Designer's Depot

Please tell us a brief info about yourself:

Art has always been a part of my life. I sketched from an early age and loved to watch my mother paint or create a wood carving or work her magic her modelling clay.. My great-uncle Adolphus Burton was also an artist so it appears to be in the blood. Becoming an artist has been an evolving process for me and now has become an all consuming passion.

Have you ever tried doing digital artwork?

I have not yet tried digital artwork but do admire the work of others. Art comes in many forms and each has its own unique merits.

Who or what gives you inspiration?

My inspiration mostly comes from the natural beauty around me. The work of other artists is also inspiring. I am amazed at the work that other artists produce and my all time favourite is Robert Bateman.

Is your artistic background self-taught or did you go to college to study?

For the most part I am self taught. I learned a lot in art classes in high school and much more from the other artists I have met through fantastic websites such as WetCanvas. In the beginning, I watched art shows on PBS such as Bob Ross’ Joy of Painting and Jerry Yarnell’s School of Fine Art and Terry Madden’s Watercolor Workshop and improved my skills with what I learned from them.

What are some of your current projects?

I am currently working on a 30 X 36 inch canvas with acrylics on a scene of ducks in a marsh and I have made several new sketches for upcoming projects. One is a train scene which will be a gift for a friend. There is a limited amount of work in progress as I have just moved from British Columbia to Alberta and am just getting settled in.

Which of your works are you the most proud of? And why?

I am very proud of the Resting Geese painting because it came out exactly as I had pictured it in my mind before setting brush to canvas. Bougainvillea Pots is one of my favourites because it made me push my skills to create elements I had not tried before. Let’s Go Fishing was also a challenge and while not a very decorative piece, it has a certain honesty about it that somehow appeals to me.

Are there any areas, techniques, mediums, projects in your field that you have yet to try?

There are many mediums and techniques I have yet to try. Being an artist is a never ending learning process and there will always be something new to experiment with.

What do you do to keep yourself motivated and avoid burn-out?

Motivation has not been a problem yet, finding enough time to paint is more of a challenge for me. I do not believe burn-out will be a problem either as I enjoy a huge variety of subjects and styles from big bold florals to landscapes, still lifes and wildlife. Also, I switch to oil paints for a change in pace.

When you’re not in front of your canvas, how do you spend most of your free time?

My family and friends take up a lot of my time and Oscar, my chihuahua is my constant companion. He loves the field trips for sketching and taking pictures. I enjoy cooking and entertaining and do a variety of crafts like sewing, crochet, needlepoint and embroidery. Also, I maintain several websites; www.creakyeasel.com; www.paintworks.wordpress.com; www.myartclub.com/Sue.Cowan; www.SECowan.artistportfolio.net ; www.absolutearts.com/portfolios/s/sunsetsue ; www.fineartwork.blogspot.com plus a lot of social networking sites to promote my artwork.

and finally, What advices/tips can you give to the novice artists out there?

For beginning artists, the best advice I can give them is to keep working, not to be afraid to experiment with new things and ideas; and above all, promote yourself and your artwork whenever possible.

(c) Sue Ellen Cowan – reproduced with permission

For other information, please contact her at:

website: www.creakyeasel.com; www.paintworks.wordpress.com; www.myartclub.com/Sue.Cowan; www.SECowan.artistportfolio.net ; www.absolutearts.com/portfolios/s/sunsetsue ; www.fineartwork.blogspot.com

wanna be a featured artist?
email me at: mcedesigns@gmail.com
with the subject: interview request