We recently connected with Hedy Buzan and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Hedy, thanks for joining us today. How did you learn to do what you do? Knowing what you know now, what could you have done to speed up your learning process? What skills do you think were most essential? What obstacles stood in the way of learning more?

I’ve had a lot of education: five years at UC Santa Cruz securing a BFA. in printmaking, then three more years at The George Washington University earning a MFA in Design.

Early on I was directed towards printmaking which was heavy on technique at the expense of exploration, and I regret that. I spent hours in the studio preparing and applying acid to plates and stones- time that would have been better spent exploring multiple image making pathways.

IMHO, an arts education should aim for visual literacy that is open ended – how to draw in a multiple of ways, a free exploration of media paired with a pragmatic knowledge of design and color. Also young artists should take a deep dive into art appreciation and art history.

Oddly enough it was after I discovered monotype (one of a kind printmaking) that I learned I was more of a painter than a printmaker. I don’t regret printmaking as it informs my painting, but I wish my early art education had been more broad based. I encourage young artists to explore more.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I am an artist known for my use of color. I work in printmaking and painting with diverse media to create works of abstracted nature. I aim for the poetic, the unique, and the handmade. Sometimes I just make affordable playful pieces – its all joyful for me.

I’ve exhibited at the Laguna Beach Festival of Arts for twenty years and the Sawdust Festival for thirty. I never sell reproductions, even my ‘starter’ pieces are handmade. I like it that often the piece a young person buys from me is their first piece of original art.

My art studio is in Laguna Canyon. It’s my luxury and my refuge. I taught Design, Collage, Drawing, and Printmaking as an adjunct instructor at Saddleback College and now that I’ve left formal teaching I occasionally lead small group workshops.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

I am free! I honor my true self through joyful, sensitive exploration. I am constantly learning. While there are fits and starts the trajectory is to become a better artist.

On a practical note, exhibiting at the Sawdust Festival has kept me part of my Laguna Beach community while providing a venue to earn a modest living. As a dividend, I get to know young artists, particularly women as they begin their creative journeys. Community is so rare in our contemporary culture and I am blessed by this experience.

Looking back, are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?

Yes. I’m a great believer in self-help work which is funny as I resisted it for much of my life!

I tend to be co-dependent and that is probably why I was drawn to teaching. There is nothing wrong with that, nurturing others is a good thing, but it needs to be balanced by self care.

Right now I am reading some great books, ‘No More Secondhand Art’ by Peter London and ‘Coaching the Artist Within’ by Eric Maisel. As they say:: “Take what you like and leave the rest!”

My favorite book for beginner painters is ‘Daily Painting’ by Carol Marine. It is a book on still life painting but has a treasure trove of great practical painting advice. She is a clear and concise writer. Additionally she includes a chapter on online selling. Very pragmatic.

Contact Info:

• Website: hedybuzan.com

Image Credits
Hedy Buzan