Nanbert had a little bull calf.

I'd been checking Nanbert multiple times during the day and night since about April 1.  I'd moved her to the birthing stall from the pasture, and it then it was just a waiting game.  A very sleep deprived waiting game.  Early Saturday morning, when I went to the barn, I found her in labor.  Soon after this boy came into the world.

 My daughter has named him Nitroglycerin.  We call him "Nitro," and he is very high energy and living up to his name.  He worries his first-time momma to death, and doesn't listen to her at all.  Most of the time he's zooming around the stall with his tail over his back.  It's been raining all week, but looks like the weather should be clearing.  That means they should be able to venture out to the pasture soon.

His ears are enough to make my heart swoon.  Can't beat the Brown Swiss ears on a cute little Hereford face.  It officially feels like spring now that there is a baby on the ground.  Next up should be Delcy (Nanbert's half sister), then it will be Lola (Nanbert's mom) to calve last this year.  If the goats are bred, they will round out the birthing season in July at the earliest.  Never a dull moment around here.

Artist Interview: Patty Voje.

 Today's interview is with an artist I discovered on Daily Paintworks.  If you don't know about this site, it is a nifty place where many artists post work on a daily basis (what commitment!).  I have high hopes of joining their ranks again someday, but for the moment my time is being spent in the barn (and the garden if it ever dries out).  Anyway, back to the topic at hand.  Patty Voje is a Minnesota based artist, and she skillfully paints animals, still lifes, and landscapes alike.  Her semi-looseness in her brush strokes is what drew me to her work--that and she paints Brown Swiss!  So let's get to know here better:

1. Were you always an art kid, or did you stumble upon it later in life?

I loved art as a kid. I remember being in elementary school and my Mom signed me up for a summer arts and crafts program. I could have sat inside all day and glued things together!

"#240 Miss World" 24x24 Oil on Cradled Gessobord. 

2. What style of art is your favorite and why?

I like alla prima oil painting, representational art. Because it’s telling a story without explaining everything. You get to fill in the blanks.

"#208 Stay" 6x6 Oil on Gessobord.

3. What do you use for inspiration, or how do you generate ideas?

Just taking in my surroundings. I have a hard time keeping my eye on the road anytime I’m driving through the country. I always keep a camera handy.

"#310 Big Prick" 6x6 Oil on Gessobord.

4. Walk us through your creative process from idea to finished project.

This one varies. But it usually starts with stumbling onto a scene I think I’d really like to paint. If I’m out with my plein air gear I can dig in, if not I grab my camera and grab as many images as possible. Then I decide my cropping. When I’m painting from reference photos I don’t worry about matching colors, backgrounds etc., I try hard to use them as reference. Normally my goal is to capture whatever light effect caught my eye. I don't methodically lay out my paints in a tidy organized manner and mix them in advance. I just put out colors as I go along and see what works.

"254 Big Shot" 6x6 Oil on Gessobord.

5. What is a typical day in your life?

I’m a bit of a workaholic. I don’t sleep as much as I should. I get up at 7, hit the gym, roll into my day job (I own a marketing agency) around 9. Work there til 6 or so, go home, have dinner, walk the dogs and PAINT. I usually paint about 3 hours a night. Then I post, blog, catch the news, read a bit and call it a day around midnight. I will say, when I say I’m a daily painter, I mean it. Unless I’m traveling. I paint Monday - Sunday. During the week I keep to my 3 hours, on the weekends I try for 5 to 6 hour sessions.

"#135 High Noon"  8x10 Oil on Gessobord.

6. What do you think draws you to other people’s work?

Color and brush work.

"#244 Lola" 6x6 Oil on Gessobord.

7. What are your interests/hobbies?

My schedule doesn’t allow much time for other hobbies, but my dogs and working out are important. I wish I had more time to read. I love, love , love music and always have it playing when I paint.

"#259 Lost In France" 24x24 Oil on Cradled Gessobord. 

