Lois is a contemporary oil painter who lives and works in Santa Rosa, CA. In 2017 Lois retired from her job as a School Psychologist and began working full-time as an oil painter. Lois’ art background includes ongoing long-term art instruction at San Francisco Art Institute Public Education. During the early 80’s she was a member of the Santa Rosa Art Guild and the Marin Society of Artists, where she received several awards for her vibrant watercolors. At the age of almost 74 Lois is a very prolific painter and has produced over 200 paintings in the last three years. She currently exhibits at Healdsburg Center for the Arts, and at Corrick’s in Santa Rosa. She is also a Sonoma County Art Trails juried artist, and participates in SF Open Studios, and she has exhibited her work in several small group shows and juried exhibitions throughout California.
Published on May 25th, 2021. Artist responses collected in months previous.
What hurdles have you overcome this year and how have they affected your art practice?
This year there were several personal and art hurdles requiring that I woman up and move past. I had a couple of medical issues related to/caused by the effects of the fires here in Sonoma County. And then there was and is the COVID19 that further tamped down my artistic expression. The most significant of these ‘hurdles’ was and continues to be the COVID19. I sometimes find it a struggle to maintain my motivation to make art and be creative. And every once in a while, I have to admit that I experience a little depression. Its not that I haven’t had a few episodes of mild depression over the years, but really nothing that lasted this long or was as persistent, mild or not. And it’s never gone on so long that it interfered with my feeling the love for art making. And, if I’m totally honest I have to admit that some of this depression is connected to not just the COVID19, but also to the political heat that is associated with it. It seems consuming and I allow it to suck the art right out of me.
How has your art practice been affected by the pandemic?
This longer-term mild depression is impacting my art practice for sure. Sometimes I try to paint, but cannot get much beyond putting paint on the canvas and letting it just be there. I don’t think I am the only artist who feels this these days, although I know many who are flourishing in the shelter in place environment we live in today. So, yes I am affected. If I am honest with at least myself, I will say yes, the pandemic has impacted my stamina for producing art and being creative in general. I have also been affected by the near collapse of so many art venues including art centers and smaller galleries. And, I see that procuring and appreciating art is not what is on peoples minds these days. This hurts artists and I think this puts pressure on us to produce art that sells now (but really doesn’t).
What support systems have you put in place to help keep your practice thriving amidst these unforeseeable circumstances?
I have implemented several support systems to keep myself focused on my art. Our non-profit art centers need us more than ever. Many of them are at the point of not having enough income to pay next months rent. These art centers bring education to our communities, and they support us by offering exhibits that we can enter and generally get accepted to, and get exposure from. There are very few places for me to take my art to, to sell and showcase it. So what I’ve done to keep my practice thriving is I’ve jumped right in to a couple of non-profit art centers that I’ve been connected to in the past and offered my tech skills. For one such art center I assisted with developing an online auction that was successful. And even though I know that art does not generally sell well virtually, I have upped my commitment to participating in virtual (online) galleries and I now dedicate at minimum 2 hours daily to making marketing my artwork online successful.
What methods do you employ to stay resilient in your art practice? What tips would you recommend to other artists who find staying resilient difficult?
Engaging in physical activity aids in my mental stamina. It clears out the negatives and sets the tone for the art-day. A little early morning coffee doesn’t hurt either. I also take my general ‘lack of motivation’ pulse every day. And when I feel the blahs, or can acknowledge any inner sadness or loss of my past normal, I just make it a habit to go out into my studio and start cleaning. The ‘cleaning’ gets old fast and soon I’m putting on music, making green tea and getting my palette ready. If my motivation still seems to be waning I take out a small panel or small canvas and start something new on that, rather working on my larger in progress pieces. Tips for others would be: allow yourself to enjoy physical activity at whatever level you are at; take a long walk around a lake early in the day. Meditate, and if you don’t, go online and find a couple of pleasant music meditation CDs or downloads that you can begin meditating to. Meditation is very pleasant and frees me to make art.
What have you learned about yourself as an artist this year?
