Artyczar
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Hi all! Sorry, it's been a while since we've posted a spotlight. I've been busy and/or out of town. But the good news is that we're back with an exciting new interview with John Demmer, who you have come to know as john. However, he's not just any "John;" he's also evolved into a very talented artist who has shared his transformations along the way. I, for one, have been more than impressed! He has a great sense of color, subject matter, and a playful imagination. I'm a fan and am happy to feature him here. It's fun to get to know our members better in this way, don't you think?
Okay, glad you agree.
So, without further ado, here's our interview with John:
1. Hi John. Thanks for doing the Spotlight! First of all, where do you live and work? What's your last name?
Hi, my name is John Demmer. I live on the north shore of Long Island, New York. I'm honored to participate in this artist spotlight. This community has been very important for my development as an artist.
2. How did you begin making art in your life? Did you study it formally or informally?
It all started with a book—The Encyclopedia of Watercolor Techniques by Hazel Harrison. I was in a bookstore in the bargain bin. I was thinking I would give it to my sister. I wasn't an artist, and I was in my early forties. But I saw some paintings in it that I really liked and they didn't look that difficult to do, and it made me realize that painting is about technique. As a mechanic, this appealed to me. The next thing I knew, I joined the Wet Canvas forum and was following some instruction there on a couple of paintings. After finishing this one, I got pretty excited. I was shaking as I finished it. It's like I found some inner part of me that had been there undiscovered.
Canoe in the Rapids after Winslow Homer. Watercolor
3. What mediums do you most like to work in?
I started with watercolor, then tried acrylics. Now, I mostly do oils. I find watercolor the most fun but oils let me really put down what I want. Acrylics confuse me.
4. Is your work planned, or does it come from emotion?
I would say they are mostly planned.
Diamond in the Sky with Lucy, 2022. Watercolor, 16x20. (This was my first Sale.)
5. Where do you draw inspiration from?
I draw inspiration from other artists, from nature, and some small bit of something in my head.
6. Do you have any specific artistic influences?
I think Winslow Homer was the spark for me.
The Beach House, oil, 14x8 inches. (A local scene.)
7. Tell us about where you create. Do you have a room, studio, or garage?
I paint in my office. It goes from mess to neat and back again.
8. Outside of art, what do you do for fun?
I like outdoor stuff like biking, fishing, hiking, skiing, etc. And I enjoy listening to music. I guess one could say that I'm a nature boy. I studied environmental science in college.
Peconic Dream, acrylic and oil, 16x20.
9. What has been your most satisfying artistic accomplishment?
That's a tough one. It's a tie between the above painting (Peconic Dream) because it showed me something, and it got me an honorable mention at a juried art show.
Or maybe this oil painting (White House Road) because it showed me I could have some discipline for once. LOL!
White House Road, oil, 16x20.
10. What are your art goals for the near future?
I would like to get back into painting. Summertime seems to distract me from it, as I end up doing so many other things. Some plein air would be nice because I can be outside and also paint. Oh but first I need to finish the one I'm working on. Almost forgot about that.
Lastly, do you have a website or social media site you'd like to share?
I have a website with some of my work, but I haven't updated it in years, and it's missing many of the recent oil paintings. I really should update it:
https://angjohn.wixsite.com/jdemmer
Thanks to all for the support, encouragement, and input.
Okay, glad you agree.
So, without further ado, here's our interview with John:1. Hi John. Thanks for doing the Spotlight! First of all, where do you live and work? What's your last name?
Hi, my name is John Demmer. I live on the north shore of Long Island, New York. I'm honored to participate in this artist spotlight. This community has been very important for my development as an artist.
2. How did you begin making art in your life? Did you study it formally or informally?
It all started with a book—The Encyclopedia of Watercolor Techniques by Hazel Harrison. I was in a bookstore in the bargain bin. I was thinking I would give it to my sister. I wasn't an artist, and I was in my early forties. But I saw some paintings in it that I really liked and they didn't look that difficult to do, and it made me realize that painting is about technique. As a mechanic, this appealed to me. The next thing I knew, I joined the Wet Canvas forum and was following some instruction there on a couple of paintings. After finishing this one, I got pretty excited. I was shaking as I finished it. It's like I found some inner part of me that had been there undiscovered.
Canoe in the Rapids after Winslow Homer. Watercolor
3. What mediums do you most like to work in?
I started with watercolor, then tried acrylics. Now, I mostly do oils. I find watercolor the most fun but oils let me really put down what I want. Acrylics confuse me.
4. Is your work planned, or does it come from emotion?
I would say they are mostly planned.
Diamond in the Sky with Lucy, 2022. Watercolor, 16x20. (This was my first Sale.)
5. Where do you draw inspiration from?
I draw inspiration from other artists, from nature, and some small bit of something in my head.
6. Do you have any specific artistic influences?
I think Winslow Homer was the spark for me.
The Beach House, oil, 14x8 inches. (A local scene.)
7. Tell us about where you create. Do you have a room, studio, or garage?
I paint in my office. It goes from mess to neat and back again.
8. Outside of art, what do you do for fun?
I like outdoor stuff like biking, fishing, hiking, skiing, etc. And I enjoy listening to music. I guess one could say that I'm a nature boy. I studied environmental science in college.
Peconic Dream, acrylic and oil, 16x20.
9. What has been your most satisfying artistic accomplishment?
That's a tough one. It's a tie between the above painting (Peconic Dream) because it showed me something, and it got me an honorable mention at a juried art show.
Or maybe this oil painting (White House Road) because it showed me I could have some discipline for once. LOL!
White House Road, oil, 16x20.
10. What are your art goals for the near future?
I would like to get back into painting. Summertime seems to distract me from it, as I end up doing so many other things. Some plein air would be nice because I can be outside and also paint. Oh but first I need to finish the one I'm working on. Almost forgot about that.
Lastly, do you have a website or social media site you'd like to share?
I have a website with some of my work, but I haven't updated it in years, and it's missing many of the recent oil paintings. I really should update it:
https://angjohn.wixsite.com/jdemmer
Thanks to all for the support, encouragement, and input.
