Today I’m happy to post the interview of Catherine Howley, winner of the previous “Artist of the week” contest with her wonderful drawing “God’s Gift To Man”. Catherine is a talented artist, with a background in graphic design, currently living in Morganville, New Jersey. In her beautiful work, she uses various themes and mediums with a gifted manner and grace, showing her fearless artistic experimentation and exploration.
Interview with artist Catherine Howley
FAWbyJWP. Catherine, how did you get into art?
Catherine. My grandfather was a painter and so was my uncle; so I was introduced to it early. I started drawing things I saw as soon as I could hold a crayon. We were poor so I’d draw using anything I could get my hands on. Scrap paper, the cardboard back to pads of paper, etc.
FAWbyJWP. How would you describe your work? What do you think is the characteristic that differentiates you from the other artists?
Catherine. I do a little bit of everything. I’m not locked into a particular style. My husband said once that my artwork was ‘happy’ which made me happy (LOL).
FAWbyJWP. How do you find inspiration?
Catherine. I look at everything and I “see”. I think “how I would draw that” with just about everything I look at. In my head, I’m always working on at least a dozen or so works.
Medium and personality
FAWbyJWP. Do you believe that the medium and the themes you choose could tell something about your personality and your experiences of life and what would that be?
Catherine. I use all mediums so I don’t think that reflects anything about my personality. But my artwork I think does. I love animals, nature, the Earth. It gives me a lot of joy and I think that comes out in my work. I usually chose something that means a lot to me.
FAWbyJWP. How do you handle negative or malicious comments?
Catherine. I haven’t gotten any negative comments on FAA. Everyone has been very kind and supportive. I did get one sort of negative comment on Facebook and I hit the old delete button. I thought… “what does he know?” (LOL) And that was that!
FAWbyJWP. Are you an extrovert or an introvert as an artist? Do you believe that one of your tasks as an artist is to promote your own work?
Catherine. I asked my daughter “Am I an extrovert with my artwork or an introvert?”… she laughed and said extrovert. So, I guess I am. I think self-promotion is necessary. Sometimes not very enjoyable, but necessary.
Internet, communities, creativity
FAWbyJWP. How would you describe your activity in online communities like FAA or social media networks? Does it play or could it play an important role in your sales?
Catherine. I’m getting familiar with FAA contests and groups and the voting process, comments, etc. I like it. It feels good to be back among creative people. And like I said, there are a lot of nice people and supportive people on FAA. On Facebook, my friends and family are very supportive also. I think, and I hope, it will play an important role in sales.
FAWbyJWP. What are the most challenges in being creative and an artist?
Catherine. The biggest challenge and I think a lot of the artists out there will agree, is finding the time. Trying to juggle between work, the house, chores, family. I recently took a leap of faith and quit my job to devote more time to my art (and family and home).
Role of art in life
FAWbyJWP. Can art change someone’s life in a better way? Would you like to give an example?
Catherine. What would the world be without art? I do think it can change someone’s life. You can get lost in a piece of artwork just staring at it. It can take you away from troubles and worries, even if it is only for a few minutes. And, it can inspire or bring joy.
And from the artist’s perspective….. when I am working on a piece I get “in the zone”. That is what my daughter and I call it. Time goes away, everything goes away. I get lost in the piece I’m working on. It’s wonderful.
FAWbyJWP. What is the best advice you ever heard for your art or for your life as an artist?
Catherine. The best advice I ever got was from one of those Facebook posts that everyone passes around. I don’t know If Andy Warhol actually said it, but the post said it’s an Andy Warhol quote. It reads “Don’t think about making art, just get it done. Let everyone else decide if it’s good or bad, whether they love it or hate it. While they are deciding, make even more art.”
Thank you very much Catherine for this wonderful interview.
You can find all her beautiful work on her website: Catherine Howley