We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Grace DeVito. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Grace below.
Hi Grace, 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?
My time at art school there wasn’t a lot of craft or technique being taught it was all about the Idea. It took many years and struggle to learn to paint the way I wanted. It’s different now, there are ateliers and so much online. All that being said you still need to paint many miles of canvas to improve your abilities.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I became a portrait and fine art painter after a 12yr career as a freelance illustrator. In the early 2000’s the industry was really moving to all digital imaging and I just didn’t want to be working on a computer at a desk. Traditional painting was just so much more tactile and creative for me. The only problem was I really needed better traditional training so I started studying with a very good portraitist while I was still doing illustration. I built up a portfolio of portraits and then got representation with a portrait broker. I started getting commissions and stopped doing illustration work. As I became more confident in my abilities I started doing still life, landscape, and figure paintings and also got gallery representation. For my portrait commissions I’m providing museum quality oil paintings of the subject that honors their accomplishments or doing family portraits that become family heirlooms. What sets me apart aside from my centuries old technique is my interpretation of the subject matter in either portraits or other genre paintings. I’m very proud to have won 1st place in both commissioned portrait (twice) and Still life in The Portrait Society of America’s members show as well as obtaining signature status in the same organization. I’m really committed to painting, it has been my life’s work to bring beauty into the world via my paintings.
How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?
I think in order to support a thriving art eco system people of any means should buy art. Even if it’s a $200 sketch etc. The more people invest in art the better it is for all artists, word of mouth encourages others to buy as well.
We’d love to hear your thoughts on NFTs. (Note: this is for education/entertainment purposes only, readers should not construe this as advice)
Honestly, I’m not a fan. It seems like the newest shiny thing but I’m not interested in a digital ownership I want to own an actual painting that I can touch and hang on a wall to marvel at.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.gracedevito.com
- Instagram: @gmdevito