Today I'd like to share the life of an artist, Tim O'Neill. He's a very talented artist, and his portraits are extraordinary. I am so very impressed with his work - and as you'll see, with his philosophy of art. We were lucky enough to sit down and chat with Tim - here's what he had to say...

WE: Please tell us about your life as an artist...

TO: I was creative as a kid in a couple different ways. I loved to draw and always hung out at the art store. I loved to check out the pastels, colored pencils and various markers that were available. I was also musically inclined and really enjoyed listening and playing music. Oddly I was creative from an entrepreneurial point of view as well. My first business was like many kids, I sold Christmas cards door to door and mowed lawns.
My life today as an artist still evolves around creativity in various mediums as well as being a serial-entrepreneur. What I like most about “being” an artist is that it really is a mindset and a lifestyle. My belief is that one can “be” an artist without really creating what most of us would traditionally recognize as art.

 Portrait painting , "Grampas Hat" by Nebraska Artist Tim ONeill

WE:  What media do you work in?

TO: I really am a mixed media artist. The bulk of my work combines some digital as well as pastel, charcoal, or acrylic. Most generally the base point or beginning of a piece for me has its roots in a digital medium either from photo reference or sketched with a stylus in various art software programs.

WE:  What is your philosophy of art?

TO: Anyone can be an artist, not just those who are creating beautiful paintings, music, photographs, film, choreography, etc.. As I mentioned earlier, I believe it is a mindset and extends to creative expression of who you are. The teen who chooses a different style of clothing than the norm, the accountant who chooses to wear red converse high tops instead of penny loafers. Art is in everything we see and do on a daily basis, we just typically don’t recognize it as such. I tend to think that developing an appreciation for the arts makes a well-rounded individual. How can one listen to a piece of music or view a beautiful piece of art without momentarily being less selfish?

Portrait Art "Angel Bredahl", by Nebraska Artist Tim ONeill

WE:  How do you work art into your every day life?

TO: I create something every day. It may not always be a painting, it could be a music score, a short story or article, a poem, even a new recipe. The object is to engage in anything that will ignite the “right brain” and continue to develop and flex that creative muscle without overtly being a “painting”. That really does not address developing the physical skill set required to make my living as an artist. The “practice” portion of skill development is more grueling and in fact boorish, necessary but still a drag.

 Grandma Rocks!" Portrait Art by Tim ONeill

WE:  Do you teach others art?

TO: I love to teach as much as I love to create. As an artist, one of my most enjoyable tasks is to teach others. Our company has developed online courses and information products that we use to teach others. Subject matter varies, but much of my teaching revolves around digital painting technique, marketing, and business strategies for other artists - whether new or established. One of the things I find is that most artists are poor business people. Artists would rather paint, draw, photograph, dance or engage in whatever their medium is rather than spend time on the business side of things. What my task is in that realm is to expose best business practices, tips and techniques as a creative extension of an artist. If that can be accomplished, we can get more artists making more money and that will extend to less pressure and a more creative flow of expression.

The other side of teaching is a little more esoteric. As I still have small kids at home, I am big on the monkey see monkey do technique. That is, I want to teach through example. Day to day habits and lifestyle of myself and my family may have as much an impression on people as a piece of art that I have created.

 Painted Portrait "Bedtime Story" by Tim ONeill

WE: Thanks for sharing your art and life, Tim!

For more information, please see:

http://www.timoneillstudios.com/

and

http://www.digitalpaintmagazine.com/

Feature photo: 

 Portrait Art by Nebraska Artist Tim ONeill titled, "Lakota Pride"

All photos courtesy and copyright of Tim O'Neill.