May Guest Artist...Karen Hargett

I first spoke with Karen a few years ago when I was setting up my portfolio on Starving Artists. Starving Artists is hosted in the UK...I had run into some difficulty and needed to ask questions of a “real person” and it was a little expensive to call overseas!

Karen was listed as a gold member and from the US...my perfect contact. We soon discovered that we had much in common and have kept in touch ever since. Karen was working mainly in graphite at the time, beautifully done I might add. She has since become quite proficient as a pastel artist. I’ve watched her grow in this new medium and been amazed with her progress as I’ve waited for each new painting.

I’m going to quit my ramblings and let Karen tell you a little about herself.

Marsha thanks for featuring me as your guest artist and for making that call to me a couple of years ago – you are a source of inspiration for me whether you realize it or not.

OK – a little about myself. I was born in San Antonio in 1950, one of four children – the oldest daughter. My dad was in the Air Force and although we didn’t travel and move around a whole lot we did live in Scotland, the Philippines and Hawaii. We always returned to San Antonio though where our family was.

I married shortly after graduating from John Marshall High School and moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico. About four years later my daughter was born. We lived in New Mexico, then back to San Antonio briefly before eventually moving to North Texas where we spent the next twenty some odd years.

At some point in our lives, some of us have “new beginnings” – I began mine (again) in 2004 and moved to the Buda area in South, Central Texas. My parents, sister and brother and their families live in the area too. I’m still trying to talk my daughter and her family to move down here so we can all be together. Anyway - I bought a small house on a couple of acres and me and my Appaloosa horse Billy Bob; Sassy, my Cairn terrier; and Samantha my cat settled in.

I work full time at a large medical association in Austin and work on my art in the evenings and on weekends. At 40 I took a couple of beginning college courses but that wasn’t where I wanted to be and I didn’t take it any further.

I’m a self-taught artist. All my life I loved drawing and painting. I have always enjoyed doing some sort of arts and crafts or home improvement – just being creative in some fashion or another for as long as I can remember. I watched art programs on TV and read books trying to learn what I could. Still do.

There is quite a story about the drawing that started your career, I wonder if you would mind relating how one drawing changed the direction of your life and how it makes you feel as you look back on that time.

Oh that was a wonderful time of my life – although it was during a very stressful time in my life – but isn’t’ that when we learn the most? I was no exception, I learned so much about myself as a person and an artist and fell in love with horses up close.

At 40 I took my first horseback riding lesson. It wasn’t long before I fell in love with reining after attending the Reining Horse Futurity in Oklahoma. I eventually ended up finding a reining horse trainer by the name of Gaetan Guthier. He was amazing. He was born in Quebec and spoke very broken English but amazingly enough he was able to communicate very well with humans and horses alike.

He found a horse for me, a four year old Appaloosa by the name of Billy Bob – yep Billy Bob is still with me today and just turned 20 in April.

Now at the time, I didn’t think Billy Bob was the horse of my dreams. I didn’t really want an Appaloosa as they had “bad” reputations and to top it off he was the wrong color – I wanted a buckskin! Gaetan in his wisdom said “he is the horse for you – you two are a match.” I took him at his word and bought him and began my training. You see Billy Bob was broke to ride but didn’t have a lot of training on him. Gaetan said we would learn together and he would “be mine.” He was right!

We began training and it was hard. Billy Bob (seen left) was tough and I had a lot to learn but with the help of Gaetan I learned how to train my horse and how to do reining. Reining is a very precise riding style – some call it the Western Dressage – the horse must be willing and show no resistance or hesitation to what you ask of it. The reining patterns include large fast circles done at a fast gallop and small slow circles done at a slow lope – the transition between the two is beautiful. Then there are the spins and sliding stops that will take your breath away. So as you can imagine training can get very intense for all involved.

One particular training session was one of those rather intense times but with Gaetan’s hard work both Billy Bob and I broke through a barrier and it was exhilarating. I was exhausted as I drove the 1 ½ hour trip home but kept replaying the success I had experienced in my head. I decided right then and there I had to do something special for Gaetan to thank him. His birthday was coming up and I decided to draw him a picture of a horse – one that had a reining horse and rider in the pupil.

I began drawing that very day and it was an amazing experience. It was as if the drawing bubbled up from deep inside of me – as corny as that sounds. I couldn’t draw fast enough. I had made a break through. Just like my lesson with Gaetan earlier. After several hours I was finished and was amazed at what I saw. I was afraid it was a fluke and drew another one. It came out just as well.

