All art in this blog post is by Dana Brown
(copyright by Dana Brown)
I'm pleased to introduce you to my artist of the month- Dana Brown. I first heard of Dana as some one who started out taking classes from one of my instructors and gone on to be in major art magazines and shows. I've since gotten to meet her - she is a great artist, neat person, and wonderful friend to furry creatures.
Twice a year Huntsville has a gallery tour when local artists open their studios for people to come visit. When I went by Dana's studio during Gallery Tour, I was greeted by a room full of people walking around with cats/kittens looking at great art. As people came in they were offered a cat/kitten to pet. I'm pretty sure she was hoping for people to adopt the cats and kittens and buy art- a cool combination. Fortunately I made it out without a new pet but did end up about 9 months later with a painting I first saw in her studio that night.
Today is also Dana's birthday. So help me wish her a Happy Birthday!
How did you get started painting?
I’ve always drawn and painted, as long as I can remember. I always planned to be an artist and it was the only thing I was interested in. I attended college, taking night classes, and art classes weren’t offered in the evenings. So, I drifted toward doing things on my own that were affordable – always creating something whether it was sewing clothes, quilting, drawing. When my children were in elementary school, I became a daily painter again
What inspires you?
I’m inspired by the need to use my hands. And color. It’s very simple. I look at the world in search of subjects and I’m inspired by great work by other artists. But truly, the driving force is my need to make something.
Describe your techniques, favorite paint color, and/or favorite thing in your studio?
I’m currently working in encaustic, painting with layers of encaustic medium (beeswax and damar resin). My work is always layered with emphasis on warm and cool colors, and the interplay between them.
Copyright Dana Brown
What’s the one thing you wished you know starting out or had learned sooner?
That’s a hard question. I try to not hold myself responsible for decisions that were made with the limited knowledge I had at that time. I wish I had persevered and gotten a formal art education but truly, I would have landed in a teaching job and might have made totally different decisions later about being a free lance artist. I encourage young people to get a formal art education but I caution them to hang on to their love of art and their vision of themselves as an artist.
If you could spend the day with any artist living or dead, who would it be and why?
I’d love to spend the day with Jasper Johns – but I know I’d lack the courage to ask him the questions I want to know. And I would never take a day from a working artist. Time is so precious and their gift of time to me wouldn’t be a good investment for them. In fantasy, watching him work would be a gift, no doubt.
Copyright Dana Brown
The question that is usually expensive for me- What is your favorite art book or DVD and why?
Art and Fear always pops to mind when I think about art books. I read it at the right moment and it influenced me greatly. When I reread it now, I find I’ve totally internalized so many of the concepts in the book – to the point that I think they are my own ideas.
I enjoy books that help me overcome my own insecurities and lack of confidence. Ideas that get to the root of why we make art and simplify it -- those are the books that serve me best .
Copyright Dana Brown
Where can we see your art- galleries, website, etc.?
Currently:
River Gallery
Blue Spiral Gallery
Huntsville Museum of Art
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