Creatively Featured: Nora MacPhail

For this edition of Creatively Featured, we welcome Nora MacPhail!  Nora's watercolors paintings are refreshing and beautiful!

ARTISTS IN BLOGLAND INTERVIEW
Nora MacPhail

Tell us about blogging and how it's worked for you.

I started my art blog over one year ago and it has really encouraged me and my dedication to my artwork. I made a commitment to paint regularly, to incorporate it into my daily life, and blogging is a wonderful tool that keeps me on track. It is also a great way to document my artwork and my weekly progress. Also, the support from my fellow blogging artists has been overwhelming and constant which has made the process even more enriching.

How did you discover your favorite art medium? 

 

I discovered my favourite art medium, watercolour, by fluke. A friend and I decided to take an art class together and although I thought acrylics would be fun, she insisted on watercolour. So we signed up. After one class she had to drop out due to her work schedule and I was there alone taking watercolour. However, I carried on and took to it immediately. I was quickly thrilled with the class and the medium.

Which aspect of your art do you enjoy most?

The aspect of my watercolour work that I enjoy the most is drawing. It is a wonderful and satisfying activity and as my skills develop, I find the activity is more and more satisfying. Watercolour demands an ability to draw and since I love the look of lines and making lines, I was quickly drawn to it (no pun intended!).

How do you see your future work and style developing?

My goal for my future work is to continue with a sense of playfulness combined with solid technique. It is important to me that the paintings are well crafted and skillfully painted but with a dash of playfulness. I plan to continue with an emphasis on contour line drawings with spots of bright watercolour.

Have you exhibited work or taught classes?

I have exhibited my art in juried watercolour shows and many group shows for the past 10 years. It's always wonderful, and eye opening, to see all of my work on display in a professional setting and to hear the public's response. Also, the support from fellow artists, as well as their constructive feedback, is very valuable and inspiring.


What have you done this past year?
For the past year I have been working with the theme of cityscapes. It is a complex subject and since I like working directly on location, it has been a difficult challenge. It is an ongoing search to find a way to present what I see in life onto paper with pen and watercolour but I am determined to see it through and discover what is next in store for me.

To see more of Nora's artwork visit her blog:  

Nora MacPhail

http://www.noramacphail.blogspot.com