I have learned that I am determined. I am a determined woman. I am a determined artist. I am a determined soul. I always think I know what I want to do, and I work toward that even if it takes me in ridiculous and painful circles. This year I’ve learned to be a little less determined and a little more ‘stop and look at life around you’ just for a few seconds at least. I learned that taking breaks is crucial for me. I learned to give time to allow myself to step away and enjoy all of the other parts of my life. This has been a life lesson long coming and I am grateful that I learned it through my art making. It was a huge life lesson. How wonderful to be able to take a break and then come back ‘home’ freer to be the artist me.
What hurdles have you overcome this year and how have they affected your art practice?
This year there were several personal and art hurdles requiring that I woman up and move past. I had a couple of medical issues related to/caused by the effects of the fires here in Sonoma County. And then there was and is the COVID19 that further tamped down my artistic expression. The most significant of these ‘hurdles’ was and continues to be the COVID19. I sometimes find it a struggle to maintain my motivation to make art and be creative. And every once in a while, I have to admit that I experience a little depression. Its not that I haven’t had a few episodes of mild depression over the years, but really nothing that lasted this long or was as persistent, mild or not. And it’s never gone on so long that it interfered with my feeling the love for art making. And, if I’m totally honest I have to admit that some of this depression is connected to not just the COVID19, but also to the political heat that is associated with it. It seems consuming and I allow it to suck the art right out of me.
How has your art practice been affected by the pandemic?
This longer-term mild depression is impacting my art practice for sure. Sometimes I try to paint, but cannot get much beyond putting paint on the canvas and letting it just be there. I don’t think I am the only artist who feels this these days, although I know many who are flourishing in the shelter in place environment we live in today. So, yes I am affected. If I am honest with at least myself, I will say yes, the pandemic has impacted my stamina for producing art and being creative in general. I have also been affected by the near collapse of so many art venues including art centers and smaller galleries. And, I see that procuring and appreciating art is not what is on peoples minds these days. This hurts artists and I think this puts pressure on us to produce art that sells now (but really doesn’t).
What support systems have you put in place to help keep your practice thriving amidst these unforeseeable circumstances?
I have implemented several support systems to keep myself focused on my art. Our non-profit art centers need us more than ever. Many of them are at the point of not having enough income to pay next months rent. These art centers bring education to our communities, and they support us by offering exhibits that we can enter and generally get accepted to, and get exposure from. There are very few places for me to take my art to, to sell and showcase it. So what I’ve done to keep my practice thriving is I’ve jumped right in to a couple of non-profit art centers that I’ve been connected to in the past and offered my tech skills. For one such art center I assisted with developing an online auction that was successful. And even though I know that art does not generally sell well virtually, I have upped my commitment to participating in virtual (online) galleries and I now dedicate at minimum 2 hours daily to making marketing my artwork online successful.
What methods do you employ to stay resilient in your art practice? What tips would you recommend to other artists who find staying resilient difficult?
Engaging in physical activity aids in my mental stamina. It clears out the negatives and sets the tone for the art-day. A little early morning coffee doesn’t hurt either. I also take my general ‘lack of motivation’ pulse every day. And when I feel the blahs, or can acknowledge any inner sadness or loss of my past normal, I just make it a habit to go out into my studio and start cleaning. The ‘cleaning’ gets old fast and soon I’m putting on music, making green tea and getting my palette ready. If my motivation still seems to be waning I take out a small panel or small canvas and start something new on that, rather working on my larger in progress pieces. Tips for others would be: allow yourself to enjoy physical activity at whatever level you are at; take a long walk around a lake early in the day. Meditate, and if you don’t, go online and find a couple of pleasant music meditation CDs or downloads that you can begin meditating to. Meditation is very pleasant and frees me to make art.
What have you learned about yourself as an artist this year?
I have learned that I am determined. I am a determined woman. I am a determined artist. I am a determined soul. I always think I know what I want to do, and I work toward that even if it takes me in ridiculous and painful circles. This year I’ve learned to be a little less determined and a little more ‘stop and look at life around you’ just for a few seconds at least. I learned that taking breaks is crucial for me. I learned to give time to allow myself to step away and enjoy all of the other parts of my life. This has been a life lesson long coming and I am grateful that I learned it through my art making. It was a huge life lesson. How wonderful to be able to take a break and then come back ‘home’ freer to be the artist me.
Find Lois Donaghey on Instagram