We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Astrid Preston. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Astrid below.
Alright, Astrid thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Are you happy as a creative professional? Do you sometimes wonder what it would be like to work for someone else?
I always drew and painted, but only realized when I graduated college that the only thing that would never bore me was making art. Over time I realized that I was not happy unless I was being creative and that the challenge of engaging with visual ideas, feelings and the history of art was essential to that.
I always had other jobs to support myself as I developed my ideas. I mainly did accounting and other work that was undemanding creatively for me. I seldom had to work a 40 hour week. Finally at 40 I was able to do art full time and be more productive.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I was able to get my first art dealer when I had completed a series of drawings on paper. Those works dealt with light and surface. As I moved into painting I started using landscape imagery. I experimented all the time when I was younger, with installations and cut metal pieces, but I found oil on canvas the most satisfying way to express my ideas. My work evolves as I grow, so it changes and only a few clients love everything I do. I am always needing to find new clients that respond to my latest.
For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?
When I’m murky about what I am feeling and /or not able to find the visual way to express myself and the painting is not working visually it is painful, but most of the time, even if it takes a few years, I usually do find something that completes the painting (and makes it sing.) This is very satisfying,. Unfortunately it is not often that the painting comes easily, so I’ve learned to keep painting and changing it until I find the solution. There is no formula. Finally, having a gallery full of resolved paintings, well installed, is very satisfying.
Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative?
I think everyone is creative, but perhaps they haven’t figured out the best way to express it. I generally find when someone is very unhappy they need to find the way to express themselves to be satisfied in life.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://astridpreston.com
