Hello everyone,
I hope you had a wonderful weekend! Mine was great, especially since the weather was so nice. Yesterday, Christopher and I went for a Sunday afternoon convertible drive. We stopped at an orchard where we picked apples and said hello to the goats and chickens. Also, we stopped at our local winery and (of course) brought home a few bottles. It was wonderful to be out enjoying nature. There is nothing like a convertible drive on a beautiful fall day. I hope you found some time to enjoy the great outdoors too!
Today, I’m profiling one of my favorite local artists, Felisa Federman. I love supporting the work of talented local artists and it’s a pleasure for me to introduce their work to my readers. My husband and I are great fans and admirers of Felisa and we own several of her paintings. Felisa, who grew up in Argentina, has been living in the US since 1991. Her work has been showcased in galleries not only throughout the Metropolitan DC area but also in New York.
Please welcome Felisa Federman and enjoy our Q&A.
Q: Hello and welcome Felisa! Could you please share with us a little about your background and your work?
First off thank you for this marvelous opportunity to talk about my work and say hello to all the readers of your blog! As an artist, I love that design can change someone’s life. I have seen how simple changes can make an impact on a homeowner’s outlook and feel for their home. I gained appreciation for art as a teenager growing up in Argentina, where I made many visits to the local art galleries and museums. I graduated from the Fine Arts Academy in Argentina.
A great deal of the work that I do is in mixed media using acrylic. I chose to work with acrylic because being water soluble has less environmental impact. I also recycle materials for my work as a way of expressing concern for the amount of resources we dispose of unnecessarily in our everyday life.
Q: It’s clear that your artistic philosophy is focused on concern for the environment and appreciation of color. Tell us how you create a painting that reflects the needs and personalities of a prospective client’s home?
I start with general ideas, like a theme, sometimes images or a memento from my childhood or from nature. I use this as the basis from which I create my color series. Each series is defined by this idea and I carry the color palette through it. I get inspiration from nature, but I do not reflect realism in my artwork. You can find clues to everyday life in each of my paintings. I want to engage you, the viewer, to observe and think about what is depicted in each piece. That’s the reason I refer to myself a symbolic abstract artist. My ultimate goal is to create a space where people can be drawn in. Each work is like a puzzle that appeals to your sensory experience leading the viewer to a world open to interpretation.
Q: What are your favorite ways to add color and texture to your paintings?
I use a lot of recycled products as elements for my work. First, I sketch out ideas on how these elements can be incorporated into a piece of art. From there, I then move onto colored pencils to see which colors best compliment my recycled elements. Finally, for texture, I use different layers and different shades of the chosen color palette throughout.
Q: Which artist inspires you?
That’s a tough question. There are so many artists work that I admire, but I’m inspired by Jaspar Johns, Vincent Van Gogh and Matisse. I am also influenced by contemporary art, especially sculptures.
Q: If you were given the opportunity to shadow an artist for a day, who would it be?
Now that’s an easy question to answer. Picasso! Why, because, I admire his superb technique in all the different media that he used. Among his many innovative styles that he’s known for, my favorite is his collage. It is made from assembling many different forms of materials and textures to create the final painting.
Q: What are you working on now? Is there a new medium you are using?
Right now, I’m working with a new medium called “encaustic”, also known as hot wax painting. This is such an exciting technique for me, as it involves using heated beeswax with added color pigments. It’s a wonderful medium and I’m really enjoying working with it.
Felisa is presently exhibiting locally at The Art Center of Potomac, 9945 Falls Rd., Potomac, MD. You can also see some of her work at her website,www.felisafederman.com
Felisa is offering a 30% discount on her artwork to readers of HomeSpirations. Just visit her at the gallery and mention that you read this post. How fabulous is that? The discount is offered until December 15th, which will give you the opportunity to treat yourself or an art-loving friend to a colorful Holiday gift!
Thank you, Felisa! I love her portfolio and appreciate her being so willing to sit with us and explain why she loves what she does.
Enjoy the rest of your Monday,
Simone
