Three by Three: Guest Artists in Focus

QUESTION 2. Where do you recognize yourself most clearly in your work—in what you choose to express or what you choose to withhold?

• ANSWER 2. In terms of what I like to paint and the style in which I do it I have realized that it shows my desire to manage and control whatever I am doing. Sometimes I feel that my work might display that, but really, I think it's only something I am aware of. This is something I only came to realize after I painted for a while. We do not have a lot of control over things, but I feel I can attempt to control my work. It still gets the upper hand, but my stubbornness will also be apparent as my painting will not get the best of me. I also like to express my sense of humor or get people thinking a bit when they look at my work.

  
  VIEWING ON MOBILE DEVICE?
  CLICK IMAGE FOR FULL VIEW.

Georgina Love
Oil Painter

BIO: An early love of art and a desire to learn to paint inspired me to finally find someone who could teach me what I wanted to learn. There was a lot of dabbling and playing around as a youngster, but all that did was satisfy my desire to create things. Finally about 30 years ago, met an instructor who had classical atelier training - just the type of classical academic work I wanted to learn. I was finally able to begin that journey.

During the course of time, using and constantly refining the skills learned, I painted all sorts of subject matter. Whether it was copying old Masters or using those techniques for whimsical paintings or animal portraits the goal was to make whatever I painted come alive. Then, I discovered trompe l’oeil and the next goal was learning to create paintings to “trick the eye”. I enjoy the constant challenges of creating artwork, having fun with it while using old world methods.

My work has been shown in juried regional and national exhibitions and collected both in the Unites States and overseas. I continue to paint and also share my knowledge and experience with my students who also enjoy satisfaction and success with their paintings.

EMAIL: glovefl@msn.com

QUESTION 3. What would your art become if you stopped trying to prove anything to anyone—including the voice in your own head?

• ANSWER 3. Well, we are all afraid of something, and sometimes, many things. I think many artists are huge self critics or else how could you improve or grow? I sometimes want to make work that might be a little dodgy, humorous in an unconventional way, and of course, worry about how it would be accepted or whether it would change people's ideas about me. At a certain age, you don't care.... so much. I see art out there where people have escaped those chains and I find their work daring, innovative, funny.... just obvious to me that they are making what they really want to show the world. I think my art, in its style, would remain the way I make it now, I'd just let loose with my ideas more and not be so worried about public perception. I'm not sure I will ever get to that stage.

  
  

  As an example, I actually did a painting that began with a plain old love of old objects, in this case, my mother's meat grinder. I had ideas about it, but then decided they would be boring, and I actually wanted to say something with this painting. Litter and waste bothers me a great deal, and this painting shows all the junk and unsightly things we are surrounded with - recycled into things of beauty. Thus titled "If Only.." I really thought the message was good and clear and strong- I don't generally have any message - and this painting was met with puzzled commentary. Frankly, I was surprised, especially because I see a lot of art that is, to me, undecipherable and is accompanied by a lot of explanation, and is embraced for its "message". This painting was misunderstood, which was a great disappointment to me. This is the sort of thing that keeps me from just putting it out there. I love the painting, and every time I look at it, wonder what can't or isn't being seen. Maybe it's too literal? But, we keep showing our work, and an artist has to get past the need for approval and just work for their own love of their craft.

• VIEWING ON MOBILE DEVICE?
  CLICK IMAGE FOR FULL VIEW.

  
  

QUESTION 1. What’s a piece of artistic wisdom you once believed deeply but now completely reject?

• ANSWER 1. I've always painted what I wanted to paint; subject matter not particularly specific. Therefore, when I would see information about what you "should" be doing with your art, I felt a bit of pressure about what I'm supposed be painting and for some reason, why. I have realized that you make your art from your heart, and the rest will fall into place.

  
  VIEWING ON MOBILE DEVICE?
  CLICK IMAGE FOR FULL VIEW.

PS As an aside, I attach a photo of "Duel" because that was my "Death of Socrates" in a way. The painting at the Metropolitan that, at age 13 I saw and thought "one day, I want to paint like that". This is my copy of the master.

• VIEWING ON MOBILE DEVICE?
  CLICK IMAGE FOR FULL VIEW.