Janette Ihnatova Dengo a.k.a. XOGoddess

When did you first become interested in art?

I was a little girl at the age four when I first started to draw colourful pictures paying attention to details, such as rays of sunshine, feathers on birds, castles, bricks, eyes, shoelaces, patterns on clothing, textures, etc. The colour was a must in each picture I drew, though was also satisfied with a simple pencil and eraser when on the road or in a restaurant. Art was part of my life. Before I went to grade one I was in a boarding school for 2 years beginning at the tender age of 4 and only came home on the weekends. For a four year old, missing her mother and father, art was the only thing that was truly mine and that I turned to on a daily basis for comfort in a place of dreamland and fantasy. It is where all my ideas were born and it’s a place I revisit often during my meditations.

What style of art do you use most?

Photography and painting was always an interesting subject to me even in high school. I took a liking to both equally, especially unique images such as abstract. I can see beauty in simply everything. I do love colour, so I tend to lean towards colour paintings and colour photography on most part. I never leave my home without my camera so I think that makes me a dedicated photographer whether amateur or professional. I live my life through the lenses of my camera and build memories with it.

Has your style changed from when you first began as an artist?

My style changes each year I find. I began with more tone down colours, realism, illustrations and now I find I’m more drawn to bright and vivid colours, abstract and definitely in photography and my paintings both. This may also change and like anything else in my life I will just go with the flow with whatever grabs me and tugs at my soul strings. I like DIFFERENT and this I don’t think will ever change. Abstract is something I enjoy observing and creating even with Macro photography. I can see this expanding further in my years.

What medium do you use?

Well, when painting I use acrylics mostly on studio stretched canvas though I have used watercolours in the past and would like to further experiment with them. I have also used pastels as well though find them difficult to work with. I have painted on wood, panels and murals on walls using basic wall paints. Any surface that can be painted on, I’ve done it including glass.

When photography I love taking macro shots with my digital SLR always in colour which are slightly enhanced by means of brightness and or contrast. Currently I’m using a Nikon D80 digital SLR. I thoroughly enjoy it and I’m hoping to purchase a macro lens. I love taking nature photos where I don’t have to do many adjustments to, leaving them in the natural state. However, this is not always the case, especially in the advanced and competitive world we live in. I do find that many of my photographs are almost always slightly adjusted in terms of contrast and light. Many times this is the only thing that’s done and I use Photoshop CS3, which I love. My laptop is always crammed with high pixel photos, and I have storage of terra-bite where I like to store my humble treasured art and keepsake photos.

What made you choose that medium?

Painting began way back in high school when I took a liking to the acrylics. It’s everything from the texture, the way they slide, speed of their drying right down to the scent of the pigments. I love working with acrylics. I have painted in oils and cannot for the life of me get used to it, so a course in how to handle this foreign method of painting to me is a definite must for me in the future. I have been told it is quite different then painting with acrylics and I have experienced how different first hand.

The interest in Macro Photography sparked and turned into a burning flame when I purchased my first professional camera Nikon D80. I was looking for a camera at the time and saw an article in a magazine that captured one of the most incredible photos I’ve seen and it was exactly the type of equipment I was looking for. So, I further researched it for months actually and Nikon was it for me. The world I can zoom into is oh so intriguing. To take something so small and dissect it with awe and wonder and the feeling is simply incredible to me. I love exploring beyond the obvious and fast living world and take time to notice everything no matter how small and hidden from our view. I really enjoy taking photos of the nature and the elements, yet do find myself also exploring objects and their composition and/or textures. I simply find beauty in everything seen and touched.

Do your ideas come from life or imagination?

Life events, nature and the elements all contribute to my artistic expressions. Simply everything I do is inspired by nature yet my imagination plays a huge role in altering images into abstract. I have somewhat wild imagination and am capable of various styles, shapes and colour compositions. Nothing intimidates me. My imagination also definitely plays a huge role when I take time to write my poetry.

How do you choose your images and colours?

