Eric Bowman could never have imagined the path his life would take for him to become a fine art painter. He wanted to go to art school but the prospect of spending two years in a junior college taking courses that had nothing to do with art - well, that was something he couldn't stomach. And so began a surprising journey with many side trips and destination stops and the serendipitous meeting of people who would forever shape the way he creates art today.

In this edition of the Artful Painter, Eric talks about his choice of subject to paint: often a solitary figure or two situated in a vast, cinematic landscape. He talks about his Quonset studio, his design and painting processes, and tells us about the unexpected encounters with people who would influence his path to painting fine art.

As you listen to his remarkable journey on becoming a painter, you will be enthralled by Eric Bowman Following a Circuitous Path.

Links:

Eric Bowman

Website: https://www.ericbowman.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ericbowmanart/

Other mentions:

Tim Solliday: http://timsollidayart.com Rick Griffin: https://www.rickgriffindesigns.com/biography

About the Artful Painter:

Website: https://theartfulpainter.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CarlOlsonArt

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artful.painter/

This page may contain affiliate links from which I earn a small commission. When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Vianna Szabo comfortably switches between painting with pastel, watercolor, acrylic, or oil. She paints beautifully sensitive portraits. Her landscape paintings capture a fleeting moment in time. Expressive color is a hallmark of her paintings no matter the subject she chooses or the medium she uses.

In this episode you soon learn that Vianna has a passion for teaching other artists. Vianna's ability to take complex subjects and convey them in simple and relatable terms is a hallmark of her approach to teaching. Her students enthusiastically share their admiration and appreciation of her teaching methods. One such student emailed me and said that Vianna "has a delightful personality." After recording this interview and getting to know Vianna, I have to agree!

Vianna talks about a number of intriguing topics:

1. How is color mixing like the movie Mean Girls?
2. Can family members be successfully used as models?
3. And speaking of models, how is plein air painting like painting a drunk model?
4. How do you keep photo references from bossing you around?
5. What are the do's and don't's of copying another artist's work?
6. What is the story of the painting and how do you find it?

And there's so much more to this conversation. After listening to Vianna you will come away uplifted by her kindness, generosity, and positivity. Not surprisingly, all of those things are evident in each of her paintings. As you view and experience her beautiful paintings, you get a sense that Vianna Szabo has – in each one – succeeded in Finding the Why.

Links:

Vianna Szabo

Website: https://www.viannaszabo.com/ Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/viannaszabo

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/viannaszabo/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vianna.szabo

Latest Artful Painter Associate Producer Aliona Price: https://alionaprice.com

About the Artful Painter:

Website: https://theartfulpainter.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CarlOlsonArt

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artful.painter/

This page may contain affiliate links from which I earn a small commission. When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Chris Kolupski began painting outdoors as a teenager in the forests of Upstate New York and Canada. He credits his high school art teacher David DeClerk for making a significant impact on his early artistic evolution. DeClerk took his class on outdoor painting field trips and introduced his students to representational American painters and illustrators such as Winslow Homer, Norman Rockwell, and the Wyeth family.

Like many artists, Chris pursued career choices after high school that helped him earn a living as an illustrator, portrait artist, and taking on commission work. However, after a particularly exhausting large-scale commission, Chris had had enough. He felt depleted and looked forward to unwinding by painting natural landscapes outdoors during a vacation in Utah and Colorado with his wife Michele and their two children. That trip would prove to be a pivotal turning point for Chris. Inspired by the striking landscape of of American West, he resolved to refocus on his first painting love: landscapes. In this episode, Chris talks about that transformative moment and why it was so important to him in his development as an artist. He talks about why landscape painting appeals to him and he shares a few of his outdoor adventures. He talks, too, about the effect his portraiture work has had on his landscape paintings, the materials and techniques he likes to use, and his thoughts on teaching. This conversation with Chris Kolupski will certainly inspire you to paint outdoors, seek its solitude, and disappear into time.

Links:

Chris Kolupski

Website: https://www.chriskolupski.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chriskolupski/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chriskolupskifineart/

Oak Hill Woodworking - Plein Air Kits https://www.oakhillwoodworking.com

Books:

The Painted Word (author Tom Wolfe) https://amzn.to/2PIVTfx (paid link)

About the Artful Painter:

Website: https://theartfulpainter.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CarlOlsonArt

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artful.painter/

This page may contain affiliate links from which I earn a small commission. When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Shanna Kunz is a contemporary landscape painter whose work is a conscious play of mood, light and color. As a naturalist raised and rooted in the diverse landscapes of western America, a painting takes on deeper meaning for her. Each location is an encounter of spirit with the land, the trees, and the waters that have always given her a sense of connection and order.

