Art By CJ Rider

Interview by: Sea of Treasures

2011-09-02T08:40:00.000-07:00

Photographer and Painter CJ Rider
Interview by: Sea of Treasures

Interview

Q: While this is a photograph, I love your paintings as well, which method do you prefer photography or painting?
My artwork is so intertwined that I find it difficult to choose one over the other. The thing is, if I am not painting in the field or from life, I use my photos to paint from. I do love to paint and it has a high level of satisfaction, however there is also nothing like looking at a disk of photos for the first time after an outing! When you comb through them and find that one little gem of a shot (well, hopefully it’s more than one) that you know has a special “wow” factor; – well, I think we all know how great that feels! Then there is Photoshop, which is a great vortex of time consuming fun too! One medium leads to the other for me which is why I enjoy them them fairly equally. Through my work I find I bounce back and forth between the mediums and when I am drawn to a subject I become very focused on the one particular medium or blend of mediums that best suits it.
For instance, so far, I have painted this photograph of pistachio trees in Oils and in pastels and have a variety of photo renderings as well as works from the digital tablet. Given the glowing aspects of the encaustic medium, I might give it a shot in encaustics too! Love to paint, but there is also nothing like “getting the shot” as well!
Q: Have you ever considered combining the two methods to create exceptionally unique pieces of work?
Yes I actually have combined the two to create new works in a variety of ways. I have used a hand-transfer method to incorporate parts of my photos into my artwork. I have blown up portions of my photo, cut out elements and incorporated them into a piece in a collage type manner. Loads of fun things to do when you combine mediums. I have actually started a painting from my photo, added transfers, then scaned all of that back into the computer and used photoshop to create a few other neat effects. I then print out the work on art paper and add more hand detailing if needed. The results can be very intense with many layers. Lots of fun to do too!

Q: What is your favorite subject matter and why?
I do lean toward people portraits for the most part. There is nothing more satisfying than creating a portrait that captures the essence of the person, even more than the likeness. When a client views their completed painting or photo for the first time and their eyes mist with emotion because the piece has captured that special quality in the subject. That is the best for me. That said, I will frequently sidestep to create a string of florals, still-life, landscapes, animals, or low horizon cloud and sky pictures. I think I take these side trips to refresh my minds eye.

Q: Over the past 5 years what has been the most important artistic lesson you have learned?
I have put together these thoughts from experiences throughout my life in the artworld and they have also held fairly true in the past 5 years: Sometimes you can build creative blockades for yourself because of pre-conceived notions about life, art and the people in it. Besides basic function, common sense and safety; Art and photography rules are meant to be used as jumping-off points to your own path, they are not necessarily the path itself. No one person has the “one true method or way”. An artist takes the information and creates their own vision and path, shut out the noise and chatter, and allow the mind to accept and react to its own creative voice from within! So I guess to sum it all up into one lesson maybe I would say: ”be true to your inner creative being” An often over used saying, yet it’s “easier said than done”.

Q: What made it so valuable?
Being true to myself, not blindly buying into popular or pre-conceived notions or popular stereotypes has freed my own creative eye. I am not afraid to create something that is not the “norm”. I have had many art labels ascribed to me over the years as I splash and dabble along to my own tune, I have had to use these same art labels to describe my website, workshops or other public postings. I just don’t let them box me in or stifle my curiosity, experimentation and eclectic nature.

Q: Looking ahead over the next 5 years what do you aspire to achieve artistically?
I would like to see my Budding Artist program grow. (BuddingArtist.Info) It is an art workshop each week for “at risk” children. I would personally like to put some of my artistic ideas and “how to’s” in book form to give others the info that I wish I would have had when starting out. Much can be demystified for aspiring artists and photographers.

Q: What artistic method(s) are you looking to master in the future?
I would like to further perfect my skill in Encaustic painting, it is a fascinating medium. The technique is centuries old but continues to quietly draw people into its rich beeswax and vibrant colors. Once you play in the wax you are hooked (it is very sticky)! I have dabbled in it for many years but am currently jumping back into it with both feet. Actually, a fairly new venture for me is working with YUPO paper, a plastic-like paper. I keep on working it and hope to stay in the saddle until I can make the paper respond more favorably to my brush!

