“The poses give inspiration and references to give form and substance to my ideas”
Artist Dana Lombardo was born and raised in Oklahoma, in the United States. Ever since she was a shy little girl, she draws and uses art to communicate and express her ideas with others. Painting people later became a professional career and, currently, she also enjoys working on commissioned portraits.
Lombardo uses oil paint, pastels, charcoal and ink. Inspired by artists like John Singer Sargent, Rembrandt, Degas, Dali, and Escher; this self-taught artist learned to create her own style and has earned several awards including 1st Place Still Life and Best in Show at the OAG Small Works Show in 2013, Emerging Artist Winner at the Artmuse Online Contest and the Best Figurative Award at the West National Juried Show. This year, her painting “The Rush Gather” will be part of the Women Artists of the West’s 50th Anniversary juried exhibition.
In this Q&A, artist Dana Lombardo shares with PoseSpace how she started drawing, what has been her greatest artistic success and gives valuable advice regarding commissioned portraits:
You started drawing when you were a child to connect to other people. When did you first know you wanted to become an artist?
I have enjoyed drawing for as long as I can remember. I know that I wanted to be an artist in high school but college and pursuit of what my family thought was a real career sidelined that for a bit. In my late 20s I started drawing again.
You have earned several awards. What’s been your greatest artistic success?
I think my greatest success so far was when I won a Best Figurative award at a national show. At a time when I felt discouraged, it gave me the confidence I needed to believe in myself and to keep painting.
How has your style changed over the years?
I don’t know that my style has changed so much as that I have continued to learn and incorporate that into my work.
What do you think of PoseSpace? Do you have a favorite PoseSpace.com model?
I am a fan of PoseSpace.
I don’t have a great camera or access to a lot of models. The poses give inspiration and references to give form and substance to my ideas. I have used several models including Becca, Ana and Ayame.
You make commissioned portraits, what advice would you give young artists interested in accepting commissions?
Portrait commissions are fun and challenging! It is important to practice a lot and work from life as much as possible. When it comes to commissions, I would tell anyone staring out to ask lots of questions, be open to suggestions and never take criticism too personally. Take it for what it is and use it to make a better portrait.
Artist Dana lombardo’s website: https://danalombardo.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/danalombardofineart/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/danalombardofineart
Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCG9hziDDvv9YwJ-TplWAQPA
Interview by Andrea Miliani