Saturday in the Studio – Eva Wojnar
In the Studio with Eva Wojnar
This Saturday we introduce you to artist Eva Wojnar!
Wojnar spent 35 years in an office as a graphic designer and magazine art director. Now retired and living in Bellingham, she enjoys the outdoors and painting the beauty that surrounds her.
What’s your background?
I spent 35 years of my working life as an art director, graphic designer, and photo editor. The last 23 years were behind a computer, working for a magazine publishing company in Fort Worth, Texas.
During that time, I hired and worked with photographers and illustrators whose work I greatly admired. After all those years, I said to myself, when I retire I’m going to get away from the computer and paint.
I chose watercolor because it is the polar opposite of the controlled environment of graphic design.
When I retired and moved to Bellingham, I began my quest by taking watercolor classes right here at the Jansen Art Center. It was the perfect gateway to all things watercolor.
Was there a pivotal moment when you decided to follow your path as an artist?
I always loved art. As I child I would spend my days drawing and painting, mostly ballerinas and horses. In high school I started painting in oils, carefully copying the masters.
But I also loved theater, and in college I chose a double major of theater and art with an emphasis on advertising design. My career choices after graduation were either acting or commercial art.
Commercial art was more lucrative. Although I spent some time doing theater, my day job as graphic designer, which I also loved, paid the bills.
So I guess my pivotal moment was a case of “show me the money.”
What is your creative process like? Has it changed over time?
I have always enjoyed the inspiration that comes from studying the work of other artists. Whether its a watercolor workshop with an artist I like or articles
in art books and magazines or seeing an exhibit at a museum or gallery, I find my creative process is juiced by exploring a unique style, color palette, new materials or techniques.
It’s exciting for me to mix it up and push myself beyond the comfort zone. I think this has always been my approach before sitting down to work on a project, both now and in my past graphic-design life.
How do you know when a piece is complete?
I guess it’s when I say to myself, okay, I like it now. One instructor whom I admire said that paintings can go through a long, ugly period. I think the trick is to believe somewhere down the line the painting will turn from ugly duckling into some semblance of a swan.
I try to not throw it in the bin before that happens.
How have the concerns regarding COVID-19 impacted you creatively, if at all?
I miss getting together with my friends who are painters. I miss workshops and museum outings. But I am actually painting more now. It’s a lovely escape from all the crazy in the world.
3 Comments
Beautiful work, Eva! Thank you for sharing.
Eva, I was searching for you and this came up. I knew it had to be you. Your work is lovely.
Hope you remember me, Claudia Hill. We went to EMU together and became friends through the theater program. I hope you’re well and happy. It sounds like you are.
I’m living in New York state with my husband, having worked in theater for most of my life.
All the best to you,
Claudia
Lovely work! We met years ago, also through theater (Ypsi players). I went back to school (several times) and completed a PhD in International Business Strategy. I wrote and taught for about 30 years. My wife Lynn and I (married 40 years) now live in Michigan. We have an annual reunion with many of the EMU theater friends who so deeply influenced my life. I hope all is well – your work is wonderful.