| Issue #33, November 10, 2006 |
Honoring the Artist: Daniel Pollera
While this week’s cover by Daniel Pollera, “August Sun,” implies that the month has come and gone, the remnants are still with us, even though it’s now November. Mr. Pollera’s penchant for evoking meaningful moods is more to the point, however, and he certainly does so in this image, no matter what the season. His signature chair, often placed on a porch or beach is also relevant, no matter what the season.
And no matter what the season, Mr. Pollera is always willing and able to share his thoughts, experiences and feelings with us, peppered with his characteristic vividness and vibrancy. Always.
Q: What kind of mood do you want to communicate with the cover image?
A: Peace, quiet, the effect of light, abstract shadows playing on the porch. I’m trying to bring an emotion to the viewer.
Q: Where did this emotional mission of yours come from? Did you learn it in school? From mentors?
A: I don’t have a formal education in art. It’s been trial and error. I figured it out.
Q: I think you’re an emotional person yourself. You want people to share the experience of what an image means to you. It’s also a signature of yours, if I may say so. You mentioned that you’re changing some of your future endeavors, which is not to suggest that your work will lose its essential aspects..
A: Some things have changed. I’m not publishing as much as I used to, maybe publishing one or two works a year during the last twelve months. I’m also really excited about my decision to try painting in oils; I haven’t done that in ten years when I created a mural for both the Roslyn Savings Bank and one for an old Tutor-style house. I think oils will be better for blending large areas of color.
Q: How about the size of your works? Are you anticipating a change?
A: Yes. I’m doing an acrylic piece now, and I wondered how it would look in a large format. It’s the side porch of a house in Maine. The shadows, columns and railings make the porch look like it’s floating.
Q: We’re curious, are your children interested in art?
A: My son is more mechanical-minded. He’ll go into civil engineering. My daughter is in college, majoring in hotel management. She has my outgoing personality; my son is creative.
Q: You have explained how your creative endeavors may be changing somewhat. How has your philosophy changed, if at all?
A: I have more control now. Now I can discipline myself. I used to be obsessive if a painting wasn’t going well. Now, when it’s time to quit working on it, I can leave. I don’t think about it. I have a life.
Q: What do you attribute that to?
A: I don’t know. My mind just fixed the obsession. Actually, my mind and body adjusted things.
Q: Are there things you do that may contribute to this attitude as well?
A: I love getting out in my boat, with my toy poodle. To feel the sun on my face, watch the sparkle of the sun on the water. To submerge myself in the environment. You owe it to yourself. It’s good for the soul.
Q: Yes, I see your point. That’s the mood you’re trying to convey in your paintings.
A: Right.
–Marion Wolberg Weiss
Mr. Pollera’s work can be seen at Southampton’s Chrysalis Gallery.
 |
