Artist on Artist Interview with Eleanor Bennett

This month's 'Artist on Artist' interview is unique in that, UK based photographer - Eleanor Bennett, approached my blog seeking to be interviewed. I was flattered (and still am) to have been asked by an acclaimed photographer because normally it's the other way around for me; I seek out the artists and ask them to be interviewed, and to be featured on my blog.

Eleanor Bennett is a young self-taught, award-winning professional photographer, and her work has garnered respect from high profile magazines such as British Vogue, Harper's Bazaar, and Life Force Magazine. Her youthful and curious mind, and keen interest in observing her surroundings links her great spectrum of subject matters - anything and everything, colour or black and white, compare and contrast; is interesting in the eyes of Eleanor Bennett.

So, without any further adieu, here is Eleanor Bennett's interview along with selected works. 



  

Eleanor Leonne Bennett.

Polly: Hello Eleanor, and welcome to my studio blog, it’s a pleasure to have you here! Would you mind telling us where you are from and why photography is your chosen medium?

Eleanor: Thank you for having me, it's lovely to be here! I am from Cheshire in England and photography is my chosen medium as I have won the most awards in this field and it means I can readily express myself  with the click of a shutter.

Happy Hour. 12 x 8. Photograph. 2012.

Polly: Would you please describe your earliest memories when you realised you were an artist?

Eleanor: Around the age of 7. Crafting was my life when I was little. I just always had to create. I loved to watch Smart! and Art Attack on the tv. I used to have a whole palette of colors when I was tiny all the different shades I needed to construct clay models. I wanted to become an animator for Aardman at that age.

Polly: Could you tell us about your education and training?

Eleanor: I am home schooled and all my training is through being self taught.

Evil Within. 8 x 10. Photography. 2010.

Polly: In your own words please describe your style?

Eleanor: Contemporary, strange, abstract, emotive, honest and often macabre.

Polly: Tell us about your preferred choice of camera(s)?

Eleanor: Always my Panasonic Lumix models. I currently have a Panasonic FZ48 which I greatly enjoying using. I first started winning awards in droves when I photographed with my FZ38. I need a bridge camera that doesn't leave its mark and saves me from post processing I want some control of the image as I take it even if it is open to more flaws.

Mirror of the Stream. 10 x 8. Photograph. 2011 

Polly: Your work covers a great spectrum of subject matters; is there a particular subject you’re especially fond of and would like to explore a little further in depth and why?

Eleanor: I enjoy medicine, anatomy, mental illness and destruction as my main themes. I like to photograph what other people don't and the closer I can get to pinpoint a thought process or deconstruct a barrier the happier I am.

Girl Holding a Vintage. 8 x 10. Photograph. 2013.

Polly: There seems to be quite the dichotomy in your work. While in one photograph it can seem like a casual random moment, another seems to be planned/staged (and I mean that in the best sense of the term) and thought out. Am I correct in thinking this or, is there something greater at work behind the lens? 

Eleanor: Self portraits of mine are most often planned as a rule with the greater majority of my work being little random moments. Thematically a lot of these random moments add up to a portfolio of more emotional resonance. There are many images that work together well of mine that were taken years apart.

Fire from Stream. 8 x 10. Photography. 2011.

Polly: Please tell us about your influences and how you find inspiration?

Eleanor: Mainly just from the world around me and current events. I cite a lot of my creativity in what I see in the natural world. All of our finest designs and repetitive patterns we see in clothes and decor is no match to what designs are preserved in the fossil record. It is amazing the neat and organised way of beauty I see when I step outdoors. A twist in bark or the colors dispersed throughout rock sediment could be next year's season!

Fading to Sky. 10 x 12. Photography. 2013.

Polly: If, you could try your hand at another medium or genre what would it be and why?

Eleanor: Songwriting. Because I share in the anguish of a lot of entertainment consumers that I could do a better job if graced the opportunity.

Eleanor Bennett. Self-portrait in London. 

Polly: If, you could have dinner with one person, dead or alive, who would it be and why?