At Gaetan’s birthday celebration, I gave him the drawing that I matted and framed. When he opened the present he just looked at it. He didn’t say anything for several minutes. I was scared to death he didn’t like it. Then he looked at me and quietly said – “This is me isn’t it? This is me – I am the horse.” That was very emotional for me in so many ways and on so many levels – that was what I wanted to convey to him since I viewed him as a horse whisperer.

Today when I look at the drawing with a critical eye, I can see a lot of mistakes and things that could have been done better – but with all that it represents to me it really is perfect and I wouldn’t change a thing.

I learned some valuable lessons from that time in my life both from my lessons with Gaetan and that drawing I did. Life isn’t perfect. Life can be a challenge. It doesn’t matter how old we are we can learn something new. Look. Listen. Trust. Don’t let the fear of failure rule your life. Gaetan always said when training your horse “stop at a good place.” So whether you’re riding a horse, or working on a drawing, when you’re ready to put it away for the night it makes sense to stop at a good place even if you haven’t finished everything you set out to accomplish – it just makes it easier to pick it up the next time.

Since then, I haven’t stopped drawing.

When we first spoke, you were a graphite artist just starting to experiment with pastels. Your pastel paintings seem to have come so naturally...did you study with another artist or was this a hidden ability? And will we be honored with more graphite drawings in the future?

No, unfortunately I haven’t studied with any pastel artists – one of these days I’ll take a lesson. I have and still do, study the works of artists on ArtPapa.com. There are some very talented artists there in all mediums. Also, I have Lesley Harrison’s book on pastels – it was a great help.

Yes, there is always graphite in the future – can’t and don’t want to give that up. I seem to be obsessed with color right now though so I’m looking, listening and trusting those feelings deep inside me so that I can find my way to where I am supposed to be with my art. Ha – it can be a challenge and I always enjoy learning something new! No I didn’t plan on saying that but. . .

You offer both Limited and Open Edition prints. Myself, I’ve sometimes found it difficult deciding whether to offer a particular piece as Limited or Open Edition. Can you tell us the parameters you use as you make this decision?

That is a difficult question. I hate to say it but I go by instinct. Sometimes I take in to consideration the length of time it took to draw or the complexity of the drawing but that isn’t always the case. It’s just instinct. Some speak to me or they are “more” than my average drawing in one way or another. I don’t set out to draw a Limited Edition, but at some point I know during the drawing process that is what it is going to be.

I know you still work a full time job, how do you handle the challenge of carving out time for your art from a busy day?

It’s hard balancing a full time job, keeping up with the animals at home, the work around my place, and drawing and getting to the occasional art show. Drawing is a luxury, a passion – something I must do. The dishes can wait. No, really – I draw in the evenings when I’ve got other things squared away. It’s a relaxing time for me and something I look forward to every day.

Do you ever produce a painting or drawing that you don’t like...or go through a slump where it seems like nothing is working? If so, how do you get yourself back on track?

Oh yes – I do have a few of “those” drawings (both pastels & graphite) that have made it to the trash can! Graphite I tend to know pretty quick if I’ve goofed. Unlike graphite though, pastels have the nasty habit of looking really ugly before they begin to look good. If I hadn’t kept at it, I would have thrown out some really good pieces.

Even with the ones that I’ve thrown out they aren’t “failures” – I always learn something – hopefully I won’t repeat the mistakes but I do learn something.

Right now I’ve been in a slump of sorts, but I believe it’s that obsession with color that is brewing something. What does that mean? I’m not sure but I will let you know when something new comes of it ;-)

What has been the biggest artistic risk you’ve ever taken...and what accomplishment are you most proud of?

Gee – the biggest artistic risk? That is ongoing – just putting my work out there for people to see, critique, to buy or not.

The accomplishment that I’m most proud of? Well that first year that I had decided to do this for money, I made a list of things I wanted to accomplish during that year – having a website, getting set up to exhibit and actually exhibiting at several art shows, buying my Epson printer. I checked them all off my list before the year was done! That was very satisfying.

I know you show your work at art fairs. What advise do you have for others thinking about trying this venue? And, I have to ask...how did you get those display walls into your trunk!?

The best advice I could give to someone is to have someone you can truly rely on to help you with the art fairs. As you know, they are hard work. Setting up and taking down everything is a job in itself. Also, make a good check list and most of all - have fun!

