Throughout May we are celebrating our artists moms & their creative offspring.
Vi Horton & Gary Horton
Originally published May 31st on the SCA Zine
Vi Horton,
painter
I paint
mostly with acrylics, although my early work was done in oils. Recently I have
been trying watercolors.
Although I have enjoyed
drawing and painting from childhood, my college degree is in secondary
education. My art training was obtained by attending various short courses and,
also by experimenting. My most recent study has been several years with Michel
McNinch of Corley Mill Artists.
As far back as I can
remember I have been drawing and painting. As a child I used children’s
watercolor sets. I paint because I must. I feel a need to interpret the beauty
I see each day. By painting, I get to focus on the components that together
form that beauty.
What is your most
important artist tool? My
brushes.
Is there something you
can't live without in your studio? I would have trouble doing without my eraser. My first drawings
are not always the ones I keep.
Is there an element of
art you enjoy working with most? I enjoy the easy flow of the paint as I fill the empty spaces on
my canvas with the picture I have in my mind.
What role do you believe
artists have in society? I
believe the artist provides moments for the viewer to escape the mundane things
of life and focus on the sensual – maybe to reminisce – maybe to dream.
How has your practice
changed over time? I have changed from
thinking that I have to follow certain rules of painting to experimentation and
substitution.
What form of art do you
most identify with? I identify with the
natural world of water, sky, mountains, people, and pets.
What work do you most
enjoying creating? I enjoy creating
sunsets, clouds, water, children, and pets. The everchanging movements of the
sky and oceans affect me emotionally. The changing colors and formations are
endless and beautiful. The trusting innocence of a child or pet is what I
strive to capture as I paint them.
What themes do you
pursue? I think my theme would
be “God’s beautiful world.” I see that beauty everywhere and my paintings are
my attempt to point out that beauty to others.
What's your scariest
experience as an artist? I
am the most scared when I think a commissioned painting might not please the
patron.
Describe a real-life
situation that inspired you? When someone liked a painting and then pointed out what they
liked about it, it inspired me to do more painting. I am also inspired after
talking with other artists and looking at their work.
What jobs have you done
other than being an artist? Other
jobs I have had are telephone operator, high school English teacher,
receptionist. Secretary, and Librarian (Technical Services USC).
What is an artistic
outlook on life? An artistic outlook on
life is to interpret what one sees. Often when I look around, I think about
what mixture of colors would make up the color of the grass or barn, etc. So,
an artistic outlook allows me to not only see the grass but also the colors
that make up the grass.
What memorable responses
have you had to your work? Responses
to my work that are memorable are, of course, the good ones. The first time
someone looked at my work and called me an artist was very special.
What do you dislike
about the art world? The thing I dislike the
most about the art world is the marketing aspect. I love to paint but it is not
possible to house an indefinite supply of what I paint. Also, selling my work
says to me that they have value. I do not enjoy the process of getting my
paintings before the public.
What do you like about
your work? I like that I can be
creative in what I paint and how I do it. I usually strive for the realistic
but if I want to paint a purple cow, I have that choice.
Should art be funded? It would be nice for art to be funded. I think
art is just as important as many other things. If, however, the funding has too
many restrictions or qualifications I might think differently.
What research do you do? For research I read books and articles, check
the internet and converse with other artists.
What superpower would
you have and why? If I had a superpower,
I would use it to give myself the ability to let loose and let it fly. I tend
to be too uptight in trying to get everything like I want it. I think this is a
handicap.
What is your dream
project? My dream project would
be to create that masterpiece. The problem is that I have no idea what that
would be.
Favorite or most
inspirational location? My
most inspirational location would be where there is water or mountains.
My best advice: You are
unique. Build your own strengths. Don’t compare yourself unfavorably with other
artists.
Professionally my goal
is to master watercolor and improve my overall skills in other areas.
