ARTIST INTERVIEW -- Rae Broyles

The first in a series of interviews with artists who have or are showing at Jack Art Gallery. Chelsea Rhinehart sat down with Rae Broyles. To see a selection of Rae's work visit Jack Art Gallery.

When did you first realize you are an artist?

I think everyone is an artist. Some of us just hold on to our creativity throughout life and some people conform away from the freedom to create. For many years I was using my creative talents in the commercial world as a designer and creative director. But with those professions you must always follow someone elses guidelines. It is only in the last 7 years that I have been able to star exploring my own interests.

What is it that inspires you to create your art?

Absolutely it is the mediums. I am so drawn to all types of oils, paints, pastels, surfaces and of course wax for my encaustic paintings.

What famous artists have influenced you, and how?

Right now I am loving Gustav Klimt. His combinations of realism and design are very intriguing to me. I also like Frida Kahlo but for her unabashed will more than her final product. As far as living artists, well, there are too many to count. I always look for artists who have stepped out of the traditional subject matter OR who have taken ordinary things and added their own style.

What other interests do you have outside of creating art?

I love music and making jewelry. I would read a lot if I wasn’t a painter. But it takes too much time. I wish I had more time too though.

What are you currently working on at this moment?

A new series of encaustics using pencil and multiple layers of wax to really utilize the transparent element of the medium.

What advice would you give to an artist just starting out?

Paint or draw every day. Network and learn about the business of art.

What has been your most exciting moment as an artist?

Probably being chosen for the National Encaustics Show this year. There is a lot of talent out there and I was very proud of that one.

Have you had any formal training in the fine arts?

Yes. I went to Rhode Island School of Design and studied in France as well. I always wished I was older while in college because I knew that the professors had so much to offer and I wasn’t quite ready to absorb all of it at such a young age.

How would your life change if you were no longer allowed to create art?

I would find other ways to be creative. I love writing as well.

Could you talk about your latest series of paintings and what you are trying to achieve with them?

The new pieces I am working on are kind of an experimental series. I am trying to pull together a lot of techniques I have learned but really want to create something unique. Which is always the challenge.

What are your favorite snacks when you are creating?

I don’t eat. I totally loose track of time and may not eat for 7 hours.

Being born to a long line of painters, did you first realize yourself as an artist at a young age or was it more of a gradual process for you?

I think the biggest influence in my childhood was my dad. I always looked up to him because he was such a fabulous illustrator in the 50’s and 60’s. He was a student of Norman Rockwell and art was always a part of his family too. His father was a painter and opera singer and his father was a painter too, and so on. It seemed that we were all encouraged to pursue any creative challenge we wanted to go after.

How did you get into creating Encaustic paintings?

Some things just happen the way they are supposed to.