Sodi Griffin

http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/sodi-griffin.html

When did you first become interested in art?

My favorite “toys” were a coloring book and a watercolor paint box. Then, my next earliest art memory is of drawing lines around the different values in black and white newspaper photographs and of doodling – always doodling. My younger siblings were brothers and, at the time, girls couldn’t play little league baseball so art became my interest. I always knew I would paint but did not pursue my interest until 1997 when I finally had the time to learn and study. I began in my garage, later in life than most.

What style of art do you use most?

Realism is my style. I don’t understand any other kind; call it lack of education. I try to paint what relaxes me – most often nature but having sold real estate for many years, structure sneaks all over the canvas.

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

No, I don’t think so; ability maybe; style no.

What medium do you use?

I paint oil on canvas.

What made you choose that medium?

I admired what I thought were oil paintings in the houses I showed when selling real estate. I thought oil was what made the “real” paintings of the masters. I like to think somebody will continue to enjoy my paintings after I am gone and oil has proven itself over hundreds of years. It may be I will switch to acrylics someday, but for now, oil is my choice.

Beach Daisies On Dune

Do your ideas come from life or imagination?

My ideas come from life; I can’t quite get my imagination on the canvas. The best I can do, so far, is move an object from one place to another but now, March 10, 2009, I still need a model.

How do you choose your images and colors?

I chose colors based on what I thought were good combinations based on formulas in a book I read. Now, my palette is made up of what I think of as (based on another book) impressionist colors and occasionally a few others. The images are what I enjoy viewing as I move about my day.

Who is your favorite artist?

Albert Bierstadt for American realism, Vincent Van Gogh for perspicacity, Howard Behrens for texture, Hugh Harris’ bright primary colors (I now, wear glasses), Claude Monet for atmosphere; I don’t know if there is just one.

Mormor

What is your favorite piece of work by yourself?

It’s always the one I finished yesterday and I am dissatisfied with the one I did last week/month/year.

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

It takes a day or a week to find the subject to photograph, often a day or two to draw it onto the canvas, usually 5-6 hours to paint what I used to call the first image (now called the under coat), a week to dry and for me to view it for changes, 2-4 hours for the second sitting, another week, at least, to dry and final touch-up time varies between no time to a few minutes several times over several months. It depends on how often I catch glimpses of it after I paint it. I try to put it someplace to dry where I will see it while I am not painting or studying it. I like to have my paintings viewable from my walkways, the kitchen, the living room, bed, etc. I find the required changes jump out at me unexpectedly.

How well do you take criticism?

I try intensely to listen but often it depends on the spirit in which criticism is given, the amount of respect I have for the person giving the criticism and, I am sorry to say, whether or not I am happy with myself over my most recent accomplishment. I often find I have listened better than I thought and heard more after I have had time to think about it, before falling asleep. I sometimes explain (defend) something I have done when I am trying to listen. I truly wish I wouldn’t do that because I know it costs me more of what might help me but when that happens, it is what it is.

What do you do to overcome a ‘block’?

I put the canvas aside for awhile to do something physical, and I leave the panting somewhere in the house in view, read about some aspect of art, draw or paint something else or view and/or study other artists’ works until that 500 watt light bulb goes on.

How do you know something is ‘finished’?

When I know there is nothing else I can do to it – not to be confused with when I think there is nothing else I can do to it. When I am finished painting and viewing it makes me smile, and I have had it in front of me long enough and no unexpected surprises jump out at me, I suspect it is finished if I am still smiling. If I have it in front of me for too long and my taste is changing, it may not be done until I go through my next change in taste or mood or I may just have to get it out of my sight to prevent endless changes.

Sea Cottages Celebrate Dawn

Have you had exhibits in galleries?

Yes, see an attached photo of the first one. My art is currently featured Gallery of Local Art in Flagler Beach, Florida (month of March, 2009).

The Canal Awakens

Have you any exhibits in galleries planned for the future?

Other exhibits are very loosely planned in my mind. I have trouble giving up my paintings until I am really, really sick of seeing them. I honestly paint what I enjoy seeing and I enjoy seeing what I paint. I am more apt to give them away to someone whom I know – where I may still see them, even if not as often.

What are your plans for the future?

I plan to continue learning and expect to continue to be inspired by my surroundings. I don’t paint for the sake of painting. I paint because I have been inspired by something I see or by what I have learned.

What advice would you give new artists?

Always continue to learn – at your own pace to avoid frustration, also create from your own inspiration. Take advice – or not – by those whose opinions you have reason to respect. When criticism hurts, look for the motive of the person doing the critiquing. Jealousy can hurt you; the desire to see your art improve will most often feel good.

Have you taken any courses to help you?

If you mean, formal courses, no.

Two Peas In A Pod

What do you do to market your work?

I market loosely through word of mouth; locally, in a start-up gallery, postcards, local businesses, postings in condominiums occupied by tourists (see photo of flyer attached) donations to charity and non-profits; world wide on the internet.

Do you use social networking in your day to day life?

Yes, when asked, what I have been doing in a general sense, I am always delighted to tell. And I have been known to force-feed my family and friends to view my latest piece(s).

Are you available for work (commissions)?

Yes.

Have you any hobbies?

My current hobbies are painting, reading – usually about art and photography – and then the subject is usually what I intend to paint – or might paint. If I had excess time, I would probably garden or travel in search of more subjects to paint.

Where are you based?

My base is Flagler Beach, Florida, between Saint Augustine and Daytona Beach.Thank you so much for the great interview More of Sodi’s work can be seen at http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/sodi-griffin.html