Artist Interview: Danna Fruetel, Centre for Arts and Artists

Danna Fruetel, of Newton, IA, is the first scratchboard artist I’ve had the joy of meeting in person. Scratchboard art utilizes an artistic technique of engraving, where a surface is layered with different materials/colors, usually with a dark color (like black) on the topmost layer. When the surface is scratched with a sharp instrument, it reveals the color (typically white) underneath. Once the engraving is completed, it can then be colored with paint.

“A Little Wild Thing”, 8”x10” scratchboard

“Many have said that my scratchboard work looks like embroidery,” Fruetel said, “and I am perfectly OK with that description of it. I am certainly an artist that thinks out of the box and I’m not one to follow any trends. My art comes from within and flows out of my hands.” Beautifully expressed! 

I can practically taste this piece.

Fruetel is known for her scratchboard art, and while that is her “serious” medium, she also paints in gouache (opaque watercolor) and acrylic. “When I just want to have fun outside painting (something scratchboard doesn’t work well for) I do gouache. It’s so portable and with my disability, that is important to me. When I want to do a larger painting in my studio I’ll turn to acrylic paint. It’s not as easy to work with as gouache but for larger pieces, it’s a better choice.” 

This one feels very bio-mechanical to me, what do you think?

I haven’t personally used scratchboard as a medium yet, but if you are interested in it you’re in luck because Fruetel teaches a number of different classes! “I do teach workshops on both scratchboard and gouache painting and I’ve also taught a workshop on creating mandalas. These are 3-hour introduction workshops. For my gouache class, I bring all of the supplies and we do 3 paintings, the final one is a master’s study of the student's choice. Master studies are a great way to experiment with a new medium.” Fruetel plans on teaching 2 gouache workshops this summer, one was on June 3rd at Art Domestique in Washington, Iowa the other will be held on August 12th at the Centre for Arts and Artists in Newton, Iowa. “On July 15^th at The Left Bank, I will be doing a scratchboard demo during the opening of my scratchboard show. I would like to plan a scratchboard workshop somewhere in the NW corner of Iowa but I haven’t done that yet.”

Currently, Fruetel is working on some long-term projects. One of them is her Master’s Certification in the Scratchboard Society. There are 4 levels in the Scratchboard Society and she is currently a Signature Member. “I feel I’m close to the master level,” she said. “But my technique isn’t as polished as it needs to be. That is my biggest focus at the moment.”

Check out this intricate repeating pattern!

She’s also working on a large series of gouache and scratchboard mandalas (large geometric designs, usually in a circle as the word “mandala” in ancient Sanskrit means “circle”.) “The gouache ones go much faster so I can do a couple in a month.” For these pieces, she’s taking her inspiration from both nature and industrial things. “Each one is hand drawn and it takes about a week to draw out my design.”

“Awakening of Color”, 16”x20” colored scratchboard

Her scratchboard art will be on display from mid-July through August at The Left Bank in McGregor, IA. Fruetel also has two summer shows this year of her mandalas. One will be in June at Art Domestique in Washington, IA and the other one will be during the month of August at Cafe Deim in Ames, IA.

Stunning work!

“Every year the scratchboard society has an exhibition somewhere in the world. The next one is in October and it will be in Arizona. I am working seriously on my entries for that exhibition. Scratchboard is not a fast medium and one piece can take easily over a month to do.”

“I’m also the President of Iowa Artists and that of course is a focus in my life for another year. My favorite part is connecting artists around Iowa with the art centers and galleries that need them. I’m putting together a spreadsheet of artists that are ready to teach a workshop or hang a show. This will be shared on the website so that others can reach out directly to the artists.”

Fruetel’s go-to “sharp things.”

I ask every artist I interview what their favorite tool is for making art, and I laughed when I read Fruetel’s answer: “I like sharp things. Hardware stores are a great place to find them… When I color my scratchboard I use Bombay Ink because it is the most lightfast. My favorite gouache paint is Holbein Artists Gouache. I don’t buy expensive brushes.”

“Family Treasures”, 5”x7” colored scratchboard

I also ask every artist about a struggle or stumbling block in their artistic journey. But Fruetel replied, “I’m not a person who focuses on stumbling blocks as everything is there to help me grow.” I mean, I ask because it’s so easy to think that the finished pieces we post on social media are created with ease when in reality we all struggle with something… But what a positive outlook and great answer to the question!  