Eleanor: Very hard to pick just one, especially a person of note. I would probably say Damon Albarn as I can say that he was another great inspiration when I was very young to think different. And to never be ashamed of it.

The Lovely Vintage. 8 x 10. Photography. 2013.

Polly: Who has been the greatest support to you as an artist and how?

Eleanor: My strength of character. When you don't come from a family of artists (or the ones who do don't spend any time with you) you can only be supported so much. Nobody ever prepared me for all the rejections and losses I would make. One thing that is instantaneous to me upon a family or close friend dying is to take a picture either of them or something to explain what they've gone through. Because you often don't get chance for a good cry in the hustle and bustle of this hectic life. I make some type of preservation in imagery to equate the preservation of my stability.

Cotton Spools. 8 x 10. Photograph. 2013. 

Polly: What has been most challenging for you as an artist?

Eleanor: Youth, with the fact a lot more people would take me seriously if this was in twenty years time that I had achieved the same acclaim.

Polly: Tell us what your thoughts are on being an artist!?

Eleanor: That if you can't assign to yourself something entirely original then turn to biographical work. I would much rather hear about your day than a tall tale of someone else's day passed off as if your own.

Festival Reflections. 8 x 10. Photography. 2013.

Polly: If, you were conducting this interview what one question would you ask yourself and what would the answer be?

Eleanor: Do you think you can apply yourself to most creative fields, however they may be challenging? Yes, a little fresh education and a new goal never hurt anyone willing and ambitious.

Acceptance of Injury. 8 x 10. Photography. 2013.

Polly: Would you mind sharing with us something interesting about yourself most people wouldn't know?

Eleanor: I was due to be born on Valentines day but was ten days too late. If you were to know me in real life most people would find me cynical and sarcastic. I absorb information rapidly in all subjects I show interest in. I collect antiques and I know the value of a lot of precious objects. It feeds into my creativity because I have a real passion for art done well in a vaste amount of areas.

Early Morn. 8 x 10. Photography. 2014. 

Polly: And lastly, what words of wisdom would you offer to young artists?

Eleanor: Just hold out when people try to dismiss you for your age. Don't be afraid to put whatever is personal out there in regards to your experiences. It often makes people realise you are emotionally valid when you have something to declare. In the face of criticism be someone to be proud of and steer far away from logical fallacies and knee-jerk reactions.

Composed Frames. 8 x 10. Photography. 2013.

Polly: Thank you so much for your time Eleanor! Is there anything else you would like to share with us about you and or your art?

Eleanor: Thank you for the lovely interview. All I really have left to share is that people need to follow my Facebook page and official website to know what I'm really doing. I'm so busy even I don't know what is set in stone for me in the next 12 months. I also provide services as a writer, book cover designer, curator, senior editor and communications assistant.


Again ... thank you so much Eleanor for your interview and sharing your thoughts on your work with us today! Best wishes to you in your career and happy snapping!

Cheers, ~ Polly ~


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Eleanor Bennett up-coming exhibition schedule ...

Jan 25-29 2014: Glaxo Smithkline (North Site), Greenford Road, Middx, UB6 0HE

Feb 1-5 2014: Kings House & Queens House, Kymberley Road, Harrow, HA1 1YR
Feb 8-12 2014: Building B5, 4 Roundwood Avenue, Stockley Park, UB111BQ
Apr 30 - May 4 2014: Forum One, Solent Business Park,Parkway, Whiteley, PO15 7PA
May 7-11 2014: Hamlyn House & Hill House, 21 Highgate Hill, N19 5LP
May 14-18 2014: Quayside Tower, Broad Street, B12HF
May 21-25 2014: 382-386, 388-390 & 414-428 Midsummer Boulevard, MK9 2EA
May 28 - Jun 1 2014: 12-13 Bruton Street, W1J 6QA
Jun 4-8 2014: Bray House, Westcott Way, SL6 3QH

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To learn more about Eleanor Bennett and her photography please visit her official website.

Official Website: Eleanor Leonne Bennett
Official Blog: ZenFolioBlog
Official FB: Eleanor Leonne Bennett Art

Check out more interviews with Eleanor Bennett ...
Idol Magazine
Women You Should Know
Arts Awards Voice

Happy New Year!!

