Please introduce yourself.
I am Jane Welles, and I am a plein air painter. Plein air means painting out in the open, setting up the easel on the spot. I will do small studies outside and take those into the studio to paint larger paintings.
Tell us about your favorite art medium.
My favorite medium is oil. I also like to use gouache when painting outside because it dries faster, is lighter to carry and cleans up faster.
Who/what is/are your biggest artistic influences?
Because I like to paint landscapes, the artists I like are the early California impressionists like Edgar Payne, Hanson Puthoff, and William Wendt. There are many contemporary artists I look to for inspiration like Clyde Aspevig, Josh Elliot, Katherine Stats, and Scott Christensen.
What motivates you to create?
I love the landscape and all I need to do is go outside to find something to paint. Something has to grab me about the scene to get me excited to paint it. I look for big shapes, contrasts in light and color, and composition. I always do a sketch first to work out values and composition. Sketching saves time in the long run because it can help to see problems before the commitment to paint. It is also a good way to try out small changes that can make a big difference in a painting.
When is your favorite time of day to create?
Lighting in a landscape painting makes all the difference. The best times to paint are early and late in the day. Lighting in the middle of the day tends to flatten out the subject.
Does art help you in other areas of your life?
Painting for me is a way to communicate how I feel about the landscape. For me, I think it reduces stress because it feels like meditating, and I get lost in the process of painting. I enjoy getting out with my painting buddies, painting can be a solitary profession and getting out with friends adds important socialization.
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Read Jane’s previous interview here.
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