This week in the DP Café:
Meet artists Diana Moses Botkin and Leslie Saeta
A Chat with artist Diana Moses Botkin
How would you describe your painting style?
I started calling my work "Dramatic Realism" a few years ago.
What was your earliest indication that you wanted to be a painter?
I wanted to be an artist even when I was only a little girl.
Do you come from a painting family, or did you pick it up on your own?
My dad is a sculptor and painter and made his living in commercial art.
I always drew, even as a kid.
What is your favorite movie & why?
I have a lot of favorite movies but one I'd recommend is "Horseman on
the Roof", a French movie. The handsome young man who is the main character
is honorable and chivalrous. We don't see enough of that in movies anymore.
Favorite book? Why?
If I had to choose only one book it would be the Bible because there is
so much practical instruction for life and so many wonderful promises from
God.
Favorite type of music? Why?
It depends on the day and the year. Most of the time now I like peace
and quiet, but I've listened to music ranging from blues and soul to
classical to bluegrass to some jazz through the years. I like melodious
music, real percussion and rich voices on key. Why? These qualities in music
simply make me feel good, or energized, or pensive, or maybe even sad. Music
reaches a place in the soul often untouched by any other means.
Favorite color? Why?
Favorite to wear is black because it's practical and always looks sharp.
Favorite color out of the paint tube is cadmium scarlet because it's so
luscious. Favorite color out in nature would have to be that opal turquoise
blue at dusk.
For how long have you been painting daily?
I started attempting it during the summer of 2005. I managed to paint a
couple of small pieces a week, sometimes more. In 2009 I made over 250 new
paintings and drawings, which works out to be one a day with weekends off.
Do you complete a painting every day?
Not always. In fact, many days I don't finish a new piece.
I do work every day except Sundays and holidays. Bigger paintings like
commissioned portraits simply take a lot longer than a day.
There are also other tasks to complete that must be done before I can
paint, such as ordering supplies, canvas or panel preparation, painting
research, paperwork, like keeping up with my inventory tasks and
documentation. I also write articles for an art business magazine, Art
Calendar.
What's your typical day like?
Coffee in the morning and a quiet time, then do laundry, read email,
make phone calls, do paperwork or other inventory chores or order supplies,
or prepare panels to paint. Afternoons I usually paint, cook dinner, then
spend time with family, and paint after everyone goes to bed.
Actually most of my days are not very typical. Goals for one day might
be different than those of another day. If I'm getting ready for a show, then
that's my focus for weeks; finishing up paintings, varnishing, framing,
doing inventory list for the show, making painting tags, bills of sale, etc.
Taking care of all that stuff takes time. Driving to hang a show can take up
most of a day, even for a local exhibit.
In summer I paint en plein air some days. That's a totally different
"typical day" than one in winter working indoors. I also try to do some
gardening, so even though it's not directly related to my art, it's a great
time to think and pray and also grow organic food for my family.
I also participate in a weekly model session on Mondays. Driving there,
then working from the figure for 2 1/2 hours, then driving home takes up
half the day. Because we live pretty far out in a rural area, when I travel
to the life drawing sessions, I typically stop before or after to shop for
groceries and other necessities. Artists and their families have to eat.
What have you had the most fun painting?
This past year I started a monthly painting challenge with some online
artist friends. We take turns picking a subject that is a challenge,
something we've never painted before. I picked the first subject, Legos.
Some of the artists had never even heard of them, and none of us had
ever painted them before. As the months went by, whatever subject was chosen
for our monthly challenge, those Legos just wanted to be a part of my idea.
The Lego inclusion in each of my monthly challenge pieces lasted all through
2009.
I think I've had the most fun planning and executing those Challenge
paintings, even though they have been a lot of work. You can see all of the monthly
Challenges and all of my group's painting at my blog.
How would you like to be remembered?
Faithful.
What is your favorite room in your house?
If you mean where I spend the most time, it would be my studio space. If
you mean my favorite spot to hang out, it would be by the woodstove near our
kitchen with a cup of coffee.
If you could have dinner with anyone famous, past or present, who would that be?
That would be a difficult choice to pick only one person out of all
history. Out of the dozens of names that come to mind, I think I'd really
enjoy listening to John Singer Sargent talk about his work and career. And
even more than that, I'd love to watch him work and interact with his
sitters and clients.
What are you most proud of in your life?
My children.
What is one thing about you that few people know?
That I would love to be a redhead. Unfortunately, I don't look good in that hair color!
What are people most surprised to find out about you?
That I'm naturally shy.
What one word would you use to describe yourself?
Determined.
If there was a movie made about your life, would it be a comedy or a drama?
I hope it would be a comedy. It's a great gift to make people laugh.
See all of Diana Moses Botkin's work at: http://www.dailypainters.com/artists/artist_gallery/817/Diana-Moses-Botkin
A Chat with artist Leslie Saeta
How would you describe your painting style?
I paint with a palette knife exclusively, using a thick application of oil paint.
What was your earliest indication that you wanted to be a painter?
I didn't start painting until I was 46 ... Only three years ago. One day I just said to my kids, "I think I should paint".. I have no idea what I was thinking for the first 45 years of my life!
Do you come from a painting family, or did you pick it up on your own?
I am all alone on this one.
What is your favorite movie & why?
My favorite movie, that I have probably seen 100 times, is "White Christmas". Please know that when I watch it now I laugh at the "fake movie sets" and "corny songs" but this movie represents years of holidays with my family. I will treasure those for a lifetime!
Favorite book? Why?
Last year my favorite book was "Secret Lives of the Impressionists". The struggle these artists faced trying to "break in to" the art world changed the art we see now forever.
Favorite type of music? Why?
I love it all. Classical, country, rock and pop. My kids think I am a pretty cool mom ... Except I don't like rap.
Favorite color? Why?
Green, in fact "sage green" to be exact. It totally relaxes me!
For how long have you been painting daily?
Just about a year. In 2008 I painted 24 paintings. In 2009 I painted 170.
Do you complete a painting every day?
On average, about five days a week. I spend a lot of time marketing and driving my kids to their sporting events. Although I did paint at my son's baseball game once!
What's your typical day like?
I start at about 8am with an hour or two on the computer. I have daily goals such as I post on five blogs per week, update my newsletter, search for exhibitions, update my blog and website. Then I paint from about ten until two. I usually finish my daily painting first, which takes me about an hour, and then I work on a larger piece or commission. In the afternoon I usually spend another hour on the computer with marketing, etc. It is hard to believe I spend as much time marketing as I do painting!
What have you had the most fun painting?
Boats. I love painting reflections in the water.
How would you like to be remembered?
As a great mom and wife first. Then a great "Palette knife" painter.
What is your favorite room in your house?
The kitchen. It is the center of our house, the hub of our family existence. I love to cook and fortunately my three boys and husband love to eat!
If you could have dinner with anyone famous, past or present, who would that be?
Claude Monet. But he would have to bring some of his paintings with him. And maybe even leave one behind as a hostess gift!
What are you most proud of in your life?
My three sons. They are kind, talented, motivated and love their mom and dad.
What is one thing about you that few people know?
I have been in two emergency landings on American Airlines. Did I mention I hate to fly?
What are people most surprised to find out about you?
That I have been painting for less than four years.
What one word would you use to describe yourself?
Multi-tasker
If there was a movie made about your life, would it be a comedy or a drama?
Comedy ... I hope!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Yes. The biggest boost for my art career has been Daily Painters! Thank you!
See all of Leslie Saeta's work at: http://www.dailypainters.com/artists/artist_gallery/1789/Leslie-Saeta