8. Is this your full time job, or do you have a job out-of-studio?

I have a real job :) I own a marketing agency. I’ve spent the better part of my career as a designer/creative director. Now it’s more managing the business along with some creative direction. I very much enjoy both my day job and my art. It makes for a busy schedule, but they balance each other out. I need the day job for community and interaction. I think I’d be lonely if I worked in a studio all day by myself. Also, it gives me more freedom with my art. It allows me ample time and finances to travel for events and workshops and I don’t feel like I have to sell to pay bills or to make an audience happy. It allows me to really paint what I want to paint, even if it’s not well received. I will say though, I do plan to work less hours at my day job and commit more time to painting.

"#38 Pig Headed" 6x6 Oil on Gessobord.

9. What is your favorite piece you’ve ever made and why?

I painted a street scene in Cinque Terre, Italy last fall. It’s my favorite for a few reasons - first - it turned out :), second - I will always remember painting that scene. I had gotten up before the rest of the town and painted as the shops were opened and people started their day. I felt so lucky to be there and it was funny to set up my gear so early in the morning, sun not up yet, no one around, took some guts on my part, I must say.

"#175 Cinque Terre, Italy" 8x6 Oil on Gessobord.

10. What advice would you give to an artist just starting out in the business world?

Paint everyday. That’s been the most important thing I’ve done. That has really changed everything.

"#317 Snack Time" 6x6 Oil on Gessobord.

11. Describe your work space.

It’s a small studio in my house, probably only 10 x 11 feet. But, it’s mine to make a mess in. I have drying shelves on the walls that hold my small daily paintings. Windows that open. A space for still life set up and two easels and a work table in between the two. And there’s a dog bed for my bulldogs, who like to hang out with me in the evening.

"#149 Social Suicide" 6x8 Oil on Gessobord.

12. Did you face any setbacks on your path to being an artist?

It’s such an impractical pursuit, I don’t know a single artist who hasn’t hit setbacks or discouragement. First you have to get past all the people who think you’re being ridiculous, then you have to be able to give yourself permission. Get past those and you’re home free, sort of :)

The Lovely Artist Herself.

13. What milestones, goals, or achievements are you striving for right now?

I’d like to get into more galleries. I’ve got some ideas for shows I’d like to put together. Some that would be a departure from my beloved farm animals. Most importantly, just keep learning, because no matter where you are, that never stops. I’ll never perfect this and that’s the fun part!

Patty, thank you so much for taking the time to answer some questions.  

If you'd like to see more:
Her gallery on Daily Paintworks.
Her Website. 
Her Facebook Page.
Her Blog.
Her Instagram.

Paintings Are Half Price!



JuliaWrightArt.etsy.com

This weekend only, the palette knife oil paintings in the shop are 50% off! Just use the coupon code "HALFOFF" at checkout. Sorry, but the custom pet portraits don't qualify for the sale. Coupon code expires Monday 4/11/16. Thanks, and happy shopping.

Farm Life Recently.

It's been awhile, but spring has had me busy. Started some seeds, found lots of wild critters, planted some fruit trees, bought some goats, and now I'm awaiting the arrival of the first calf of the season.

Rhubarb seedling poking through.

Salamander that was in the ground I was digging to plant some daffodils.

Crawdad, Tadpoles, and Salamander-tadpoles from the front pasture "swamp."

Peach and Apple Trees. We planted Plum too.

Our lovely barn.

New goat Daisy.

New goat Macy.

Husband put up a NetCam so I can check on Nanbert, the heifer, from my phone.

Playlist No. 21 Stay Off The Beaten Path

Image via Flickr Commons.

1. Stone Walls

Three Tall Pines

2.  Where Have All The Cowboys Gone

Paula Cole

3.  2 Heads

Coleman Hell

4.  Float On

Pickin' On Series, Iron Horse

5.  High & Wild

Angel Olsen

6.  Billions of Eyes

Lady Lamb

7.  Sonsick

San Fermin

8.  Strange Moon Rising

Smoke Fairies

9.  Houston Train

Houndmouth

Listen Via Spotify/Tumblr.

Flowers for a very blustery, snowy day.

