An interview with Visual Artist Joan Dimock of Moncton, New Brunswick, Canada.

 

Wehave another new visitor to the Scribbler.

 

Imet Joan this summer when she was co-managing the Art on the Wharf along withfellow artist, Colleen Shannon.

Shehas kindly agreed to answer a few questions and share images of her artwork.

 Please note her work is for sale and you willfind a link below.

Readon, my friends.

 

 

Joan Dimock is a resident of south-easternNew Brunswick. She spends her summers in Shediac and winters in Moncton.  Her inspiration often comes from NewBrunswick landscapes, beaches, coastlines, and the natural beauty of Bay ofFundy vistas and trails.

Joan paintsexclusively in oils and usually paints landscapes that she has experiencedherself or that instill a sense of memory. She is drawn to create landscapesthat evoke the feelings one experiences from the vastness of skies, water, andvistas. She enjoys the challenge of reducing the largeness of what one sees inperson to a painting that can still arouse the feeling of being in nature.

Joan's retirement hasallowed a greater focus on her art and art community. In addition to herinvolvement with the Art on the Wharf in Pointe du Chene,  Joan is an active member of the RiverviewArts Council.

 

 

Scribbler: Thanks for being our guestthis week, Joan. Please tell our readers how long you’ve been painting? How didyou get started?

Joan: I have always been acreative but my interest in painting began about 10 years ago.  I am self-taught with a number ofmentors/teachers along the way and believe painting is is a life long learning.  Originally I started painting to take time tobreath, time for me.  I found that whenyou paint, you fully focus on what you are doing and can escape from all thecompeting priorities on ones mind.   Iquickly became very interested in the process and developing my skills.  Now I paint because it has become part of me.

 

Scribbler: How do you decide what youare going to paint next?

Joan: My inspiration comes fromthe human need to connect with nature and my experience with those feelings,particularity from the places I have been, seen and felt.  Half the fun is exploring our landscapes andtaking reference photos for future paintings, its part of my process.  I am inspired by the sensory affects of thesights, the physical feelings of the wind, the emotional feelings of calmnessor nostalgia and even smells while walking through the woods or beside ourseascapes.  What I paint next depends onwhat landscapes I have a connection with at the time.  I usually have 3 or 4 paintings on the go atthe same time.

 

Scribbler: What I admire most aboutyour paintings is the softness (not sure if that’s the right word) of thecolours, which I find most appealing. How do you do that?

Joan: Choice of paint palettehelps but I find painting multiple thin layers over several sittings create thesoftness you describe.  When studiopainting, I am in no rush and I let the layers dry for a few days before continuingthe process.  In addition I mix my paintwith mostly transparent oils allowing the creation of depth with many layersand utilizing soft edges for brushstrokes.

 

Scribbler: I notice many of yourimages are of the seashore or in nature. What inspires you?

Joan: You will see that most of mypaintings have some aspect of water in them. I am inspired by  what one feelswhen by the water.  It can be thecalmness of sunset on the Northumberland Strait, the power of the Bay of Fundy,the reflective nature of a brook or the sound of waves over ourshorelines.   I often cannot feel aconnection to a landscape without the water.

 

Scribbler: Where are your paintingsexhibited or where can they be purchased?

Joan: I exhibit my originalsmostly in the summer months in Shediac and prints can be found at MaritimeCrafts in Shediac as well.  Although youcan find me at a few Fine Art Sales throughout the year, the best approach isto contact me directly on my Instagram account  @joan_dimock.  

Please go HERE.

 

Scribbler: Is there anything else you’dlike to tell our readers?

 

Joan: I have come to theconclusion that my love of landscapes continues to translate into other mediumsand processes.  I continue to studiopaint, particularly in the winter, however over the last few years I have put afocus on plein air painting (The act of painting outdoors). Paintingplein air is a process of adventure and gives me the ability to paint naturewhile outside in nature, amplifying the feelings in nature and senses ofcolour.  Utilizing fibre art, I havealso  translated a number of landscapesinto wool needle felting pieces  thatcontinue to provide the connection ones feels in nature utilizing an additionalcreative process.

 

 

 

Thanksfor taking the time to answer our questions, Joan. We wish you continuedsuccess with your paintings.

 

 

Another BIG thank you to all our visitorsand readers.

Please leave us a comment, especiallywhere you are from.