There are a multitude of factors that contribute to crafting your personality. The familiar debate of nature versus nurture comes to mind. Just as there are various pieces involved in crafting a personality, so are there in finding artistic inspiration. What inspires one person would never inspire the next and so on. On this episode of Savvy Painter, I have the pleasure of interviewing artist Ginnie Gardiner. In our conversation, we discuss her work as a commercial producer in the 80s’, what art books inspire her, her creative process, and much more!
An artist inspired by her work in the era of emerging MTV commercial production
You wouldn’t think there was much correlation between working on music videos and developing as a painter. However, that is exactly artist Ginnie Gardiner’s story. She worked as a producer for Charlex, a video company, taking “flat art” and animating it for videos and television. This job working with digital art and music videos served as her early work experience right out of college from Cornell. On this episode of Savvy Painter, Ginnie shares how this experience influenced her significantly as an artist and later as a painter.
Painting inspired by reading
Inspiration can be a difficult thing to come by for many creative people. Once you find what inspires you, it can unleash a flood of productivity. What have you found that inspires you? Is it always the same thing or does it change through different seasons of life? Artist Ginnie Gardiner finds inspiration for her paintings and collage work from reading various books. She loves to read books about artists and by artists. Reading these works have had a huge impact on her creative process. Ginnie has even added reading into her daily routine as she prepares and paints her canvases.
Finding the right routine and rituals to fuel creativity
When you have done things a certain way for so long, it becomes second nature. You don’t even realize you are practicing particular habits because it’s become part of who you are. These habits and rituals can be extremely helpful in fueling your creative impulses. Some people’s creativity thrives while they are listening to music, some need complete silence. I am always intrigued to find out what makes each artist I get to interview succeed. Artist Ginnie Gardiner has a number of these routines that she practices when she approaches her canvas. I know you will find her habits and rituals as fascinating as I did.
The magic of viewing art in person
Can you think back to a time when you were truly awe inspired? When was that last time your heart started racing and your jaw dropped? For artist Ginnie Gardiner it’s whenever she gets to view world renowned paintings in person. On this episode of Savvy Painter, Ginnie and I discuss the powerful impact art has had on our lives. My hope is that our conversation resonates with you. Ginnie’s awe and wonder of the art world is contagious and had me planning my next trip to Madrid.
Outline of This Episode
- [0:36] Background of guest: Ginnie Gardiner.
- [2:13] I introduce Ginnie Gardiner.
- [2:41] Why did Ginnie become an artist?
- [11:03] How working with music videos influenced Ginnie’s painting.
- [16:38] Ginnie talks about the influence of Josef Albers and the use of colors in her art.
- [23:18] The influence of Giovanni Battista Tiepolo on Ginnie’s work.
- [27:19] The use of thumbnail drawings.
- [31:42] Reading good books as inspiration.
- [37:23] Routine and rituals that help Ginnie’s creativity.
- [41:35] Ginnie and I talk shop – materials, methods, etc.
- [49:20] The impact of viewing paintings in person.
This episode sponsored by:
Other artists mentioned on this episode
- Josef Albers
- Charles Hawthorn
- Giovanni Battista Tiepolo
- Roy Lichtenstien
- Neil Welliver
- Frank Auerbach
- Johannes Itten
- Kerry James Marshall
- John Singer Sargent
- Stuart Davis
Resources Mentioned on this episode
- Ginnie’s website: ginniegardiner.com
- PDF for ‘Ginnie Gardiner: A Revelatory Journey’
- Article: www.kolajmagazine.com
- Video: “You Might Think” – The Cars
- Book: “Tiepolo and the Pictorial Intelligence” by Svetlana Alpers
- Book: “A World of Our Own” by Frances Borzello
- Book: “The Bauhaus Group” by Nicholas Fox Weber
- Book: “Collage: The Making of Modern Art” by Brandon Taylor
- Book: “The Art of Color” by Johannes Itten
- Book: “Formation: Articulation” by Josef Albers
- Book: “Hawthorne on Painting” by Mrs. Charles W. Hawthorne
- Book: “Andy Warhol” by Carter Ratcliff
- Book: “Alex Katz” by Carter Ratcliff
- Book: “Daily Rituals: How Artists Work” by Mason Currey
- Author: Carter Ratcliff
- Author: Frances Borzello
- Author: Nicholas Fox Weber
- Author: Brandon Taylor
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