Interview with Joan Eure, Artist of the Month-June 2015
Why are you an artist or how did you choose to become an artist?
JE: All my life, I have been involved with the arts in some form. I took art classes in high school. During the time of raising my two children, I would get together at night with my friends and we would tole paint, paint on glass, cross-stitch etc. My mother and I took oil painting classes together for about one year in the teacher’s garage. Then my husband's job moved us to Houston in 1988.
I had a full time job outside the home which put a lot of demands on me, and I would be exhausted at the end of the day. During this time, I was introduced to quilting, but my life was still missing something, as the desire to paint had never left me.
My Mom kept encouraging me to take some fine art classes at night. So in 2004, I did start my fine art journey, and I am so glad I did. It has changed my life. It was the fulfillment that I was craving. Everyone has inspirations and this can lead to passions, my passion is art. I retired in 2009, so I have a lot of time now to paint.
Painting offers me the opportunity to create for myself, to allow others to see how I perceive life around me, and to totally escape from the real world for a while. I encourage each and everyone to find what gives you a spark in your life.
Where do you paint? Home, studio, corner of a room? How is it set up?
JE: I have turned my formal dining room into my studio. It is perfect, as I have a large picture window at one end. Under the window I have a fabulous big cabinet with lots of drawers. I keep my pastels on top of the cabinet, and my pastel papers, pencil etc. in the drawers on one side, and oils on the other side.
When I am preparing for a show or have several paintings that I need to add frames, I can add leaves to my table and get it done fairly quickly. The table then folds down to about 24 inches, or I can raise one side and do my drawing or computer work. At times I take over the formal living room as well, which is an open concept next to the my studio. I have a big TV and can watch DVD from a favorite artist such as Richard McKinley. My guest and I can look from the living room into my studio and view the painting that I am working on, evaluate and critique it.
What is your subject matter and how do you choose it?
JE: If you ask me what subject is my favorite to paint, that would be a tough question. I like a variety of subjects. Each one comes with joys and challenges, but I would say that the human face, and animals are my favorites. It gives me the freedom to find a likeness, and to capture the exactness, which is an exciting part of the painting. I have always painted portraits in pas- tel, however this past May, I went to the Art League of Ft. Bend and pushed myself to paint the live model, and to paint with oils. I love how many colors I can create from the existing pigments, but I am still liking my pastels. How do I choose it? I take a lot of photos. Water, flow-ers, animals, landscapes, they all inspire me. When I want to paint something, I know deep down that I HAVE TO PAINT IT.
What is your art background? Academic, self-taught, workshops?
JE: In 2004, I started taking oil painting classes (landscape) at night from Tina Szajko. She started teaching Portraits in Pastel and said, “you like detail so much, you should take my class”. I did, which started me on my pastel journey and portraits as well. Since I started later in life, my art background consist of classes, workshops and self-taught. Now that I am retired, I have the luxury to paint daily. I continue to take workshops whenever possible.
How do you describe your painting style and color choices?
JE: Well that is interesting, because I don’t see a painting style in my work like I see in other artist. I do like bold colors. I am a realist painter, and at times edging toward impressionism.
If you paint from life (plein air or a model), describe an interesting or funny experience.
JE: I do like to paint plein air whenever I can. It can be very intimidating, as I want to paint everything I see. It is harder for me to focus outdoors. Once or twice a year I go to Galveston with a group of artist, led by Bill Kalwick. We have a model that stands at the waters edge as we paint. This is a good way to keep your focus. One year the water kept rising and rising. We kept pulling our easels back. Finally, I just painted with my feet in the water. It was such a wonderful feeling of freedom.
What do you consider your best painting ever and why?
JE: Well, hopefully I haven’t painted it yet. I do have a couple of favorites, which are portraits of two of my grand-daughters. The first portrait I did was “Hannah”, I choose to use the graph method. This was from a photo and I liked it because it seems loose. This was my first time to use a graph. I never entered it in a show as I didn’t know about shows at that point. The other painting is called “Shelby”, also from a photo. I entered this one in a local show and actually won “Best of Show”. They are both on my website.
What art events do you have scheduled?
JE: My art events this year were the Fulshear and Fayetteville Art Walks. They are fun to do, yet a lot of work goes into these. The next showing will be at the Pastel Society of Southeast Texas in Galveston. I have finalized a show coming up in May 2017, at the Cloister Gallery in Houston. I know it is a ways off, but yet, it will get here before I realize. I am very excited about this, and will keep you updated.
How do you sell/show your work? online, home studio tour, open house?
JE: I hang my work in galleries. Presently I hang at: Downtown Art Gallery in Brenham; Vogelsang Gallery in Rosenberg; Arts Fulshear Gallery in Fulshear. I also take advantage of online galleries, where you can find some of my art at Global Art Exchange. I post on Facebook and Twitter. I have received two commissions by posting on Facebook from people that I have never met, but they saw my post through friends or relatives.
