The Art Of Claudia Flood, Potter Valley CA

Category & Type :

Artists

Location :

Potter Valley CA

Phone :

707-743-1980

Website :

http://www.cfloodart.com

Information about The Art Of Claudia Flood...

I will share with you some of their thoughts about me; "In a world weary of images of destruction and terror, there's a bright, shining light coming from northern California that brings some whimsy to the stark realism that each of faces today. Whimsy? Realism? Aren't these oxymoron's? In most cases they may be, but not when talking to the master of whimsical realism in the art community, Claudia Flood.

Claudia isn't a newcomer who's recently burst upon the art scene. Indeed, she's been practicing her craft for nearly 20 years professionally. She's honed her skills over that time, until she's no longer " just " a painter; she's transcended the medium of paint and canvas to become a " storyteller".

Her paintings each have a story to tell. Claudia says," I use my brushes and pencils to weave a tale, instead of words. In this interview, I talked in depth with Claudia about her work, which is a unique blend of talent, skill, and a slightly, " off center" sense of humor which sneakes out and impishly plays with the minds of those who view her paintings."
The act of painting is a science in itself. Once you have decided on the subject, you must decide how to paint it. I paint in oils and they require an understanding of color because you do not paint straight from the tube. Each color is mixed and some, no matter how illogical it may seem, will make "mud" when mixed together. You must decide what kind of brush is going to be used - bristle or sable, flat or round. And then, how are you going to apply the paint? It is an exacting process that needs concentration and practice. Much as a musician practices the scales, painting is something that has to be repeated again and again by the artist to achieve "perfection."

I am a storyteller, and I use my brushes and pencils to weave a tale, instead of words. I want the viewer to look and look again, in the discovery of the story that is before them. I try to bring to my work an interest that allows one to see something new every time the piece is viewed.

I paint from my own sketches and photos. My sketchbook and camera usually accompany me wherever I go because you never know when you are going to come upon the perfect setting, the perfect light or shadow. But I do not just paint from photos. The idea is choreographed in advance in my mind: what I am trying to say, how to best say it, through which medium, and technique; what's the best way to capture this idea on a two dimensional surface, so that it springs to life and stands on it's own. I sketch the subject in "plain air" if necessary, and combine my drawings, my imagination, and the camera to capture the light and to aid me in my task..