She traded keyboards for painting garden beds and cement pathways!
Meet Loreen: From IT to Artistry, her journey unveiled as she discovered how she traded keyboards for canvases in 2018. Diving into the vibrant world of paint pouring and resin art, Loreen now explores SurfPaints and unconventional surfaces, sharing her passion for bringing color to unexpected places like garden beds and cement pathways.
1. Can you provide us with a brief background on your journey as an artist and tell us what you're currently working on in the world of art?
I started my art journey in 2018 when I decided to leave the IT industry and semi-retire.
I searched for inspiration and mediums for about a month or so, and paint pouring captured my imagination.
I quickly started sourcing acrylic paints and pouring mediums, then began embellishing each piece with hand-painted work. This led me to research products I could use to seal my work, and I eventually ventured into resin.
I am currently experimenting with synthetic paper, alcohol and India inks (airbrushing), and gouache. I will be exploring using SurfPaints instead of gouache with the inks and paper.
I started my art journey in 2018 when I decided to leave the IT industry and semi-retire.
I searched for inspiration and mediums for about a month or so, and paint pouring captured my imagination.
I quickly started sourcing acrylic paints and pouring mediums, then began embellishing each piece with hand-painted work. This led me to research products I could use to seal my work, and I eventually ventured into resin.
I am currently experimenting with synthetic paper, alcohol and India inks (airbrushing), and gouache. I will be exploring using SurfPaints instead of gouache with the inks and paper.
2. We'd love to know how you came across SurfPaints. What aspects of SurfPaints do you find most appealing or inspiring for your art?
I found SurfPaints while looking for colored pens that I could use on any surface, such as wood, cement, and synthetic papers. Others I tried did not provide the fast drying, color vibrancy, or water resistance I needed.
SurfPaints will provide me with an opportunity to work on non-conventional surfaces as I move away from canvases. They will allow me to add color to my garden after it was cleared for a recent build. I intend to bring more color back by using the paints on metal garden beds and cement pathways.
I found SurfPaints while looking for colored pens that I could use on any surface, such as wood, cement, and synthetic papers. Others I tried did not provide the fast drying, color vibrancy, or water resistance I needed.
SurfPaints will provide me with an opportunity to work on non-conventional surfaces as I move away from canvases. They will allow me to add color to my garden after it was cleared for a recent build. I intend to bring more color back by using the paints on metal garden beds and cement pathways.
3. Every artist faces unique challenges in their projects. Could you share specific challenges you've encountered in your art projects and how SurfPaints have been a helpful resource in overcoming these challenges?
My greatest challenge has been the affordability of art materials, particularly surfaces to create on, which is why I am going back to work full-time. SurfPaints will allow me to branch out into less costly materials such as wood, cement, glass, and metal.
My greatest challenge has been the affordability of art materials, particularly surfaces to create on, which is why I am going back to work full-time. SurfPaints will allow me to branch out into less costly materials such as wood, cement, glass, and metal.
4. Your painting projects are all unique and have captured our attention. Could you share with us your most favourite project and how you came up with the idea?
My favorite projects so far have been needle and wet felting using merino wool and silk, and second to that, layered resin work.
My love of the natural world inspired me to create using texture, which suited my favorite piece, “Coming in Hot” - a sulfur-crested cockatoo. For my layered resin work, my favorite piece to date is called “Under the Jetty,” which has 12 layers of resin and hand-painted work in between each layer to create depth.
Click here to learn how to paint your surface.
My favorite projects so far have been needle and wet felting using merino wool and silk, and second to that, layered resin work.
My love of the natural world inspired me to create using texture, which suited my favorite piece, “Coming in Hot” - a sulfur-crested cockatoo. For my layered resin work, my favorite piece to date is called “Under the Jetty,” which has 12 layers of resin and hand-painted work in between each layer to create depth.
Click here to learn how to paint your surface.
5. As an experienced artist, do you have any valuable tips or techniques that you could share with others interested in creating painting projects with SurfPaints?
My tip would be to blend colors using a brush as you would if you were creating a watercolor painting. I intend to explore SurfPaints over the next few months; in particular, I have started using them on a cement pathway outside my home studio.
My tip would be to blend colors using a brush as you would if you were creating a watercolor painting. I intend to explore SurfPaints over the next few months; in particular, I have started using them on a cement pathway outside my home studio.
Bonus Question:
As an artist, what message or piece of advice would you like to impart to other artists at all levels, from beginners to seasoned professionals, who are passionate abaout expressing themselves through this medium?
Just start something, even if you don’t finish it. Start imagining what you want to create. You can always leave it and go back to it with fresh eyes.
Never give up; the most beautiful pieces are those that have been brought back to life after months on the shelf.
As an artist, what message or piece of advice would you like to impart to other artists at all levels, from beginners to seasoned professionals, who are passionate abaout expressing themselves through this medium?
Just start something, even if you don’t finish it. Start imagining what you want to create. You can always leave it and go back to it with fresh eyes.
Never give up; the most beautiful pieces are those that have been brought back to life after months on the shelf.
-Loreen O’Donnell
If you would like to be part of our Email Interview Series, please email us at support@surfpaints.com
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