When a location intrigues and inspires her, she paints the scene into a series using a range of keys or themes, experimenting and searching to learn more about the natural threads that tie the landscape together with complexity, subtlety and more importantly balance. Shanna looks for new ways to express spatial relationships and distance with layers of paint, brushwork, gradations, and diffusions of light. Shanna says that hopefully her study of the landscape will bring her somewhat closer to an honest translation of both soul and land. To that end she pushes color and value into new compositions and continues a lifelong effort to communicate the emotional connection she feels with the environment. Indeed when you view her paintings you sense the serene, contemplative quietness and solitude of the landscape. Between you and the landscape she paints, Shanna Kunz is actively forging a visual connection.

Links:

Shanna Kunz

Website: https://www.shannakunz.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shannakunz/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shanna.allen.kunz.hernandez

Inspired to Paint (with Elizabeth Robbins): https://inspiredtopaint.com

About the Artful Painter:

Website: https://theartfulpainter.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CarlOlsonArt

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artful.painter/

This page may contain affiliate links from which I earn a small commission. When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Mitch Baird is a passionate representational painter. He believes that painting is a celebration of life and the beauty that surrounds us. He is devoted to the traditions of the late 19th century artists who looked to the figure and nature for inspiration regarding light, color, and design. Seeking out this inspiration, Mitch works directly from life to capture the qualities and nuances of natural light and color harmony. He has a strong conviction that great artistic communication depends on good draftsmanship, design, and vision. His artistic desire is to portray a positive visual statement and hope the viewer will experience what he sees and in some sense be inspired, uplifted, or moved by his paintings, whether it is of a small intimate setting or a grandiose subject.

In this lively conversation, Mitch talks about overcoming the resistance of our symbol-filled brains to learn to paint what we actually see. He covers the value of painting from life: whether we are outdoors painting the landscape or indoors painting a figure. He candidly shares his view of plein air events. To him, plein air painting is not a sport. Rather it is a mission to gather information and learn light. As a family man, he talks frankly about the challenges of balancing parenting, being a good husband, and painting. It's not always easy, but it's always rewarding. As we examine Mitch Baird's career as a painter, it's clear that his commitment to the craft of painting encapsulates both patience and perseverance.

Links:

Mitch Baird Website: https://www.mitchbaird.com/ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mitchbairdart/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mitch.baird.5

Mentions:

Plein Air Painters of America (PAPA) https://www.p-a-p-a.com/

Books

Exhibitionism: Art in an Era of Intolerance (author Lynne Munson) https://amzn.to/3sxaKb0 (paid link)

Color and Light: A Guide for the Realist Painter (author James Gurney) https://amzn.to/2MrYr01 (paid link)

The Eye of the Painter and the Elements of Beauty (author Andrew Loomis) Note: this book is extremely rare. https://amzn.to/3aWjBwH (paid link)

About the Artful Painter:

Website: https://theartfulpainter.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CarlOlsonArt

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artful.painter/

This page may contain affiliate links from which I earn a small commission. When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

G. Russell Case is a Western painter inspired by the beauty of creation. Based in Utah, he brings to life the epic landscapes that surround him with a confident voice honed with humility and reverence. His carefully contemplated design incorporates unique vantage points that convey a sense of the smallness of man amidst the vastness of the landscape. The geology of deep canyons, ancient mesas, and towering mountains, and red rock cliffs serve as the setting for a Navaho shepherd and his sheep, or a solitary cowboy mounted upon his horse. The small, nearly insignificant figures and man-made structures that often appear in Russell's paintings convey a sense of the enormity of the landscape these inhabit.

Outdoor painting is vital to Russell's development as a painter. The play of light and shadow intrigue Russell. Keen attention to natural color allows Russell to express the beauty of the landscape in his own unique voice. He is not interested in literal interpretations of the landscape. Russell's intent is to create visual poetry that evokes an emotional response within the viewer and draws them deep within the scene. The beauty of G. Russell Case's paintings is clearly the result of his pursuit of A Higher Perspective.