Some of my recent paintings since the start of the new year.  All of them are palette knife and oil except for the hollyhock which is acrylic on stretched canvas.

"Blue Vase with Pink Flowers" 6"x8" unstretched canvas.

"Dusk Hollyhocks" 5"x7" Stretched Canvas

"Pink Flowers in Blue Cup" 6"x8" Unstretched Canvas

"Pink Flowers in Bud Vase" 6"x8" Unstretched Canvas

"Purple Lilac in Vase" 6"x8" Unstretched Canvas

"White Hydrangea in Orange Vase" 6"x8" Unstretched Canvas

Virtual Paintout: Scotland.

I did this little quick landscape study for the Virtual Paintout location for the month of January--Scotland.  I'm quite uncomfortable doing landscapes, so they make great practice.  I wish for a gestural quality of abstraction, but my artistic style is more in the realism category.  It's a real challenge to let go of details and just get basic bits and pieces.  Definitely going to try for more practice at it in the coming year.

Referenced from Here.

December Life Update.

     December was a blur.  That's putting it mildly.  However, my favorite part of the year is just around the corner.  New Year's--fresh start, new beginnings, and a giant goal list.  2016 is going to be epic.  2015 was pretty impressive: moving to the farm of my dreams, the kid starting Kindergarten, a bit of art made, cows calving, etc. and so forth.

Here are a few watercolor and ink drawings I made for Christmas presents this year, they are always a lot of fun:

A Cat Named Pickles.

A Dog Named Millie.

A Horse for the Mother-in-law.

   The woods always provides with lots of nifty finds.  The kid especially liked this big ol' snail that was on some logs we were hauling in for the wood burner.

Snail on a six year old's thumb.

Then there was this nifty fungi on one of the logs.  So intricate and pretty.

Fungi Prettiness.

It's a shame my kid hates the woods so much.

She's a dandy in her sparkly boots.

     I also found a Ferguson (local artist) original in the thrift store this week for ten bucks.  The kid instantly swiped it for her room.

Thrift Store Score!

    Another awesome steal were these three school-sized (4'x8') blackboards.  They are magnetic and were in pretty crummy shape, but with my pocket knife and some WD-40 they look brand new.  Did I mention they were FREE.  I'm going to hang them up in the lower-building-soon-to-be-our-house.  One in my studio, one in the Joelee's room, and one in the living room.  There will be chalk-drawing mayhem everywhere.

Ultimate Free Find.

And with that I'm excited to see what the new year brings.  Hopefully lots of new artist interviews, and farm tales, and time for myself to make more artwork.  It's pretty exciting around here.

Illustration Friday: Animal.

Just a rough concept sketch to be able to participate in this week's prompt over on Illustration Friday. I'd like to develop her into a painting I think. Just starting to move into my studio. It felt nice to break open a sketchbook again.

Artist Interview: Nina Weiss.

Recently, I was perusing Saatchi Art, and my eye caught the work of Nina Weiss.  I sent her an interview request and she kindly accepted.  I am excited to know more about Nina and her beautifully vibrant landscapes.  So, without further introduction, let the Q&A begin.

"Big Flower Prairie"

1. Were you always an art kid, or did you stumble upon the creative life later on?

I always made art! My father worked at a medical center; and he would bring home the rolls of paper that covered the examining tables….we would make murals on the floor. When I was older; I spent time in my room copying master drawings…then in high school moved on to larger oil paintings of my favorite album covers which I would give to my friends.

"Causeway:  Queechee Gorge"

2. What style of art is your favorite and why?

When I was in art school; I began looking at the works of the German Expressionists and Viennese Successionist. I also identify with a group of painters from Canada from the 1930’s called “The Group of Seven”. These painters use colors and mark- making that are expressive and bold. I have always found their work extremely visually engaging.

"Hidden Reflections II"

3. What do you use for inspiration, or how do you generate ideas?

At every possible opportunity; I am looking for landscapes to draw and paint! I have built entire vacations (and even my honeymoon!) around locations with promising landscapes. I document them in the field and complete my large-scale landscape drawings in the studio. I visit forest preserves; national parks; and local prairie preserves. I have also been know to cull landscapes from golf courses and parking lots!

