By Page H. Gifford
Local artists Lisa Daniel and Rebecca Smith have come together for an exhibit at Cunningham Creek Winery running from July 21 through Oct. 12.
The two artists view their subjects differently and occupy opposite ends of the stylistic spectrum: Daniel’s work is colorful, fun and whimsical, while Smith’s is soft and quiet, often capturing her subjects in solitude.
Daniel frequently returns to anthropomorphic animals, stories, fables, and humorous ideas. She describes her work as “quirky, funny and cheeky,” while Smith describes hers as “realistic, reflective, bright and translucent.”
Their artistic journeys have some similarities. Both are largely self-taught, with little formal training.
“I painted my first oil painting when I was 60 years old, seven years ago. I had never done any art before, except the required class in junior high,” Daniel said with a laugh. “But I was looking for a new hobby after finally being declared cancer-free, 10 years after my stage 4 colon cancer diagnosis.
“I have only taken two art classes. The rest I found on YouTube.”
Smith said her mother was very artistic and taught her how to draw. Her mother painted in oils and also loved fiber arts.
“I mostly stuck to pencil drawing, as realistically as I could. Then, in my 30s, I took a watercolor class and really loved it, but watercolor technique continues to be challenging for me. I feel like I don’t know how to start each time,” she said.
“I am a hobby artist. I didn’t go to art school and never felt drawn to analyze artistic themes. I have taken classes through community colleges, arts and recreation programs and workshops, and had some excellent teachers who inspired me. I enjoy painting as an activity and as an expression of my appreciation for things I find beautiful in this world.”
Artists, like writers, often begin with an idea and carefully plan it out, while others work more intuitively. Daniel falls into the second category.
“I usually have an idea of something incongruous, funny or just cute. The goal is to make you smile,” she said.
For Daniel, coming up with the idea can be the most challenging part.
“Often, I get my ideas somewhere between sleep and awake,” she said.
Smith paints from photographs or still-life arrangements.
“Most often, it’s spontaneous, but I have a collection of photographs I am still intending to paint one day. I have done many paintings by request, too,” she said.
An artist’s style often evolves through time and practice, along with the exploration of new methods and techniques.
It took Daniel several years to develop her style.
“I realized that the most satisfying paintings were the ones that made people laugh,” she said.
She continues to paint portraits, commissions, still lifes and plein air scenes.
“I had the good fortune to become part of Linda Staiger’s portrait group,” Daniel said.
The “Looking Back, Seeing Now” project allowed local artists to paint live models. Its initial goal was to create a series of portraits of local descendants of enslaved people, primarily from Bremo.
The group has since moved on to painting live models who attended S.C. Abrams High School, Fluvanna’s last all-Black high school before desegregation in 1969.
“Participation has significantly improved my skill at portraiture, but best of all, I have had the opportunity to work with many outstanding local artists,” Daniel said.
“Years after I started, it seemed I was always painting and trying different subjects. And that was while I was working full time and busy with lots of other things, too,” Smith said. “I’m retired and have plenty of time now, and I paint more sporadically, but am spurred by a request or just a mood.”
Artists may be influenced by nature, another artist, a particular style or an artistic movement.
Daniel might find inspiration in paintings of dogs sitting around a table, playing poker and smoking cigars. But she is especially drawn to singerie, a style popularized during the Rococo period that portrays monkeys dressed and behaving like people.
“I love doing anthropomorphic paintings, where animals have the characteristics of people,” Daniel said.
Both artists said their work has taught them about their possibilities and limitations.
“At first, I tried lots of topics and subjects. For instance, I’m lousy at seascapes. I seemed to be best at painting animals. Practice makes it better,” Daniel said.
Smith offered an approach to learning familiar to many artists: “If it’s not going well, start over. It’s all good practice.”
When asked which artist, living or dead, they would most like to collaborate with, Daniel chose Victor Molev, while Smith selected Georgia O’Keeffe.
For more information about Daniel’s work or to request a commission, visit 10-lisa-daniel.pixels.com. Both artists are members of the Fluvanna Art Association.
