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| Hilla's Paintings in the COCA Gallery |
Interview
August 2012
Please give us a brief bio of who you are and where you're from.
Born and raised in Germany, I lived in Munich most of my life before moving to San Francisco in 1997 to localize software products. I am studying drawing and painting to stay grounded, find focus and an outlet for my creativity. I am indebted to teachers at Berkeley Extension, Larry Robinson, Pamela Lanza, Vesta Kirby and others who encouraged and inspired me. Working with artists in groups and organizations and being surrounded by artists is a treat and helps me to develop my creative practice and grow as an artist.
What is your primary medium and process?
My primary mediums are two, either oil painting or pen and ink drawing. In addition I also love colored pencil as it allows me to work in a small format.
How long have you been painting?
I started painting in earnest in 2009 and have developed an almost daily practice.
How do you describe your style?
Being influenced by my immediate surroundings I am painting abstracted seascapes and cityscapes and my drawings are abstract, following the flow of ink and color that my drawings start out with.
What inspires you to keep motivated?
The world around me, whether it is a space in the city or out in the wilderness, my natural surroundings, trees, plants, flowers, large bodies of water, light and color inspire me and almost force me to pick up a brush. I just feel better when I can be in my creative space. There is not further motivation necessary, it is pure self-indulgence.
What is your favorite part about being an artist?
Every day is better when I'm painting, no matter how long I paint or how much I accomplish. Sometimes it is simply looking at a piece in progress and going over it in my mind contemplating how it should be completed. Having a daily practice is helping me to not loose focus of my goals in other areas of my life as well.
Who are your favorite artists past or present?
Very challenging to list because it fluctuates, some of them are more important than others at times. Often I look to them for inspiration when I think about a certain work I am struggling with. So, in no particular order Canaletto, Paul Cezanne, Gustave Courbet, John Constable, William Turner, Georgia O'Keeffe, Jan Vermeer, Paul Klee, Donald Judd, Frank Stella, Gerhard Richter, Mark Rothko, Richard Serra and others.
You can learn more about Hilla Hueber on her website:
The Painting Curve
