Meet Elizabeth Downer Riker

We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Elizabeth Downer Riker. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Elizabeth below.

Elizabeth, thank you so much for taking the time to share your lessons learned with us and we’re sure your wisdom will help many. So, one question that comes up often and that we’re hoping you can shed some light on is keeping creativity alive over long stretches – how do you keep your creativity alive?

I keep my creativity alive by nourishing it every day. A friend once told me that creativity is like a plant; if you don’t water it, it will die. I took this to heart and have since tried to explore creative thoughts and projects daily. Even if it is something small like contemplating a future sculpture or painting, I always write these ideas down in a designated art journal. If I have time, I make a sketch or a more elaborate drawing of the concept. I find that by simply taking time to think about something I’d like to create, I feel inspired and motivated. Then there are the days that I devote hours to my creative projects. I particularly love oil painting. I turned a guest bedroom in our apartment into a studio. This is such a luxury because I used to paint at the dining room table and every evening before we sat down to eat, I would have to pack up my painting and supplies. Now it is where I go first thing in the morning to write down any creative thoughts I had in the night. Having a designated space for your creativity, even if it is small, is so helpful. A place where you can keep art supplies, art books, notes, and artwork. In this space you can find a sense of inspirational quiet that helps to focus your mind and nurture your creative thoughts.

Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?

I divide my time between painting and teaching film and television. When I am painting, I always try to have a deadline for my artwork because it gives me a sense of urgency that forces me to make my own creativity a priority. Whether it is an upcoming show or a juried art contest, the approaching date keeps me focused. I believe that inspiration is crucial for making a strong piece of art however most times the hardest thing is just forcing myself to sit down and start! Once I am in front of my easel trying to work out the next steps of a painting, I get absorbed. It feels like a meditation. For me, painting is similar to solving a puzzle. There are so many elements that have to fit together to create a unified vision; there is the physical aspect of controlling the paint brush, the mixing of colors and the intellectual concepts of value, composition, and atmospheric perspective. It is a huge challenge that never ceases to fascinate me. In addition to being an educator, I also see myself as a life-long student. I love to take painting classes because they help me to hone my skills and learn new approaches. I am part of a feminist gallery called Ceres Gallery in New York City. Ceres is more than a gallery. It is a community of artists who support and inspire each other. I am also an artist member of the Salmagundi Club in NYC that is an art club where members gather for exhibits, lectures and drawing classes. Being in an artistic community is very motivating and pushes me to be a better painter.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?

Looking back, I can see how important it was for me to study art history. I have also always loved going to museums. I think seeing great art is foundational for anyone who wants to become an artist. Learning about the origins of art from the cave paintings of Lascaux, to the renaissance paintings of da Vinci and Caravaggio, to the Surrealists like Magritte and Frida Kahlo and beyond – is something that helps to educate you about what has previously been done, the techniques used and the concepts formulated. I have found that knowledge to be fundamental to my artistic practice.

I believe in mastering the techniques of whatever art form you pursue. To become a painter, I think it is important to first learn how to draw. I took portrait classes at the Art Students League in New York City. I remember one of my teachers, Sam Adoquei, telling me that I was not ready to paint the model because my figure drawing was not yet strong enough. I was devastated but I respected his opinion and focused on my drawing for some time before approaching portraiture with a paint brush. Every art form has underlying rules and techniques. It is worth putting in the time and study to master these before trying your own approach.

I also believe in “learning by doing.” In my life, I have learned the most by making my own mistakes. Painting is a never-ending journey in which I am constantly pushing up against my own limitations. No matter how many paintings I do, each one is a struggle. And yet I can see that over time my paintings have improved, my knowledge has expanded, my skills have deepened. So, for anyone starting out on an artistic journey, I would say “keep at it!” If you enjoy what you are doing, then have faith that with time and dedication, your art will improve. And what a glorious journey it is!

Looking back over the past 12 months or so, what do you think has been your biggest area of improvement or growth?

Over the past year I have found a new painting teacher, T.J. Cunningham. He launched a website called Art Journey where he gives online classes. I have been learning so much from these courses. I have always loved landscape painting and it is something that I have worked at for many years. Interestingly, the approach that Tim uses to teach the concepts of composition, value, color and light have resonated with me in a new way. It is a bit like the saying, “When the student is ready, the teacher will appear.” I learned these concepts many years ago and have been applying them in my work, but not with the success that I would like. With his help, I have been creating a “roadmap” for a successful painting that I am implementing. This tangible plan has been helping me to improve my landscapes.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.elizabethdownerriker.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elizabethdownerriker