Interview with Pencil Artist Debbie Engle

When I first contacted /booters , she told me that I wouldn't want to interview her, and gave me a bit of information about her life. I was hooked right away. I have always been a fan of people who work hard for a living, or at their chosen art.
I have also been a fan of people who don't take the easy way out when confronted with hard times. /booters is one such person and you can see it in her work. It takes a special kind of person to put the work into attaining fluency in traditional photo-realism. I think her art teaches a good lesson about hard work, and loving what you do.

Why did you begin to create art and why have you continued to do so?

I started when I was a young child drawing Snoopy. Grandma Engel ran a small grocery store and she would give me sheets of butcher paper to draw on. If I drew a good picture she hung it on the wall for all her customers to see. She was the only person who had faith in my ability to create art until my husband came into the picture.
Why do I still draw…to relieve stress. I find some kind of peace in my life when I create something.

Does work from mediums other than the ones that you practice influence your artwork?

Yes. I would love to try them all.

What person or incident taught you the most in regards to your artwork?

My Grandma and my husband taught me just a little faith and encouragement goes a long way.

In your opinion, should traditional forms be resurrected by digital means and why?

Yes. Nowadays, people have no use for traditional ways like ink, pencil and paintings. It’s all about cheap prints and digital images now. For most of the artists out there, this is the only way for anyone to see their work.

What people/artists have been your greatest inspirations?

Derek Riggs was a great inspiration to me growing up. He was the illustrator for most of the Iron Maiden covers. I saw Eddie and I wanted to draw him. Nowadays, its Mark Ryden.

How many mediums are you fluent in and how do you stay in practice?

I use pencil, watercolors, ink, ink washes and acrylic paints. I keep at it. I've drawn over 70 pencils and I’m still at it.

How long have you been posting and giving critique in internet galleries?

For over 4 years.

How did you find Shadowness, and what do you think of the site?

I found it last November. I thought it would be like most of the other sites I've posted my art to…how wrong I was! The folks make you feel welcome to be here and wanted here. They show nothing but encouragement.

What are your thoughts on originality?

Art is what you want it to be and It’s what you want to make it. I draw from photos so you wouldn't think it’s to original, huh? Its not…until you try it. It’s not as easy as you would think. No photo can be drawn 100% copy perfect no matter how good an artist is. You can’t get every hair, tone, line or shape just right, you can only come close. Realism is a very time consuming job that I like. My goal with every drawing is to see just how close I can get to the photo.

What words would you like to leave the Shadowness community with?

Thanks for the love and encouragement you all have showed me!
Hugs,
Debbie

DSE Graphics Website
http://dsegraphics.x10.mx/index.html
DSE Graphics Online Shop
http://dsegraphics.x10.mx/magento/

Apr 27th, 2011