What is your price range?
JE: My price range begins at $50.00 and upwards to $1250.00.
!Do you have any marketing or exhibiting tips that you would like to share? JE: I am not good at marketing myself very well, but I do have some tips on exhibiting. Do not block the visitors from entering your tent or space by using chairs or tables. You want them to have an inviting way in and out. Such as a U shape. If you have visitors that want to stand and just visit or maybe you have family visiting, ask them to come out of the walk way (in a gentle way of course). This is great because it makes you look like something is really going on and people are curious, but It also blocks potential buyers. You want them to come in and browse.
What social media, websites or art-focused groups are you associated with?
JE: I am a member of Pastel Society of Southeast Texas, Art League of Fort Bend, Lone Star Art Guild, Artist of Texas, Brenham Art League, Arts of Fulshear, Facebook, Twitter, and Global Art Exchange.
What do you hope people gain from viewing your work?
JE: My hope is that when you view my work, it will put a smile on your face or moves you in- side with joy, or perhaps it comforts you in some way or just makes you feel at peace. I have a friend that has a small 4x4 painting of mine (ocean scene), and her daughter borrowed it to sit on her dresser, because she said it made her feel calm inside.
Do you have one quote or testimonial from a collector that you can share?
JE: Yes, I was commissioned to paint a basset hound called “Flash”. Flash had pasted away two months before I painted him. This is a quote of her reaction after seeing my painting. “Oh Joan....... he's perfect! U even got the edges of his ears right. Gonna go bawl I knew I would. Perfection. What a gift to my soul. Thank u! He looks exactly like my Flash. Eyes look so good. I worried about your getting his eyes and ears right. U did! I knew his body like I know the bodies of my children. I had every mole, freckle, stubby eyebrow memorized. Thank you so much. I almost feel as if you have brought him back to me. God bless you.” Needless to say, she was thrilled and so was I.
Who or what has been your greatest source of encouragement?
JE: I have to give credit to God and my Mom for inspiring me to paint. She has since passed on, but I still feel her encouragement. My husband is always their cheering me. My family and friends are always there for me cheering me on when I doubt myself. And last but certainly not least. My fellow artist who are so encouraging, and always willing to share anything and everything about Art with me. I can’t thank them enough.
Is there a single incident, a quote, or an award that will always have special meaning to you and why?
JE: I have entered different contest and have won several ribbons, but of course the special ribbon was from winning “Best of Show” in a local art competition for “Shelby”.
JE: All my life, I have been involved with the arts in some form. I took art classes in high school. During the time of raising my two children, I would get together at night with my friends and we would tole paint, paint on glass, cross-stitch etc. My mother and I took oil painting classes together for about one year in the teacher’s garage. Then my husband's job moved us to Houston in 1988.
I had a full time job outside the home which put a lot of demands on me, and I would be exhausted at the end of the day. During this time, I was introduced to quilting, but my life was still missing something, as the desire to paint had never left me.
My Mom kept encouraging me to take some fine art classes at night. So in 2004, I did start my fine art journey, and I am so glad I did. It has changed my life. It was the fulfillment that I was craving. Everyone has inspirations and this can lead to passions, my passion is art. I retired in 2009, so I have a lot of time now to paint.
Painting offers me the opportunity to create for myself, to allow others to see how I perceive life around me, and to totally escape from the real world for a while. I encourage each and everyone to find what gives you a spark in your life.
Where do you paint? Home, studio, corner of a room? How is it set up?
JE: I have turned my formal dining room into my studio. It is perfect, as I have a large picture window at one end. Under the window I have a fabulous big cabinet with lots of drawers. I keep my pastels on top of the cabinet, and my pastel papers, pencil etc. in the drawers on one side, and oils on the other side.
When I am preparing for a show or have several paintings that I need to add frames, I can add leaves to my table and get it done fairly quickly. The table then folds down to about 24 inches, or I can raise one side and do my drawing or computer work. At times I take over the formal living room as well, which is an open concept next to the my studio. I have a big TV and can watch DVD from a favorite artist such as Richard McKinley. My guest and I can look from the living room into my studio and view the painting that I am working on, evaluate and critique it.
What is your subject matter and how do you choose it?
JE: If you ask me what subject is my favorite to paint, that would be a tough question. I like a variety of subjects. Each one comes with joys and challenges, but I would say that the human face, and animals are my favorites. It gives me the freedom to find a likeness, and to capture the exactness, which is an exciting part of the painting. I have always painted portraits in pas- tel, however this past May, I went to the Art League of Ft. Bend and pushed myself to paint the live model, and to paint with oils. I love how many colors I can create from the existing pigments, but I am still liking my pastels. How do I choose it? I take a lot of photos. Water, flow-ers, animals, landscapes, they all inspire me. When I want to paint something, I know deep down that I HAVE TO PAINT IT.
