Four Style Tips with Joyce Dwyer

Salem Arts Association Member Joyce Dwyer discovered painting years ago in an adult education program. Throughout her career, which included work in real estate and a law firm, she remained a "Sunday painter." 

Now retired, she spends time each week volunteering at the Salem Arts Association on Artists' Row greeting visitors and working on her paintings, which often feature realistic natural scenes, portraits and Salem locations, including the House of Seven Gables. Dwyer's work can be found at the gallery.

Is there particular kind of paint you prefer and why?

"[I prefer] oil.  I've used acrylics but they dried faster and I couldn't blend the colors like I wanted to."

Have you ever had any memorable or unique painting experiences?

"On the Amalfi Coast [in Italy], I painted on location, plein-air painting. It was a different experience. There is all this [visual] information and distractions. I had to pick out certain parts to focus on. The daylight changes. Hour by hour it changes so I had to process information quickly."

Is there anything you find difficult to paint?

"Technical things — painting the rigging on ships drives me nuts... I also wish I had more confidence to break out of my comfort zone to paint something more abstract."

What do you love about painting?

"Every painting is different. Every subject is different. You have to figure out which tools to use. When you paint realistically, from 3D to 2D, there is constant learning... [When working with color] I know red and blue make purple, but there are 100 shades of purple... I enjoy the challenge."