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| "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.
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.
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| "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.
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| "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.
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| "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.
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| "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.
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| "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.
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| "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.
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| "Red Rocket Caddy" original oil by Diane Morgan |
SPEED ROUND!
Chocolate or vanilla? Vanilla
Your dream vacation spot? Anywhere with an ocean and palm trees and a
golf course.
Book or movie? Old movies from the 30's and 40's
Favorite author? Gabriel Garcia Marquez
Favorite movie? Gone with the Wind
Romance or
comedy? Comedy
Favorite dessert? Strawberry
shortcake
Night owl or morning person? Night owl, but I'm trying to quit.
