Who is Vincent?
Vincent VanGauche is a contemporary artist based in Pittsburgh, PA, whose work spans medium and genre. She has been a featured artist at festivals, a visiting artist for a gallery, and featured in national publications.
Vincent’s artistic style began with the soft, brushy techniques of the Impressionists, which she blends with a strong graphic influence and the striking intensity of modern Dopamine Art. For Vincent, the best art tells a story and she loves pieces with not only a clear headline, but also rich subtext. Though she paints a variety of subjects, she keeps coming back to portraiture. The way a human face can capture a moment, the way emotion is expressed, the way a person’s history is written on their face and body, these are the concepts she most delights in exploring.
She works across an extensive range of media, often moving between physical and digital, a process that can be tricky at first but that she finds incredibly helpful in developing both skill sets. Her primary focus is currently acrylic painting, with recent exploration into oils and plein air techniques.
When not in her studio, Vincent lives in a creative household that includes her spouse, teenage son (who is a developing comic artist), a creature that is probably a cat, and a beloved pitbull named Sweetie Penelope.
How long have you been painting?
Basically, since I was old enough to hold a paint brush.
What mediums do you work in?
Mostly acrylic paint and oil currently. But I have recently worked in gouache and watercolor. I’ve also worked in ink, pencil, pastel, photography and digital. In non-2d arts I also knit, crochet, weave, spin yarn, sculpt, and occasionally dance.
Are you interested in participating in my (publication, gallery, show, event)?
Maybe. Shoot me a message about it
Where did you go to art school?
I didnt. I’m a largely self-taught artist. Though “self-taught” doesn’t really capture the number of people who have taught me pieces of different types of art, without whom I certainly wouldn’t be able to do what I do today.
What’s your day job?
I’m a data analyst for a large pharmacy chain. Believe it or not, being a painter is incredibly valuable to my work as a data analyst.
What’s your educational background?
I have a BA in English and a Master’s in Health Informatics.
Do you work for free/exposure/experience?
No. I volunteer sometimes and donate pieces to charity auctions but otherwise, absolutely not.
Who are your artistic influences?
It should be pretty clear that I consider Van Gogh to be my largest influence. I also studied the works of the impressionists (Degas and Monet specifically) and learned those techniques early on. That way of seeing and painting has influenced everything I did after that. Being from Pittsburgh I can’t help but be influenced by Andy Warhol. Pop art and graphic art are two big influences, as well as modern Dopamine Art which brings me joy.
Do you do political art?
Well, all art is political. It’s baked into how you see the world, and thus how you express that creatively. It’s also implicit in what subjects you choose and what light you choose to show them in. I have and will continue to make pieces about important things in the world. When painting for myself I paint based on what I’m feeling at the moment, and sometimes what I feel is angry about politics.
Do you do NSFW art?
Painting human forms in the nude is a pretty big part of portraiture, and I certainly have painted nudes many times. I usually tend not to, but I have and will again in the future.
What advice do you have for young artists or people just getting into creative hobbies?
Keep doing it. The only way to get better at any craft or artform is to practice. Do something creative every day. That something creative can be working on a piece, or doodling on a post-it. Whatever it takes to flex that muscle.
Keep learning. There is an endless supply of amazing tutorials and materials out there to help you learn new techniques or styles. Try something new. Moving back and forth between mediums (especially between physical and digital) can be incredibly beneficial to your understanding of both mediums.
Learn what you think is cool and impressive. If you see someone doing something and you think to yourself “Boy I wish I could do that”, give it a shot. Even if you’re not very good at it. Especially if you’re not very good at it.
Don’t worry if you have a lull. All artists go through dry spells. Be it from art block or life stress or work or what have you- don’t sweat it. Come back when you’re ready. I do recommend, if you’re in a lull, to find a small creative activity. Coloring books are a great example. Just something to keep your hands moving and flex that mental muscle.