This post has been a joy for me. I have known Rod Penner and his family for the past several years.
I knew him first as a parent associated with the school where my wife teaches. I knew him as an artist only later.
Which makes his art all the more amazing.
The world has known him as one of the leading photo-realist artists alive. Reviewers of his works note the serenity of the scenes, not simply the exquisiteness of the detail. I think the serenity reflects the man well: insightful, focused, humble.
Several months ago I asked Rod if he would be so kind as to offer this blogger an interview, and he graciously agreed. He has provided the photos included as well.
1. Did you plan on being a professional artist when you were young? How did you prepare?
When I was in the first grade, I remember arriving at school one morning and announcing to my entire class that I was going to be an artist when I grew up.
I drew constantly when I was a kid. I took art in high school but much of what I learned was self taught. In college, I noticed that music majors spent six or more hours practicing daily on top of their course load and I figured that I needed to do the same if I was going to take painting seriously.
2. Hyperrealism- how is that defined?
Hyperrealism is a genre of painting that uses photographs as source material from which to create a more definitive and detailed work of art. While Photorealist paintings try to replicate the idiosyncrasies of an actual photo, hyperrealist works of art will incorporate detail not necessarily found in the photos.
That being said, I’m not a fan of labels. I’m a painter who uses drawings, studies, video, and photos to create a painting that surpasses photography.
3. Tell us about the tools of your trade? High tech? Low tech?
I use custom-made canvas panels, inexpensive brushes (I throw a brush away after a day or two of use), Liquitex acrylic paints, and water.
My technical tools include an 8 megapixel Canon 20D, projector, iPhone camera, an iMac, and an iPad.
iPad for Artists: How to Make Great Art with Your Tablet
4. What is your process?
After deciding on a subject, I will visit the building and/or street as often as necessary to photograph, sketch, and shoot video. One or two photos are chosen for composition and altered in Photoshop.
A simple preparatory drawing is transferred to the canvas with the aid of a projector and details then added freehand.
Using my photos as reference, I work from top to bottom and left to right, completing a small section each day before moving on to the next area. After completing the last section, I spend a few remaining days tweaking and sometimes reworking certain areas of the painting.
5. How do you “decide” on a subject and how do you capture it?
It’s somewhat of a cliché but my subjects find me.
My camera and sketch pad always accompany me when on the road.
I’m drawn to abandoned buildings and desolate streets in small towns; objects that are so ordinary they’ve become invisible.
I was born and raised in British Columbia and approach my subject matter with the objectivity of an outsider. Lately, I’ve been focusing on buildings and streets in my hometown of Marble Falls, TX and the town of Vaughn in New Mexico.
6. How has your career changed? Any of that changed by the technology you use?
The introduction of digital photography has had a big influence on my painting, but it wasn’t an easy transition.
I started experimenting with a digital camera in the early 2000’s. Up until then I used slide film. I would have to wait until I shot a whole roll of film and sent it in for processing before knowing if any of my photos could be used for a painting.
Now, when photographing, I know almost immediately if my photos will translate into paintings.
7. How is your art marketed? Any web technologies used that you have impact on?
My work is represented by Ameringer | McEnery | Yohe in New York.
As soon as I finish a painting, I ship it to the gallery and my dealer’s job is to find a happy home for the work.
Websites are important. Also, Facebook, and to a lesser degree Twitter, have played a role in terms of introducing my work to new collectors, critics, bloggers, and other artists.
Write-ups in The Huffington Post and other venues as well as sales of paintings have occurred as a direct result of social media.
8. What is your favorite personal technology (whether you use it in your work or not)?
My iPad. I have one attached to my easel and use it to reference photos, answer emails and messages, and listen to audio books while painting.
See more of Rod’s work here.
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