Carrie's Creations: NWS

Showing posts with label NWS. Show all posts

Friday, November 16, 2012

Friday Feature: Frank Eber

"Donaufahrt" original watercolor by Frank Eber

Hi Everyone, It's Friday again. For all of us in the States we're getting ready for Turkey Day!!! Today is another spectacular artist Mr. Frank Eber! His work is amazing! I'm going to share Frank's bio from his website.

Frank Eber is a young, up-and-coming watercolor artist who paints uniquely fresh and atmospheric watercolors that possess a dreamy quality. He is known for his loose and magical plein air work. He is a Signature member of the National Watercolor Society and has won awards in many international shows. Frank's painting Dordogne River Valley View, 2011, was awarded the Alden Bryan Memorial Medal at the prestigious American Watercolor Society's 2012 Annual Exhibition in New York City, and is currently in the Travel Show. His work is featured in the October/November 2012 issue of International Artist magazine, the June 2012 issue of Watercolor Artist magazine, Splash 14: Light and Color! (North Light Books, 2013) and on the cover of the Palos Verdes Art Center Fall classes and Daniel Smith 2012 Summer catalogs.

Frank grew up in Europe and was mentored by Italian master painter Renato Casaro in the early '90s. His work is currently exhibited in local as well as national shows and he currently serves as the 2nd Vice President (Traveling Exhibit) on the board of the National Watercolor Society. His love of travel has given him prime opportunities to paint: he lived for two years in the south of France, and has painted on location in Italy, the Netherlands, Austria, Switzerland, Germany and the Czech Republic.

Frank is happily married and lives in Redondo Beach, California.

To see more of his work visit his website and blog

"Les Toits" original watercolor by Frank Eber

How did you get your start? What your artistic journey so far?

My artistic journey began in early childhood. Drawing and painting was always part of my life. But I never pursued a carreer in fine art. Instead I became a professional illustrator in the field of video cover sleeve design in the early nineties. Later I pursued a career in Faux finishing. I haven't discovered watercolor until about ten year's ago.
Also in the nineties, I was fortunate to have studied with Renato Casaro in Munich. He is an Italian master painter who became famous in Europe for his painted movie posters. I did a painting apprenticeship and we worked both in oils and gouache. Other than that, I have no formal art training.

Where were you born?

I was born in Nuremberg, in the state of Bavaria, Germany - Albrecht Duerer is from the same city!

"Santa Cruz Church" original watercolor by Frank Eber

If you could live anywhere where would you live?

I think I would move back to the south of France where I've lived for three years in the past. I might still do it!

What is your favorite thing to paint?
I can't decide! I like painting streets scenes plein air. It's such a formidable challenge and a great teacher! I love painting bucolic scenes with cows and farms, maybe because I grew up around them.

"Satrocesk Trdlo" original watercolor by Frank Eber

Could you discuss your painting techniques?

All my paintings are two or three wash paintings. I usually start with the sky and foreground establishing mood and value. I use big squirrel mops that hold lots of water. My paintings are painted loosely and with focus on an
atmospheric feel. I try not to have too many hard edges, so I paint mostly wet on wet and wet on damp.

What are your go to paint colors?

Go-to paints are definitely Cobalt blue, ultramarine violet, orange and turquoise, Daniel Smith is great, so is Holbein and Schmincke.

"Cow Pasture, Northern California" original watercolor by Frank Eber

Do you have a favorite artist? Who are your painting inspirations?

Renato Casaro. Joseph Zbukvic is one of my biggest inspiration when it comes to watercolor painting. Also, Christopher St. Leger, Robert Wade and Charles Reid

What have been some of your crowning achievements?

"Three's A Crowd" original watercolor by Frank Eber

Winning one of the major awards at the American Watercolor Society in NYC this year. Becoming a signature member of the National Watercolor Society in 2010. Having a painting accepted at the Shanghai Biennial.
Being featured in both Watercolor Artist's magazine and International Artist without paying to be in there.

What five things would you love to see happen in the next five years? Dream big here:)

I'd like to become a better painter. On the materialistic side: a *real* studio with lots of space. I'd like to become a household name in the watercolor world! That's dreaming big, right?
You said five, so I'll say the first sentence two more times! :) To me, that's the most important thing in the world!

"Total Concentration" original watercolor by Frank Eber

What advice do you have for artists just getting their start?

Keep it real, work hard on your craft. Find a niche. Paint outstanding paintings and you'll get recognized. Compare yourself to the elite in your genre and brutaly, honestly assess where you are. Don't ask you family to critique your paintings.

"Vienna Calling" original watercolor by Frank Eber

What has been the best advice you've received as an artist?

"Make it about the paintings, everything else is secondary"

"Wilder Ranch" original watercolor by Frank Eber

Speed Round:

Chocolate or Vanilla?
Chocolate

Dream vacation spot?
New Zealand

Book or movie?
book -

Favorite Author?
Raymond Chandler

Favorite Movie?
Run Lola Run

Romance or Comedy
Romance

Favorite Dessert?
fresh goat cheese (in France)

Morning person or Night Owl?
night owl

Frank, Thank you so much! Your work is oustanding!

