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GVNC: What is your medium? Van Dijk: Watercolor is my medium, yet I do murals so also acrylics.
GVNC: At what point in your life did you realize your calling? Van Dijk: I always drew, and because of difficult living situations, I drew for escape. Making up my own stories. etc. I was drawing my own stories from 1st grade on. I never went to college and yet became an illustrator learning on every project, after working at Newspapers in Graphics I knew I wanted to do beautiful things.
GVNC: Tell us about your creative process. Van Dijk: I work mainly in my studio, I use reference photos I took or work out thumbnails of designs till i like them Its pretty simple.
GVNC: What inspires you? Van Dijk: I have forever been inspired by our own area and the feel of a moment to bring a person in. I truly love doing people and Octopus/sea creatures. I try so hard to paint the feel of the day if its landscape. Inspired by almost anything really.
GVNC: What are you most proud of? Van Dijk: I have a piece I did of the Yuba that has graced many homes... I am pleased with it, and my Octopus pieces. What do you love best about our creative community? we work together very well, there isn’t competition there is support for each others work. I am at Artworks Gallery and as a Co-Op we are there to introduce people to everyone's work there. That’s unique.
GVNC: Name two Nevada county artists you admire and why. Van Dijk: I cant do two, there are many i so love their work, Wendy Spratt, Mark Wilcox, Kathryn Wronski, Peggy Wright, Eileen Blodgett. I will say all these artist work hard at their craft and show up for the people here in many displays
GVNC: Tell us more about what events are coming up for you? Van Dijk: Three other artists and I have opened a Gallery over Treats the Ice Cream Store. Nevada City needs more galleries so we are doing our part. Its called the Red Dot Gallery at 210 Main Street.
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