Gary C. Horton, novelist
I grew up
in South Carolina among a family of storytellers and artists. When I was a
child in the 1960s, people sat on front porches in the evening and visited
their neighbors. They passed the time telling stories.
In my
little corner of the world, people were kinder to one another than they are
now. I mention the kindness of that era because I try to recreate it in the novels
I write. I majored in English at Clemson and studied under creative writing
professor Mark Steadman. He was an excellent teacher and read my first attempt
at a novel, six-hundred pages of nonsense.
I don't
see how he got through it.
How did
you start making art, or why do you make art? I'm not
sure, but looking back, I think I began writing because I wanted to leave
behind some evidence I had lived. However, as I matured, my writing became less
about me and more about creating an experience for the reader.
On the
level of entertainment, some of my novels are simply an escape for the reader.
I've started a series I hope to publish by the end of 2020 that does just that.
On a
deeper level, my novels, Some Glad Morning and Wisteria,
are my attempt at art. They explore what it means to love.
By art, I
mean an effort at creating beauty, that thing that inspires awe, quiets the
mind and touches the soul.
What is
your most important artist tool? My imagination, if you can call
it a tool. As far as a physical tool, my storyboard is essential. I plan a
story on index carts pinned to the interior wall of my studio and work the plot
out both horizontally and vertically.
Is there
something you can't live without in your studio? Silence.
If I can't have silence while I work, I'll take classical music, preferably
Baroque. If I can't have either one, I can't write.
Is there
an element of art you enjoy working with most? That
place beyond time. Some people call it the zone, or the flow. It's when I
disappear as I'm writing, and time passes unnoticed. It's a beautiful place to
be, and I suspect it produces dopamine in my brain because I'm grumpy if I go
too long without the experience.
What role
do you believe artists have in society? We are the world's imagination.
We keep the channel open between the physical and spiritual.
How has
your practice changed over time? As I've grown older, my writing
has become lighter and more complex. It took decades to develop the skills I
need to express my visions. Now, at 63, things are coming together.
What form
of art do you most identify with? Literature. Second to that would
be film.
What work
do you most enjoying creating? I most enjoy writing about the
Old South as I remember it. It was a different culture, not all good, to be
sure, but personal reputation, dignity, and kindness mattered. Neighbors looked
after one another. It was a slower and quieter time, before getting and
spending drove us all mad.
What
themes do you pursue? I like to explore what makes us human, specifically, betrayal,
self-destruction, and what it means to love.
What's
your scariest experience as an artist? Realizing no one cares, and I've
done it all wrong.
Describe a
real-life situation that inspired you? In 1997, while I was attending
the Santa Barbara Writers Conference, I stumbled into Ray Bradbury at a small
nearby restaurant. He was having breakfast with a few writers who were
attending the conference.
One of the
writers at his table knew me from a workshop and called me over. Mr. Bradbury
pulled out a chair and invited me to sit beside him. That morning, and every
morning for the rest of the week, I joined Ray Bradbury for breakfast.
I remember
at one point we talked about editors and agents rejecting our work. He told me
he saved every rejection letter and had over 2,200!
He helped
me understand that even the best writers get their work rejected. However, it
was his sincerity and humbleness that most inspired me.
Over the
years, because of Bradbury's influence, I've come to realize that writing from
ego cheapens the work, as it does most everything. It gets in the way.
I've
learned it takes a humble spirit to hear the soft still voice within.
What jobs
have you done other than being an artist? I've been a dishwasher,
cook, construction laborer, soldier, intelligence officer, salesperson, city
planner, handyman, security guard, personal aid, web designer, copywriter and
digital marketer, to name a few.
What is an
artistic outlook on life? An artistic outlook is a vulnerable awareness
attuned to the mystery of our existence.
What
memorable responses have you had to your work? In an
Amazon review of Some Glad Morning, a reader wrote: "This
is the kind of book that lingers in your soul."
Another
review stated: "…Some of the best writing and storytelling I've read in
a long, long time."
What do
you like about your work? That it consumes me. Should art be funded? Yes.
