| Issue #14 - June 27, 2008 |
Honoring the Artist: Doug Zider
The sound of people laughing and steak sizzling on the grill permeated the background as this week's cover artist, Doug Zider, enthusiastically chatted. Zider was enjoying the things he feels most passionate about: his family and nature. Yet we can't forget that Zider also loves his job as a longtime graphic artist at NBC-TV.
Q: You live a rather hectic life commuting between Long Island and New York. What are you looking forward to when you're on vacation?
A: I have five weeks for a vacation, but I'm staying home, working on an art show in September.
Q: How will this show be similar or different than past ones?
A: I'll be doing my New England themes, but the canvases will be bigger.
Q: How will you accommodate your style to the bigger size?
A: I will have the coastal landscape include a complete vista.
Q: This week's cover with a South Shore dune scene was relatively big, too. What was your objective in painting it?
A: I wanted to make it inviting, to make it seem that viewers can walk right through the dunes.
Q: You create a very detailed setting with your dunes as well. What do you call the grass?
A: Saw grass or marsh grass. It's heavily rooted, mostly in the bay area. Then there are also plants that have yellow blossoms.
Q: How about primroses? They are so lovely.
A: They don't flourish on the waterline.
Q: What other aspects do you take into account when you paint this particular scene?
A: The sky; it can be very arbitrary. Light dictates everything, depending on the time and day. Maritime artists have some of the most difficult light to consider along with gravity, wind, pushing and pulling forces.
Q: I didn't realize that you have to be a scientist to figure these things out. Besides painting, you have been at NBC for 29 years. I'm curious, how has the current economic conditions changed what you do there now?
A: The cost of materials has gone up, obviously. That applies to all artists.
Q: One thing hasn't changed. You still work across the street from Christie's Auction House.
A: I check their schedule every week. Seeing the important American painters there has been inspirational. Seeing the works up close is much better than seeing them in a museum. You can study the technique at a place like Christie's.
Q: What else inspires you?
A: When I can study other people's technique; getting advice from people is a treasure. Certain painters like Max Parrish and crossover artists who went from landscape into seascape like Turner are inspirational.
Q: Do young artists starting out inspire you? Would you like to be a mentor?
A: I would want to be with a youngster who's better than me. Speaking of children, I am inspired by playing with my kids, telling them, "Let's take this opportunity to play catch on the front lawn."
Q: Leave us with one more inspiration.
A: (laughing) To have my children and grandchildren see my own work at Christie's some day.
- Marion Wolberg Weiss
Contact Mr. Zider at his website www.dougzider.com
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