Artist Spotlight: Bev Jozwiak

Thoughts on acrylic painting.

Bev Jozwiak AWS, NWS-Master

Conventional wisdom is not my forte. I tend to buck trends and traditions. I have my own sense of aesthetics, and do what seems right to me. My main subject may be somewhat realistic, while the background may border on abstraction. I start out with an idea, but my vision usually changes once I begin. What’s important is that I can have fun and paint with abandon. The day painting becomes a chore is the day I hang up my apron and put away my brushes.

Artistic talent runs in my family. My Dad did wildlife pastels. His sister (my aunt) painted in oils. My grandmother and her mother also were artists, but I am the first one to get a formal education in art, and make a living at it. I have a fine arts degree, and an art history minor.

I think we, as artists, are born with some natural talent. After thinking about conversations I have had with painters, it seems most of us had that ability at a young age, that “innate something” that defines us as artists. Some are born with more talent than others, but tenacity wins out over talent, every time, so just get started.

You must, as an artist, become a decision maker. There are hundreds of decisions to be made in every painting. Whether you want to be a professional artist, or a weekend hobbyists, I still suggest you buy professional grade paints. Doing so, will allow you the chance to create a thing of beauty, which will be archival and last.

I tried oils, but as much as I liked the look, I didn’t really like the dry time, or the smells. I am a fast painter and had a hard time slowing down. I usually just made a big muddy mess. Many people tell me my acrylic paintings look like oils. I’ll take that as a compliment, but if I think of them in those terms, I think of them as oils with an edge. I am represented by 6 galleries. I started with Watercolors, (which I still love and continue to do) but I wanted the option of being able produce works that didn’t require glass. I now bring and sell both in about equal amounts.

American Journey acrylics are quality paints at an affordable price. They are rich in color,
smooth and creamy. You can used acrylic mediums with them, but most of the time, I just use water. I paint on stretched 1 ½”-2” primed canvas. I start with a light pencil sketch, and then paint an undercoat of color; usually a watered down warm orange. I tend to mix mine from one of my more transparent reds, and yellows. You want to be able to see the drawing underneath. Even though acrylics dry fast, I let it sit overnight. I paint around the edges of the canvas with the undercoat, and as I am painting the “real” painting, do the same. So the painting continues around the edges and there is no need to frame it. I see some artists paint a solid color as a border, but I prefer the continuation of the painting around the edges.

Coming from a watercolor background, I put my acrylic in an airtight palette (like John Pikes) with a stay wet sponge on the bottom, and a piece of glass on top to mix my paints on. I like to be able to just open up my palette and go. However, if you don’t paint that often they will dry out, or mold will grow. Just putting out paint for the day, is also an option. That; brushes, and a bucket of water are about all you need to get started.

Favorite paint colors.
Burnt Sienna
Pyrrole Red
Napthol Red
Cadmium Orange
Titan Buff
Cadmium Yellow
Diarylide Yellow
Raw Sienna or Yellow Ochre
Light Yellow Naples
Ultramarine Blue Light
Cobalt Teal
Primary Cyan
Cobalt Blue
Cobalt Green Deep
Chromium Oxide Green
Bright Yellow Green
Quinacridone Fuchsia
Medium Violet
Dioxazine Purple
Warm Gray
Light Gray
Indigo
And of course Carbon Black and Titanium White

I love color. I do change up and try new colors regularly. I like the unexpected.

Hiding in plain sight- The tree trunk was done with a plethora of colors. Start with a dark
(maybe burnt sienna, and black) on the bottom of the trunk, moving to light color near the top, like light yellow Naples. Drag any bright colors over the trunk, to make for interesting bark. I don’t have set colors, just whatever seems to fit with the rest of the painting.