Artospective: Figurative Paintings by Lou McCulloch.

Figurative Expressionism Paintings by Lou (Ella) McCulloch from Medina, Ohio, USA.

Bullied girl

An Interview with Lou (Ella) McCulloch.

Who and where are you from?

My name is Lou (Ella) McCulloch and I am from Medina, Ohio, USA, a rural town south of Cleveland, with a small village atmosphere.

What brought you to Art?

I have always thought of myself as an artist. It is in my DNA, with both grandmothers accomplished artists. One grandmother, who I never knew, was a fine artist who painted in a traditional style. My other grandmother painted anything around here with a method similar to grandma Moses.

What is your driving force?

My driving force is my sanity. I love to see that first splash of color on paper-to see what is in store for me from my muse. I was trained as a watercolorist in art school, so that medium is the most reflective in my work.

What kind of work you do and why?

I am a ‘Figurative Expressionism’ artist. I do my background first-whether it be acrylic, ink or graphite, then I generally set it aside until I start to see figures in it. I let the canvas or painting speak to me. I seldom have an idea in mind for a drawing, unless I have been inspired by a vintage image I have seen. I have always been fascinated by old photographs and even wrote a book about them.

Tell us more about your thought process.

I frequently have paintings in various stages of completion. I will survey my drawings or paintings each day and see which one needs attention. my feelings for that day are often expressed in my work. I also like to experiment with new supplies.

Please share with us the one modern artist whose work you find Interesting and why?

Marc Chagall is a modern artist that I have always admired. He has a dream-like quality to his paintings and finds figures in the shapes and color patterns. His work is also mainly based on emotional association.