Her favorite medium to use is acrylics, because the paint dries so quickly. (That’s exactly why I love acrylics too!) “I tend to paint fast,” she said. “When painting en plein air, I love that it dries quickly so I don’t have to worry too much about getting wet paint all over me when I’m packing up after a session outdoors.” Skokan also uses graphite and watercolors, especially when traveling abroad as airport security won’t confiscate her art supplies that way!
“Barnyard Prosperity” 20”x16” Acrylic on panel
She’s currently balancing two projects; the first is studying with master artist Joseph Orr, a founding artist of the National Oil and Acrylic Painters’ Society (NOAPS.) “I wanted to push my art to the next level and knew I needed to study with a master to teach me how to create better compositions,” Skokan said. “I know this is an extremely rare opportunity as he doesn’t teach anymore and he’s only critiquing 4 paintings, so I’m very grateful for this opportunity.” She says she’s so eager to try out the techniques he teaches her, that she starts planning out compositions in her head the moment she leaves his studio! “Sometimes I can’t sleep at night due to my brain being in what I call composition brainstorming mode.”
The second project is preparing for her solo exhibition at Arts on Grand in Spencer, IA. “As an artist I feel my job is to show the beauty that God created to the eyes of others. Beauty is all around us. Take a 360 degree turn and notice all the beauty that abounds.” The exhibit, titled “360 Degrees of Paradise: Find the Beauty Around You” focuses on paintings that portray places abroad as well as places closer to home. “I’ve been blessed enough to be able to travel to some amazing places,” Skokan said. “All you have to do is look closely and you can find beauty in everything.” Well said!
Skokan has taught some classes of her own, but Covid-19 shut those down (just like everything else.) She says she wants to return to teaching classes someday, but for now is enjoying traveling with her newly retired husband (congratulations!)
Another stumbling block Skokan has encountered (which I personally believe is a universal struggle for artists) is the distance between the head and the hand. “In my head I know what I want it to look like, but not always do my hand and brush transfer that to the canvas,” she said. “Part way through I can tell it’s not working. Usually, that means I’m tired and need to put it away for a week and come back with fresh eyes. Usually that does the trick, or turning the canvas upside down works too. Most of the time I end up painting over an area after saying to myself, ‘Duh! Why didn’t I see that sooner?’” She says if she’s really stuck she will use a mirror to analyze the painting or ask her husband for advice. “He’s great at pointing out something I can’t see because I’ve stared at it too long. He really knows good art!”
“Summer Storm” 16”x20” Acrylic on canvas
Skokan said her favorite art tool is a blender brush! “I found it years ago and should have bought several to have... It is thick with short, soft bristles and is great for cloud work. Another favorite is actually more of a convenience for me — my grayscale tempered glass palette. With the use of a palette knife, it makes for very quick cleanup and is great for mixing colors. I do have 3 of those in different sizes.”
Any advice for people beginning their artistic journey? “I recommend buying a small journal and drawing on a page a day. Date the pages too. That will push you to keep doing it. When we were in Florida this past winter, I painted with my little journal and watercolors every time I went to the pool or beach, which was pretty much every day! When I had my coffee in the morning, often I’d sketch with my new graphite pencils whatever was on the table. Nothing fancy. Maybe a deck of cards or a coffee cup. Just quick sketches and watercolor paintings. To learn some of names of people I met at the pool, I’d paint them and write their name on the page. You’ll be amazed at how fast you improve as an artist.”
“I’d also read the book Alla Prima II by Richard Schmid. I’m only 3/4 the way through, but that’s because it’s chock full of good tips and techniques and I’ve reread several chapters over and over, each time learning something new. It was the first book Joe Orr told me to get my hands on. It’s a bit pricey but so worth it!”
“Also, learn to develop a thick skin early on. The first year an artist I worked with told me he’d never ever like my work. So I tried and tried to get better thinking surely I could paint something he’d like, some pretty scene. It was sort of a challenge to me,” Skokan said. After a year, she realized that he would never like her artwork, because his favorite style was anime! ”That’s when I realized as an artist, paint for yourself and what is your passion, not for others, unless of course, you are doing a commission piece. That’s different. Painting for others and not what you find beautiful may keep you from pushing harder. Let the comments roll off your back if someone doesn’t like your style. It’s not anything negative against you, it’s just that is not what they gravitate towards for art to enjoy. Instead, find your tribe, your followers or collectors. They are out there. It just takes time to find them. Once you find them, it’s like you found a treasure at the end of the rainbow.”
“Bridge to Autumn” 9”x12” Acrylic on canvas
As I mentioned before, Skokan and I are both members of Iowa Artists, a nonprofit group of about 300 artists, ranging in skill level from beginners to professionals. “We have some great art shows in the spring with judges who give awesome critiques to help everyone learn more, and we hold workshops in all 12 regions of Iowa.” Iowa Artists also partners with over 75 art centers and galleries to help spread the word about the members’ artwork. “New this year we are starting some plein air events for our members to participate in. It is an encouraging group and a great way to network with others pursuing the same journey you may be going through. I encourage all interested to join in making Iowa the best state to be an artist in. You can go to https://www.iowaartista.us to read more about the group or check out our events and newsletters for art tips.”
To see more of Skokan’s artwork, you can sign up for her e-newsletter on her website at https://www.deannaskokan.com, or follow her on social media at @skokanmd (Instagram) and Deanna Skokan (Facebook.)
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