What
research do you do? I do a lot
of historical research as I'm outlining a novel. Many of the ideas for scenes
and characters come to me then. When possible, I like to peg a story to a
historical moment and make that world real for the reader.
What
superpower would you have and why?
Immortality. I'm a slow writer, as a mortal, I'll never live long enough
to write all the novels I have planned.
What is
your dream project? I'd like to write a series
in the tone and style of Some Glad Morning.
Name three
artists you'd like to be compared to. Ron Rash, John Steinbeck, and
Ernest Hemingway.
Favorite
or most inspirational location? Anywhere in the Southern
Appalachians.
The best
piece of advice I have personally received was from a dear friend in the Summer
of 1986.
At the
time, I was a 29-year-old intelligence officer who had just completed a
two-year assignment with the 1st Ranger Battalion.
It was an
exciting and high-energy period in my life. I loved Special Operations, but my
heart was calling me to write novels. My friend told me until I learn to quiet
my life and sit still, I would never hear the stories inside me.
She was
right. A few months later, I separated from the Army to pursue my dream.
Professionally,
what's your goal?
To create
stories that enrich the life of my reader.
_________________________________________
Throughout May we are celebrating our artists moms & their creative offspring.
Here we read about artist Gretchen Parker & Rachel Parker
Originally published May 24th on the SCA Zine
Originally published May 24th on the SCA Zine
Gretchen Parker
I am a wife, mother of 2 and a
grandmother to 3. I am an artist and a maker. Being crafty is just
part of the profession I pursued and loved for 30+ years.
What’s your background?
I am a retired neurodevelopmental/hippo/pediatric occupational therapist. It
was a dream of mine from the time I was 10 years old. My life plan was to
pursue becoming an artist when I retired. 50 years ago, making a living as an
artist was not a good career plan. I wish it had been. I think with the tools
of today I could have made a living at it.
How did you start making
art or why do you make art? Like many artists, I have loved drawing all my
life. My mother was very encouraging. I lived for both art and music class
throughout my elementary school years. Unfortunately, during those years, I was
unable to excel in academically thanks to my desperate need for glasses
(which I finally got at age 14) and being too young for my class placement.
What is your most important
artist tool? The computer and the drive to never give up.
Is there something you
can’t live without in your studio? My colored pencils.
Is there an element of
art you enjoy working with most? My favorite subjects are people engaged in
everyday life. I just love studying human nature.
What role do you believe
artists have in society? We make comments as well as observations on our
everyday life. I hope it makes people think about the subjects we depict in our
work.
How has your practice
change over time? Initially, all I wanted to do was to draw children, depicting
their strengths and wisdom. Now I am studying human nature and
in particular people in groups or reactions to each
other.
What form of art do you
most identify with? Realism. I was juried into the International Guild of
Realism as a member this year. It is a great honor and a goal I never
thought I would reach!
What work do you most
enjoying creating? Studies of people as they interact and children's
portraits.
What themes do you
pursue? Statements about various aspects of life.
What’s your scariest
experience as an artist? Teaching my first class on a cruise with my art mentor
Ann Kullburg. She's the colored pencil artist's artist! I was terrified. I had
never taught an art class in my life. Hers was the first CP workshop I had ever
taken. At the time she had been impressed with my work. She didn't tell me
until years later, however. Several years after taking that class she
invited me to teach with her on one of her art cruises. She assumed I had been
teaching, I had not and was totally gob-smacked that she would ask me. She told
me when I asked her why she had asked me on the cruise, that after that first
class I had taken with her she went home and told her family she had met the
most amazing CP artist who was really going to go places!
Describe a real-life
situation that inspired you? Every one of the Saturday Evening Posts that
carried Norman Rockwell's work. I studied every one of them when they arrived
in the main. Later in life when we lived in Connecticut, I was able to visit
both of his museums. It was a thrill of a lifetime for me. I have studied
Rockwell extensively, his techniques, human studies and approaches to layouts.
