108: Golden Visions: Anna Gibbs on Nature and Gold Leaf Artistry
Dec 11, 2023
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Anna Gibbs, an artist with a passion for the intersection of philosophy and art, discusses her journey as an artist, her academic pursuits, and her transition to a career as a full-time artist. They also touch on the challenges of pursuing art professionally, the role of social media, and the need for validation in the artist's journey. The podcast also highlights Anna's move to New Zealand, her exploration of oil painting, and her approach to digital art.
Transitioning from a teacher to pursuing art full-time can be a transformative journey of self-discovery and self-expression.
Art can be a powerful tool for exploring deep existential questions and conveying meaning and emotion.
Embracing oil painting as a medium can provide versatility, expressive potential, and the ability to capture the beauty of nature.
Utilizing social media platforms like Instagram can be a valuable tool for showcasing art, connecting with a larger audience, and opening up new opportunities.
Working with oil paints allows for greater control, the ability to make incremental adjustments, and offers longevity and archival quality compared to other mediums.
Deep dives
Transitioning from Teaching to Becoming an Artist
After struggling with her mental health and reassessing her values and priorities, the speaker decided to transition from being a teacher to pursuing art full-time. She saw art as a means of self-expression and a way to connect with what truly mattered to her. This transition was facilitated by moving to a more supportive and nature-filled environment in New Zealand, as well as utilizing social media platforms like Instagram to showcase her work and connect with a larger audience. Through dedication and self-discovery, she found her passion and purpose as an artist.
The Influence of Philosophy and Mental Health on Art
The speaker's academic background in philosophy and personal experiences with mental health greatly influence her approach to art. She sees art as a way to explore deep existential questions and convey meaning and emotion. Her journey through therapy and self-acceptance played a significant role in connecting with her true identity and values, leading her to pursue art as a form of self-expression and a means to share her perspective on topics like nature and the environment.
Discovering Oil Painting and Overcoming Intimidation
Through an opportunity to work in another artist's studio, the speaker was introduced to oil painting. Initially intimidated by the medium, she found guidance and support from the local art community. She discovered the versatility and expressive potential of oil paints, enhancing the quality of her art and opening new doors for creativity. Over time, she developed her own techniques and approaches to oil painting, which allowed her to create layered and translucent works, blending colors and capturing the beauty of nature.
Embracing Social Media and the Impact on Artistic Journey
Embracing platforms like Instagram, the speaker found an opportunity to showcase her art and connect with a larger audience. While navigating social media's potential for validation and pressure, she approached it as a means to put her work out into the world and find individuals who resonated with her art. By actively educating herself on social media strategies, she was able to grow her online presence, gaining followers and opening up new opportunities for her artistic journey.
Creating depth and achieving realism through value
The speaker discusses the importance of creating depth in artwork, specifically in rendering birds' feathers. By focusing on value rather than color, the artist is able to achieve a sense of depth in their oil paintings. They emphasize that the process of building up layers incrementally is key in capturing the realistic shadows and highlights of feathers.
The advantages of working with oil paints
The podcast explores the advantages of working with oil paints compared to other mediums. The speaker highlights the flexibility and ability to make incremental adjustments that oil paints offer. They explain that oil paints allow for more control and the ability to glaze and build layers, making it easier to achieve the desired outcome. The speaker also mentions the longevity and archival quality of oil paintings compared to other mediums.
Using gold leaf and the process of gilding
The podcast delves into the artist's use of gold leaf in their paintings. The artist explains that using 24-carat gold leaf adds a reflective and vibrant quality to the artwork. They mention that gilding is a traditional technique of applying thin sheets of metal to create a rich and luxurious effect. The artist discusses the challenges and learning curve of working with gold leaf, but also highlights the importance of sharing knowledge and encouraging others to try new artistic techniques.
Importance of Using More Colors in Oil Painting
When it comes to oil painting, the debate between using a small number of high-quality colors or a larger variety of lower-quality colors arises. The podcast suggests that it is better to opt for more colors and a lower quality oil paint. While there may be some limitations in terms of quality, the ability to mix vibrant and diverse colors is much easier with a broader range of colors. The podcast host shares a personal example of finding vibrant and rich colors in the lower quality ranges of oil paints.
Using Small Brushes for Detailed Oil Painting
The podcast episode discusses the use of small brushes for detailed oil painting. The host shares her preference for using smaller brushes, such as the Da Vinci Micro Nova, which allows her to work on fine details and achieve intricate textures in her paintings. She also mentions the advantage of using slightly worn-out brushes for certain stages of painting, as they can create unique textures like the highlight of moss. The podcast highlights the importance of mark-making and the impact of tiny, translucent layers of oil paint when working with small brushes, creating depth and richness in the artwork.
Anna Gibbs discusses her journey as an artist, including her upbringing in a creative household, her academic pursuits, and her eventual gravitation towards art. She delves into the balance between her artistic inclinations and her academic interests, leading her to study philosophy, politics, and economics at university while nurturing her passion for art. The conversation also touches on the intersection of philosophy and art in her life, her experience with mental health, and her transition to a career as a full-time artist. Anna's move to New Zealand and her exploration of oil painting are highlighted, along with her approach to digital art. The discussion also addresses the challenges of pursuing art professionally, including the role of social media and the need for validation in the artist's journey.