Mentioned in this episode:

G. Russell Case https://www.russellcase.com

About the Artful Painter:

Website: https://theartfulpainter.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CarlOlsonArt

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artful.painter/

This page may contain affiliate links from which I earn a small commission. When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Kyle Buckland's bold paintings are deeply rooted in the philosophy and approach of the impressionists. As a teenager, his interest in art began to edge out the interests of most youth - skateboarding, team sports, or playing in a band. He became an art nerd in high school, using every available moment to devour the small selection of art books found in his school library. He didn't just read books, though. He went outside and painted. And painted. And painted.

That hard work paid off. Kyle has won many awards for his impressionistic paintings. His work is represented in hundreds of private, public, and corporate collections around the world. His paintings are filled with rich colors and luxurious brushwork. Surprisingly, some of his largest works are painted outdoors! Kyle captures the experience of painting outside on his inspirational YouTube channel he calls The Artful Souls. There you can watch him paint on canvases measuring up to 48 by 48 inches.

Kyle now resides in a small nineteenth-century farmhouse/studio in Abingdon, Virginia, with his lovely wife, Jennifer. However, if you knock on his door, you likely won't find him home. He's probably painting either out back in his stand-alone studio or somewhere out in the beautiful Virginia countryside. One thing is for sure: wherever you find Kyle Buckland, whether he's painting outdoors or in his studio, or teaching a class of eager students, you can be certain he is making a difference.

Mentioned in this episode:

Kyle Buckland Website: http://kylebuckland.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kylebucklandfineart/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kylebucklandfineart The Artful Souls YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCP5gnh7Yrr_7OQtdWDoDZEw

Frank Brangwyn https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Brangwyn

John F. Carlson https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_F._Carlson

Carlson's Guide to Landscape Painting (paid link) https://amzn.to/38MAms2

Emile Gruppè https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emile_Gruppe Gruppè on Painting: Direct Techniques in Oil (paid link) https://amzn.to/3o2bcvY Gruppè on Color: Using Expressive Color to Paint Nature (paid link) https://amzn.to/3aVJZHG Brushwork for the Oil Painter (paid link) https://amzn.to/3hwqyqc

Charles Muvalli https://charlesmovalli.org/home

David Lussier https://www.davidlussiergallery.com

About the Artful Painter:

Website: https://theartfulpainter.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CarlOlsonArt

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artful.painter/

This page may contain affiliate links from which I earn a small commission. When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Steven Walker captures the essence of the impressions of a long meditative walk along the back alley street of a small town or a quiet, rural road. His paintings often capture the warm light of the golden hour just after sunrise or just before sunset. Long shadows and warm glowing light arrest the eye in a narrative to be completed by the viewer. As the sun sets, and streetlights flicker on, Steven shifts to painting moody nocturnes that invoke feelings of a quieter time. His paintings are imbued with rich color, evocative light and shadow, and tantalizing design and composition that lure the viewer into his painting.

Steven discovered his love for art at an early age. After earning a bachelor's and master's degree, he began the arduous road to becoming a professional fine art painter. He began painting full time at what may have seemed to be the worst possible time: during the dismal economic aftermath of the mortgage industry meltdown of 2008. Undeterred, and with the loving support of his wife, he threw himself into painting, continually honing his skills as a painter. The result of his hard work includes winning many awards and extensive gallery representation over the years.

His determination to grow as an artist shows in the maturity of his work. Steven Walker's paintings are a reflection of not only his skill and maturity as a painter, but also reflects his artistic poetry expressed with transparency and light.

Mentioned in this episode:

Steven S. Walker Website: https://stevenwalkerstudios.com Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stevenwalkerstudios/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/steven.s.walker YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCUiKo1K79pgvA7pMSpFYrkA/

David Boyd, Jr. https://www.davidboydjr.com

Jon Bradham https://www.jonbradham.com

About the Artful Painter:

Website: https://theartfulpainter.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CarlOlsonArt

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artful.painter/

This page may contain affiliate links from which I earn a small commission. When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Gàbor Svagrik presents Ralph Oberg, Matt Smith, Skip Whitcomb, and Dan Young in Four Directions - Common Paths.

The Artful Painter has reached a new milestone: this is episode number 50. The first episode was published a little over two years ago in September of 2018 featuring artist Ralph Oberg.

The idea to do this show began to form after I attended a week-long event sponsored by the Booth Museum in Cartersville and Plein Air Painters of America. I participated in two workshops during that PAPA event conducted by Matt Smith and Ralph Oberg. I also attended lectures given by Len Chmiel, Skip Whitcomb, Dan Young, and Jill Carver. It was a truly transformative event for me.