 

Happy New Year!!

 

 

A new year always brings new hopes and new opportunities, and

what makes a new year happy and successful, is the follow-through!

 

I don't just want to hope this year that I'll better maintain my studio blog ...

but follow-through with many new and interesting and exciting posts! 

 

There are a number of potential projects being considered for 2014,

all of which are in the incubation stages, so, I can't share any 

confirmations as of yet, however be sure blog posts will follow!

 

For now, I need to focus on being in the studio,

starting and finishing my back log of paintings!

 

I wish for everyone to have

a happy, healthy and successful

2014 New Year!!

 

Please stay tuned for more ....

what's new from the studio!

 

Cheers, ~ Polly ~

 

Look Where We Are Now ...

 

 

 

 

Landscape / 'Look Where We Are Now'

30" x 18". Oil on Birch Panel. 2013.

Copyright.

 

For all inquiries, please contact my studio.

Thank you.

________________________________________________

 

It's been a very long while since the last blog post.

 

So, I have a treat for you - I thought I'd share the process

of a new piece which I just finished this morning.

 

This piece was mostly executed with 2 different palette knives,

which is somewhat unusual of me, to favour the palette knife

almost exclusively during the creation of a painting. 

 

The beginning stage, 'covering territory' as I call it 

was done with one 2" brush, where a dark wash was applied many times,

by turning the piece 'upside-down', so, that the wash could run down the

panel and into the sky region ... giving the illusion of trees in the distance.

 

Initially, I was very nervous about this piece because it's

a wooded scene and foresty scenes tend to be very difficult to paint.

 

But, I focused on the piece and as I did, it quickly became fun

and morphed into a rather freeing experience. 

 

The title for this piece was inspired by the musical tune

'Look Where We Are Now' by Richard Burmer. 

 

Which incidently and unbeknownst to me at the time of titling my piece,

 the description behind Richard Burmer's 'Look Where We Are Now' is as follows ...

Look Where We Are Now by Richard Burmer. 

"The description of a classic day-dream: In the woods on a summer day, sunshine

breaking through the limbs of trees, lying back and closing my eyes." RB.

I found that to be interesting, because I've listened to the tune on and off
for years and never knew of its background, until now.

 

 

The palette with a wash mix. 

 

 

Covering territory of the blank panel with paint.

 

 

Working the overall composition and values.

 

 

Refine tuning composition and values.

 

 

Detail of palette knife/paint texture.

 

 

Almost finished!!

 

______________________________________________

 

Please stay tuned for more what's new from the studio!!

 

Cheers, ~ Polly ~ 

Artist on Artist Interview with Wade Zahares

Celebrating the One Year Anniversary of the Artist on Artist Interview! 

For this month's Artist on Artist Interview I have great pleasure in presenting well-known pastelist and children's book illustrator, Wade Zahares.

Mr. Zahares has graciously agreed to share his thoughts and work on his artistic life with us today.

I first discovered Mr. Zahares' work through the Quintessential New England: Paintings by Facebook Artists group and was immediately wonderstruck. Mr. Zahares' pastels stand out on many levels; with their bright and bold colours, unusual compositions and perspectives, and their wonderful sense of whimsy and imagination. There is more to each piece than meets the eye - every time I look at any given piece of his, I find myself suddenly being transported into an entirely different World of enchantment and wonder, and I find myself wanting to stay and explore. His ability to unite everyday life and whimsy is simply fascinating to me and it stimulates the imagination and creative urge.

Mr. Zahares' work is in corporate collections across the country and has graced the covers of soon to be 8 children's books. 

And now without any further adieu here is Mr. Zahares' interview along with selected works.

Wade Zahares and his works.

Polly: Would you please describe your earliest memories when you realized you knew you were an artist?

Wade: Kids from the old neighborhood where I grew up in Maine would make fun of me as I opted out of playing football and other neighborhood sports to go draw pictures sitting on my bedroom floor. There was just something special about it. On Saturdays I would watch the 60's cartoons, loved the backgrounds and would try to do my own version. My work today still has some of the same qualities.

