More than 100 art enthusiasts attended the January “Party for the Arts” to celebrate the exhibition, New Hope. They came, saw, and voted for their favorite pieces of exhibited artwork—with winners awarded Best in Show honors for First Place and Runner-Up. Hosted by the Arts Council of Anne Arundel County and What’s Up? Media, the quarterly exhibitions/receptions offer local artists the opportunity to have their work professionally juried and, if selected, hung in the gallery space at 201 Defense Highway. Each successive art exhibition has grown in both scope and quality, as more and more artists have discovered this platform to showcase their talent.
Abstract painter Patrice Drago was awarded First Place for her work titled Snow Day, while Janice Hendra was Runner-Up for her painting, We Will Find a Way. Both artists discuss their background, influences, approach to painting, and connection to the Arts Council in the following interview.
To learn more about how you can submit artwork for the 2019 schedule of exhibitions, visit acaac.org or whatsupmag.com.
When did you first develop a passion for your artistic medium and what was the first inkling that you felt inspired to really try your hand at it artistically?
Patrice Drago: Creating art has always been exciting for me, from grade school paper maché projects to painting huge abstracts in my spare time, and then classes as electives in college. It was one of the many creative outlets where I found joy. Throughout my corporate career, I drew and painted, spending more than a decade drawing, mostly in charcoal and conté crayons, and painting in gouache. I spent the ’90s exclusively painting representational work in oils. When I moved to Annapolis, the desire to paint finally became so strong, it was no longer a choice—I had to become a full-time artist, and I came full circle, back to abstract work, where I found my joy.
Janice Hendra: I have always been interested in art, was an art major in college, and worked as an illustrator for the Secret Service for several years and as a potter for 10 years. I ended up pursuing a long career in technology and let the artistic pursuits drop for a while, about 30 years. Upon retirement I picked up a brush and have not put it down since.
“Snow Day” by Patrice Drago
What medium and equipment do you currently use?
Drago: I’ve been working almost exclusively in acrylic and mixed media for over a decade now. There are so many luscious mediums that offer a myriad of ways to manipulate paint and add texture; the possibilities are endless. I use painting knives about 60 percent of the time, especially for non-objective abstract work, because the result is organic and unpredictable. I tend to use brushes more with my representational work, such as my animals. I seldom use my easel; since I paint large, it is very freeing to just hang the canvas on the wall, or lay it on the floor or a table.
Hendra: I use watercolor and gouache and paint on yupo paper. Yupo is a smooth, plastic paper that provides endless possibilities for experimentation.
What is your approach to choosing subject matter to paint and how best to capture it?
Drago: For me, new is almost always good, and the future is always bright, so with my abstract work, I look for new ways to express hope and optimism. It almost always starts with color, or color combinations. Color choices carry a sense of experience.
Hendra: I try to choose subjects that recall experiences that I have had. Sometimes, I work from my travel photos and sometimes just from a memory or feeling I’ve had at some point along the way.
Do you have any “golden rules” that you abide by regarding your paintings?
Drago: I’m not great at rules or habits, and that works for me because it allows me to revise my approach to creating fresh work pretty easily. I do believe it is important to know the rules so you know which ones you can break and still come out with a good end result—but then, sometimes the best paintings are happy accidents. I guess if I have one golden rule it is to stay true to myself, which is my golden rule in everything.
Hendra: I love to draw, perhaps more than I love to paint. I think it’s most important to use one’s own drawings as the start to any painting. My golden rule is that for a painting to be true, one needs to do the original drawing without using drawing aids. It always makes the drawing and the painting more meaningful.
Are there any artists (local/national, historic/contemporary) that have inspired you and how/why?
Drago: Oh-so-hard to narrow it down! First, Caravaggio; the Italian Renaissance painter, for so many reasons, but he captured my attention early on with his use of chiaroscuro—the drama of sharp contrast between light and dark.
The New York Abstract Expressionists of the mid-century inspire me for their courage and intellect, and of course the amazing color choices in their work. Helen Frankenthaler, Sam Francis, Robert Motherwell, Franz Kline, Lee Krasner, Grace Hartigan, Joan Mitchell; I could go on and on. Their work is big, bold, and beautiful, and I am inspired by them to create work that you can’t ignore.
“We Will Find a Way” by Janice Hendra
In today’s world, I am enormously inspired by someone who started out as a mentor and became my friend, the San Francisco abstract artist Tesia Blackburn. What I have learned from her is immeasurable, assisting her at retreats and editing her recently published books. Her art is pure joy and elegance, which resonates for me because my north star is joy.
Hendra: I am inspired by so many artists it’s hard to pick just a few. I minored in art history in college and studied Flemish painters. Bruegel has always been my favorite. This past winter, I had the chance to see a once-in-a-lifetime exhibit of his work in Vienna, Austria. I spent two days in the exhibit; it was fantastic. His work is detailed genre painting with a humorous twist. I am inspired by his style.
When did you first connect with the Arts Council and how has your role with the organization grown over the years?
Drago: When I first moved here, I knew little about the arts in Annapolis, so I immediately joined Maryland Federation of Art. When I joined the MFA Board of Directors in 2011, I learned of the Arts Council and their role in helping other nonprofits secure funding, as well as the events and initiatives they sponsor, such as the Annie Awards and the exhibits at BWI Airport and What’s Up? Media. Executive Director April Nyman, along with Brenda Collins, McKenna Kennedy, and the ACAAC Board Members, are such tremendous supporters of the arts in this county and, also, really great people. Their dedication to expanding the art scene in Annapolis and Anne Arundel County has and continues to produce great results.
Hendra: I connected with the Arts Council about two years ago. I think it’s wonderful that they allow local artists to exhibit their work in different venues, at the magazine’s office and at BWI Airport. The airport is especially nice as travelers from around the world get to see what Anne Arundel County artists can do.
What advice do you offer to budding artists?
Drago: Each artist has his or her own path, and one person’s truth is just that: one person’s truth. The advice I probably give the most is try not to take too much advice. Just follow your heart. You don’t have to have a lofty goal, like changing the world with your art, but it’s okay if that really is your goal. It took me years to be able to say I paint because it brings me to a state of bliss. I love bringing joy to others with my art, but the truth is I can only do that if I am joyous, and creating something beautiful does that for me and then hopefully for you as well.
Hendra: Life can get in the way and lead you astray. Set aside a specific period of time each week to devote to being creative and stick to it.
