Charles Spratt

   Charles Spratt

Frequently Asked Questions

Charles Spratt on the Road

From an interview by J.S. Lor - November 28, 2000

How long have you been painting?
I have drawn and painted all my life; I became serious about becoming an artist 22 years ago.

Did your mother or father influence you or encourage you to paint?
My mother encouraged me but there was no one in my family with artistic talent to follow.

It is obvious that someone like yourself really enjoys painting... However, when looking at
        specifics, do you enjoy more the initial creative visualization or the actual time when you
        put the paint on the canvas?
I enjoy the time painting very much but it is the search for a better painting that keeps me
        going.

There are many mediums that you could use to create images, however you have chosen
         two - watercolour and acrylic. Can you tell me why you have chosen these two?
An acquired allergy to oils and solvents forced me to find other media. Also,
          I much prefer working with brushes as opposed to using pastels for example.
         So watercolour and acrylic are a natural choice.

Do you have any personal preference for either watercolour or acrylics?
Watercolour is my preferred medium because it is a more artistic medium in that it can
        deliver unexpected results at times. Acrylics on the other hand can be very precise and
        have the advantage of greater intensity compared to watercolour. They also have the
        ability to be applied to many different grounds. i.e. canvas, paper etc.

What types of subjects do you like to paint and do you have any preferences?
My artistic expression comes from what I see around me. It's important for me to be
        immersed in the subject before me. That is why, for example, photographs are of
        little use to me.

        My favourite subjects include northern landscapes, the Maritimes and portraits.

Do you do commission painting?
Certainly, I do commissioned portraits - if the person is willing to sit for me. As far as
        landscapes go, I prefer to paint only what interests me artistically.

In your present paintings do you use any colour more predominately than others?
I don't think so. I am influenced by what I see mostly. however, my impressions of
       the day are certainly a factor.

In your approach to art and your personal appreciation of same, do you have any favorite
        artist?
The Group of Seven painters have been an inspiration to me, as to many other Canadian
         artists. I find now that I gravitate towards works that tend to be more abstract. The work of
        Jack Shadbolt among others, comes to mind.

I have noticed that in your biography that you have taught art for many years. In this light,
         I was wondering if you had any thoughts on what it might take to be a successful artist?
What is a successful artist? Most people equate artistic success with financial success
        and its difficult to measure it any other way, I suppose. Firstly, I don't consider myself a
       successful artist financially, I think that my artistic interests are too broad to be interested
       in reproductions and all the heavy marketing that is required in that respect. Bear in mind
       that not all great artists, in the past, sold paintings at high prices: many of them were
       destitute. Success, to my mind, is more about being comfortable with your art - never
       complacent - and getting a lot of satisfaction from the enjoyment it gives others.
       By that definition,

       I think I am successful.

Can you give us your reflections on being an artist as a career?
I have met some young people who have chosen fine art - as opposed to a graphic artist
        - as a career. Fine art can be very satisfying, but I think that one would have to be
        very good to make a living at it. Most artists I know are either retired or have a day job.

You have been teaching people for many years to paint. In today's world what attribute
        do you think that they are lacking to be successful painters?
Anyone can enjoy art and many with little natural talent reach a reasonably high level with
        their work. But to be successful, one would need a lot of natural talent and dedication.

As a visual artist, what do you think is needed, especially children to appreciate art?
There is just so much competing for a child's interest these days: television, computer
        graphics, animation. I think that what is needed is the opportunity for children to take
        pencils or crayons in hand and to be encouraged to be creative. It seems to me that very
        little that a child sees these days requires creativity on their part.

What are your view of art shows or juried art shows?
Juried art shows serve a very good purpose in encouraging emerging artists to do better.
       They offer the opportunity for artists to compare their work with that of their peers and to
       receive constructive criticism. Sooner or later, though, the maturing artist will prefer
       to move on to solo exhibitions.

My last question is having to do with your art. It is obvious that a lot of people have visited
         your gallery and other galleries to see your art.

       What would you like people to say about your art?

I would want them, first of all, to find that the work is very competent, but more than that, I
       would like them to say that the work is exciting and that they can sense the feelings I had
       when I painted each work.

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