Most of the time the art comes to me. I don’t chase it and drive around looking to find a great shot. I do carry my camera everywhere I go however and LIFE as you know happens. There is always something happening that is fascinating, funny, colourful and artistic in my mind. Like I previously said, I do find beauty and art in simply everything around us. I do love taking nature walks so there is always a perfect opportunity to take fantastic photos of wild life in any season whether it rains or shines. There are moments I am looking to take a specific photo and I do set up a small display or subject I want to photograph. It could be simply for texture close up, contest submission or just an idea I may have had. Colour plays a huge role on my mood. I find using reds and oranges when I’m somewhat heated and blues with cooling colours when I’m not so perky. It is basic psychology, it is how we operate.

Painting an image comes from my imagination on most part, though I have painted abstract from creating an image out of photography. These two go hand in hand for me when it comes to creating anything. When painting from imagination colours just come to me as I place them on canvas, I know exactly how to turn and twist my brush, adjusting, adding more colour for raised textures, etc.

Who is your favourite artist?

I do not have a favourite photographer, artist, painter, poet, writer, musician or person of such status. Living this life with appreciation for everyone’s style of art and ability to express themselves is just that. My liking is broad across the spectrum of all types of art.

What is your favourite piece of work by yourself?

Well, my Lizard Dance is one of my favourite if I do have to use such a word. I began painting it when I was expecting my first-born and soon the colours turned brighter and more vivid as I progressed. It proudly hangs in my daughter’s room, the one who inspired me from within.

Now for a photograph, I love the peace and serene evenings of Christmas. One of my “favourite” photographs must be the one of my daughter hanging ornaments with bare butt cheeks and this piece is titled Holy Cheeks. It was from last year when I quickly grabbed the camera and snapped this amazing photo and I do love it very much. I am creating 42 Christmas cards out of this piece this year to send to friends and family.

How much time (on average) does it take to complete a work?

Many times it is snap a shot and download. However, when I am working on a series or a special project I may take up to a week to have a specified amount of about a dozen of great shots for display. Sometimes minor adjustments to contrast and lighting are done with cropping for the size specifications. The colours are left untouched unless I am working to create a digital effect. Then I continue to play with Photoshop CS3 options for gammas, exposures, colour, graphs, etc.

When I am painting, it’s a different story all together. A painting may take me weeks to complete depending on what I am doing. If it is out of my imagination, it will take me longer to get it “right” according to my eye and liking. If is being painted using a photograph or still life, it’s usually done in no more then a week depending on my schedule and interruptions of course.

How well do you take criticism?

I thrive on criticism, however I believe in kindness and constructive criticism reaches into me much further then belittling spew of just anyone. One of the most important thing I take from criticism is I learn from it even if it may feel incorrect doing my best not to take it personal. Everyone is entitled to his or her opinion and I do take it as opinions or observations. Especially when asking for one. I’ve had an occasion when anonymous visitor to my gallery has left few rude and nasty comments that which at the time upset me greatly, though after a brief realization and deep breaths I simply deleted them and moved on about my business.

What do you do to overcome a ‘block’?

Every artist reaches a BLOCK. They are actually wonderful breaks for me, since I am always on the go, never resting and always creating. When I reach a block most of the time I go with the flow and like I said it is a nice break. However, it is frustrating when I have a deadline I’m working with and projects to complete or art to submit. This is the time I take to browse other artists that inspire me, speak to my soul and somehow without a word reach inside me and lift me up. I have many saved fantastic artists in my favourites folder on my PC and many times I do browse through them even simply for fresh ideas. One of the most important things to me is keep up with my poetry and writing. When I reach a block with my art creations, I lean toward writing and most of the time I create incredible work in that department. This goes vice versa for both, so therefore blocks actually help me tremendously. When I reach my limit and hit “THE BLOCK” a block to all creativity, I take that as a sign that I’m simply overworked and spend a little more time with my children playing games and laughing and within days I’m back on the horse.

How do you know something is ‘finished’? Is it easy to walk away?

