Painting Parent- Sophie M Ploeg

Painting Parent Interview with Sophie Ploeg



The Lying-in Room, oil on canvas, 92x92cm/36x36”

How many children do you have? What are their ages?

2 boys aged 7 and 9

How did your artistic career begin?

With the birth of my children! Before I had kids I did always draw and paint on the side but nothing too serious. I was working on my Ph.D in art history and getting ready for a career as an academic. But when my first child was born I realized I could not do it all at the same time. I could not be a full time mum, work as an academic, and live close to my husband’s work. So choices had to be made. I did not want to put my children into daycare so I gave up working as an historian and became a full time mum. That is when I realized I could pick up art again as you can do this from home at flexible hours.

 Softly, Softly, oil, 50x40cm

What is your Parenting/work/art situation?

I am a full time mum and a full time artist. ;)

When do you make time to do your art and do you have a regular art routine?

I paint whenever I can. With small children you quickly learn to make the most of your time and space. Do not wait for inspiration or peace and quiet because you can wait forever. My studio is what used to be the dining room in the house, and so I am in the midst of everything and keep an eye on the kids, the cooking and the dog while I paint. I paint when I can: when the children are at school, after they’ve gone to bed, when they play nicely or watch television. I can pick up a brush any time and put it down any time to do something else. 

Pleating Time, oil, 60x40cm

Do your children get involved with your art?

No not really. Sometimes they are my model and sometimes they tell me what they think of the painting on the easel. They are used to me painting around them.

Do they inspire aspects of your art?

Not particularly but of course I put my life into my work and being a mother is a huge part of my life so it inspires my work undoubtedly.

The Four Ages of Woman.

The Lacemaker, oil on linen, 50x60cm.

How does making time for artwork influence other household tasks?

Household tasks are just chores that need to be done. Then we get on with what really matters.

Have different ages of your children been more difficult to make time for artwork and in which ways?

It made a huge difference when both children started school and I had most of the day time available to paint.

How do you encourage your children to be artistic?

That would go so intuitively I would not even know exactly. I do not parent via any specific methods. Art is in the family and so no doubt they’ll pick stuff up when they are dragged to another museum or when I am yodeling along with an opera. They are encouraging me to like Star Wars.

Brabant Lace, oil on linen, 24x30cm

Do you feel extra pressure as an artist to raise your children to be artistic?

Absolutely not. Both my boys, for example, are very good at math, something I was always hopeless at.

In what ways does being an artist make being a parent harder or easier?

I don’t think it makes it easier or harder. Everyone is different...

The Long Wait, oil, 24x40”.

Do you think being a parent affects the way you are perceived as an artist?

You are perceived in the way you present yourself so it is totally up to me how I am perceived. I make no secret about the fact I have a young family and therefore have to deal with some more challenges in time and schedules than a young and single artist...

See more of Sophie's Work at http://www.sophieploeg.com

Painting Parent -Olga Krimon

Todays Painting Parent is Olga Krimon. 
Www.olgakrimon.com.

How many children do you have? What are their ages?

 I have 2 boys.  9 and 5.5

How did your artistic career begin?

 I’ve been drawing since I was a little kid, and I joke that my career began in preschool where I had my first solo show.  It became serious when I was accepted to the Kazan Art School in Russia, where I completed 4 intense years of academic atelier courses in drawing, painting, composition, Art History and sculpture.  Those years gave shape to the essential fundamentals, and I remember those instructions to this day.  Later on I got a degree in Art History and continued to study and practice the craft.  I am a firm believer that you have to go through all the training first, before you can make a decision where your place should be and how you want to express yourself.  By this I don’t at all mean holding a degree from a prestigious school.  I mean getting the schooling, whether on your own or with instruction.  There are so many options today to do that.

 What is your Parenting/work/art situation?

Good question, as this is the most difficult part of being an artist, one that I am working on every day.  I am divorced, and I am responsible for raising 2 kids.  I work full time in a field that is not at all related to art.  I’ve made a good career after my MBA, and it allows me to provide for my kids and exercise a very different part of my brain.  As an artist, I take every minute of my time outside of my work and away from my kids that I can use.  It makes prioritization a necessity, but you make it work because you really want this to work.  And yes, that means cutting on some time with kids – missing baseball games, to name a few, staying home with them after a long night of painting instead of taking them out, etc.  The guilt of it is something that haunts me constantly.  But it’s also something that keeps me going and pushes me to concentrate and to not waste any time.  I can’t afford to just sit around.  I plan everything I will be working on in advance, including the time I will be doing it, the supplies I need, etc.  I work on certain ideas and painting steps ahead of time in my head, over and over, arranging a still life or a figurative composition.  It saves time and allows me to work remotely, so to speak.  My goal is to be a full time artist, and I am taking steps every day towards achieving this goal.  Yes, there are days of frustration, when I don’t feel I am getting there fast enough, but I hope that’s what most if not all other artists experience.  Especially moms.