Ha – when I only had 5 screens I could get them into my trunk – they come apart in the center and stack nicely. My brother made them especially to fit in the trunk of my Volvo. However, I have 10 screens now and even though they come apart my trunk just isn’t large enough to hold them all – darn!

Lastly Karen, a question I always enjoy asking...What do you know now that you wish someone had told you before starting this career?

That’s easy – don’t wait until you are in your 50s! But if you do – go for it!

_________________________________________

Just a few things Karen didn't tell you:
In 2006...Karen was honored by being juried into the Creative Art Society exhibit at the Texas State Capitol Rotunda and the Creative Art Society exhibit at theCorridor of Art.

In 2007...her pastel painting, "Breaking Point", was awarded "Editors Choice" by Mike Sibley of Starving Artists.

2007-2008...Karen successfully juried for The Texas Arts & Craft Fair and presently serves as a juror for new artists at this exhibition.

The Texas Arts and Craft Fair is Karen's biggest show of the season, with more than 200 artists participating. The fair grounds are set in the beautiful hill country of Kerrville, Texas...May 23-26. If you're in the area stop in and view Karen's work in person. Her booth number is (T5-13)

Thank you Karen for letting us get to know you better...if you're not from Texas and can't get there this weekend you can see more of Karen's beautiful art work at the links below.

Links:
Karen Hargett Fine Art
Karen Hargett Fine Art Journal...blog
Karen's Starving Artists Page


PS...make a "Point"...leave a comment

March Guest Artist...Holly Bedrosian

Holly and I first met a little over a year ago through email when she was setting up her website. I was immediately intrigued with her story and her portrait work. Holly is a very talented portrait artist at the threshold of what I'm certain will be a long and rewarding career.

Today, I introduce you to Holly Bedrosian.



Holly, you majored in the sciences in college, graduated with a bachelor's degree in physics and had, "in your own words", a successful and stable job as an engineer for ten yeas. How does your experience in the business world influence you today as an artist?
"Most people are surprised to hear that I made such a drastic career change, but looking back, my career path makes sense. The sciences are not that different from the fine arts, requiring methodical processes and rigorous attention to detail. When I became mature enough to fully appreciate the importance of creativity and passion to career fulfillment and success, I knew I had to become an artist. That's probably the most important thing I learned from my previous career as an engineer."

Your career move was life changing...I have to ask, did you test the waters or did you just jump in?
"One day I was surfing the internet and came across a great source for artist website creation and marketing support, FineArtStudioOnline. Since the trial period was free, I set up a website just for fun and posted some old pencil sketches (from 1996!) that I had done. Once the website was up, I grew increasingly excited about the possibility of becoming an artist, and I started buying some art supplies. At first I tried oil paints, but I didn't like the mess and was very unaccustomed to the way the paint moved around the canvas. As soon as I tried colored pencil, I was hooked. I had (and still have) a huge learning curve ahead of me."

Do you recall what first attracted you to colored pencil and who is the one person that has had the greatest impact on your career?
"I think it was just a matter of stumbling across some remarkable colored pencil artists that first attracted me to the medium. I had no idea that such realistic "paintings" could be created with colored pencils, and I was interested in giving it a try. At the same time I had just taken on a stressful position at work, and was growing increasingly unhappy with my job. When I suggested the idea of becoming an artist to my husband, he embraced it wholeheartedly. Because of his support and honest criticism of my work, I'd have to say that my husband is the one person who has had the greatest impact on my career thus far."

Your portrait work is both exciting and yet sensitive. I wonder, have you found acquiring your photo references difficult, and are there any photography tricks you can give other artists who enjoy doing portrait and figurative work?
"Thank you! I separate my work into two categories: commissioned portraits and figurative pieces (some of which look like portraits) that are available for purchase. In the beginning I thought that I would work solely from client photographs due to convenience, but now I offer (and prefer) to set up a photography session so that I can better control the lighting, poses, and ensure that I have a sufficiently detailed reference. Also, I prefer to know the subject because I really do try to incorporate their personality into the portrait. The figurative works are primarily based on photos I take, all though my husband took the reference photos for most of the self-portraits I have done. (Of course, when drawing myself I have the mirror as an additional reference!) I don't consider myself to be a great photographer, and I have a bit to learn in terms of composition, but I am getting there. Many times I need to crop, rearrange, or only use part of the photos I've taken. I consider that part of the creative process, and important to making the finished piece a unique piece of art."