"Ikibana Landscape"

4. Walk us through your creative process from idea to finished project.

My photographic reference is the basis for my paintings; so when I am in the field with my camera I am looking for compositions that are strong; dramatic; and inspiring. I then crop the photos in my studio to further refine the strongest of possible compositions. Canvasses are gessoed 2-3X and then coated with a colored ground; I then draw my composition out linearly with a thinned down paint. I do a bright; saturated underpainting; then build up the painting from there with broken-brushstroke; glazing; and layering.

"Independance Prairie"

5. What is a typical day in your life?

Pretty full! I have a teenager; a husband; cats; a house; and more than a few jobs (right now I am teaching at three different places; plus my studio). I go to the gym in the morning; and if it is not a teaching day I will be at the studio around 11:00 and work until I am needed after school by my daughter. Studio time also includes time for the business of art; this also continues in the evening when I am home. If I am teaching in the evening; the day is even fuller with gym; studio; daughter; then evening class. Somewhere in between there I also take care of whatever other business life throws at me!

"Midwestern Prairie"

6. What do you think draws you to other people's work?

Integrity; gesture; surface; mark-making; color

"Old School Reflections"

7. What are your interests/hobbies?

I am a big biker; so cycling is another way for me to be out in the landscape gathering images! I speak Italian; and love to travel (another way to get landscapes!). Our family spends as much time together traveling as possible. I am a life-long vegetarian and lover of animals…we have four cats; my daughter and I often volunteer with no-kill shelters to help get cats adopted.

"Pink Sky Landscape"

8. Is this your full time job, or do you have a job out-of-studio?

Teaching/creating art is my full time job!!!!

"Rhapsody in Blue with Bridge"

9. What is your favorite piece you've ever made and why?

I don’t think I have a single favorite; but it looks like I have somehow held on to a piece from each important phase of my artistic development. I have a large chalk pastel on paper drawing; a gouache on board painting; and am thinking about MAYBE keeping one of my recent oils…..but I don’t create art to keep it.

"Shaw Homestead"

10. What advice would you give to an artist just starting out in the business world?

If you pursue your craft as honestly as possible; working very hard for a very long time; there will be SOME people who respond to your work. Get it out there! Shows; galleries; art consultants; social media; websites; all very important. Most important though is to DO THE WORK.

"Skokie Lagoon"

11. Describe your work space.

I am in my third year now renting a wonderful; large; light-filled studio with lots of wall space. I use it to work in; teach; and as a show-room. It has a separate office space where I have built racks to store works that I am not displaying; and another separate small space that I use as a gallery in which I have shows for my students and other artists. I have a slop sink; skylight; storage closet; northern light; bathroom and small kitchen. It’s in one of two one-story industrial buildings separated by a nicely landscaped courtyard filled with rocks. It’s pretty much perfect! When I first moved in; upon entering; I heard heavenly music; angels singing; etc.

Her Studio.

12. Did you face any setbacks on your path to being an artist?

Graduate school was a bust; an inspiration killer. I opened my own studio; regrouped; and continued on my own after getting a teaching degree. So it may not even have been a setback; but something that propelled me forward.

Another Studio Shot.

13. What milestones, goals, or achievements are you striving for right now?

I have my first small museum show coming up this Spring! I would like to continue showing in museum venues.

Nina at Work.

14. Are your landscapes from life, or imaginary, or both?

Always from life! Though I have looked at a gazillion landscapes; I could never pretend to know what nature is doing. I like to observe color/form/light.

"Waimea Valley Waterway"

15. Your color palette is very unique for landscapes, how did you develop your color

choices?

My color choices are mostly intuitive but also informed by color theory. I love my darks; and have been told that the paintings are a bit “moody”. I am always striving to see beyond “green” landscapes; and often do not interpret them as green at all!

A Work In Progress.

Nina Weiss can be found:
Saatchi Art
Ninaweiss.com
ArtEndeavors.org

Thank you so much for you time, Nina--and please keep up the beautiful work.