Barbara Keith • 11.27.08
Barbara Keith
Welcome to the Artists Blog
When did you first become interested in art?
Interested?
That’s hard to say. I began drawing at the age of 4 mostly because my mother used to draw “Betty Boop”, a cartoon that I liked. But by the 3rd grade it was becoming more important to me, just not an obsession yet.
What style of art do you use most?
I’m a “realist”. When drawing I like what I’m working on to have some sort of reference in life. I try not to make things up as I go along (except maybe for backgrounds!!). But that’s just me.
Has your style changed from when you first began as an artist?
OMG yes!! And it keeps changing. Don’t expect it will ever stop.
Brown Eyed Beauties
What medium do you use?
I’ve used: oil paint, watercolor, gouache (which I’m still struggling with), graphite, charcoal, colored pencils, scratchboard, pen and ink, ink wash and I really hope I haven’t forgotten any.
What made you choose that medium?
Let’s change that to “what’s my favorite” because I bounce back and forth between them all. My preference, right now, at this particular time is watercolor.. but I never put my colored pencils down for long.
Do your ideas come from life or imagination?
Mostly life.. a lot of times a particular animal or photograph will start me thinking and seeing it in a certain media, but I’m not really that imaginative – well, not to my way of thinking anyway.
How do you choose your images and colours?
The colors come from the “image”. If it’s a tiger, then I use “tiger colors”.. sort of. I also throw in a lot more color than you can see. The Image?
Diamonds
That’s a tough one. I have a lot of photographer friends who have allowed me access to their morgues from time to time. Sometimes that’s all it takes.
Who is your favourite artist?
Michaelangelo.. I’m still in awe of his work.
What is your favourite piece of work by yourself?
Oh, that’s hard.. like picking your favorite child!! I have dozens of favorites.. but there are very few that will NEVER be sold.. one of which happens to be “The Magician”, a scratchboard piece that I still like looking at (and it’s been around for 20 years).
How much time (on average) does it take to complete a work?
Time really depends on the size of the piece, the media and the intricacies of the design. From blank sheet to finished product can take anywhere from 2 hours to 80 hours. I’m not the type to spend years on a piece. I may put it away for years, but actual working time is never in years, only hours.
Eloquent
How well do you take criticism?
That all depends on who’s giving it and why. I’ve had people criticize my work just because they could, with no intention of anything but meanness! But I can take constructive critcism quite well.. anything for the work, to make the WORK better.
What do you do to overcome a ‘block’?
Clean house!! Actually, do anything that DOESN’T INVOLVE ART. If I take a complete break from it for a couple of days – the block disappears. And besides, by then I’ve got a headfull of ideas just raging to get out.. so it kind of “heals itself”. Getting completely away from it, I think, is the key.
How do you know something is ‘finished’?
Is it easy to walk away?
None of my work is ever really “finished”.. there’s always more that can be added.. but you reach a point where you look at it and say.. “I like that”.. that’s a good time to sign your name and walk away. The hardest part of “abandoning” a piece is that that particular journey is at an end. I keep telling people that it’s not the finished piece that counts.. it’s the journey to get there. That’s what it’s all about.
Innocence
Have you had exhibits in galleries?
Oh yes. A lot for about 20 years. I would enter shows, galleries, juried shows – anything to get the work seen. Then I started having some health problems and that pretty much put an end to doing any more shows. Galleries?
I’m still in a couple of local ones.
Have you any exhibits in galleries planned for the future?
Not unless asked.. but no plans right now.
Radiant
What are your plans for the future?
To work until I can’t any more. To me, it’s the work that counts.. the creation of something so undeniably my own.. that spurs me on to do more and keep pushing my own personal envelope. The real thrill is when, under my hand, something begins to breath and come to life.. that’s the feeling I keep going for.
Have you any advice for young artists?
Have a good understanding of anatomy, don’t be afraid to try new things or to ask some one’s advice. In the end, you MUST be happy with what you do.. if you are not, in your heart of hearts happy.. then find out why!
Barbara you are a wonderful artist! Thank you so much for the interview
To see more of Barbara’s work, visit the following sites:
http://www.artwanted.com/BarbBarcikKeith
http://barbara-keith.fineartamerica.com
