Artist Glenn Brill
About Glenn Brill
Glenn Brill is currently the Manager of Education for Strathmore Fine Art Papers and has presented over 300 educational presentations throughout the U.S., Europe and Asia. A past Professor at San Francisco State University, Glenn has also taught at California College of the Arts, San Francisco Art Institute and University of California at Hayward. Glenn has been involved in art material product development and education for over 15 years, helping to develop and test fine art papers, canvas, drawing materials, pastels, oil paints and acrylic paints. Glenn has been the recipient of two National Endowment for the Arts Visual Fellowships, Author of "Beyond the Brush" and co-author of "The Acrylic Handbook". His artworks are in the permanent collections of the Archives of American Art, Brooklyn Museum, San Jose Museum and Phoenix Art Museum. Glenn has his BFA from the California College of Arts and Crafts, and MFA from Cranbrook Academy of Art. He is also a Tamarind Master Printer.
Interview with the Artist
How did you interpret using the Strathmore Thistle for the pad cover artwork?
I thought it would be interesting to have the actual thistle be inferred in the artwork. By only showing the thistle shadow, it implies that the actual thistle is there, just outside of the picture plane. The shadow of the thistle, together with the outward gaze of the dog combine to bring the viewers conceptual attention to something that exists outside of the image. Something each viewer will imagine and interpret for themselves.
Anything else you'd like to share about your piece?
This is a painting of my dog "Shooz". She is a Basenji, which means she is the "boss" of all she encounters. I have done many paintings of Shooz, and I am not sure what she thinks of sharing the cover with another living object!
How did the Strathmore paper you used for the project affect your drawing (or painting) techniques?
This painting was done using acrylic paint in a glazing technique over initial impasto layers. There are perhaps 15 glaze layers that are needed to create the depth of color and marking system. I require a substrate that is able to handle the multiple layers of paint and medium without buckling and without losing its stability. I found that the Strathmore Acrylic pad held up to the vigorous technique that I use. The best compliment I can give the Strathmore acrylic paper is that I did not notice it was paper, in that I treated it as if I was working on canvas.
Which artists inspire you?
Obviously I have been influenced by the impressionist and post-impressionist movement. However the artist who most inspires me would be my wife, Mia Kodani, who always reminds me to be positive and believe that anything is possible.
What advice would you give to beginning artists?
Demand the most from yourself.
Do not judge yourself.
During the act of painting delay the thought for as long as possible..., "This is good enough".
There is no great idea, there is only your idea.
