Artist Proof Interview with Artist: Danielle Reck
Global Location: Adelaide, Australia
Shop: http://www.zazzle.com/daniellereck
AP: How long have you been making art for and what lead you to start?
DR: I have been drawing since I was about 3 years old, my mother tells me I was always with pencil in hand and I developed calluses on my fingers from an early age. I’ve also always been drawn to ink, my first proud creative moment was at age 8, winning a coloring competition where I used pens and patterns to fill in the picture rather than colored pencils.
AP: Where do you currently live and work ? And how does this influence your work?
DR: I live in Adelaide, South Australia. It’s tricky to pinpoint how influential my town is but we do have some beautiful gardens here which continuously inspiring the floral designs in my pieces. My amazing and talented friends are always wonderfully encouraging and inspiring.
AP: Did you have formal training if so what? If your self taught can you tell us what you prefer about being a self taught artist vs having formal training?
DR: I have attempted many art courses over the years but I’ve rarely finished anything in order to have a qualification I can include in my resume. I’ve picked up handy tips here and there, but I am mostly interested in the technical side of art and I found the conceptual side a bit tedious. So I’d have to say self taught in the end, my goal is to create images that I’m proud of and find attractive to look at and I’m thrilled when any other person appreciates them.
AP: Can you tell us about where you make your work is it in your house, a studio etc.. and how it effects your work?
DR: I have an active 18 month old daughter, so my time to draw is not as leisurely as it once was! I will draw where ever I can find a comfortable quiet spot while my little one sleeps. I dream of one day having a studio space, filled with all the things that inspire me.
AP: What are some of you favorite design projects/exhibitions you have worked on to date?
DR: I’ve yet to be involved in many projects, but this year I have participated in The Sketchbook Project c/o the Art House Co-op, which was great fun. I was also accepted last year to participate in an exhibition at the fantastic Finders Keepers Design Markets in Sydney amongst some wonderful artists which was very exciting.
AP: What is your medium of choice?
DR: Definitely black ink pens, the finer the better and I love to draw on heavy cartridge paper and wood panels when I get the chance.
AP: What is the relationship between technique and content in your work?
DR: Drawing portraits is my favorite and I am forever working on perfecting movement in hair and expression in big eyes. The technique of using fine patterns and details really guides the outcome of the image, I generally start with a circle and an eye shape, be it on a pretty girl face or a skull, and then it takes off from there.
AP: In what direction would you like to see your work going over the next five years?
DR: I’d really like to experiment with using water colors with the ink in the next year. I’d also love to finally set up my screen printing kit and make some more products to sell at local markets. Drawing for children is also on my list, if I can find time to work on a book that would be wonderful.
AP: What forth coming projects and or exhibitions do you have scheduled for 2011?
DR: I’m hoping to set up a couple of cafe/pub exhibitions in the first half of this year. Hopefully I’ll be asked to participate in some other projects around the country!
AP: Take us on a guided tour through a day in your life as an artist.
DR: Well it goes a bit like this — wake up to cute baby babble… eat… play (a lot)… baby naps (time to breathe and draw)… more playing and reading… more eating… baby off to bed for the night… glass of wine and a comfortable seat to get drawing… go to sleep and hopefully dream of my future as a successful artist and mother!
AP: Thank you so much for taking the time to answer our questions.