It's only fitting that In this episode I return to this show's roots by featuring a delightful and inspiring conversation between four friends: Ralph Oberg, Matt Smith, Skip Whitcomb, and Dan Young. The conversation was recorded by Gàbor Svagrik - who also was an early guest of the Artful Painter. Gàbor and I reconnect and talk about his experience filming these four friends. I'm indebted to Gàbor for allowing me to share this conversation with Artful Painter listeners.

Gàbor's film also coincides with a special exhibition being held at the Steamboat Art Museum in Steamboat Springs, Colorado. The show title is Four Directions - Common Paths: Friendship, Inspiration, and Craft - A Thirty Year Connection. The show runs from December 4, 202o through April 10, 2021. It features 25 works each from Ralph Oberg, Matt Smith, Skip Whitcomb, and Dan Young.

Mentioned in this episode:

Four Directions - Common Paths - a film by Gabor Svagrik https://sojournfineart.com/learning-about-art-artists-art-collecting/steamboat-art-museum-show

Steamboat Art Museum https://www.steamboatartmuseum.org/current-exhibit

Gàbor Svagrik https://svagrikfineart.com https://tucsonartacademyonline.com https://sojournfineart.com https://carlolson.tv/artful-painter/gabor-svagrik-teach-educate-inspire-7 https://youtu.be/NJ7-8McK9-4

Ralph Oberg https://www.ralphoberg.com https://carlolson.tv/artful-painter/ralph-oberg-mountain-painter-1 https://youtu.be/h7boK6YLwpg

Matt Smith https://www.mattsmithstudio.com https://carlolson.tv/artful-painter/matt-smith-impressionistic-naturalism-2 https://youtu.be/Ckmi4Q3TNck

Skip Whitcomb https://www.skipwhitcomb.com https://carlolson.tv/artful-painter/skip-whitcomb-purity-of-vision-21 https://youtu.be/7gRitYn0xL8

Dan Young http://danyoungstudio.com https://carlolson.tv/artful-painter/dan-young-always-a-student-5 https://youtu.be/pN4XOZLdhq4

Plein Air Painters of America https://www.p-a-p-a.com

Priya Gore https://www.karibufineart.com

About the Artful Painter:

Website: https://theartfulpainter.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CarlOlsonArt

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artful.painter/

This page may contain affiliate links from which I earn a small commission. When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

Paul Foropoulos is a Greek artist born on the tiny, beautiful island of Samos, Greece. Today, he and his wife divide their time between their home in Clearwater, Florida, and Samos, Greece. Not only does he paint, but he is also a sculptor, he designs jewelry, and he teaches art classes in his own fine art studio classroom.

Paul is an avid scuba diver and loves to paint the extraordinary underwater views he sees while diving. His large underwater oil paintings mesmerize the viewer with a mix of bold and subtle colors depicting the rich variety of sea life enchantingly illuminated by sunlight filtered through water. Paul's subject matter is not limited to underwater scenes. He exuberantly wields his brushes, knives, and oil paints to create vibrant, colorful contemporary, urban, figurative, seascape, and landscape paintings.

My wife and I met Paul Foropoulos and his wife, Dina, when we traveled to Greece last year with another couple. Paul kindly made arrangements for us to stay on his home-island of Samos. It's a quiet, enchanting island devoid of crowds of tourists. As we dined on fabulous Greek food, we learned of Paul's remarkable journey to become an artist. It's a journey that took him from his quaint island home of Samos, to the big city of Athens, and then to Lebanon and beyond. Today, I'm glad to have the privilege of sharing with you Paul Foropoulos' inspirational story of painting along life's path.

Mentioned in this episode:

Paul Foropoulos https://www.paulforopoulos.com

Paul Foropoulos Studios of Fine Art Facebook Page https://www.facebook.com/Foropoulos-Studios-of-Fine-Arts-1588090254786178/

Paul Foropoulos Studios of Fine Art on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/foropoulosstudiosoffinearts/

Vianna Szabo's Website: https://www.viannaszabo.com/

Vianna Szabo's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/c/ViannaSzabo

About the Artful Painter:

Website: https://theartfulpainter.com/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/CarlOlsonArt

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/artful.painter/

This page may contain affiliate links from which I earn a small commission. When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.