A Conversation with Artist Elaine Hughes

Elaine Hughes creates all of her work with a palette knife due to the texture and movement it gives to an oil painting. The focus of much of Elaine’s artwork has been on children and families. Having been born and raised in Southern California, she has developed a love for the coast and will usually make it the setting for her oil paintings. 

We hope that you enjoy reading the conversation we recently had with Elaine as she is as interesting and engaging as she is talented. 

When did you first realize that you had a talent for art? 

Throughout my childhood I would draw faces from album covers and magazines. I would also paint on the furniture in my bedroom. I painted a large portrait of a dancer on the back of my dresser. I’ve always received compliments on my art but never thought of it as a talent, I just loved doing it.  

What is your favorite medium and why?    

I use water mixable oils. I started painting in my garage and used acrylics because I didn’t want to deal with the fumes of regular oils and turpentine. I was watching a painting demonstration on TV one day and the instructor introduced water mixable oils. I’ve loved them from the beginning. They give me much more time to work on the painting before drying and they clean up with soap and water. 

"Reflection" by Elaine Hughes

How did you decide on and develop your artistic style?  

I started doing paintings of my children using acrylics with brushes. One day I wanted to paint a gift for a friend. He liked textured work but I was having trouble achieving that with my brushes so I tried using a palette knife. I felt I had more control with the knife and have used one ever since. That friend owned an art gallery and he liked my style so he asked me to paint something to put in his gallery. I’ve been selling my oil paintings since then, which was about 15 years ago.  

How do you choose the subjects of your oil paintings? 

I started painting children at the beach using my three young daughters and their friends as subjects.  The beach and children are still my favorite things to paint but I always have my camera with me looking for subjects with good lighting – buildings, roads, animals, people, anything. 

What is it about you that makes you a good artist? 

I think that most people have so many things on their minds during the day that they don’t take the time to see the beauty around them. So, when they look at my art they stop and realize how peaceful and lovely ordinary things can be. Also my oil paintings of figures or roads leave room for each viewer’s own version of what is happening in the scene. One of my favorite compliments that someone gave me was that my paintings were evocative. 

What are you currently working on, and do you have for plans for a new series?  

"Destiny" by Elaine Hughes

At the moment I’m painting a street scene of Laguna Beach. I would like to do a lot more surf paintings. I’d like to be able to paint the connection that surfers have with the ocean. There seems to be so much freedom and joy when they’re in the water. I’d also like to do more tango paintings, probably for the same reason. I’d like to capture the connection between the partners, the music, and also the freedom and joy felt while dancing. 

As an artist, what type of art do you appreciate? 

 I appreciate the feelings that a painter can bring out in the viewer with the use of color, texture and composition. This can be any type of painting – realistic, impressionist or abstract.  I also like when an impressionist artist paints very loosely and with just a little dash of color can suggest an actual shape. 

Many people are concerned about spending money on art given the state of our economy.  What would you tell them?  

I would say to buy art if you can afford it and then you’ll be able to look at something you love every day for the rest of your life. It will last longer than probably anything else you can purchase including clothing, electronics, furniture and vacations. You’ll also be able to pass it down to your family.  

What would you tell other artists that may be considering the Internet as a way to gain further exposure for themselves and their artwork? 

I would say “why not?”  I’ve had people from across the country find me simply by just surfing the net.   They’ve purchased art and are now valued clients. 

Why did you decide to work with TheArtGallerist.com? 

I met Brian (the Founder) and his wife at an art show. They were very friendly and gave me the little push I needed to get started. As an artist, business isn’t “my thing” but they made the process so easy that I couldn’t pass up this opportunity to have more exposure for my work.  

Thank you Elaine!