Renowned Painter Allan Chow-The 2013 Artists Series

Introducing artist Allan Chow whose paintings will light up your world!

Enjoy this insightful and poignant interview. 

Allan Chow (born April 22, 1979) is a Malaysian Chinese born landscape painter who currently resides and owns a studio in the United States. Allan received his BFA in Illustration from the Kansas City Art Institute.

 Mentored by Illustrators, Allan worked as a freelance Illustrator and Graphic Designer during his twenties while he experimented with paint after dark. He spent many hours after work struggling to find his identity as a Fine Artist. However, his natural attraction to Impressionism and Abstract Expressionism inspired him to develop a modern interpretation of landscape paintings with a palette knife. 

Allan's hints of Southeast Asian culture manifests through his exuberant colors, bold paint strokes and irresistible textures that set him apart from his peers and made his paintings one of the most preferred and collected in the country today.

Kansas City ASB Bridge

1)       Allan, when did you first realize you had the desire to paint?

During my third year as an Illustration major, I was desperately trying to give myself some painting exercises to learn about color theory. On top of my Illustration assignments, I remember staying up till 5am every night working on paintings of my native country, Malaysia. 

It was pure Art for Art sake. I didn’t care if it sold or not. I painted because I wanted to learn how to mix paint. I turned to paintings by Monet, Van Gogh and Childe Hassam. I learn by borrowing their impressionistic color palette, style and incorporating them into my paintings. It was a series of ten paintings. That same series of paintings got me my first exhibition and also they got me into my first gallery representation two years later.

Morning View

 2)       What inspires you to begin a painting and what is your methodology?

It is such an emotional and moody process. I am most inspired to start a painting right after completing an emotionally draining painting that I spent the last month or two struggling with. This momentum happens usually in the middle of preparing a show of 30+ new paintings. If I plan a painting from start to finish, I am less excited at the end and will most likely lose interest. 

To avoid this, I paint whenever I feel like an idea is ready and I keep my drawings very minimal. I just push paint around until something speaks to me. I work through mistakes and disappointments but embrace happy accidents and build on one victory at a time. Eventually, everything will work out. Tons of texture and layers of colors for visual interest is present. Most importantly, the final result is appreciated so much more.

 

Morning Missouri

3) Bright color and the palette knife are two signatures of your style. Would you tell our readers more about that? Oh and I do love your images of the Kansas City area.

Allan painting at the easel at a Charity Event

I was particularly drawn to muted and dark color palettes a decade ago while I was studying some impressionists’ work. The more I painted, my natural instincts and personality gradually reflect in my work. I am an optimistic person. I want my paintings to be bold and filled with energy affecting people positively. This explains the color palette I am using today. 

As far as my style, it is constantly evolving and hard to explain. It really is a work in progress. It changes when either a new subject matter or medium presents itself. I have learned to let go and refuse to control much these days. The more I let go, the more I discover. 

I know I love texture so a palette knife made sense. The difficulty of controlling paint with a knife forced myself to pay less attention to details. It really freed my wrists and encouraged myself to work more with my entire body. The deal breaker for abandoning a brush was that I didn’t have to wash them and I no longer have to smell turpentine.

Rocks at Rodeo Beach III

4)       Are there artists or others that you admire or consider mentors in your journey?

Allan in his Studio

Absolutely! I admire Impressionists such as Childe Hassam and Monet the most. Some of my favorite Artists are John Singer Sargent, Edward Hopper, Aaron Siskind, Franz Kline, Howard Pyle, N.C Wyeth and Andrew Wyeth to name a few.  

One of my mentors in the past is an Illustrator who paints. He gave me the confidence to do both. My most recent mentor is a Graphic Designer and Instructor. He is probably the most giving and committed person I know. They both have different strengths that I admire a ton. I aspire to be the best I can be as an Artist. At the same time, it is important to be humble and inspire others.

Best of Show Winner -Over Majestic Hills

  5)       You are a world renowned artist and have paintings in many important collections. What are some of the corporate and private collections where your art is featured?

You are too kind. Some collections that I could think of are H&R Block, Kauffman Foundation of Kansas City, Intercontinental Hotel, BKD; Lewis, Rice and Fingerish Law Firm, the University of Kansas Medical Center; Russell Stover Candies; and private collections in Kansas City, Seattle, California, Hong Kong and Malaysia.

Dusk at Broadway

       6)  I understand you take consignments and have amazing art available.How may readers contact you who are interested in your art? 

I can be reached at info@allanchow.com. You can also contact me through my website at (http://www.allanchow.com)

Safety of the Sunset

Kansas City Skyline

7)       Finally what would you tell the person who feels that creative spark to paint?