 

Do your children get involved with your art?

My sons are my models for several of my paintings.  My older one even demanded a % from the sale of his portrait.  Although he is 9, he is making very interesting remarks about what I should do and how I should market my work.  It’s obvious he thinks about it and wants to get involved.  On the other hand, he gets frustrated when I cut some of my time with him to finish a painting for a show.  Both of my sons are so proud when they see my work in a publication. The younger one draws and paints with such confidence that it’s so fun to watch. 

 Do they inspire aspects of your art?

My sons try to give me ideas for my future subjects, and pushed me to try a self portrait.  Plus without them I would’ve not met their nanny, Ania, who models for me regularly.  And my idea of taking a break from figurative and still life painting is to once in a while paint them.  I consider some of those paintings among my best works.  I want to record them growing up.

How has having children changed your artwork?

I’ve been questioning why art became such a necessity after my first son was born.  I’ve been painting way before then, but it’s after my first son was born that my artistic career took a different turn.  One, I have to admit, I think this urge to lock myself in the studio and go into that different world and state of mind was a way out for me, doing something for myself.  It helped me cope.  But on another much deeper level, I wanted to create things that would last and will be viewed and valued long after I am gone.  My kids would have a piece of me somehow.  My corporate career provides some answers for the businesses now.  But I wanted to build a legacy.  I started to feel that I was running out of time and I needed to rush to get my ideas out.  The more I was working and the less time I had, the more motivated I was to push through.  This was also the time when I discovered works of contemporary painters and when I clearly saw my limitations, so I worked hard to build the learning path to get there.  That was the time when it all started to take a solid shape.

 How does making time for artwork influence other household tasks?

It’s all about planning and timing.  You make dinner early in the morning because you painted all night.  You make yourself be more tolerant to dust :0).  But honestly, with planning you find time for everything.  It’s really not the household stuff that I had to cut on.  I cut on social interactions and watching TV, for example. 

 

Have different ages of your children been more difficult to make time for artwork and in which ways?

Obviously, when you have a baby/toddler, you can’t get away.  There are these cycles of life when they need you most.  I had to almost completely cut on oil painting when I was pregnant with my 2^nd son, afraid that the cadmiums and lead paints would be harmful.  That was tough, but those days are long gone.

How do you encourage your children to be artistic?

Yes, there are supplies everywhere in the house. There are art horses and easels, a lot of paper and pencils.  That’s my way of encouraging it.  I ask for drawings as gifts for my birthday and Mother’s Day.   My older son is very structured, he wants the drawing to be perfect – he got very frustrated when his copy of Leonardo’s horse was not exact (he was 4 at the time).  That, unfortunately, discourages him from expressing himself.  My younger son says that he sees all of the ideas in his head and then just draws them – he is constantly at it, and prefers larger canvases and paper rather than small ones.  He hates coloring someone else’s drawing, which makes me very happy.   I take them to museums, talk to them about artists, examine paintings with them.  Once in a while they want a little drawing lesson.  Hope these lessons continue and evolve into serious discipline some day.

Do you feel extra pressure as an artist to raise your children to be artistic?

Not at all.  But I want them to be aware and to appreciate other artists’ works.  I show them how difficult of a career it is, how much work goes into it, and how much training it requires.  I want them to see that they can do anything as long as they do it seriously.  Nothing comes easy.  So I want them to see the discipline of it, and apply that to anything they aspire to do.  No matter what they choose, I also want them to have an outing, their own world, whether it’s playing an instrument, going to a concert, museum, or drawing.  I am lucky to have that, and I cannot imagine my life without it – I really hope they find their own way of expression, whatever that may be.

In what ways does being an artist make being a parent harder or easier?

I covered some of it above.  In my case the hardest thing is that it takes time away from my kids.  Or being too tired after a night of painting and a full day of work to take them outside.

Do you think being a parent affects the way you are perceived as an artist?

That I don’t know.  I hope not.  I may not be able to produce as many paintings as someone without kids, but I may be trying twice as hard to carve out the time and I will make it work no matter what.  I will push through.  So I feel a strong connection to artists with kids.  It makes me stronger. 

 

Torrit Gray and Progress

Monochromatic paintings are such a great way to explore tonal relationships without worrying about color. This painting of Maggie was completed with black white and Torrit Gray. The photograph I used as a reference was taken by Steven Johnson. www.stevendavidjohnson.com 

Maggie

 

 Progress shots

 Another painting in progress, this time working with a limited palette of Cad red, yellow Ochre, Payne's grey and white. Still a lot to to on this painting, but I love the shadows and the expression.

Painting Parent - Erin Huber

Todays Painting Parent is
Erin Huber

https://www.facebook.com/motherartistproject 

themotherartistproject.blogspot.com

How many children do you have?

I have given birth to four children. However- my husband and I have blended family and we have six children all together.

 What are their ages?