What jobs have you done
other than being an artist? Office assistant to a developmental
optometrist, silk screener, switchboard operator, cafeteria plate scraper. As
an OT student, I worked with mentally ill children at the Pediatric
Neuropsychiatric Institute at U of MI, Children's CP clinic in Indianapolis
and at the Area Amputee Clinic at Mary Freebed in Grand Rapids MI. OT in a
rehab hospital in Des Moine Iowa with people who had had spinal cord injuries,
strokes and head traumas. I worked for Easter Seals in Connecticut, and
Lexington School District One Special needs classes. My favorite job was in a
private peds clinic in California as well as a therapeutic horseback riding
program for a nonprofit in CA. Lastly Palmetto Health Out
Patient Peds Rehab and finally working privately with the under 3-year-old
population.
What is an artistic
outlook on life? So little time so much to create!
What memorable responses
have you had to your work? When I left my CA job I drew portraits of all
my little patients and gave them to their parents. (almost 100 portraits) Many
of the parents cried when I delivered them. I always feel like a portrait is a
success when the owner cries!
What do you dislike
about the art world? Judges who disparage heartfelt realism who are so jaded by
all the art they have seen they can no longer relate to what many realist
artists try to express in their work.
What do you like about
your work? I love it when someone says I can't believe that's pencil!
Should art be funded? I
love seeing art around town and in communities. I think communities absolutely
benefit and should fund public art. If any sort of art is going to be funded by
tax payers only, the tax payers should have a say in the art produced. The lack
of art in the public schools is a shame and should be funded. Many times, it is
a child’s first opportunity to explore and discover their own skills.
What research to you do?
I experiment with the amazing capabilities of the simple pencil on many
different surfaces (Paper, wood, film, glass, gourds)
What superpower would
you have and why? Mind reading, so I could express in a portrait what the
subject (human or animal) is really thinking or feeling.
What is your dream
project? A series of pieces depicting hands at work.
Name three artists you’d
like to be compared to. Norman Rockwell. (I often am and find it very
flattering), Mary Cassatt, Sharon Siew Suan Kow
Favorite or most
inspirational location? Around any group of people
What’s the best piece of
advice you’ve been given? Don't stop at the ugly stage!
Professionally, what’s
your goal? Not to have all my work sold on eBay, esty or a garage sale after I
am dead!
Rachel
Parker
I paint
watercolor. Lately, I’ve been focusing on developing online watercolor
lessons. I didn’t go to art school, but I was raised going to my mom’s art
lessons. I taught myself mostly through reading a lot of books.
How did you start making
art or why do you make art? I tell people
that I began my art career as a used car salesman. While in grad school for
social work, I was trying to find a way to make extra money without getting a 'real'
job. So I started calling people in the newspaper selling cars or jewelry and
offered to list their items on eBay for a fee. I sold a few cars and Rolexes,
but it was a lot of work for very little money and even less fun. One night, I
decided to put a little painting on eBay for $1 and see what happened. It got
bid up to something like $30 and I was hooked; I didn't sleep at all that
night. I was so excited. That was in 2000, and I still love sharing my online
art studio with the world.
What is your most
important artist tool? My determination.
Is there something you
can’t live without in your studio? Well, it’s outside my studio. It’s my
garden - if I didn’t have a place to go rejuvenate, I think my art would get
stale.
Is there an element of
art you enjoy working with most? I enjoy the people I meet and experiences that
I have mostly outside my studio that I would have never encountered were it not
for my art.
What role do you believe
artists have in society? There are so many different artists with so many
different purposes - some educate, some entertain, some comfort, and some
inspire.
How has your practice
change over time? Just lately I’ve changed my focus from commissions to making
tutorials online. I’m trying to create a more sustainable career that I
can rely on financially. I had a child four years ago, and it really changed my
perspective to a more realistic and responsible one. But I really love
teaching, so it’s been a very natural evolution.
