December 17, 2020
Rebecca Latham is in her studio surrounded by the artwork she’s creating. Her favorite household cat is curled up next to her keeping her warm... with a rolling purr. With her paintings in sight, you can feel the knobby pines, the downy swans, and the wiry coat on the fox kit as she brings them to life on canvas.
It is in this setting that Rebecca shares the journey that brought her here.
How long have you been painting?
“I started painting when I was 12. Before that, I did not have great motor control to render things correctly. Around that time I had put in great deal of practice that helped refine my handling of the brush.”
What is your favorite animal to paint and why?
“It's hard to pick a favorite, but I enjoy painting animals with fur very much. It's something with repetition where I can lose track of time and I find it very relaxing.”
Where is a favorite place you’ve traveled to see wildlife?
“I love going to our national parks to see wildlife. But also, I am blessed to have a wealth of wildlife in my own backyard in Minnesota. Living on the Mississippi flyway brings in an ever-changing array of bird species.
Why do you make this type of art?
“I used to paint in a very impressionist style. I find that painting to achieve realism combined with the detailed work that I do brings more of a challenge.”
Why are you drawn to this subject?
“Growing up in Minnesota has had me surrounded by wildlife my whole life. I think it's just painting what is familiar. Each creature has their own personality and unique beauty if you pay attention.”
What does your artwork represent? Does your art represent something about you?
“I think as a whole, the artwork represents pausing to notice and capture something unique. Both in making it and hopefully in viewing it as well. There is so much that is missed when we don't make that extra effort to notice what beauty is around us.”
What inspires you? What connection do you have to your art?
“Most often getting out in nature inspires me in my work, be it going out in the forest to see a wolf or working in my garden and watching buzzing bees. It can even be something as specific as light touching the subject, colors that melded together or stood out, textures involved, or delight in the time I had spent with the subject itself.”
What does your art mean to you?
“It's more or less a record of observation. My paintings are all reflected on experiences I've had and things I've seen. Creating each one is like reliving the experience, or in some cases experiences blended together. For me, putting in the extra effort to paint minute textures, form, creating depth, and playing delicate hues against one another are what makes the piece come alive and makes the creation of it most satisfying.”
What art do you most identify with?
“For my own taste in artwork, I am usually drawn toward impressionistic work that is focused on a unique color harmony and/or compositional uniqueness.”
What work do you most enjoy doing?
“I like getting out and making observations more than anything. At that stage, I'm taking pictures and making mental notes of the paintings that are forming in my head and the possibilities of limitless. Getting back to the studio and making the first marks on the art board never quite go as planned, and paintings never turn out quite like envisioned.”
Would you like to get to know Rebecca more? You can do that by perusing her magnificent art. This amazing collection is in The Wonderful World of Wildlife show at Seaside Art Gallery. The event is happening right now through December 26, 2020.
Oh! There’s more…
For this Holiday event only… you get free shipping on any Latham art… no matter how many pieces you buy! That’s an amazing deal for this amazing art!
Yes! Take me to the Wonderful World of Wildlife event now!
Yes! Take me to Rebecca's art now!
Have fun! And enjoy this beautiful show.
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