An Interview with Faith
How long have you been painting & were you trained formally?
"I consider myself a country artist and love landscape painting the best! I feel my love of drawing & painting is an inborn talent and have no memories of never loving to do both. I am self-taught and feel that has been a luxury as I have no rules limiting the experimenting I have been free to do on my own. There is no end to all there is to learn, of course, and no doubt one might progress a little faster if instructed, but I am an impatient student and enjoy experimenting with the paint and feeling my own way."
Have you always worked using watercolor?
"Watercolor lends itself fantastically well to this achievement (experimenting) as the paint flows freely and often the artist sees new possibilities other than what was originally planned. It is a very exciting medium & never a boring one, but can be frustrating.
Having experimented in oil originally, I definitely decided that was not my passion and moved on to pastels which I find very intriguing & someday will try them again. Have enjoyed decorating furniture, etc. with acrylics, but feel one should find the media which is the most comfortable & then concentrate on excelling in that.
I also feel this way about subject matter, having put most of my effort into the New England scenery - it is so abundant & beautiful to me. Being a Vermonter, I am constantly overwhelmed by all the subject matter around me and frustrated that there is never time enough to express all I would like on paper."
We know that your work is displayed in homes and businesses all across the country - How did your career begin?
"When I first started painting in watercolor, I enjoyed doing the craftshow circuit and had many paintings sold to customers throughout the country and beyond. Meeting other artists & all the customers was a nice asset, but I don't have much interest in all the pressure involved in doing this any more and now am enjoying painting when the mood takes me there - having the pleasure also of doing special paintings when requested. I feel very fortunate to be able to do what I've always enjoyed and have been able to share my painting with so many people."
Faith's dog "DOTTIE"
Visit her daughter Heidi's site at www.pawsitivelypurrfectshihpoopups.com Heidi owns a pet grooming business in Alburgh, Vermont and also raises toy poodles, shih-poos and shih-tzus (Dottie!!).
"The shih poo's are just a wonderful little dog. I really feel they are the purr-fect family pet.They are both hypoallergenic and non-shedding - a lot of families like that idea! My pups when adults are usually 8-12lbs. I like using a toy poodle for the sire of the pups and usually use a shih tzu or shih poo for the Mom."
Check out Heidi's site - if only to see the adorable photos of her dogs and puppies. Take a break - look around and enjoy your visit to www.pawsitivelypurrfectshihpoopups.com Be sure to sign her guestbook and let her know where you heard about her pups.