What form of art do you
most identify with? I most admire watercolorists with a painterly
approach. I just signed up to take online lessons from Jean Haines, who
has a very loose style.
What work do you most
enjoying creating? I am most happy with my paintings when I am able to make
them splashy, loose, dynamic and painterly. I find it easy to create super
realistic work, so when I can add some artistic interpretation to my art, I
feel really accomplished.
What themes do you
pursue? My art naturally evolved into painting a lot of animals because people
seemed to gravitate to my animal paintings.
What’s your scariest
experience as an artist? The experience that continues to scare me the most is
that my work might be getting stale - I want to continue to grow, push my
boundaries, and try new things with my art.
Describe a real-life
situation that inspired you? Artists who are making a good living from their
art really inspire me. Lachri Fine Art on YouTube is one whose art career
I’ve followed and really admired. If she can do it, I think I can too!
What jobs have you done
other than being an artist? So many. Pregnant mare babysitter, preschool
teacher, school social worker, and now full-time artist.
What is an artistic
outlook on life? I wish I could come up with a cute answer to this question,
but I don’t subscribe to the “I’m a magical artist who lives life on a higher,
better plane than the rest of those underlings” I try to balance my work
between family, work (my art) and down time. I fail miserably. My house is a
mess. My paintings aren’t perfect. But I do the best I can!
What memorable responses
have you had to your work? The best are when a client is overjoyed by a
painting and their life is improved, even if in a small way, by my work.
What do you dislike
about the art world? I can’t stand art snobs.
What do you like about
your work? When I’m able to create a painterly, poetic piece, I’m very happy.
Should art be funded? Of
course. I remember hearing that a city decided to clean up a dangerous neighborhood
and add some beauty. They claimed that crime decreased. Art soothes,
inspires, and transforms. We humans need that!
What research do you do?
I’m always watching online tutorials about how to paint, even now after 20
years of working. I still learn so much when I make a point to!
What is your dream
project? I’m working on it right now - growing my online art community.
Name three artists you’d
like to be compared to. Jean Haines, Liu Yi, and Andrew Wyeth. I’ve got a
ways to go
Favorite or most
inspirational location? Florence Italy was really inspiring. It made me
want to come home and put art EVERYWHERE!
What’s the best piece of
advice you’ve been given? Keep trying!
Professionally, what’s
your goal? I want to keep growing my online art lessons.
Throughout May we are celebrating our artists moms & their creative offspring.
Here we read about artist Susan Johnson & Katherine Prosser
Originally published May 17th on the SCA Zine
Originally published May 17th on the SCA Zine
Susan Johnson
I have a passion for painting with acrylics and
watercolor. Also, I am the grandmother of an artist, Katherine Prosser, who is
in her Junior year of high school.
In College I studied to be a Medical Secretary and worked
for many doctors in this capacity and also as a transcriptionist. When the
doctor I was working for and my husband both retired, I left the medical world
and became an antique dealer for ten years. Then about twelve years ago I
started painting on canvas doing landscapes after joining a painting class.
HOW DID YOU START MAKING ART OR WHY DO YOU MAKE ART?
Being creative has always been a part of my life. Starting
with drawing and coloring, I also enjoyed ceramics, sewing, crafts, and kept
busy with needle arts and tole painting. When I was an antique dealer, I
repaired and did decorative painting on the furniture I found. Then I wanted to
paint on canvas and joined a class in acrylic painting. Later I took another
class and learned how to paint with watercolor paints. I’m always studying and
learning new techniques to improve myself.
WHAT IS YOUR MOST IMPORTANT ARTIST TOOL?
My camera is very useful and important to me. My husband
and I traveled to many places and I took many pictures. These pictures gave me
inspiration for my art and still do. I started taking pictures when I was ten
when I received my first camera from my Dad and haven’t stopped taking them
since.
IS THERE SOMETHING YOU CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT IN YOUR STUDIO?
