Interview with Wendy Cohen
Wendy Cohen is a Sydney-based artist who has attained a BFA and an MFA. She has exhibited in group shows as well as The Other Art Fair in Sydney. She has also exhibited at The New York Art Expo, Art Basel Miami, San Diego art fair, and in group shows in Chelsea New York, London and Rome.
How would you describe yourself and your artwork?
My name is Wendy Cohen and I started painting as a hobby 30 years ago. At that time my first experience in artmaking was painting a Renoir street scene as my teacher taught that students learnt the techniques and brushstrokes of the masters by emulating their works as an exercise.
How do you go about beginning a new piece? Do you have an idea already in mind, or do you start working with materials or sketches to find the departure point?
I describe myself as a vibrant passionate person who enjoys creating new possibilities with an inventive sensibility that is reflected in my artwork.
When do you think your most prolific time of day or week is?
I get my inspiration from the shapes, colours and forms in urban and natural environments and also from my cultural heritage.
What is a barrier you as an artist overcame? Is there anything that enabled you to develop your work as an artist in your life?
The emotions I hope the viewers will experience when looking at my art is one of connection to the diversity of humanity in a whimsical light-hearted and positive light.
Did you have an idea of what you wanted to create right from the beginning?
I know when an artwork is finished because I feel it intuitively in my soul as it seems to satisfy my senses.
What is the meaning or creative inspiration for your work? We’re curious what the narrative or story is to what you are producing?
The most exciting moment in my art career is being acknowledged and invited to participate in various publications, art fairs and exhibitions as well as selling my works to collectors.
Besides your artworks, are there any other things in life that your voice as an artist may consider vital or valuable? What makes you joyful and creative, in other words?
To produce and resolve one work depends on the compositional value of the painting. One work may take a week, another work might take two months.
Are there any exhibitions or places where people can see these beautiful creations in person soon? Anything on the horizon?
I am working on larger canvases and introducing photo media, various collage materials into my artworks. I am also interested in drawing on paper with markers and inks. I’m constantly exploring new art techniques and subject matter as well.
I am participating in a three man show in Sydney in March and The New York Art Expo in April.
In five years I hope to be an established artist with gallery representation and my works being sold to interested collectors.
Website: https://www.wendycohenart.com