I'm particularly drawn to "Brass Ensemble"...how does this piece express your philosophy of drawing subjects that inspire you as an artist?
"I took many photographs at a concert I went to last winter, and couldn't quite decide on a good reference photo. To me, many of the photos looked like a jumbled group of people partially obstructed by instruments and music stands. Finally I realized that this was what I needed to capture: this chaotic group of entangled musicians that somehow finds beautiful order and harmony in it's sound. I enjoyed doing this piece partly due to the fact that my other passion is music. I also really enjoyed adding small details like the reflections of the musician's faces in the instruments and the notes on the sheet of music."

As you look back on your first year as a full time artist, what have been your greatest challenges, what are you most proud of, and what do you wish you had done differently?
"Well, I don't wish I could have done anything differently, because all of my mistakes have been learning experiences. I did apply to some pretty prestigious competitions before I was ready, and the rejections were helpful in letting me know where I stood, and pushing me to improve. My greatest challenge is the business and marketing aspect of being self-employed and trying to promote my art. I am most proud of the testimonials I have received from clients, getting into exhibitions in my first year, and being recognized by successful artists like you!"

I can't close this interview without mentioning your touching self portrait "Winter Blues"...the angle of the photo and the composition of the drawing are perfect. How do you handle it when you are asked to do a commissioned piece from a less than desirable photo?

"I will admit that I have had a few requests for portraits based on less that perfect photographs. I have turned away a couple, because even thought the photograph could be deemed "artistic" in it's angle and composition, wouldn't have made a good painting. In these cases, I suggested framing the photograph as a memoir, and offered to work from another photograph. In another case, the client wanted me to create a portrait of a couple based on really old photographs, but there were no clear photos of the two subjects together. In this case I did my best to combine several photos into one, but I'm moving toward doing most portraits from my own photographs. Thank you for the compliment on "Winter Blues"! I enjoyed being able to control the setup and expressing myself through this piece."

As we finish...I want to say. thank you Holly for spending this time with me and for sharing so openly. I wish you only the best in the years ahead.

Some things Holly didn't tell you:

• November 2007..."Peter" was awarded First Place in the Pastel, Colored Pencil, Graphics division of the American Juried Art Salon Fall- Winter 2007 Exhibition
• Holly has had works accepted into American Juried Art Salon 2007 Fall/Winter Exhibition, The July 2007 Projekt30 Exhibition and The 2007 Blanche Ames National Exhibition.

You can see more art by Holly Bedrosian by visiting the links below.

Holly Bedrosian Fine Art...online gallery
Holly Bedrosian Fine Art...blogspot
Fine Art America...giclee prints



PS...make a "Point"...leave a comment

February Guest Artist...Cindy Haase

I became familiar with Cindy Haase and her work as the result of a comment she left on my blog. I was really impressed with her fiber art and couldn't help but notice how she had grown as an artist since the first piece had been posted to her site. I knew immediately that I wanted her to be my first Guest Artist and she has graciously accepted.

"The Notorious Cat Rustlers"...by Cindy Haase

I am honored to introduce you to Cindy Haase and I'll start by having her tell you a little about herself.
"I'm a full-time artist, loving life. I had a corporate career until 1992, and once I left I have never looked back. And I vowed that I would only wear pantyhose to weddings and funerals. And yes, I have kept that vow.

I'm a wife, a mom, and an involved grandma to my 3 grandkids who live just a few minutes away. Our family has a wicked sense of humor, and no matter what happens we find a way to laugh about it. It keeps us sane.

I grew up in Nebraska, but consider Colorado my home after almost 30 years. From my studio windows I can see the snowstorms come over the foothills and it still takes my breath away to see the beauty of it all.

Hobbies...hmmm, I love to read about Quantum Theory, Cosmology and Theology. I would have made a great scientist except for the math thing."

I am fascinated by some of the pieces you've created...and wondered if you've always had an interest in creating with fabric and what have been your greatest obstacles?
"I've always had an interest in creating with ANYTHING...pine cones, popsicle sticks, and gum wrappers were my media when I was little.

I purchased my first sewing machine when I was 16. Trading it in 35 years later for a high end model, I became a late-blooming quilter. First traditional quilts, and then art quilts and fiber art. As for the fiber art, I am self taught. For my colored pencil artwork, I'd say it's more of a self-directed study. I looked for people that were doing what I wanted to do and took classes from them.