Q: Is there an artist out there who’s work inspires you?
Lately I have run across so many inspirational artists on Fine Art America and other internet artist havens. It has really broadened who inspires me to a level where it is difficult to list them all off If you would have asked me this question before the internet – I would have had a couple of very clear answers for you- because back-in-the-day “we” were all exposed to basically the same handful of artisans. But now, there are so many to look up to and be inspired by.

Q: Is there a project or piece of work that you will be sharing with your fans in the near future?
Yes, I am working on a series of encaustic works that I will be sharing in the near future. The pieces will be from realistic and detailed to abstract and instinctual. If what I have so far is any indication, it should prove interesting.

Q: What can you say about it to wet our appetites?
You will see rich colors, textures and translucency that only hot beeswax can produce! You may even see bits of my photography involved!

Weekly Art Instruction in Tempe Arizona

2011-07-13T09:22:00.000-07:00

Check me out on Betterfly:

Art workshops and Classes in Phoenix and Tempe Arizona!

Desert Mallow - Watercolor - CJ Rider

Plein Air - Superstition Mountains

2011-07-10T13:29:00.000-07:00

by CJ Rider

8x10 Oil $125.00 -no frame

My Artwork as a TV set prop?

2010-05-19T16:36:00.000-07:00

I have just joined the ABC Studios Licensing Program giving ABC and Disney permission to use my artworks when designing sets for popular TV shows.

Who knows, my artwork could be used as set decorations or props in upcoming TV episodes!

Lost or cannot find your Creative Edge?

2010-02-28T10:53:00.000-08:00

Sometimes looking at too much art can have a reverse effect.

Ofttimes, viewing loads of new art will stimulate creativity, but in some situations, it can also stifle or confuse it. Especially for a new artist.

Couple of thoughts: - a newer artist may become confused to their own creative identity when they become oversaturated by a huge range of art, style and mediums they admire.

It is fun to feel that rush of wanting to try it all - but at the end of the day, especially as a newer artist, it helps to remain focused. Nothing wrong with creating in different styles or mediums, and most artists can eventually do this, but at first, start with a medium you enjoy and keep working with it. Later, after you have somewhat mastered the medium, branch out and try something else if you want to.

Side note: Mostly, it is important to understand if it is the medium you do not like or cannot master, or is it the lack of basic drawing and compositional skills that keeps creeping into your finished artwork? Even a lack of basic color theory can ruin an otherwise good painting.

It is a good thing to saturate oneself with gallery art (online or off), but then take a longer period where you do not stimulate your brain with outside images and videos of art.
Being overexposed can or may confuse you as to what type of artist you want to be, what art to paint, what medium you like, etc.

A professional artist can usually be recognized by their medium, style or subject.

Put all the stuff away, stop searching the internet for a minute and go back to what makes you happy and what really pleases you to look at. What subject do you really enjoy drawing or painting? Are you comfortable with the medium - think about the answers to why or why not. Also, put a huge buffer between yourself and any non-constructive-negative comments you have heard concerning your art. Negative comments can ruin an upcoming artist faster than anything. You have to get a thick skin and learn to separate constructive comments from the non. Do not try to please everyone by painting everything and every style. Only experiment with different mediums and styles when YOU feel the urge.

Once you have made your mind what to paint, in what medium and in your own style (even if you are not quite sure what that is yet), then you can do a bit of research on the subject matter to get details, etc. But be careful not to become distracted from your mission!

I always say you finish a painting in the last 15 minutes! Don't look at it as if you cannot continue to work on a piece if you are dissatisfied with the current results.

hope this helps.
feel free to ask questions on this topic or others
cj

December 19 Encaustic Workshop

2009-12-21T18:05:00.001-08:00

Encaustic Workshop Fun!

2009-12-13T09:49:00.000-08:00

Had a Great Encaustic Workshop Yesterday!
Such a nice group of artists!
We were all sad to see the day end.