Yes, my Ott-Lite floor lamp which gives me a more natural
light to see my work.
IS THERE AN ELEMENT OF ART YOU ENJOY WORKING WITH MOST?
WHY?
Recently I was introduced to painting with palette knives.
I love this way of creating art with acrylic paint and knives. It gives a much
more relaxed way to paint but it is messy!
WHAT ROLE DO YOU BELIEVE ARTISTS HAVE IN SOCIETY?
Everyone needs art in their lives and artists give this in
many styles. Life would be much more uninteresting without art. Artists show
the people what is going on in the world through their art work.
WHAT THEMES DO YOU PURSUE?
Usually I paint landscapes of places I’ve seen. Also, I
have painted still life’s, portraits, flowers, and animals including birds.
WHAT IS YOUR SCARIEST EXPERIENCE AS AN ARTIST?
Probably doing art commissions for people. I enjoy them
but it is hard to know if your work will be what they have perceived.
DESCRIBE A REAL-LIFE SITUATION THAT INSPIRED YOU?
Seeing art in museums from famous artists inspires me.
Also, seeing interesting places around the world motivates me as well.
WHAT MEMORABLE RESPONSES HAVE YOU HAD TO YOUR ARTWORK?
People have always been very complimentary of my work. One
time I painted a picture of a horse swimming across an inlet at Chincoteague
Island. He looked frightened but kept on swimming. A lady bought the painting
for her granddaughter who was having problems at the time. The name of my
painting was “Courage” which she said she used to help her granddaughter.
WHAT DO YOU LIKE ABOUT YOUR WORK?
The process of creating is what I enjoy the most and
especially if the painting is what I conceived. Creating art is very relaxing
most of the time. There are moments!
WHAT RESEARCH DO YOU DO?
I’m always reading and researching my subject to make it
right. I have books but also look up things on line that I have questions
about. It’s part of my creative process.
NAME THREE ARTISTS YOU’D LIKE TO BE COMPARED TO?
I admire many artists. I like the landscapes of Thomas
Moran, the flowers of Georgia O’Keeffe, and the style of Vincent Van Gogh. I
haven’t quite reached their status.
FAVORITE OR MOST INSPIRATIONAL LOCATION?
Italy is probably my most inspirational location. I also
love the scenery of the Southwestern United States.
WHAT IS THE BEST PIECE OF ADVICE YOU’VE BEEN GIVEN?
The best piece of advice I’ve been given is to keep
painting and don’t worry about what other people think of your art. It’s your
art and enjoy it!
Katherine Prosser
I
like to draw and paint … always loving art and the process of making it!
I
discovered that I really liked painting and using colored pencils. Painting and
drawing are very enjoyable and relaxing to me. My most important artist tool is
probably a pencil because I can easily find one, and easily erase! I can’t live
without white paint. I like working with paint the most because I can always
fix my mistakes, and I find blending paint and brushstrokes calming. I really
like the colors I use in my art!
I
think artists have a very important role in society because they can influence
the world to see things differently, and bring light/emotion to certain topics
that aren’t usually discussed.
My
practice has changed over time because I’ve been working on composition and different
styles [and] I really enjoy drawing and painting animals! I usually try to
pursue the personality or emotion the animal has, but if I’m not drawing an
animal, then I usually try to go for something relaxing to look at!
I
usually get inspired from other artists! Any famous artist would be cool to be
compared to because that is a huge compliment!
I
haven’t really had time for a job, but I do volunteer at palmetto lifeline!
To
me, having an artistic outlook on life is enjoying the things you see. For example,
you could see the sunlight coming through a window and really want to paint it,
or want to try and capture the texture of a cloud or the bark of a tree. It’s
seeing the potential of beauty everything has.
One
memorable response I’ve had to my art was when these two little girls started
pointing at my dog I had drawn and excitedly saying, “look it’s sandy!!”