It is not always easy to walk away from a piece, thinking it is “perfect” though for my own sanity I had to stop being such a perfectionist and allow myself the freedom to walk away and let my finished pieces rest. There has been an occasion that I’ve returned to it a year later to resize a photo, focus on a different section of it all together or take it and alter the image into a digital format where I play with it to make it appear like a water painting perhaps.

When painting abstract it nearly seems never ending turning and twisting the canvas to find what is there, I just know it, yet cannot reach it. Until I walk away for hours sometimes only to find when I return to it, it is perfect only a dab of colour here and there and it’s done. My thoughts on this had to turn into, grabbing a fresh canvas and starting another piece altogether when undecided if I am actually finished with a piece. I’ve had numerous going at once and have one unfinished to this day after 6 years. Though that one is called Goddess Conception and it has to be left unfinished. It is not included in these attached images, though it represents me in a way. It’s a nude and it gives me freedom to change and grow without a set finalization on who I am.

Have you had exhibits in galleries?

I’ve had my work in galleries beginning with the ninth grade of high school. One of the ones I remember was Glenhurst Gallery in Brantford, Ontario, Canada. I had a great art teacher at the time, who actually became my mentor though he never new he was. He’s long moved to journey into the light, however his words of praise and encouragement always echo in my thoughts and memories. His belief in me was so huge it could have swallowed a continent and he took me under his wing constantly submitting my art into our local gallery. He also gave me double marks on many of my pieces and projects. This was such an honour. I have yet to seek a gallery to carry my work though am working on a portfolio before I reach this milestone. I believe it’s coming.

Have you any exhibits in galleries planned for the future?

I have no exhibits planned. Contests are something I submit artwork into as I continue to create. I am on numerous online galleries always self-promoting my humble creations. It is also where I receive not only encouragements or praise from so many fabulous artists, it is also where I find inspirations and budding ideas that spark my imagination. My galleries I’m currently on and always expanding and updating with new artwork are listed here:

http://janettedengo.com
http://janettedengo.imagekind.com
http://artwanted.com/janettedengo
http://zazzle.com/janettedengo
http://stores.lulu.com/janettedengo
http://xogoddess.deviantart.com/
http://www.redbubble.com/people/xogoddess
http://expatartsnetwork.ning.com/profile/JanetteDengo

What are your plans for the future?

Wow, great question. I don’t have any set plans actually. My goals and achievements are building like a castle brick by brick and I don’t push myself to be a slave to just build it fast. I like to take my time and learn along the process of life, as we are all here to learn and experience what we are meant to. My goal is to one day have my photography and paintings in galleries and shows, selling and being desired.

This would however have to start on getting a studio together. I’m working from each corner of my home, so my priority at the moment is to put together a space in my home I can call my own. A place where I can have all my painting supplies, corner computer desk, and all my photo equipment out of the reach of my young children and all in one creative and inspiring space. I would definitely like to paint more then I am currently.

For photography, I do hope to purchase a great Macro lens where I can really focus on quality of macro shots and have those displayed in hotels, restaurants, museums, offices, homes, etc. This is something I’ve been wanting and dreaming of the entire year of 2008.

As for my writing, well I am in the process of publishing a book of poems from all my poetry, and also children books of 7 series, a biography growing up. This is all in the works for me and I have a feeling it will all work out wonderfully.

What advice would you give new artists?

Well, for artists in terms of painting and using canvas, grab that brush and paint. Anything and everything you see with your minds eye, your imagination is the key. Do not feel intimidated by anything out there. It is only paint and it can be painted over if you don’t like it. Art is a free form of expression and there are no set rules.

Advice for budding photographers is GO for it. Take the bull by its horns and don’t let anyone stop you or discourage you. If you have passion for something and a great eye, most importantly if you love it, just go with the flow and you will learn on your journey and find niches and paths that will lead you to your destination. During the course of life though, don’t forget to stop and take a look around and up, and definitely breathe life to feel alive. Do what you must to save for a great camera and never leave your home without it. LIFE happens all around us and there is always something happening somewhere in the world and it’s right around the corner from you.

Thank you SO much for an absolutely wonderful interview   Best of luck in all you do in the future