Artist Teresa McCallum - AIC Interview
Artist Teresa McCallum was always creative. She was inspired by her equally creative mother and grandmother.
“My grandmother was an oil painter and my mother was very talented charcoal and textile artist. My grandmother gave me oil painting lessons when I was in grade school. I studied art academically for 5 years. I was not sure of the artistic path I would take because I loved writing and drama as well as visual art. I helped fund my post secondary education by sign painting, menu design and creating embroidery designs. It was when I took my first acrylic painting course a few years ago, my true artistic passion was ignited.”
To see more of Teresa McCallum’s art please visit her website Teresa McCallum.com
“My grandmother was an oil painter and my mother was very talented charcoal and textile artist. My grandmother gave me oil painting lessons when I was in grade school. I studied art academically for 5 years. I was not sure of the artistic path I would take because I loved writing and drama as well as visual art. I helped fund my post secondary education by sign painting, menu design and creating embroidery designs. It was when I took my first acrylic painting course a few years ago, my true artistic passion was ignited.”
To see more of Teresa McCallum’s art please visit her website Teresa McCallum.com
Question:
When did you realize you had the need to create and develop your skills?
Answer:
I was very young. My grandmother was an oil painter and my mother a was very talented charcoal and textile artist. My grandmother gave me oil painting lessons when I was in grade school and I studied art academically for 5 years. I was not sure of the artistic path I would take because I loved writing and drama as well as visual art. I helped fund my post secondary education by sign painting, menu design and creating embroidery designs. But it was when I took my first acrylic painting course a few years ago, my true artistic passion was ignited.
Question:
Right now, what is your medium of choice and what is your favourite subject matter?
Answer:
Acrylics and mixed media are my favourite media. I am rather obsessed by trees, oceans, and skies.
Question:
All artists at all stages of their career want to try something new, what other medium or subject matter do you see yourself experimenting with?
Answer:
My early painting career was focused mainly on contemporary paintings of aspen trees and folksy cityscapes; however, my style has evolved greatly in the past 2 years. I am now inspired more by travel, my love of coastal communities, water and skies. Although I still find myself painting many aspen trees, I am doing more watery, muted abstract paintings. I love adding gold and resin finishes and experimenting with pallet knives, rollers and water spray bottles.
Question:
Continuing education, do you partake and if so what did you learn?
Answer:
I attend weekly art demos and lectures, regularly take art workshops, here in Calgary and in my travels around the world. I have taken courses in France, Mexico and California. Even when I take a course or observe a demo of subject matter or in a different medium, I always find something that I can use in my practice. Lately, I am very inspired by encaustic techniques....although I'm a bit of a chicken to work with hot wax and torches, myself.
Question:
Have you ever taught a class or done an artist talk? If so, what did you talk about or teach? Can people sign up for your workshops and how?
Answer:
I regularly do art therapy projects with mental health patients. I have been doing this for years. I have been asked to do classes or workshops for children and abstract classes for adults. So far, I have only done these infrequently; however, I can be booked for weekend workshops through my website: www.teresamccallum.com or by phoning me at 403 990 5408. I love working with children and my processes are youthful and fun.
Question:
Have you ever painted en plein air? What was the biggest hurdle for you? Environmental challenges, wildlife, people, weather?
Answer:
I have painted plein air, however, in a somewhat unconventional manner. Some of my large abstracts have been painted in nature...and although the environmental challenges might be problematic for realistic paintings, nature literally adds bits and pieces to my abstract work that I really enjoy....the heat of the sun helps to cure the art, rain adds to my watery style and dust, bugs and leaves add the texture I love.
Question:
Do you do commissions? If so, what is your process?
Answer:
Yes I do commissions. I like to spend time with the client to find out what they are looking for. Generally, people want something similar to something they have already seen. I ask about colour preferences, size and I prefer to see the intended placement of the project. I stress to clients that I won't replicate something I have already produced but I am happy to do something similar. Usually a commission evolves and the client likes to see it in progress, so I am happy to send pictures of the progress.
Question:
What is your favourite art related quote?
Answer:
There is nothing more truly artistic than to love people. Vincent Van Gogh
Question:
Do you have a favourite artist and what do you like about their art? Have you ever met them?
Answer:
My favourite artist is Vincent Van Gogh. I love the evolution of his art, the brush strokes, the colour and how youthful it is. I wish I could have met him but I have read almost every book and biography written about him and I have seen his art in Musee d'Orsay in Paris, France. Starry Night, in person....life changing. To do a trip based on his life path is on my bucket list. think I was originally inspired to be a writer or art historian because initially I was obsessed with learning everything I could about Van Gogh. Also, It took me some time to realize that I loved to paint, so it wasn't until I was already painting that I started to see some Van Gogh influences in my art.
Question:
Where do you gather your inspiration from?
Answer:
In nature. Walks with our family dog, Jasmine, provided my early painting inspiration. When she sadly died early this year, I started painting more abstracts, however, our new puppy, Luna gets me back out amongst the aspen tress, so I'm sure I'll be painting more aspens this summer. My husband's photography of walks in the woods also inspires me.
Question:
Where do you typically create art?
Answer:
In my studio or outside in the back yard or on my driveway.
Question:
How do you know when your art is complete?
Answer:
I leave it for a few days and look at it once a day and if I'm satisfied after a week, it's done.
Question:
What is most challenging to you when starting a new project?
Answer:
Not to think about the next project. I'm a bit flighty and quite hyperactive so I often have a few projects on the go as well as a few more on my mind. I have actually been working on 6 paintings at one time, while doing the finishing touches on a few others.
Question:
What advice would you give to an artist starting out?
Answer:
Just do it!
Question:
What keeps you going forward with your art in this very competitive industry?
Answer:
I love it. It is relaxing. It keeps me grounded, when the world, at times, seems to be out of control. I love to sell my art, but that is not my motivation. I just love the creative process. Everyone should try it. I really believe there is an artist hidden in each of us.
Question:
In your studio, right now, what is your most important tool that you would be lost without?
Answer:
paint...kind of obvious, but I could create with just about anything as long as I have tubes and tubes of luscious paint. I wrote a piece for Doug Swinton once about my obsession with squeezing out the first dollop of new paint.
Question:
What is your favourite piece of work you have created, thus far?
Answer:
That's a hard question...... 'I Never Promised You a Rose Garden' or 'Mother Nature' but I also love 'Blazing Aspens'
Question:
What is the most well received piece of art you have created?
Answer:
Probably "Strathcona in Late Spring". It won a few contests, was critiqued very highly and was featured on the advertising cards for a local art show. It was recently purchased despite never being marketed. It's new owner is thrilled and has sent me beautiful photos in it's new home.
Question:
Do you have a favourite gallery or museum that you visit?
Answer:
I love Musee d'Orsay however, I can't go regularly! I love all art galleries and regularly go to every gallery I find in every town or city I visit. Calgary is lucky to have a vibrant art community and I love attending new shows.
FEATURED ART
Wild Poppies
Website: www.teresamccallum.com
Email: kirkmac@telus.net
Calgary, Alberta
Canada, T3H 0H5
Phone Number: (403) 990-5408