In
the art world, I dislike how someone could barely spend any time, originality,
or hard work on something and sell it for a lot of money. I also dislike that
even though artists are usually very accepting and understanding people, their
art can be harshly judged, and how even actual art judges can be very biased. I
wish I could read minds because it would be so much easier to understand what
people are actually thinking.
My
goal is to be able to have my own gallery!
______________________________________________________
Throughout May we are celebrating our artists moms & their creative offspring.
Here we read about artist Trish (Pat Gillam) & Kimber (Kim Carpenter)
Originally published May 10th on the SCA Zine
Originally published May 10th on the SCA Zine
Trish (Pat
Gillam)
What’s
your background? I consider myself somewhat of a factotum in my professional
career. I've worked in a number of
fields such as legal, real estate, utilities, and telecommunications, only to
name a few. I am also a licensed massage therapist and certified reflexologist.
How did
you start making art or why do you make art? Art allows me to express myself
with no restraints and brings me tremendous joy.
What is
your most important artist tool? Paint, paint and more paint!
Is there
something you can’t live without in your studio? Music
Is there
an element of art you enjoy working with most? Acrylic paint because of the
wide variety of colors available and fluidity of the paint
What
role do you believe artists have in society? Art allows people stop and focus
on beauty all around them and sometimes to relax and connect with their
"inner" being
How has
your practice change over time? I’ve discovered a number of exciting new
techniques
What
form of art do you most identify with? Abstract expressionism
What
work do you most enjoying creating? Abstract acrylic flow art
What
themes do you pursue? Color combinations and movement
Describe
a real-life situation that inspired you? I've been drawn to abstract expression
most of my life
What
jobs have you done other than being an artist?
Legal
assistant, property manager, office manager, bookkeeper, massage therapist
What is
an artistic outlook on life? For me it's seeing art in the mundane
What
memorable responses have you had to your work? Hearing the images different
people see in my paintings
What do
you dislike about the art world? I don't like competition. I appreciate every
artist's work.
What do
you like about your work? Freedom of expression, vivid color combinations that
facilitate emotions
Should
art be funded? Yes
What research
to you do? Books, art courses, podcasts, (Yo)u tube
What
superpower would you have and why? To fly so I could see all of the world's
beauty
What is
your dream project? To open an art gallery with my daughter
Name
three artists you’d like to be compared to.
Jackson
Pollock, Helen Frankenthaler & Mark Rothko
Favorite
or most inspirational location? My studio
What’s
the best piece of advice you’ve been given? To paint every day
Kimber (Kim Carpenter)
What’s
your background? I have been a graphic designer for 29 years. I am also a musician and played in various
bands in Cola.
How
did you start making art or why do you make art? I have always “dabbled” in
making art. Started doing animal
character paintings and other folk-type art.
What
is your most important artist tool? My
hands
Is
there something you can’t live without in your studio? Inspiration
Is
there an element of art you enjoy working with most? Why?
I love working with acrylics. Flowing paint is supremely satisfying.
What
role do you believe artists have in society? I think artists of all types offer
hope and inspiration. Expression through
art is paramount to the human psyche for both those who create and those who
experience it.
How
has your practice changed over time? More people are trying it. Not a bad thing. But it saturates the
market. As far as personally, I have
really pushed myself to become more skilled in the art to keep me separated
from the saturation of the market. I can
immediately tell the difference between a beginner flow artist and one with
more experience. I am constantly honing my skills and looking for other ways to
set myself apart.
What
form of art do you most identify with?
Abstract, folk, some fantasy art
What
work do you most enjoying creating?
Embellishing fluid art paintings and collaborations with my mother.
What
themes do you pursue? I love nature, but I find myself wanting to move away
from simplistic themes and explore more out of the box, abstract themes. I also enjoy mixed media art.
What’s
your scariest experience as an artist?
Knowing what to sell my art for. Seriously.
What
jobs have you done other than being an artist? Graphic designer, sales,
customer service (all in the printing industry)
What
is an artistic outlook on life? Never be
too scared to try.