"My Baltimore Apartment". 1982. Charcoal. 18" x 24".



Polly: Could you tell us about your education and training?

Wade: High school art class is where I got my start with Jan Merrill. I give her much gratitude for pointing me in the right direction. I started my first two years of college at University of Maine at Orono , transferring to Maryland Institute, College of Art, in 1980 where I received my BFA. My most influential teacher at the institute was my illustration, Susan Waters Eller. After graduating I backed packed throughout Europe for several months, before settling in Boston where I started my art career.

Wade Zahares Studio.



Polly: Would you describe your style, methods of working and what materials you use?

Wade: I started using pastel in college, advice from an instructor, a good way to start working color into my charcoal drawings. I never worried about style as I figured that would come naturally as it did. I started with the hard pastels, like Nu and Rembrandt with Canson paper and slowly moved to the softer pastels like Unison and my favorite Schmincke. My paper slowly evolved from paper with no tooth to Kitty Wallis Sanded Pastel Paper. Now to start working in paint of some kind.

"First Snow" 1988. Pastel. 43" x 29".



Polly: Speaking of style, the style you have today is rather whimsical; would you say your style has always had a sense of whimsy or has your style evolved and if so in what ways, and how do you feel about that?

Wade: I have always had a whimsical, humorous side to me. I once took a stand up comedy class but that is as far as that went. My art is just an expression of me. I have a very political side to me too and some of my older work from the late eighties shows this. I am beginning to come full circle with my art and cannot wait to explore this side of me again.

"Working in my studio in the winter time is the best" ~ Wade Zahares. 



Polly: What interests you most about pastel as a medium and why do you make art?

Wade: I love the simplicity of the medium. Tell that to me when I am going out to do plein air especially in the early days trucking around Boston with my easel, pastel box, board and paper, all covered in pastel.

"Kennebunkport" (My hometown). 2011. Pastel. 11" x 17".

Polly: At first glance, your pieces appear to be simplified, however they’re rather complicated; what is the average time it takes you to start and finish a piece?

Wade: My methods have changed over the years and are constantly changing as everything is, adapting to the challenges I am presented with. I start with a sketch of the idea that is developed over a few days, moving on to the final art with a few days on the first layer of pastel, a few more on the second layer, a bit of fixative, workable of course and a few more days for the last layer. The first layer of pastel is the most creative, the second being the most grueling and the last the most satisfying.

"All Night Long" 2011. Pastel. 19" x 27" (Commission)



"Autumn on a Farm". 1988. Pastel. 29" x 43".



Polly: Please tell us about your influences and how you find inspiration?

Wade: In my younger years I was Influenced by Usher, of course for the perspective, Hopper for his subject matter, Monet for his paint quality, and Wayne Thiebaud for his color and composition. Other influences would be Chris Van Allsburg, Grant Wood, David Hockney, Thomas Hart Benton and Alex Katz. But most of my influences and inspiration comes from just living life.

 "My Dog Chip" 2003. Pastel. 35" x 23".
(One of my favorites! ~ WZ)



Polly: If you could try your hand at another medium or genre what would it be and why?

Wade: I am now putting my hands in oil, and acrylic. I love pastels but for many reasons I want and need to move on to another medium. As I get older I do worry about the side affects of the pastel dust, though I have always been conscious of the hazards. Framing is another problem, along with shipping framed pastels which is not an option, Another problem is my fingers just darn ware out, from the rubbing of the medium and when I have 28 pieces for a book due in a few months it can be a challenge. Another reason is that oil and acrylics go for more money, which is always nice.



"Aunt Connie's Place" 2009. Pastel. 18" x 25".



"Fall is Flying By". 2007. Pastel. 23" x 35"

Polly: Aside from your commercial/commission projects; do you have any pastel projects of your own you’re working on?

Wade: All the time. In between books and commissions I spend all my time on my own work which looks much like all my commissioned pieces. I also love to plein air paint, and have been doing it from the beginning, from the Boston/Cambridge neighborhoods to the Maine coast where I now reside.