My oldest will be 16 this winter – and we have everything from ages 14, 12, 6, 3 and the youngest is 2.

How did your artistic career begin?

I have wanted to be a “serious” artist since I was fourteen years old. I had high hopes of moving overseas and painting my life away. However – those dreams shifted as soon as I delivered my first child. I have been painting ever since- but my career as an artist just recently refocused with my youngest son turning two. When I created MAP – Mother Artist Project it was my way of truly taking time to focus weekly my work and the work of other female artists by blogging about them. I got my very first studio downtown Indianapolis because of an interview I conducted of a mother artist there. The Harrison Center has an amazing circle of mother artists – who have hired a nanny to tend to their babies while the mother artist works. It is because of this set up – that I am able to take my career as an artist seriously.

What is your Parenting/work/art situation?

When I decided to have children in my mid-thirties I knew that I wanted to be a stay home mom. My husband has been able to offer that to me – and I am so grateful. Raising Children and caring for the endless needs – along with a house – is a full time job. I do have a studio – in which I spend a handful of hours in a week. It is my sacred personal time. When I can’t be in the studio I paint in the evening – in which I call “Closet Studio” time. It is literally my bedroom closet – with a tiny table, chair and my paints – oh, and clothes! However, I am not a night owl – I paint anyway... usually because I have an idea and I don’t want to wait to get it on canvas.

When do you make time to do your art and do you have a regular art routine?

My routine is – four hours a week at my studio downtown where I paint in oils and do all of my paper cuttings. Any work that is done outside of that is usually done at home after I tuck my babies in bed... and I only use acrylics at home just in case one of them gets a hold of a tube of paint.

Do your children get involved with your art?

I have had 15 years of involving my children in my art making process. My oldest is now aiming to be a photographer- my oldest daughter sketches a lot- and my youngest daughter is constantly wanting to paint or color. I feel that my own desire to create art and allowing them to make things at the same time... has influenced them a great deal. It’s a good thing!

Do they inspire aspects of your art?

Mothering is so important to me. It is first in my life. My children have inspired me for many many years now. I am constantly taking photographs of them... and creating MAP – Mother Artist Project was created by pure experience ...by being a mother artist myself.

How has having children changed your artwork?

I think the only thing that has changed is learning to be faster at what I do. Learning to balance creating while making dinner – or knowing what supplies to use when and where... knowing that they are close by.

How does making time for artwork influence other household tasks?

I used to get really upset about the balancing act. I recall crying rivers over this obstacle. However, I have learned tricks and ways to work around everyone else. Painting in my closet when everyone is asleep is just one way to get my personal time in .I have a routine, though I like to think of myself as a spontaneous person – I get the chores out the way first thing... and go with the flow the rest of the day. I try to make lists and sketch daily to keep ideas flowing. I really try to utilize the time I set aside to accomplish whatever mission I have set out for myself with my work.

Have different ages of your children been more difficult to make time for artwork and in which ways?

I think this depends on if it’s your first child or if you’re a seasoned mom. I remember feeling like one child ... felt like an army. I laugh now- having six... it can be pretty crazy at any given moment. I have to carve time out for myself because no one else will.

How do you encourage your children to be artistic?

Art is an everyday topic in my household. I come from a long line of artists and their work is placed around the house. My children have all been raised with art making and art in general and know that it is important. I encourage my children by being an example and teaching them about their family roots. Along with giving them the tools to discover art for themselves.

Do you feel extra pressure as an artist to raise your children to be artistic?

I don’t feel any pressure about this at all. I would be thrilled if my kids said “hey mom – I want to go art school”. I feel they are artistic – no matter what I try to say or do... they can’t help it.

In what ways does being an artist make being a parent harder or easier?

As much as I would like to say – I can make a living off of my work... the truth is, I haven’t been able to- yet. However, I look around and see female artists who are “making it” --- and what I have noticed is that they do not have children. They live and breathe making art and promoting themselves. In order to be successful – I feel you need to be able to balance both worlds and be business savvy. Market yourself – etc. This is a balancing act – indeed. We want to be successful – we want to do what we love and yet it often feels like swimming upstream.... society somehow makes it impossible. I refuse to believe that a desk job is the only option to make a decent pay check but for me, for many years... it was the only way. I am blessed to have a husband who can support me and our family.

Do you think being a parent affects the way you are perceived as an artist?

I know for certain it has. I recall going back to art school to finish my degree as a single working mother. I walked into their office and sat down to discuss my complicated schedule. My only question for them was – How is a single mom supposed to attend art school during the day when she had to work? Art classes were not offered in the evening ... making it impossible for me to be a female- single mother –art student.

I carried this “issue” for years and it fueled me to find a solution. I think that mother artists aren’t taken seriously. As if their passion to make work is just a hobby. I think times are changing – as they always do... and there are more and more mother artists out there wondering the same things. Asking the same questions – how do we do this?!

My answer is – you just do it! Art is your voice.