Your online biography indicates that your influences include Van Gogh, Botticelli, Warhol, Lichtenstein, and Wesselman. That’s a fairly eclectic mix. Is there a common denominator? What aspects of their art do you try to incorporate in your own works? Is there anyone else you’d add to that list?
I could add forever: Max, Alex Katz, Suerat, Matisse, Michelangelo, Renoir... I have such a diverse love of many types of art and I think it relates to the diverse amount of techniques that I have mastered. It does, though, hinder my development of creating one particular MILOU BRAND, but that will only come with more painting. I try and incorporate techniques form artists that inspire me, not necessarily their subjects, more their techniques, but I have been know to paint a Marilyn and I've been inspired by Wesselman lips.
How do you go about creating a painting? Is the process the same for most paintings or do different genres/different mediums dictate different approaches? Do you need to see the person in front of you or does it help if they’re not in front of you. Do you draw from photographs, personal appearances or the imagination?
Every single piece is different. I can often see a painting complete , my vision of it in my imagination even before I start it. Other times, they just evolve. I usually like to stay one or two paintings ahead in my mind so I can start imagining what is coming next, but I may actually get there and change everything - that is the magic, the spontaneity of creating art. To be honest with you, I still don't understand how I do it. Just like I really cannot believe that this email actually travels to you through space. But it all starts in the brain, which is the most amazing piece of art their may ever be!
I love working from photos. I was trained that way. But I also love looking at everything. I do not paint from life much. I should because it is an incredible feeling to be able to use all of your senses vs looking at a 2-D photo that has no life. I use my imagination all the time. That is what jump-starts my creativity!
I recognize many great artists, many levels of great art. Not all of it is creative and that is OK. I know one of my strengths is my creativity!