As a hobby, I recommend everyone to try to paint for fun and be free. I believe as human beings, being creative is innate. Find a medium that you enjoy and just have fun. Professionally, I would advice young Artists to know the difference between TALENT and SKILL. Talent isn’t enough to get you by. The skilled are those who are willing to persevere and risk it all to pursue your passion. Being a skilled Artist will ensure long-term success and personal fulfillment.

Thank you so much Allan. It has been such a pleasure to include you in The 2013 Artists Series.

Dear Readers and Followers I hope you will visit Allan's website ...and come comment on what works of art are your favorites. Allan also does still life paintings as well as his renowned landscapes.

Your support of the art world makes this world and our communities a better place to live!

Thank you with all of my heart for your encouragement.  

Look forward to the next Artist in our 2013 Artists Series. 

xoxo

Karena

Art by Karena

Images Courtesy of Allan Chow Art 

2013 Artists Series Featuring Derrick Breidenthal

Introducing Artist Derrick Breidenthal. Derrick has been creating  fine art for over twenty five years. His work has been showcased throughout the US. Please enjoy our conversation below!

Discharge

 

1) Derrick, when did you first realize that you wanted to paint and create art?

Drawing and painting started young for me. I was diagnosed with Dyslexia around 3rd grade and was encouraged to explore visual activities as one means of learning. Art was a natural mechanism to engage my brain. So it became a consistent part of my schedule. It helped relieve the stresses of things like math and English that I needed to engage in productively. As I grew older art was always an anchor for me and helped me break learning down into manageable steps. I guess I have stuck with it for so long because I like process, and it was one of the earliest things in my life that created structure for me. Which to me is all artistic process is...creating a system that makes sense to the individual artist. Regardless of any commercial success art has always helped me navigate the rest of the responsibilities of life.

CRP

Outlook

 2) The works of your art that I have seen have a very ethereal and atmospheric feel to them. Where does your inspiration come from?

Color is a driving force in most of my work. Specifically the combinations of a few colors and the emotional statement this creates. Combine that with a life of being in more rural locations and always wanting to be outside you can see how my work is a reflection of this. The work consistently works back and forth from these two hero's. Sometimes my love for color overtakes any direct desire to reflect a landscape, a place, or a subject. Other times the atmospheric quality of the work - for instance trying to capture a particular experience I had - drives the entire painting and color is used strictly to emphasize this experience.

Getting Even

Flush

 3) I understand you paint Alla Prima. Would you tell our readers about that term and genre of painting?

There are a few general methods in painting with lots of in betweens. One is a indirect method composed of multi layered, many times glazed surfaces, and can lend itself to realism. 

The other is a direct method (alla prima) that is generally expressive brushwork and a desire to see the painterly marks within the piece. I tend to work in a direct method. Mostly I try to paint the entire work without removing or painting over any marks I have made. Or at the least I want the full history of the material to be seen even if it goes through a stage of material removal. I don't sketch the compositions on the surface, then fold in my shadows, mid tones and highlights in a staggered manner. 

The composition, the color, the light, shadow, and textures are all dealt with at once. If it doesn't work then I typically remove all the paint and start over. Realizing the main statement of the work in one moment is the overall goal for me. This technique has always been a foundation in much of my work, although recently I have been creating a different body of work that explores different techniques.

Spry Slope

Total Madness

4) Who are some artists or mentors that have motivated you?

I love to stay in touch with local artist as much as I can. There is so much great work being done in this town right now that it makes it an easy place to be motivated. I move around a lot in the periods of art I look at. I enjoy looking at Goya's work. 

I also like the early 1900's landscape work that began to limit color palettes and hinting at the subject matter, rather then painting every last detail. For obvious reasons. Contemporary work I have always followed include Gerhard Richter and Lucian Freud among many.

The Leftover

Lower Down

5) Derrick, where is your art shown and do you have any exhibits or special projects coming up?

I show in Kansas City at the Leopold Gallery. I'm scheduling a Spring show right now but have not finalized the date. I have other great gallery support in various cities that can be found on my site, BreidenthalArt. My schedule for shows and new work can be followed on my site. 

Phuket

6) I understand your art is included in many prominent collections around the world.

Local companies such as H&R Block, Shook, Hardy & Bacon, KU Medical Center, Saint Lukes Medical as well as Kansas State University have work in their collection. Cafe Europa purchased a large grouping of paintings and is a great place to have dinner and see some work as well. A complete listing is on my site. 

Spring Flush

7) Derrick, how should those interested in your art contact you or view your works of art?

Leopold Gallery is a great place to start in Kansas City. Or Anyone can contact me via my web site, Breidenthal Art. My studio is open by appointment as well. I'm open for First Fridays here and there, but I have an amazing new son that gets most of my time on the weekends now.

