Artist Rebecca Korth
Congratulations to Rebecca Korth for earning her place as a Finalist in the Boynes Artist Award 9th Edition [Professional Artist category]!
Who are you?
I was raised in Central Wisconsin. Growing up I had many fantastic teachers (elementary through high school) They were very supportive and I was told early on that I had artistic ability. After my Aunt introduced me to painting at 13, it became a fun hobby and a cool way to give my family meaningful gifts for holidays and birthdays. I never really thought of art as a possible career though. That took until after I graduated from University of Wisconsin Madison with a BA in Psychology and traveled to California for a job interview. Half way through the meeting I walked out. I realized I did not want to sit in an office all day. I wanted to paint. I called my Aunt and drove up to Oregon where she mentored me for a year and a half. At that point my Mom’s health was declining and I made the decision to move back to the midwest. Starting my business all over again in a different state was difficult, but family will always be most important to me. Ironically the loss of my mother is what put me on the path to finding my passion in painting still life with birds. Now, in part because of that passion, I have been able to grow a very successful career in doing exactly what I love.
“Blackburnian Dahlia”
Oils
By Rebecca Korth
What inspired you to utilize Painting as a medium?
My Aunt Sandee Burman. She was unable to start pursuing her passion for landscape oil painting until later in life. I always looked up to her and she was the one who gave me my first set of paints and showed me the ropes.
“Bluebird Bartlettes & Cara Caras”
Oils
By Rebecca Korth
How would you describe your ARTwork?
Contemporary realism, still life with birds.
“Chickadee lily”
Oils
By Rebecca Korth
Can you discuss the inspiration and thought process behind your winning work?
Inspiration for my work comes from life. My family and friends are extremely important to me. When I lost my Mom I started adding a bird into each still life composition as a way to honor and keep her memory alive. Many of the objects I use in my paintings have personal memories attached to them as well. Whether it is fruit or produce from my Dad’s garden and orchard, or shiny colored glass I inherited from my Grandma, my goal is to create beautiful art that strikes a chord with the viewer.
“Indigo Buntings & Colored Glass”
Oils
By Rebecca Korth
Can you walk us through the technical steps of creating your winning work?
I started by arranging the colored glass on my quartz countertop and adjusted the lighting to get the perfect shot. I then sketched the composition onto a gessoed hardboard panel to make sure the proportions were correct. After that I started applying the paint working on one colored section at a time, until all that was left were the birds. This is usually the last thing I paint. At this point I check to see if I need to adjust any highlights or shadows. Then sign the piece, varnish, and frame it up.
What do you hope to communicate to an audience with your work?
There is no big story behind my art. No metaphor. I am not trying to point out an injustice or be thought provoking in any way. I focus on what I find beautiful and hope that the viewer can connect to it with their own personal memories or just find beauty in it as well.
“Goldfinch yellow lillies”
Oils
By Rebecca Korth
Can you talk about your biggest learning experience during the process of creating your work?
Patience. Lots and lots of patience.
“Chickadee berries”
Oils
By Rebecca Korth
Can you discuss your biggest success since starting your artistic journey?
I think my biggest success so far is having found what I am passionate about in painting and getting to do that everyday. On the business side, the fact that what I love to paint is incredibly saleable, is pretty great as well!
Can you share with us the best piece of advice you you wish you had known at the start of your career?
If you are struggling to keep up with sales do not be afraid to raise your prices.
“Ruby hot peppers”
Oils
By Rebecca Korth
As a finalist, do you have any advice for artists who want to submit to awards, competitions, residencies, etc.?
In some ways I consider it a necessary evil. If you want to get your work out to a larger audience, submitting to competitions is one way to do that. Unfortunately it will not always go the way you hope. Art is extremely subjective. A different juror could pick an entirely different group of artists and winners. Try not to take it personally, keep creating and continue being your rad self!
“Sawwhet peonies”
Oils
By Rebecca Korth
What projects are you working on currently? Can you discuss them?
I just finished creating a bunch of new work for my featured show at Edgewood Orchard Galleries in Door County WI opening Labor Day weekend - (Sept 2nd - Oct. 1st)
What is your dream project or piece you hope to accomplish?
Each year I set aside extra time to create one or two pieces that are a lot more intricate and challenging (Indigo Buntings & Colored Glass is one of those pieces).
“Oriole orange blackberries”
Oils
By Rebecca Korth
Lastly, I like to ask everyone what advice they would give to their fellow artists, what is your advice?
There are many different paths you can take to have a successful art career. Find the one that works best for you. Life is too short to not love what you do!
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