Artist of the Month October 2015

 

Rebecca Finch

Horseheads, NY

How and when did you start creating art?

I was a freshman music major in college. One day after strolling through an art exhibit in our building, I was so inspired to create something that I went straight to the campus store and purchased colored pencils, paper, and two greeting cards for image references. 

For the next couple of days  I lost myself in drawing. When it was completed, at the nudging of some friends, I sent the drawing to the teachers in the art department and asked them if there was any glimmer of hope for me. They said that if I worked hard I could do well in the art department. 

The following semester, with the blessing of my parents, I changed my major from Voice to Commercial Art and truly never looked back. I continued on to earn an MA degree in Commercial Art. It was a wonderful, life-altering change of plans.

What media and genres do you work in?

I work in oils and do mostly still lifes although I’ve done occasional landscape paintings over the years.

Who or what are your influences?

John Singer Sargent remains one of my most favorite artist of all time, although I am touched and mesmerized by the story of Vincent Van Gogh’s life and passion for art. As for contemporary artists, Richard Schmid has always been an artist whose work I admire and whose principles of alla prima painting I aim to follow. Daniel James Keys and Michael Klein are two other artists that I have also been following for a while.

As for what influences or inspires me, I am helplessly drawn toward painting objects that have age and a far reaching history. Antiques, but more importantly objects that used to be owned by loved ones who have passed away or gifts from friends are crucial to have in my paintings. Somehow it comes across to the viewers that there is more in this painting than just a bowl or a piece of fabric. I use items from my wedding, my Papaw's handkerchief, silver pitchers from great-grandmothers, and other heirlooms that I've collected over the years. Without them, I feel that I would just be painting uninspired wall art.

What was your inspiration for The Caretaker’s Empty Nest?

While painting this still life, I became quite emotional and nostalgic as I experienced a small form of empty nest, myself. My little baby had just started Kindergarten and was also taking the bus for the first time. I must say that every time that bus pulls away, my heart aches. So this painting took on that bittersweet tone and a fictional story developed as its backdrop that you can read on my blog :

Describe your creative process?

It may be surprising to know that it can take hours to set up a still life. There are so many things that need to be considered. Once I’m finished with the set up and the lighting, I tone my board and start painting. Depending on the size, a painting can take anywhere from 5 hours to 2 ½ weeks. I usually do a loose drawing indicating where the objects will be placed in the painting, and then I choose my main object and bring that to a near finish before moving on. To see the entire process a painting goes through from still life set up to the gallery, visit the Studio Tour page on my website.

What are you working on currently?

Right now I'm finishing up a fall themed painting with old books, feathers, sticks, leaves, and the harvest of fruit and gourds that represent the coming of fall. They are resting on a weathered table and a draped tablecloth that was my husband's great-grandmother's.

This week I will be starting to work on a collection of small paintings for the Arnot ArtMuseum in Elmira, New York. I look forward to painting my collection of skeleton keys and a few other objects such as feathers which I now tend to add into my larger still lifes. Follow me on Instagram to get real time views of what is going on in the studio.

What are your near/long term goals as an artist?

I’m always aiming to improve my skills and continue to connect with my viewers on an emotional level. I’ve started writing fictional stories to go along with some paintings to accomplish this. I am also dreaming up of some ways that I can also have a positive impact on my fellow artists as well. Very soon, there are plans in the works for giving regular painting demonstrations via live streaming so that I can connect with people globally and answer their questions as I paint.

Where can people view/purchase your work (gallery, website, etc)?

I’m currently represented by West End Gallery in Corning, NY .

You can see all of my paintings on my website,  www.rebeccafinch.com , get a look into my studio, see tips on decorating with original art, and more about my family.

See the most up to date happenings in the studio on my Instagram page.

Sign up for my newsletter to receive occasional emails on new paintings, tips on enjoying the arts with your family, more fictionettes, newest paintings and additional places to see my paintings.

Open Imagination

The Caretaker’s Empty Nest

Open Imagination

Wedding Plans

Open Imagination

Aqua Daydream

Open Imagination

Unlocking Old Secrets

Open Imagination

Dark Flight

Open Imagination

Portrait of Fall

Artist Website
All Images @ Rebecca Finch
All Rights Reserved

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