Art Chowder March | April 2018, Issue 14 | Page 15

Art Chowder: Do you ever get nervous
"Guardians"
30 x 40” - oil on canvas
before a jury or a show?
Victoria: Of course. There is always
self-doubt. Before a show I’ll wonder,
what have I done? What should I bring
to the show? What if it’s bad and I
don’t see it because I’m too close to
the work? It’s always about what I
wanted to say and what I managed to
say in my painting—the feel of a place
in a cityscape, the story in a figurative
painting, or in a still life. I always
try to leave the narrative part open to
interpretation, so different people might
look at it and tell me different stories.
Often they come up with better stories
than I possibly could! But I really
want the visual story to work the way
I intended—to show that first impulse
that made me want to paint it. It can be
very difficult to keep that first spark of
inspiration in there, so people can see it.
Art Chowder: What’s been the most
difficult thing about painting?
Victoria: I think, Robert Hughes
once said (not the exact quote, but
close): “Painting is difficult. Making a
beautiful painting is very difficult.” I
wholeheartedly agree.
Art Chowder: Any advice for artists new
to the U.S.?
Victoria: Just keep painting? Some
professions don’t transplant well;
they might be tied to local languages,
regulations, and certifications. The good
thing about visual art is—it’s universal.
What you see is what you get, no
translation needed.   
Art Chowder: If you had to describe
yourself in five words (or less) what
would you say?
Victoria: I have no idea—lucky?
Art Chowder: How about educated?
Victoria: It’s never enough. There’s
never enough education. Perhaps,
constantly stressed, but no matter how
stressed though, I know it will turn
out okay. What is the word for that?
Hopeful.
Art Chowder: How about brave?
Victoria: Every artist is brave. You
take your soul and put it out there for
everyone to see.  
Art Chowder: Thank you for sharing
your talent with us, Victoria.
If you would like to see more of
Victoria’s work, you can find it on her
website: www.victoriabrace.com or visit
The Art Spirit Gallery in Coeur D’Alene,
ID, Dodson’s Jewelers in Spokane, WA,
or Art at Work at the MAC, Spokane,
WA.
March | April 2018
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