Friday, January 6, 2012

Interview with M Katherine Hurley, part two

Sunset after Rain, 24x24 oil on canvas
 Part two:
What is your palette?

Kay-
I mix on a glass palette.
The top of palette-burnt umber, burnt sienna, permanent green light, cad green, sap green, plus my own greens made of prussian blue and different temperatures of yellow
left side- cad yellow, cad yellow light, cad orange, caucasian flesh
bottom- cad red medium, quid red, alizarin crimson permanent
right side- radiant turquoise, prussian blue, french ultramarine blue, indanthrone blue, moonglow
I also add long strips of white. One strip for warm colors and one strip for cool colors.
Complements are across from one another. I grey by mixing with a complement.
My medium is Gamsol, English turpentine and linseed oil.

What is your plein air process? How important are your onsite sketches?
Kay- Plein air is important because it reconnects me with what is really happening. I find that my sense of observation has such longevity that I see things that I can remember and bring to my work. The paintings in the studio take the information in a whole new direction
What do you do for fun, besides painting?

Kay- I travel with my family or with girlfriends. I want to return to Italy. I like the lifestyle and the value system of Italy. I recently went to England and France. I also enjoy going to the theater.

What advice would you give to a fledgling artist?

Kay- The biggest piece of advice I could give is- believe in yourself. being an artist is your vocation. Don't let anyone tell you that you can't do it. Surround yourself with creative people. You feed them and they feed you. Every human has gift they are born with and if creating is your gift it's your responsibility. Explore and share it with humanity.

What is the hardest part of being an artist?
Kay- The greatest challenge for me as an artist is to believe in myself. It can be hard. Keeping the momentum going is difficult, with the economy as it is. In the end sometimes we just have to do it.

By the way, Kay has made two great DVDs. They are both available from North Light Books at a very reasonable price. Here is the link

7 comments:

Donna T said...

Thanks again, Loriann. I need a big dose of "believe in yourself" so it was good to hear that.

loriann signori said...

Hi Donna, i think we all can need that at one time or another! Your work is beautiful . The only thing bad about you moving to NY is I can no longer see it......where is that website??

Pam Holnback said...

Loved her palette. Some much different colors. BTW the link doesn't go to North Light.

David E. Castillo said...

I have see one of her dvds..it is great! Thanks for the interview (and the beautiful painting!)

loriann signori said...

Hi Pam, thanks for the heads up..I fixed it. Her colors are interesting...maybe try some?

Hi Dave, thanks for dropping by my blog and I am delighted that you enjoyed Kay's interview.

Caroline Simmill said...

Hi Loriann, thank you for this lovely post. I visited Kay's website and looked at her oil paintings. I must say how beautiful the colours are that she uses in her seascapes. A very gifted artist and I am especially pleased to see a good collection of paintings of a large size too. They must be very impressive to see in reality.

loriann signori said...

Hi Caroline, they are impressive, you are so right! Glad you enjoyed the interview!