Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Barbara Dahlstedt. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Barbara , looking forward to hearing all of your stories 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?
Learning how to draw and paint has come from years of practice. I enjoyed any kind of art that I could get my hands on ever since I was a child. I remember my enthusiasm for a craft class at the local park caused me to jump off a swing at the apex because I was so happy to see that the art teacher had arrived. Unfortunately, I got the wind knocked out of me and I fractured my arm, but that did not deter me from participating in the class.
My interest in art carried me through high school and university, earning a BFA in Graphic Design. Although I worked in the field of advertising for several years, I never got the same sense of fulfillment as I did when I was drawing and painting. So I went back to school, earned a MA Ed Degree, and began teaching high school art. They say that “teaching is the best way to learn” and I couldn’t agree more! In hindsight, I wish that I would have started teaching right out of college.
The essential drawing and painting skills that I taught for 26 years to high school students solidified my knowledge of composition and the elements of art. I was either drawing or painting with my students every day, learning from their mistakes as well as my own. It was when I discovered artists that used colored pencil as a fine art medium, I knew that I had found the tool that could express the kind of art that I wanted to create.
The obstacle that I encountered in learning more about this medium, was that there were not any classes devoted to colored pencil. I had to read books and watch online tutorials. After years of practicing my skills, I took the opportunity to fulfill that niche in the community by providing my own classes. All of the years of painting, drawing, and teaching have come together in providing me a purpose and venue that satisfies my enthusiasm to create.
Barbara , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
As a retired high school art teacher, I knew that I would need to keep teaching and exploring the world of fine art. It is simply part of my DNA. It brings me joy to impart my knowledge of a subject I hold dear to my heart. When I joined the Colored Pencil Society of America, I found myself surrounded by like-minded artists that were thirsty for more knowledge about art as it can be applied by colored pencil. When the pandemic hit our country I shifted my workshops to being virtual through the Zoom app. I can now reach an even wider audience and my business has grown beyond my wildest dreams.
My online workshops include reference photos, a supply list, line drawings, and step-by-step instructions. For an added bonus, I record the 4-hour class so that students are given a YouTube video link so that they can work at their own pace at a later time. The class is also interactive. Students can get immediate feedback along the way and everyone learns from each other. Students are always welcome to send me images of their work after the class is over to get a critique. The class size is limited so that everyone receives as much help as they need. Registering for classes is easy. Just send me an email of your interest in a workshop from the contact tab on my website and I will add you to the list. Payments are through PayPal for convenience. I have kept my prices low ($60 per workshop) so that it is affordable for most people.
For those who don’t know me, I am an award-winning colored pencil artist. I have received numerous awards from the Colored Pencil Society of America, including their “Best of Show” award. I am most proud of the fact that my colored pencil drawings are in a number of publications and sometimes take the “Best of Show” award, competing against other mediums.
Is there mission driving your creative journey?
My mission as a colored pencil artist is to spread the word about the archival quality of my product. It is a common misperception that colored pencils are just for kids or coloring books. Oil paints have the same pigments as colored pencils, yet are not always accepted as equals. Some of my colored pencil paintings are created on double-sided matte drafting film (Grafix). This archival polyester will ensure the test of time. I follow strict quality testing for lightfastness on all of my pencils. I also protect my work with a UV varnish and museum glass or plexiglass. There are many colored pencil artists that have broken the glass ceiling in the fine art world. My goal is to become one of them!
We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?
Social media has been of great benefit to me as an artist and teacher. When I first began to create with colored pencil, I was told by a well-known artist, Ester Roi, to join a group on Facebook (CPAL). Joining this group honestly changed my life! I started posting my work-in-process images and I started getting the best feedback. This built my confidence as an artist and also kept me in touch with some of the best-colored pencil artists in the world. Little did I know that there were art magazine publishers in the group as well. Suddenly I was contacted by Colored Pencil Magazine to write an article and provide a step-by-step demonstration. I felt like I had finally “made it”!
Since then, Facebook and Instagram have been a great way to advertise my classes. I am now known throughout the world and have a following of like-minded artists thirsty to learn more. If I could give any advice to those who are beginning to use social media, it often helps to ask a question about your image posting. What would you title this piece? Or, what color background would you like to see in this piece? Also, comment and “like” other artists’ work. You will be amazed at the relationships you create!
Contact Info:
- Website: DahlstedtArt.com
- Instagram: DahlstedtArt
- Facebook: Dahlstedt Art
- Youtube: Barbara Dahlstedt