What
memorable responses have you had to your work? Social media responses to my
work has been very kind. I love hearing
that someone loves one of my pieces.
What
do you dislike about the art world?
There appear to be “clicks” or pockets of people in our town in the art
scene. A lot of “it’s who you know, not what you know”. I’m not real crazy about
that.
What
do you like about your work? The
colors. I love vibrant, bright colors.
Should
art be funded? Yes
What
research to you do? Online - articles,
videos, blogs
What
superpower would you have and why? Jedi powers would be pretty stellar.
What
is your dream project? I don’t really
have one…yet.
Favorite
or most inspirational location? My back
porch.
What’s
the best piece of advice you’ve been given? To not worry so much about what others think. Easier said than done.
Professionally,
what’s your goal? I would love to one day open up a studio with my mother. We not only love to paint, but we enjoy
teaching together.
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Throughout May we are celebrating our artists moms & their creative offspring.
Here we read about artist Stephanie Suell & Kayla Suell
Originally published May 3rd on the SCA Zine
I consider myself to be a Creative! Technically, I am a
Mixed Media Artist. I was born in Spartanburg and raised in Philadelphia.
Retired Air Force and a military brat, I have been privileged to travel the
world and appreciate so many wonderful locations. My Mother was an artist and I would watch her
draw and create pictures and holiday decorations. As a young girl, I would help
her. Art, along with writing, was something I gravitated to in school and I just
stuck with it until I went in the military.
I don’t really have an important Artist tool, but I do
love gold paint. I have like 20 bottles of it! I love mixing fabric with paint.
Beads, paper and string with anything else I deem to add a beautiful creative
touch. I recently painted a picture for a friend who said. “It’s so awesome to
see my vision through the eyes of an Artist.” I really felt that statement for
some reason!
I believe that Artists enhance the color of the world. I
think we are collaborators with God. In essence everything God makes is
beautiful, from nature to humans, our ability to create just MAGNIFIES that
beauty.
I think I identify with chalk the most. For some reason, I
like the sketched quick and free hand look. I think it just brings back the
memories of sidewalk writing and graffiti art when I was a kid in Philly. We
would write on blocks and blocks of cement. I had family members who were
graffiti artists. The graffiti was different when I was growing up. It wasn’t
just ugly words written on stop signs. It was beautiful works on art spray
painted on buildings
I was in the Military for 20 years and surprising enough,
I stopped painting before I went in and didn’t pick up a brush again until I
retired. My marriage was not a safe place of expression for me. After my
divorce, I started painting to help me through my PTSD. It was a welcome home
for me.
I think what I love most about my art is the fact, I start
with an idea and finish with a story. All of my art stems from poetry, quotes
or just conversations I have with people.
I totally believe Art should be funded and I also believe
it should be a required class for students. I teach in local schools and so
many kids have no means of self-expression besides through behavioral
issues. I also believe its beneficial to
the senior citizens and disabled. I believe it’s a way to connect to memories
and to each other. I think it slows us down and gives us space to reflect on
LIFE, LOVE AND RELATIONSHIPS.
Everything is a canvas to me. The world is art. I believe
life is too. Its shaded depending on our mood. I’m probably different in the
aspect of I really don’t have a particular theme but I’m fond of painting brown
skin. Perhaps because that is what I see daily in the mirror.
My goals are simple, I really don’t have any professional
goals. I just hope to leave my 12-year-old granddaughter something tangible and
I pray I never lose the desire to create!
Let Go and Let God – Stephanie Suell
Kayla Suell
Initially while in High School, of course I did the fast food route, like a lot of others. However, I quickly realized that was not the route for me.
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| Designed by Kayla Suell |
My best piece of advice actually came from my Mother who
always did and still tells me to do better in every area of my life. ‘There is
always room for improvement” she says. I think I have lived my life forever
sharing that motto with my customers as well.
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SCA Zine found here
SCA Zine found here
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