Monthly Encaustic Class at Arizona Art Supply - Phoenix -
View Workshops and Classes to select your date.
Call (602) 264-9514 to book your seat now!
Learn new techniques and hone your skills at each workshop

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Encaustic Demonstration

2009-11-16T22:16:00.000-08:00

Check out a few pics from my latest Encaustic Demo= we had fun!
Everyone participated in experimenting with the wax.

EncausticDemonstration

check my website for a series of Encaustic Workshop dates! There is one to fit your needs!

http://www.ridercreations.com/

Thanks!
CJ

Fix that Synthetic Brush!

2009-10-25T08:53:00.000-07:00

Do you have good synthetic brushes with curled back ends?
Here is something that may help *if they are not beyond repair.

Clean the brush thoroughly to remove any mediums or paint
Get a Pyrex measuring cup, fill with about an inch and a half of water - or enough that you can dip the full length of the bristles.
WITHOUT the brush, bring the water just to a boil
Carefully remove Pyrex cup from Microwave (water can flash boil when moved)
dip the tip of the afflicted brush into the hot water for a few seconds
Squeeze out the water with a pad of paper towels over your fingers (careful, it is HOT)
Dip your warm brush into Gum Arabic - smooth and shape the warm bristles with your fingers
Allow to dry

Always thoroughly clean and reshape your brushes with a good brush soap after each use to maintain their shape.

If your brush bristles are curled or bent beyond repair - use it for a "special effects" brush!

Tip on acheiving VALUE balance in your art

2009-09-13T17:17:00.000-07:00

grayscale posturized image vs full color image

Many paintings fail due to poor value balance.

If a painting is nearly all one value, it will lack life even if it is correct compositionally.

A way to see value is to:

Open image in photoshop
At the top of the screen select: Image/mode/grayscale
At the top of the screen select: Image/adjustments/posturize
set for around "5"
with experimentation of the numbers in step #3 and 4 you can see that the higher the setting the more detail shows up.
the idea is to not have the detail and only see larger shapes of value (light and dark).

As a pre-painting step - run your image through this process and then reference the resulting print-out to make sure you preserve proper values as you paint.

You can also take a photo of a completed painting and run it through this process to see if you have the needed value balance within the piece.

If you posturize a color image it can assist you in discovering subtle colors or give you coloration ideas to add to your painting!

HOOKED ON PENCILS - Phoenix

2009-08-22T09:21:00.000-07:00

HOOKED ON PENCILS
a watercolor pencil workshop

Limited Seating - Sign up today!

Watercolor pencil workshop September 12

Call the store or drop in to sign up!

Workshop will be held at:
Phoenix Arizona Art Supply!
4025 N. 16th Street, Phoenix, AZ 85016
(southeast corner of Indian School Road and 16th Street)
(602) 264-9514

Tempe - Mini Watercolor Pencil Workshop

2009-08-22T08:58:00.000-07:00

At Arizona Art Supply - Tempe, Arizona

Watercolor Pencil Workshop - Scottsdale

2009-07-18T21:20:00.000-07:00

At Arizona Art Supply - Scottsdale, Arizona

Artist's Magazine Letter

2009-07-09T15:55:00.000-07:00

Cynthia (CJ) Rider

Check out my letter in the July issue of Artist's magazine. (page8)) <<- CLICK LINK

Artist ethics and copyright!

CJ RIDER Art Video

2009-07-03T16:41:00.000-07:00

Desert Mallow - Watercolor

2009-05-03T12:32:00.001-07:00

Desert Mallow - Watercolor

RiderCreations.com

http://cj-rider.fineartamerica.com

2009-03-28T12:48:00.000-07:00

Soda Girl

oil on canvas

Lilley

2009-03-28T12:43:00.000-07:00

Lilley's Pride

Mixed Media (graphite, watercolor, photoshop)

Datura - oil painting

2009-03-21T00:26:00.000-07:00

Datura flower as painted at Boyce Thompson Arboretum, AZ.

Grapes and Pear in Pastel

2009-03-21T00:24:00.000-07:00

Fruit Study in Pastel

2009-03-21T00:20:00.000-07:00

Prickly Pear

2009-03-10T01:39:00.000-07:00

Oil Painting.

Prickly Pear painting from Gilbert Riparian Preserve, AZ

Century Plant

2009-03-10T01:22:00.000-07:00