Derrick in his Studio

 

8) A new son is such a blessing and miracle! Finally, what words of wisdom do you have for an artist of any age?

That's a hard one. If you want to paint professionally only do it if its absolutely the only thing you can see yourself doing. Its an incredibly difficult business. That said do it as much as possible, don't compare yourself to other artist or try to mimic their work. Try to find your own technique and material that will emphasize, not restrict your ideas. The only thing you have going for you is your perspective and how you choose to reflect this in the work.

Derrick's Studio where all of his amazing creative art projects take form!

 Derrick, Thank you so much for being 1st in The 2013 Artists Series. It is an honor to have you. Dear Readers, if any of you have the opportunity to view Derrick's work in person you will be mesmerized! I cannot wait to have a work of Derrick's Art in my collection!

We will be very happy to hear your thoughts and comments!

xoxo

Karena

Art by Karena

Thank you so much for your friendship and support!

Introducing Paul Dorrell, Gallery Owner, Art Dealer and Author

Paul Dorrell is the Author of the updated and revised book, Living the Artist's Life.

He has been the owner of The renowned Leopold Gallery in Kansas City since 1991, a Fine Art Dealer  and Artist's Representative.

I hope you enjoy our conversation below and images from some of the artist's he represents.

His book truly can apply not only to Artists, also Writers, to Designers, Architects, really any Entrepreneur who realizes that one must follow their dreams. and what it takes to do just that!  Living the Artist's Life is bold, part memoir, and even humorous at times.

Event at the Leopold Gallery

1)      Paul, I understand that you opened The Leopold Gallery to support your true avocation of being a writer. Were you surprised that indeed you became a renowned Gallery Owner, Art Dealer and Author?  

Very surprised, as that was certainly not the plan--but such is life for most of us.

Allen Chow

 2)     You have represented major artists; painters, sculptors, fine glass blowers. Do you develop an innate sense that an aspiring artist will become successful? What do you look for?  

From some I look for outrageousness, others a firm rooting in great artistic traditions, others a profound sense of abstraction or craft.  Of course I can’t always tell who will succeed, but my staff and I usually have a fairly good sense about it. 

Kansas University Medical Center

 3)     How do you help artists turn their left brains on to be able to deal with the business side of being an artist?  

We just guide them, step by step, in ways that don’t intrude on their creativity but that do enhance their career.  I mean if I can do it, as a writer, anybody can.

Presentation and Book Signing

4)     In your book, “Living the Artist’s Life”, you very candidly describe the highs and lows, the extreme struggles and the huge successes that you, yourself have experienced. Why is this so relevant to the working artist?  

Because the vast majority of artists often feel, at various times, that they’re failing—as do most people.  I feel it’s important that they realize how common that experience is, as that can be reassuring.

5)     Which are some of the Art Installations you are most proud of?  

All the big works—blown glass, paintings, sculptures—at H&R Block, University of Kansas Hospital, Saint Luke’s Hospital, and the Overland Park Convention Center.  Also the National D-Day Memorial.

Portion of H & R Block Installation

6)     You describe corporations today as being like The Medici’s of the Renaissance Art Period. Can you tell us more about that? How does this affect communities?  

Corporations have resources for buying art that far outstrip what most individuals can spend at this time in history.  This means they can have a huge impact on the culture of their region if they’ll work with regional artists—and not try to dictate the art.  That is somewhat similar to what the Medici family did in Italy.

Derrick Breidenthal

 

7)      Paul you have had many travels, far and wide. What compelled you to come back to Kansas City to work and raise your family? 

 This place has always been home to me, and I was acutely aware when we opened, in 1991, that it felt culturally inferior to the larger cities on the two coasts, as though people here were not as talented.  I wanted to help put an end to that, as it was impeding the cultural and artistic growth of the region.  My clients, both corporate and private, have helped us in that mission.

Matt Kirby

8)     Finally what words of wisdom would you impart to the artist of any age or genre?   

Never give up, never give up, never give up.

Thank you so much Paul for taking the time with us!

Paul's New Book, Living the Artist's Life

I hope you have enjoyed this interview with Paul. He has made a huge impression on the landscape, the recognition of art and its importance in our world!

You can visit Paul's Leopold Gallery website at LeopoldGallery.com 

This is an International Giveaway, so please, all can Enter

1) Enter for an opportunity to win a signed copy of Living The Artist's Life by visiting The Leopold Gallery site and tell us an artist who inspires you! There are many not shown here!

2) Extra entries by Liking Leopold Gallery on Facebook, Tweeting or Posting on your own site!

You may also order a copy or copies (great Gift for an Artist Friend or yourself)

at Living the Artist's Life

The winner will be chosen on December 16th at Midnight EST!

Thanks to all of my Friends,Family, and Followers!

xoxo

Karena

Art by Karena