INTERVIEW - JEFF MAHORNEY
How long have you been pochade painting?
I’ve been pochade painting for about 1.5 years and I’ve done about 150 little paintings on my little rig.
What 1st got you into pochade painting?
I decided to get better by painting small and often and commited to get 120 paintings done towards that goal. Thus the name of my blog 120 paintings I needed to get my act together. I needed to organize all the gear/mess of oil painting into one setup. Now everything goes/stays in the box. I’m just crazy about it! I first saw pictures of a pochade box on Scott Burdick’s page. I thought, “OMG! This is exactly what I’ve been looking for!” Everything is contained and it neatly fit onto the tripod of your choice? What’s not to like?! And they look so cool!
What has been your best pochade place to paint or still life?
I have a still life light and setup in my office, but my favourite is to move around the house and setup wherever there is good light and subject. There’s also a field out back that I like to paint in.
What time of the year do you prefer to paint in terms of temperature and light?
spring. Warm evening light. 2 hours before direct sunlight isn’t hitting the ground anymore. So if the sun is no longer hitting ground or trees at 6pm then I like to painting at 4.
What time of the day is your favourite?
Evening, during the golden hour.
What pochade boxes do you use?
I use a 9x12 guerilla box and I love it. I know everyone raves about M box, but I got to keep everything together in one place. Need storage.
What do you keep in your pochade box colours, brushes etc?
EVERYTHING! Ok, everything but the paper towels: small sealable mason jar of OMS, Liquin, paint (white, cad yel pale, cad red, aliz crim, ultra blue, thalo blue), clinical grade q-tips(erasers). Small pallete knife, duct tape, white chalk pencil, razor, robert simmons bright/flat bristol brushes (size 2,4,6,8,12). I’m sure there’s stuff I’m forgetting.
What do you prefer to paint on, canvas board, primed millboard?
I paint on masonite primed with think black gesso that is roughly applied with a palette knife.
Who would you say is your favourite painter?
Well, I love any painter I’ve highlighted on my art blog, but if I had a favourite it would have to be Carol Marine (though Qiang Huang is up there too). My favourite landscape painter is Terry Muira.
What do you look at in a good painting more than anything?
A sense of light! If the painting has no light in it, it drives me nuts. Second I look for a strong value design (abstract value pattern).
What is your favourite size to work on (box size)?
Well I like to paint small on 6x6 or 5x7, so my 9x12 box has plenty of room. I’m considering a smaller box, but it’s nice to have the pallatte size.
Have you exhibited any pochades? If so where, gallery/sites/shows?
I exhibit online at www.dailypainters.com but I’ll also doing a few local festivals soon (Durham, NC)
If you can sum up the pochade box and what it brings to you in one sentence what would that be?
Simplicity!