What is your art background? Academic, self-taught, workshops?
JE: In 2004, I started taking oil painting classes (landscape) at night from Tina Szajko. She started teaching Portraits in Pastel and said, “you like detail so much, you should take my class”. I did, which started me on my pastel journey and portraits as well. Since I started later in life, my art background consist of classes, workshops and self-taught. Now that I am retired, I have the luxury to paint daily. I continue to take workshops whenever possible.
How do you describe your painting style and color choices?
JE: Well that is interesting, because I don’t see a painting style in my work like I see in other artist. I do like bold colors. I am a realist painter, and at times edging toward impressionism.
If you paint from life (plein air or a model), describe an interesting or funny experience.
JE: I do like to paint plein air whenever I can. It can be very intimidating, as I want to paint everything I see. It is harder for me to focus outdoors. Once or twice a year I go to Galveston with a group of artist, led by Bill Kalwick. We have a model that stands at the waters edge as we paint. This is a good way to keep your focus. One year the water kept rising and rising. We kept pulling our easels back. Finally, I just painted with my feet in the water. It was such a wonderful feeling of freedom.
What do you consider your best painting ever and why?
JE: Well, hopefully I haven’t painted it yet. I do have a couple of favorites, which are portraits of two of my grand-daughters. The first portrait I did was “Hannah”, I choose to use the graph method. This was from a photo and I liked it because it seems loose. This was my first time to use a graph. I never entered it in a show as I didn’t know about shows at that point. The other painting is called “Shelby”, also from a photo. I entered this one in a local show and actually won “Best of Show”. They are both on my website.
What art events do you have scheduled?
JE: My art events this year were the Fulshear and Fayetteville Art Walks. They are fun to do, yet a lot of work goes into these. The next showing will be at the Pastel Society of Southeast Texas in Galveston. I have finalized a show coming up in May 2017, at the Cloister Gallery in Houston. I know it is a ways off, but yet, it will get here before I realize. I am very excited about this, and will keep you updated.
How do you sell/show your work? online, home studio tour, open house?
JE: I hang my work in galleries. Presently I hang at: Downtown Art Gallery in Brenham; Vogelsang Gallery in Rosenberg; Arts Fulshear Gallery in Fulshear. I also take advantage of online galleries, where you can find some of my art at Global Art Exchange. I post on Facebook and Twitter. I have received two commissions by posting on Facebook from people that I have never met, but they saw my post through friends or relatives.
What is your price range?
JE: My price range begins at $50.00 and upwards to $1250.00.
!Do you have any marketing or exhibiting tips that you would like to share? JE: I am not good at marketing myself very well, but I do have some tips on exhibiting. Do not block the visitors from entering your tent or space by using chairs or tables. You want them to have an inviting way in and out. Such as a U shape. If you have visitors that want to stand and just visit or maybe you have family visiting, ask them to come out of the walk way (in a gentle way of course). This is great because it makes you look like something is really going on and people are curious, but It also blocks potential buyers. You want them to come in and browse.
What social media, websites or art-focused groups are you associated with?
JE: I am a member of Pastel Society of Southeast Texas, Art League of Fort Bend, Lone Star Art Guild, Artist of Texas, Brenham Art League, Arts of Fulshear, Facebook, Twitter, and Global Art Exchange.
What do you hope people gain from viewing your work?
JE: My hope is that when you view my work, it will put a smile on your face or moves you in- side with joy, or perhaps it comforts you in some way or just makes you feel at peace. I have a friend that has a small 4x4 painting of mine (ocean scene), and her daughter borrowed it to sit on her dresser, because she said it made her feel calm inside.
Do you have one quote or testimonial from a collector that you can share?
JE: Yes, I was commissioned to paint a basset hound called “Flash”. Flash had pasted away two months before I painted him. This is a quote of her reaction after seeing my painting. “Oh Joan....... he's perfect! U even got the edges of his ears right. Gonna go bawl I knew I would. Perfection. What a gift to my soul. Thank u! He looks exactly like my Flash. Eyes look so good. I worried about your getting his eyes and ears right. U did! I knew his body like I know the bodies of my children. I had every mole, freckle, stubby eyebrow memorized. Thank you so much. I almost feel as if you have brought him back to me. God bless you.” Needless to say, she was thrilled and so was I.
Who or what has been your greatest source of encouragement?
JE: I have to give credit to God and my Mom for inspiring me to paint. She has since passed on, but I still feel her encouragement. My husband is always their cheering me. My family and friends are always there for me cheering me on when I doubt myself. And last but certainly not least. My fellow artist who are so encouraging, and always willing to share anything and everything about Art with me. I can’t thank them enough.
Is there a single incident, a quote, or an award that will always have special meaning to you and why?
JE: I have entered different contest and have won several ribbons, but of course the special ribbon was from winning “Best of Show” in a local art competition for “Shelby”.