| 1. Full Name. Gian Mercurio
2. What is your favorite art medium?
Watercolors, colored pencil, graphite, pen & ink
3. How long have you been working with that medium?
For about ten years
4. Do you expand outside of your primary medium? Why or why not?
I have tried acrylics, but since I work in so many media, I don’t really need to try more.
5. Where do you find inspiration for your art?
From art museums in many countries…Van Gogh, Chinese and Japanese art (Hiroshige), Georgia O’Keefe, and the other artists in the Brownsville Art Association.
6. What is the best part of being an artist?
Going into other parts of your brain that you don’t usually visit.
7. What is the hardest part of being an artist?
Doing the framing and matting. Thinking my work isn’t good enough.
8. How and where do you sell/present your art?
I am a writer, not a professional artist, so BAA is where you can see my art.
9. Who supported you during the time you decided to become an artist?
My husband, Max, has always supported me and seen to it that I take the time to do art. The Tuesday night art group (Sara, Joni, Barbara, Mandy, Elizabeth, Cheryl, Shavonne) has taught me and encouraged me to continue on. The Sketchbook Club was inspiring. As for financially, I have a day job.
10. What advice do you have for beginning artists?
Don’t get discouraged. If you reach a point where you don’t like what you are working on, put it down, walk away or work on something else. Sometimes it takes a month or more to see with new eyes. Listen to other artists. Don’t take critiquing personally. Take classes. Keep a sketchbook.
11. Anything else you would like to say?
Just thanks to all the Brownsville artists (who are incredibly talented) who have kept me going. |
