Happy New Year!
Let me apologize for being a day late with this interview. We’ve had an adventure in flu bugs since before Christmas and we haven’t chased them away yet. Yesterday found us driving three hours each way to a VA hospital. When I returned home, I was too tired to do anything but crawl into bed and sleep.
But enough of that.. on to a wonderful way to start 2013. This week’s Featured Artist is
Leanne Wilson
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| Artist, Leanne Wilson |
What is/are your favorite medium(s) to work in and would you tell us a little about your process?
Most often I work in watercolors. I also enjoy working in ink, and glass. My medium of choice usually depends on the image I’m creating and what I am hoping to achieve. Most of my art supplies are Winsor and Newton brand they haven’t let me down yet. I know most people have certain steps and process’s they follow when they’re painting but truthfully I don’t. I don’t have enough self control for processes. The only process I would say I do have is draw then paint. When I’m creating a painting there is usually a part of it that i can’t resist to paint, that’s usually where I start. I’ve learned to just get that part over with because if I don’t that’s where my mind will be the hole time if not. As for glass my process involves whatever the glass is kind enough to let me do. I like to experiment and try new mediums and techniques whenever I have the chance.
When and why did you decide that you wanted to be a fantasy artist?
It kind of happened without my knowing. I always loved fantasy art and I think around 2003 I started drawing fantasy art just playing around, and before I knew it, it was all I was drawing. There were many times I would think I really want to do other types of art. I would sit down and try, but everything always ended up having wings. I finally just gave up and stopped fighting it and faced the fact that I was a fantasy artist.
Many of your fairies portray a very quiet sadness or wistfulness and seem lost in thought, with the weight of the world on their shoulders. It’s quite lovely, but makes me wonder why? Is there a story behind this?
Hmmm I don’t intentionally sit down with a plan for them to turn out that way. I feel like my art is a reflection of myself. The emotions I feel in life are transferred into the spirit of my drawings, but I believe that’s what makes them so special and relateable. If I’m having a bad day art makes for a great escape. I would say sometimes bits of my mood rub off on my art. I think for me anyway the art I create depends on the mood I am in while I’m making it.
I love the antennas and little touches on your fae. Where do you get your ideas for the appearance and costuming of your fairies
For the most part my fairies appearances aren’t planned. I usually just start out doodling. A face will surface and evolve and as I draw they sort of develop a personality on their own. I usually don’t know what the end result will be. As I’m drawing ideas will come to me or a light goes off saying I should do this and add that. I try to not force it, instead let it decide for its self what it wants to be. Sometimes I get ideas and think of things I want to create, but to me the premeditated ones aren’t as fun to create, and I’m usually more likely to be unhappy with the end result. I think with planned art I have expectations of what it should be, and that takes some of the fun out of it.
If you had to pick a favorite out of all the art you have created, what would you pick?
Oh my if I were to pick favorite piece…..first of all favorites come and go as i create new art and art gets old. I guess there is one that is more special to me then the rest. The first spider web fairy I created has a special place in my heart. I created her at a friends while we were having a doodle jam. I stayed up all night finishing her and she symbolizes good memories for me.
Which artist(s) do you think have had the most influence on you?
There are so many talented and amazing artist out there and everyday I find more and more that I love and admire. If I had to say who influences me the most though I’d have to go way back to the first fantasy artist that I feel in love with. Brian Froud and Amy Brown I would say its all their fault that I ever drew my first Fairy. When I first saw their art I was in aww. I couldn’t believe that they created something so beautiful.
What do you enjoy doing when you are not painting?
I’m really not a very exciting person. When I’m not painting I probably enjoy doing things that are lame. If its lame I probably enjoy it. I pretty much keep to myself for the most part. I love cats, art, and have a few close friends but for the most part I’m a loner.
If you’d like to see more of Leanne’s art, you can follow her on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/
Thank you Leanne, for taking the time to do this interview. I’ve enjoyed seeing your art and getting to know you. Please feel free to grab the badge below for your website or blog. It’s also available on the side bar with the code already done for you.
Drop by every Friday to meet more fabulous artists.
Thank you so much for having me as this week's Featured Artist!!!! hope you feel better soon:)