Artist interviews

I have read (and conducted) hundreds of interviews of artists. The common theme from each is that, more often than not, artists are terrible at talking about themselves and their art. (Sub-theme: interviewers ask some ridiculous questions.) Naturally, artists express themselves visually and not verbally, but there has to be some balance. Occasionally, however, I have read q&a sessions that stand out as insightful, entertaining, educational and sincere. In an interview of painter Randall David Tipton, Maureen Doallas has done just that: good questions by Maureen and flawless answers from Randall.

Maureen posted the interview in two parts on her blog Writing Without Paper. Read Part 1 here and Part 2 here.

Some of my favorite bits include Randall trying to characterize his style:

RDT: I still haven't figured out how [to describe my style]. I've used these at times: painterly realism, expressionist naturalism, abstract realism.

And what Randall hopes a critic would say about his work:

RDT: That [my paintings] were sincere, painted with conviction, complex in sensation, and an expression of human regard for nature.

Knowing Randall's work and him personally, I find the interview gives an extremely accurate picture of the painter and the paintings.

So... for all artists out there... practice your interviewing skills. Be able to talk about yourself in clear and concise terms. And, please please please never say that you paint "intuitively". Give a real answer. Or, at least make up a good one, memorize it, and regurgitate it with some sense of sincerity when asked about your creative process.

[Image: December Slough, oil on unstretched canvas, 12"x9". © Randall David Tipton. Image courtesy of artist. All rights reserved.]

Comments

[Maureen E. Doallas]

High praise from you. Thank you!

I always try to ask the kinds of questions I would want to be asked, were I the person being interviewed. It helps, too, to have a subject as wonderful as Randall is.

[Randall Tipton]

Thank you Rob, you`re a generous man.