“A couple of years ago my biggest issue was figuring out what I really wanted to focus on. I had stopped working and I had the time to do what I wanted to do, I just had to figure out what that was. By keeping an art scrapbook (see video above) I learned what I really liked and started heading in that direction. I made sure that I kept the artist's name with the inspirational art and began to follow each on social media. Many of them have followed me back and continue to inspire and encourage me. I also meditate every morning and that helps me keep the distractions away. The best way to describe the old me would be to watch the dog Dug from [the movie] “Up” when he yells ‘Squirrel’.”

What a scene; I love it so much!

Her experience working with other artists has taught her so much she wrote a whole list when I asked her what advice she would give to emerging artists. I’m saving that list for a guest post later on (link to come), but she did say this:

“Remember that being an artist is your dream and you are the one that is responsible for making it come true. Don’t count on others to show you the way. Carve your own path.” Well said!

If you’d like to see more of Fruetel’s artwork, check out her website at DannasDesigns.Weebly.com, or on Facebook. She also manages IowaPleinAirevents.com.

Artist Interview: Jeanine Strodtman

Jeanine Strodtman, an artist living in Ames, IA, paints in a realistic style. Sometimes her acrylic paintings are of still lifes, close-up views of plants, or even different landscape types. I was introduced to her art online through the Iowa Artists Facebook group.

I asked Strodtman what her favorite piece is, and she said it was her painting of the McConnell Hardware building. I’m a HUGE fan of portraits of buildings, where so much history and life can be put into a picture of an immobile place. She said she painted it from a photograph of a hardware store in Colorado. “My maiden name was McConnell,” Strodtman said. It’s such a beautiful piece, with hard, crisp lines and a delightful contrast between the yellow and brown building and the dark shadows cast inside the windows. “It was one of 64 picked from 2500 by AT&T for their calendar. [It] Did not make the calendar. I donated it to Heartland Museum in Clarion, Iowa. It hangs in the Blacksmith area.” Even though it wasn’t picked for the calendar, what an honor to have come so close!

It’s no surprise after seeing her Hardware store painting that Strodtman mentioned Edward Hopper (an American realist painter) as one of her artistic influences!
 

Strodtman defines Art as “…creating something, with any part of you.” What a great yet simple way to put it! It doesn’t matter what medium you are using, or if you use your hands vs your feet or the rest of your body – or even using your mind, like with concept art. It leaves it open for music, writing, dance, and anything that you can dream up to make into art. Well said!

She never went to school for art, but she says she was very lucky because a friend asked her to join her (the friend’s) art group. “They met in Dorothy Timmon’s basement with ISU professor, Richard Heggen.” Strodtman told me. “Did this for years and then longer meeting in the basement of Mary Lou Wright.” Strodtman was also allowed to sit in another art teacher's class at ISU, without being officially enrolled. Fun fact, both Timmon and Wright were active Iowa Artists. 

I asked Strodtman what her favorite brush or tool for making art is. “I have no favorite brush,” she replied. “I use many other things like the base of a bunch of celery-and the leaves, a plastic dish scrub, toothbrush and other non-artist tools.” I love seeing how artists use unconventional items to make their artwork, it’s such an unappreciated form of creativity!
 

Her advice to artists just starting out? “I don't accept that you can't do something if you have not tried to do it. You might be surprised.” Excellent advice! I know a lot of artists who have found their signature style or niche, but there are many others (myself included) who like to get their hands into all sorts of different mediums and love trying new things with their art.
 

“I have created pictures since I was small,” Strodtman said. “[I] Wonder sometimes if I would have kept my sanity during Covid, if I had not painted. Dick Heggen said that you reach a great point and then go downhill. He was right… I don't really care. I love painting.”

Artist Interview: Deanna Skokan, Skokan Studio

My introduction to the art of Deanna Skokan (Skokan Studio, in Waukee IA) was about a year ago, when I joined the Iowa Artists organization. Between the bright colors, range of subjects, and the energy she puts into her paintings, I was instantly drawn to her art! She describes her artwork as a mixture of realism and impressionism. “I love painting sunsets, sunrises, and storms,” she said.

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.)