…  My mood also triggers and reflects ideas and inspires my creativity.

Q: Are there any artists that have influenced you and why?

A: I am particularly taken by Robert Bateman’s work… I have the utmost admiration for his art as well as Mr. Bateman himself as an artist.  I hold dearly and will forever treasure a personal letter & postcard he wrote to me a few years ago… I read it often for inspiration.

Q: Do you have a website you would like to share?

A: My website is : http://artbynicole.4t.com

Q: Finally do you have any last words of advice for beginner artists?

A: I would advise beginner artists not to be hesitant to dive right in and practice, practice, and do lots of it…through trial and error is how you will develop your own style & techniques.  Even if it’s just 10 minutes a day, a simple sketch, doodle…it’s so important to draw everyday & practice!!!!

Interview With Artist Julie Blight

Artist Statement

Today we are bombarded with so much ugliness in the world; through my art I try to portray the calming beauty I feel from nature. My passion is painting Realistic Animal Portraits, especially Dogs, Cattle and our vibrant Northern Territory Landscapes, Flora and Fauna.

My favourite medium is Matisse Acrylic Paint and also work in Inks, Wax, Rice Paper and Graphite Pencil.  I attained my Visual Arts Diploma many years ago and have continued my art education with the school of life, through trial and error.  After years of exhibiting, travel teaching nationally and internationally I now enjoy the layback life style of the Territory. I paint under the Nom de Plume “Siani Walsh”.

The photo submitted is of my young Rottweiler Sharny and is called “Who Me”.  To her the world is her play ground she is either going into mischief or coming out of it and has the most expressive face of any dog I have been guardian to. She is an absolute joy to share my life with.

Q: What medium or mediums do you work with?

A: Acrylic Paint, Inks, Wax Rice Paper and Graphite Pencil are the Mediums I mainly work with, and will paint on any surface that stays still long enough.

Q: How long have you been an artist? How did you get started?

A: Art become important to me as a child, living and growing up in the country meant you had to find ways to occupy your free time. Sketching and Water Colour painting of animals and the landscape become my passion.

Q: Do you have any formal training or are you self taught?

A: My formal training consists of a Visual Arts Diploma, study with Russian Master Artist Slava Letkov and American Artist Sherry Nelson.  I attained my teachers Accreditation and have been a published Artist by Express Publication since 1997. My art education continues with the school of life, through trial and error. After many years of travel teaching Nationally and Internationally I am enjoying the lay back life style of the Northern Territory and only teach two Acrylic Painting courses a year in my home town of Katherine.

Q: Do you have any favorite art supplies that you would like to recommend?

A: Matisse Derivan products are my favourite art supplies. Matisse is an Australian owned company since 1964 and has been committed to providing the arts community with the worlds finest Professional quality Acrylic colours and Mediums. Their vibrant, exciting colours are formulated on our Australian Flora, Fauna, Sea and Landscape colours.

Q: Do you work with any specific styles or subject matter?

A: Most of my subject matter is Australian Flora, Fauna and Landscapes; my passion is painting Realistic Animal Portraits of Dogs and Cattle. I feel painting is a gift to be shared, the bonus for me is when someone else finds a connection with my work and appreciates it too.

Q: Can you recommend any books, videos or other resources that will help new artists?

A: There are many great books and DVD’s available for the beginner artist. It is just a matter of finding what will suit you as an individual.

Q: How do you get ideas to create a piece What inspires you?

A: My greatest inspiration to create a painting arises from the peaceful beauty I find around me in Nature. We are confronted from so much ugliness from the World on a daily basis; I feel I have to balance that in my life by portraying the quiet beauty I find in Nature.

Q: Are there any artists that have influenced you and why?

A: There are many beautiful and varied artists around today, to look at their work and read their Artist Statements can be very uplifting. I wouldn’t say they have influenced the style of my work but I love to read how another artists mind works in regard to their art.

Q: Do you have a website you would like to share?

A: I have a website www.julieblight.gempton.com which I really must have updated and a www.PictureTrail.com/siani which is up to date.

Q: Finally do you have any last words of advice for beginner artists?

A: My advice for beginners is to practice, practice, practice and enjoy to the maximum what you are doing.

Interview With Artist Cindy Davis

Biography

Cindy Davis’ paintings have been exhibited and sold in Georgia, Florida, California, Colorado, Maryland and Tennessee. She frequently exhibits in Albany, Georgia as well as participating in art events in through the Deep South.   Mrs. Davis is a member of the International Society of Acrylic Painters, the Southern Artists’ League, and the Georgia Artist’s Guild of Albany. She is best known for her large format, abstract acrylic paintings. She owns and manages an internet-based art business, Flint River Gallery, LLC, currently representing 9 southern artists.

THE INTERVIEW

Q: What medium or mediums do you work with?

A: Acrylic and Oil

Q: How long have you been an artist? How did you get started?

A: I have been painting like a crazy person for about 6 years now. Before that, I painted occasionally on and off for years. I got started painting 2 inch daisies on notebook paper.

Q: Do you have any formal training or are you self taught?

A: I am self taught, and I rather like it that way. Although I am always reading, learning, and experimenting with ideas gleaned from books, the web, and artist’s that I meet.
I hold a BS in economics from the University of Tennessee.

Q: Do you have any favorite art supplies that you would like to recommend?

A: I love, love, love Golden Acrylics. My favorite brush is which ever brush happens to be in my hand. It’s not the brush, but the artist, that makes it exceptional.

Q: Do you work with any specific styles or subject matter?

A: I lean toward organic subject matter. By that I mean natural objects and the random lines and compositions found in the woods and fields.

Q: Can you recommend any books, videos or other resources that will help new artists?

A: Too many to list. I would recommend finding a good used book store if you really want to learn something about art, otherwise you might not have enough left over for supplies. Many of my favorite art books are vintage books; no longer in print.

Q: How do you get ideas to create a piece What inspires you?

A: I am most frequently inspired by small things I see in my everyday life. Everyday, I see something I want to paint. There is the really weird looking shiny, cracked area of a concrete floor where I work. This area is about 5 inches in diameter. The texture and color is intriguing for me. I want to get back there and sketch it so that I can blow it up on a large canvas. You really should see it, there is a lot going on in that small spot.

Q: Do you have a website you would like to share?

A: I have a small clump of websites.

For my own art, www.CindyDavisArt.com

For my gallery of southern painters,www.FlintRiverGallery.com

For South Georgia ART, www.SouthGaART.com.

I have built and currently manage all three of these websites.

Q: Finally do you have any last words of advice for beginner artists?

A: Listen to advice of others, then when they are finished go and do what you wanted to do in the first place.  I think you learn more if you make your own mistakes.

This advice actually comes from my mother-in-law, Jackie Davis. She is one tough, smart, independent lady all of 5foot nothing. Growing up on a farm in Oklahoma obviously taught her a thing or two about independence…….and kindness.

Anyway, it is good advice for fixin’ trucks or fixin’ paintings.