Formerly from the States, Alicia Fowler spent several years in Victoria, BC and has recently moved to the Okanagan Valley making her home in Penticton, BC. She is enjoying the local artistic community and is a member of the Summerland Art Club. Her work will be exhibited in various venues throughout the region.
Vi Brown: How did you get started as an artist?
Alicia Fowler: When I lived in Tucson, AZ many years ago, I was asked to join a group and learn to paint. It seemed a little ludicrous since I didn't know how to draw but I decided to give it a try. The art teacher was very accomplished and started me with oils. Of the 20 who began the class, at least 12 of us are still painting and doing well.
The moral of the story is -- you never know where you will find your passion so stay open to trying new things.
VB: Were you painting throughout the years in the US and in Canada?
AF: I had a family and worked as a nurse while in Tucson. I also enjoyed sewing for my family and even did alterations for others. Church involvement has always been important to me. At that time, I was a pastor for a small deaf congregation in my community and interpreted for them. There wasn't much time left for painting but occasionally I managed to carve out a little.
I spent time in Papua New Guinea as a missionary. While there I did do some sketching of scenes around me with the intention of capturing some of these memorable experiences on canvas.
VB: Most of your work is in acrylics. Have you worked with other mediums?
AF: In the beginning, I was so comfortable with oil that I never thought of changing mediums. However, when I had the opportunity of trying acrylics, I fell in love with the pure crispness and sharpness of the colors and decided to try some work in that medium and have continued.
During that period, I was also encouraged to try pastels, charcoals and water colors. Unfortunately, I just don't have the knack for water colors. I did some training with a commercial artist who sharpened my skills in drawing, sketching and shading. Much of that was done with pencil. It was a great experience.
VB: Where do you get your inspiration?
AF: There is a fun side to my personality and that often dictates my inspirations. I like to attempt things that present a challenge and are fun. But my ultimate inspiration comes from my relationship with God. He is the central focus of my life. Sometimes, when I see something, there is an excitement in me and I know that I have to put it on canvas. I always want His love to show through my paintings. Painting for any other reason would seem like a waste of time.
VB: How do you select the subject of your next work?
AF: That's a bit difficult to answer. As I said, sometimes I just know what to paint. But, my painting is also influenced by where I live and where I am at a particular stage in my life. In my earlier years, I painted much of the Tucson landscape, the cactus and the hills surrounding Tucson. Living where I live now, I am drawn to the current landscape of vineyards, orchards, lakes and hills.
There are times when I look at some of my past work and wonder what could have possibly been in my head at that time! Sometimes creativity shows up in unusual ways.
VB: Do you have any favorite subjects you like to paint?
AF: I paint what I 'know'. By that I mean, I paint subjects that I am familiar with or have experienced.
I once attempted painting a tall ship in rough seas. I had never been around tall ships and certainly had no inner feeling for rough seas. I had lived in land locked states most of my life. I spent a great deal of time in the Colorado Rockies and in the Arizona desert, none of which prepared my 'eye' for painting the ocean. Consequently, this attempt was a complete artistic disaster.
Since then, I have stuck to what I 'know'.
VB: Some of your paintings depict Africa. Does travelling inspire you?
AF: Travel definitely inspires me because it exposes me to yet more of God’s creation. I find myself studying these subjects. Much like the writer who, in order to write well, must research his subject. So too, as an artist, I must research what I paint.
I want to 'know' about what I’m painting. When I was in Africa, I experienced a joy at seeing these magnificent animals in their environment. It was after the rains, so everything was lush and the animals looked healthy and content. After the Great Migration, there were herds of wildebeest roaming as far as the eye could see. I had the opportunity to see the big cats, elephants, zebras, giraffes and much more. That trip inspired several paintings among them 'The Lion of Judah' and 'The Watering Hole'.
Other travels, especially those through Europe, have also elicited several subjects for paintings. So, a part of my research is the feelings I experience during my travels.
VB: Will you be doing more paintings of the African landscape?
AF: I am scheduled to begin a workshop with a well-known wildlife artist - Terry Isaac. Following that, I plan on painting more big cats and other wildlife applying some of my new learned skills to the canvases.
VB: What projects are you working on now?
AF: I have several projects going right now as I’m preparing for an early summer showing with the Summerland Art Group. Since I now live in the Okanagan Valley, I am working on a painting depicting the gorgeous vineyards in this area. Flowers are always among my favorite subjects, so that is a work in progress as well. Recently, I completed a painting which I call 'The Faces of Africa'. It is a collage of animals on a background I felt depicted the colours of Africa as I experienced it.
VB: Do you have any formal training or are you primarily self-taught?
AF: I have always attended art groups where skills and techniques were shared. I also studied with a highly skilled and professionally educated artist who helped me greatly with additional techniques and new ways to express my art. I’m always open to instruction and new ideas so that I can grow and mature in my craft.
VB: What has been your most exciting moment as an artist?
AF:As silly as this may seem, the biggest excitement for me is when others enjoy my work and tell me. I love it!
Some of Alicia Fowler's work can be seen on her website.
Vi Brown - Corporate/business management, real estate broker, author, world traveler, freelance writer for magazines and newspapers.
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