Carrie

Friday, October 26, 2012

Friday Feature: Diane Morgan

"Raindrops on Roses" watercolor by Diane Morgan

Happy Friday my friends. It's time again for another Friday Feature. Today is the multi-talented artist Diane Morgan. She can do it all, oil, watercolor, photography and do it all very well. She has won major awards, been in the big magazines and today she's sharing with us how she's done it all.

To see more of Diane's work visit her website and blog.

How did you get your start? What’s your artist journey so far?

I've drawn and painted for as long as I can remember. My father was a talented artist, but he only painted as a hobby. As a child I remember seeing some of his wonderful drawings at my grandmother's house. Later, watching him paint influenced me to want to try. I started college as a language major, but switched to art my junior year. I decided to pursue what I loved rather than what I thought I should do. I majored in painting, but was offered a job in advertising before I graduated. I eventually owned my own advertising agency and loved my career. I never tried making a living as a fine artist until later in life. Wish I had tried it sooner!

Where were you born? I was born in Detroit. My family moved to the suburbs before I started school.

"Rainy Day Roses" original watercolor by Diane Morgan

If you could live anywhere where would you live? One weekend many years ago I spent the entire two days writing down my goals. One of them was move to California to enjoy warm sunshine year-round. Michigan is often cloudy and the winters are long. It wasn't long before just about everything I had written down came true. I think it's very important to write down your goals. I love where I live and never think of moving somewhere else to retire. This is exactly where I want to be. I don't plan to retire either!

What’s your favorite thing to paint and why? I envision a painting in almost everything I see. I want to paint everything. I suppose if I had to choose I would select a still life. I love taking a normal everyday object and getting people to take a closer look; view something in a different light. I like to add strong shadows, contrasts and often reflections....turn the ordinary into something more.

"Just Glorious" original oil by Diane Morgan

Could you talk about your painting techniques? My techniques are pretty traditional. My work is quite realistic so I spend a great deal of time on details. I first do a small thumbnail to determine the positioning and the values and use colored pencil to work out the color choices. Then, on 300# Arches cold press watercolor paper I do a very detailed drawing. The paint is then applied in many, many layers. I usually do the background first so if it's not successful I haven't spent a whole week on the main subject only to ruin it with a bad background wash. It helps me to do the background colors first as they can also influence color selections for the objects. I generally work from left to right, top to bottom so my hand does not rest on wet paint.

Do you have go-to paints/colors, what are your favorites?

I tend to stick with a few old-time favorites. Alizarin Crimson, Payne's Grey, Cobalt Blue, Sap Green, Lemon Yellow, Cadmium Yellow, and Cad Red. I love making my own blacks and grays with varying mixes of red/yellow/blue. There are so many wonderful new colors available. I'm trying to be more adventurous. I've recently added Lavender and Cobalt Turquoise to my palette. The Quinacridones are also fun, as are the new metallics.

"Organized Chaos" original watercolor by Diane Morgan

Do you have a favorite artist? Who has been your biggest inspiration?

My two favorite artists are Georgia O'Keeffe and Leonardo daVinci. Georgia's large florals were my biggest inspirations. Leonardo was a genius. He was so curious about everything.

What have been some of your crowning achievements?

Having a painting selected for the Blossom II Art of the Flower competition and traveling show. Winning an award in an National Watercolor Society exhibition. Getting a 10-page feature article in International Artist Magazine. Being selected as President of the Coachella Valley Watercolor Society. I've learned so much and have made so many wonderful friends there. I've gotten back so much more than I have given.

"Surface Tension" original watercolor by Diane Morgan

What are five things you would like to happen in your life in the next five years? Dream big here:)

I'd like to be in several more galleries around the country. Signature status in NWS and/or AWS would be nice. Travel to France and Italy to paint. Teach more classes and maybe even workshops around the country...I love teaching. Spend more time with friends, especially getting together with my painting pals to paint.

"Head on 57 Chevy" original watercolor by Diane Morgan

What is your advice for other artists who are just getting started in their career?

The most important thing is to paint, paint, paint. The only way to improve is to keep working. It has been suggested that if you want to learn to paint...go paint a hundred paintings. One challenge I created for myself was to do a painting a day. For six months I completed a small painting every day and sold them on eBay. I quickly passed the 100 mark. This daily self-imposed assignment increased my productivity, improved my creativity and painting skills and opened up several opportunities for me that would not have happened. I highly recommend the daily challenge. It's also very important to network. No one will know about your work if you just stay home.

"57 Chevy" original oil by Diane Morgan

What is the best advice that you have received as an artist? My college professor told me to paint big. I think of that every time I pick up a brush. Even a 6" x8" canvas can have a big impact if the image is close-up. This advice really helped determine my style.