“Make the kind of work you love and believe in. It is all about showing up at your desk and picking up your pencil, paintbrush or piece of clay. Let the magic happen.
Then, if you want to share your work with the world, or if you want to sell it, you need to make it visible. The internet sure makes this much easier than it was back in the day.
Be ready to listen. Try to find a group of fellow artists you respect for honest criticism. It is great to get feedback that does not come from your closest friends.”
Here are the questions and my answers for the interview:
1. As a child, do you recall a significant moment when you felt truly affected or inspired by any particular artwork or artist?
Answer: I am a “late bloomer”. I took my first art class when I was in my 50’s, a beginner drawing class. My children had all grown up, my bookkeeping business was running well and I decided to go back to school. My husband encouraged me to try something new when I suggested I take another writing or poetry class. We talked and I said that I always liked going to museums. I was always interested in art, but this first class taught me to make good drawings on my own (not just cartoons). I have always been a creative person, but this was my first time with art supplies and art concepts. As a young woman, I expressed my creativity with cooking, sewing, knitting, crocheting, gardening and playing the piano.
When I lived in the NYC area (1960’s), I enjoyed going to the museums and collections in Manhattan. I especially enjoyed the Frick Collection and I remember looking up at the interesting ceilings as well as looking at the paintings.
2. As an artist, what do you hope to convey with your work?
I tend to paint from my photos with occasional plein air work. I hope to convey a sense of place. Since I have retired I enjoy traveling and have done many paintings from Israel as well as the U.S., Canada and Costa Rica. My husband and I enjoy hiking and I love to paint trails and mountains. The trails are a kind of metaphor for the journey that we are all on, the journey of life. As a poet I create images and emotions with words. As an artist, I try to connect with the essence of the image aesthetically and spiritually. I also enjoy painting flowers and animals.
My website has “galleries” including some inspirational ones.
3. What memorable responses have you had to your work?
“If I don’t buy this today, I know I will regret it” – from a customer who purchased the original “Mug Shot” – an amusing close up painting of my daughter’s horse (an example of foreshortening)
A buyer from Texas let me know how much my painting of Franconia Falls reminded her of hiking in the White Mountains of New Hampshire with her children when they were young. (Good memories).
A comment on my poetry collection: “Until the Angels Call”
“Poignant, centered and spiritual poetry by a word-craftswoman. These poems are up close and personal...poetry that reveals and sheds light on hope and life. Highly recommended. I read it on my iPhone kindle while flying to Iceland. The poems were a warm companion.”
4. What is your dream project?
I’m not sure I have one, but I enjoy putting words on many of my images and creating cards. I probably would enjoy illustrating some of my old poems at some time in the future. Meanwhile my art group “Friends of Art Manchester” is looking for more walls to paint. We have done several murals and I enjoyed taking part in that process. I also did my largest painting to date, 4’ X 5’, as a project with this group for Webster House.
I would love to see more urban art in downtown Manchester and hope to participate in it.
I enjoy doing customized pieces and commissions and would like to do more of these.
I would like to have gallery representation at some point.
5. What artists, of any medium, do you admire? (Famous or not!)
I admire the impressionists, but also like the plein air painters of New Hampshire. I follow several artists on Facebook including a group called “Quintessential New England: Paintings by Facebook Artists”. I also love to look at paintings of the west and the national parks. I continue to take art classes and I’m looking forward to my new class starting later this month. I hope to loosen up and learn to paint in a more “painterly” style.
I will be sharing a booth at the “Art in the Park” show in Merrimack, NH on September 26th. I will post the detailed information on my blog and website soon.
"Unless you try to do something beyond what you have already mastered, you will never grow." Ralph Waldo Emerson
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