Honestly, my biggest obstacle is focus. My mind never stops and trying to quiet it enough to physically focus on one medium, one project, or one idea is tough for me. I have these two things I love, fiber and colored pencil. When I focus on promoting my colored pencil, my fiber art gets put on the back burner and vice versa. I've had more opportunities to show my colored pencil work, so I need to work on those same opportunities for my fiber art.

Cindy, how has your art influenced your life?
"It's actually my therapy. If I don't do something artsy for a couple of days, I get REAL cranky. The fiber art gives me a chance to play and make things up as I go along...where my colored pencil work is very meticulous and the process is not as playful."

Your subjects seem to range from whimsical to geometric to representational...with such diversity in subjects and style I wonder, where does your inspiration come from?
"I think color or shape inspires me most of the time, then a concept or title evolves. Sometimes, a twist on a saying will inspire me first then the rest comes. I keep a sketchbook to help me if I feel in a dry spell for ideas.

I don't always feel I have to create something whimsical. As long as I get the sense of play from the process, I'm happy with the finished product."

Can you give us a little insight into the process that went into the creation of pieces we are showing here?
"Well, lets take the "Notorious Cat Rustlers" (pictured left and top). The original idea was "Date Night in the West", a piece for a local exhibit. It was going to be a cowboy and a horse. The cowboy was easy, he's modeled after my husband (glasses, mustache and all). but I couldn't draw a decent looking horse to save myself...so out went the horse. One cowboy was boring, and then an old commercial popped into my head about "herding cats". I immediately went to that special piece of cat fabric in my stash, and the cowboy became triplets. The title came near the end of the project.

One of the processes I use to create a more representational piece is called "thread painting". It starts with a simple pencil sketch on a piece of muslin. Then I fuse different fabrics to the muslin to create a value structure. The really fun part is using my sewing machine to paint with decorative threads like rayons and metallics. Sometimes I do a bit of hand stitching. In "Convergence" (pictured above) the brick grid is hand stitched with embroidery floss. I taught myself how to thread paint, but I know many fiber artists are creating wonderful pieces with a similar process."

What advise would you give someone trying to break into this niche of the art market and what is the one thing that you wish you had known more about when you were just starting out?
"My advise would be to do what you love. Always make sure it's a reflection of your personality, your unique view of life. Then get your artwork out there, anywhere that will hang it...coffee shops, bank lobbies, doctor's offices. Enter local shows, join a local fiber arts group, and get feedback. Look for a gallery that is fiber friendly. And always stretch and challenge yourself. If you started locally, then look for regional opportunities...and then get real brave and look for a national exhibit. It's like the lottery, the only chance to "win" is if you enter.

As for the second part of the question...I wish I had known more about marketing...pricing, press releases, mailing lists, creating a buzz about my work. I'm now learning how to do all of that. I just assumed that if my work was good people would flock to buy it, the work would speak for itself. But I'm learning to speak on it's behalf."


In closing...I want to thank you Cindy for participating in my first Guest Artist segment. It was nice getting to know you and learning more about your fiber art.

Just a few things Cindy didn't tell you:

• Cindy is a juried member of the International Guild of Realism, and was juried into IGOR's 2006 Summer Exhibit at Manitou Galleries in Santa Fe, NM.
• She currently serves as the national Membership Director for the Colored Pencil Society of America.
• Both her fiber art and fine art are on exhibition at the South Union Gallery in Lakewood, CO.
  
• Cindy also teaches workshops in colored pencil...the next workshop date is 4/26/08, you can check her blog for details.
  

You can see more art by Cindy Haase by visiting the links below.

In Stitches!...fiber art blog

Color On!...colored pencil blog

Cindy Haase Art.com...Cindy's main website


PS...make a "Point"...leave a comment

New "Guest Artist" Segment Comming Soon

I'm excited to be working on a new monthly "Guest Artist" segment for my blog. This is something I've wanted to do for sometime. As artists we all struggle with the same things...the same doubts, the same financial issues, the same questions about marketing and promoting our craft. I believe the way to learn is from each other.

I have gleaned so much from your websites and blogs...your art work and your articles have inspired me to do greater things....things I didn't think myself capable of. My desire is that you will be both challenged and encouraged as I go forward with this project.

Keep an eye out for my first "Guest Artist" appearance the early part of next week. No, I'm not going to tell you who it is, that would spoil the surprise...but something that I will tell you is that she doesn't only use a "pencil".

Hope you'll check back, and give her a huge welcome!