Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Lydia Pottoff. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Lydia, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. When did you first know you wanted to pursue a creative/artistic path professionally?

I was quite young when I knew I wanted to pursue a career in the creative field. I drew and painted from an early age and I was both supported and encouraged by my parents.

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?

My artistic journey began with a love a drawing. When I attended art school I gravitated to drawing and to my second love, art history. After graduation I began working in the graphics field as a designer. Since my job required illustration for packaging I could continue to hone my skills in drawing, composition, and color.

After working for several organizations, I (along with another designer) started my own agency. This led to a decades long career in the graphics industry. Bu,t I always continued to pursue drawing (mainly colored pencil, graphite and collage) in my spare time.

Eventually I was able to devote more time to pursuing fine art.

A life changing event introduced me to pastels about twenty five years ago. My husband gifted me pastel lessons when recovering from a spontaneous detached retina. My lifelong love affair with pastel began!

Since the immediate mark-making was so similar to colored pencil drawing, the pastel painting approach spoke to me. I started to pursue oil painting gradually. Today, I work in both mediums, and they each influence one another.

I work in both studio and plein air settings and my paintings vary from landscapes, to florals, to people. Recently I have explored several ‘cityscapes’ which are inspired by my travels. My curiosity about all things in the natural world and the effects of light always keeps subjects fresh and interesting.

What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?

The problem solving aspect is most exciting to me. Each painting presents a new challenge and there is always more to learn! And, as an artist your senses are awakened to the colors and light in your surroundings.

Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?

The comment that frustrates me the most from non creatives is ‘Your so talented!, I could never do that.” What non-creatives don’t see is the hours of study, experimentation, and wiped out paintings that are never seen by anyone other than the artist.

Some people do have more of an inclination towards creating art than others. But, I honestly believe most anyone can be taught to ‘see’. They just have to awaken that part of their brain. I have taught people that previously have never picked up a pastel stick and they created wonderful works through careful study.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.lydiapottofffineart.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lydia_pottoff/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SaintVartist/

Image Credits
All photos are taken by me. These are in order left to right top to bottom: June Roses A Golden Moment Early Snow in the Winds Marrakech Market The Crossing Turning Em Out Winter Wonder Painting in Rocky Mountain National Park