"My Back Yard" 1986. Pastel. 19" x 25".

The view from Zahares bedroom/studio in Cambridge, MA, his first studio!

Polly: How did you come into illustrating children’s books?

Wade: Back in the 80's I rented one of my first studios in an old warehouse in South Boston on a floor that was occupied by artists. I soon found myself managing the floor of non residential studios, 16 of them, soon to be 48 studios with the build out of 24 more studios in another warehouse across the parking lot. One of my tenants, a graphic designer, introduce me to Judy Sue Goodwin Sturges and her husband, the late Philomen Sturges, who represents Children's Book Illustrators and they both loved my work. It took several years to sign my first contract, but I have been working with her and the staff Studio Goodwin Sturges ever since.

The young artist, Wade Zahares, at 5 years old!



Polly: If you could have dinner with one person, dead or alive, who would it be and why?

Wade: My father, Alcide George Zahares, who died when I was first starting out in my career, and would always said "Son, when are you going to get a real job" to show him that I really do have a "real" job and have had it for the past 30 years.

"Catchin' Dinner". 2002. Pastel. 23" x 35"

"Let's Go Swimming" 2003. Pastel. 36" x 25".

Polly: Who has been the greatest support to you as an artist and how?

Wade: My partner of 19 years, just for being there for support through the good and bad times and who never let me quit when I wanted to most. Thank you!!!

Wade Zahares Gallery.



Polly: What has been most challenging for you as an artist?

Wade: Paying the bills. Keeping it fun. To be a speaker. Time management. The loneliness. To be all in one, creator, sales, secretary, accountant, framer, shipper, speaker.....

"The Parlor" 2009. Pastel. 23" x 35".

Polly: Tell us what your thoughts are on what it's like being an artist?

Wade: Good Question. Life is all about finding your passion and purpose. I was lucky and found mine early in life. It's about taking what is inside of me and expressing it so other can enjoy how I see life. Art is what I am suppose to do and that makes me content.

'Four Seasons at Wade's Place.'

Prints soon available

"Spring at Wade's Place" Pastel. 26" x 35"



 "Summer at Wade's Place" Pastel. 26" x 35"



Polly: If you were conducting this interview what one question would you ask yourself and what would the answer be?

Wade: By looking at your work you must have a lot of patience. Do you???

I did not have any patience when I was younger. I wanted things right away. Having a career as an artist I realized things take time. You can not hurry the process. I have tried and it fails. Every aspect of the of the journey is in the final result.

"Fall at Wade's Place" Pastel. 26" x 35"



"Winter at Wade's Place" Pastel. 26" x 35"

Polly: Would you mind sharing something interesting about yourself most people wouldn’t know?

Wade: When I was young, I had three interests in life. Art, flowers and weather. Be careful for what you wish for! I am an artist that raises and sells fresh cut flowers by the roadside and just finished up, what could be my 9th children's book, all about weather!!!

"Windy Day on Goat Island" 2009. Pastel. 11" x 23".

Polly: And lastly, what words of wisdom would you offer to young artists?

Wade: A professor at MICA once said to me , If you're going to be an artist you need to live and breathe art 24/7. It has to be your passion in life. Good advice. Another professor said to me if you're going to paint a house, you have to put everything you have into it. Another bit of good advice. My advice. Do as much art as you can. Set up a daily schedule for your time in your studio. Start now. Keep going and never ever give up.

"Round Street" 1985. Pastel. 19" x 25".

"Windswept Farm" 2011. Pastel. 21" x 34".

A new book in the works.



Polly: Thank you so much for your time Wade! Is there anything else you would like to share with us about you and or your art?

Wade: On November 1, 2013, my 8th Picture Book "Frosty The Snowman" Performed by Kenny Loggins, Illustrated by Wade Zahares will be released. It's published by Peter Yarrow Books, A division of Charlesbridge. It will be selling worldwide. Watch for it at your local bookseller!!!


        

  

  

 

To learn and see more of Wade Zahares works please visit his website www.zahares.com .
Wade Zahares studio is open by appointment, please call 207-499-2465 or email wade@zahares.com