BY CADY KUZMICH
GAZETTE REPORTER
A toothbrush, bubble wrap, old credit cards and q-tips are just a few of the tools in Joan Van Alpen’s home painting studio. This seemingly odd assortment of everyday objects helps Van Alpen create far-reaching branches, snowy pathways and strange abstractions.
Van Alpen experiments with common household items she uses to transform lines of paint into limber branches. She dips bubble wrap in paint then presses it to the canvas, lending unique textures and patterns to her “under paintings” before she layers the details above. This sense of curiosity and openness to experimentation means Van Alpen is constantly learning. “I feel like I’m still growing,” she said.
While living with her mother in Florida, Joan, twenty years old at the time, decided she needed a hobby. Her brother took up painting lessons from a woman in Jacksonville and their mother urged Joan to do the same. “Mom encouraged me to take oil painting lessons as well. Landscapes in oil became my passion.”
In 1969, Van Alpen moved north to New York and married. One of her two daughters “dabbled a little in art” but she said neither currently paint. Van Alpen now has two stepdaughters and 10 grandchildren.
Joan began taking lessons with Karen Rosaco in Delanson in 1999, transitioning from oils to watercolors.
Van Alpen said Karen convinced her to try abstract paintings with acrylics.
“It was so exciting to see to process of layering the vibrant fluid acrylics, one color on top of another,” said Van Alpen. Rosaco stressed the importance of shape, value, color, transition, line work and focal points in developing a successful painting.
CADY KUZMICH/GAZETTE REPORTER
Some of Joan Van Alpen’s painting supplies as seen in the painting room of her Halfmoon home on Jan. 22, 2016.
Rosaco moved out of New York, but Van Alpen said about 20 of Rosaco’s former students continued to meet each month to critique eachothers work and set challenges for one another.
She added, “About five years ago I was invited to join the “Friday Painters,” about 10 ladies who work independently at a church where we can observe each other painting and get ideas and critiques on the fly.”
Van Aplen is also a member of Southern Saratoga Artists Society.
“I moved to acrylic abstracts almost 12 years ago on the day my grandson Joshua was born,” she added.
Joan met her husband Joe Van Alpen in 1985 at a singles dance in the Capital Region. As so many love stories begin, she was wooed by Joe’s dance moves. “He was a great dancer,” she recalled, smiling. “He’s the love of my life.”
The Van Alpen’s love of travel, evident by the stack of photo albums on their living room coffee table documenting their adventures, has been a source of inspiration for Joan’s paintings.
CADY KUZMICH/GAZETTE REPORTER
Joan Van Alpen flips through a photo album documenting her travels through Italy and France as she sits in her living room in Halfmoon Jan. 22, 2016. She often looks to these photos for inspiration while she paints.
Of all the scenes to paint, her favorites are the nature scenes and the archways of France and Italy.
She said one of her grandaughters, 13 year old Mary in Phoenix, “has really blossomed as a painter and loves it.” Van Alpen noted Mary’s brother, Samuel,” is also showing promise.”
When her local grandchildren visit, Van Alpen said they often ask to go down to the art room for a project. She happily obliges. Her seven year old grandson Zachary once helped her with an under-painting, the often abstract base image that lies underneath the final image. She said, “the canvas was so big we had to do it on the floor.” Her 11-year-old grandson, Joshua, loves it when she lets him use her “good” paint. Her seven year old granddaughter, Julia, “seems to enjoy the watercolor painting most.”
Q & A with Joan Van Alpen:
CK: What are some of your favorite materials/types of paints or oils to use?
JV: Favorite Acrylic paints are “Golden” Brand. I work on paper as well as canvas. “Arches” 140 pound watercolor paper is a favorite. I usually use “Robert Simmons” brushes for watercolor. When working in acrylics, I use less expensive brushes, except for my very favorite acrylic brush, a “Hockey Brush.”
CK: If you could paint anything (if travel expenses and time weren’t issues) what would you paint?
JV: Archways in Italy and France. I’ve already done a few.
CK: How did you connect with the Southern Saratoga Artists Society?
JV: When we moved to Halfmoon from Delmar, I searched out and found SSAS. I’m currently a member of four artist groups in the capital district. I find it very inspirational being around other artists, and watching their demos. Keeps me painting, sometimes with a new perspective.
CK: Have you ever studied art in school?
JV: Yes in high school, and as an adult I studied with Franklin Alexander non credit courses at SUNY for two years. Most of my training has been from Karen Rosasco, who’s now moved to Virginia. Betty Apgar-Smith is also a teacher who has influenced my work. I took oil painting lessons from her in Schoharie.
CK :If you had an extra hour in the day, what would you do?
JV: During the summer my gardens take all my time, and any that’s left over.
Winter gives me a break so I can devote my non-traveling time to painting.
CK: Who or what has had the greatest influence on your work?
JV: Karen Rosasco — She moved me to transition from realistic paintings to abstract with acrylic paints. She was most inspirational, introducing me to the world of abstracts that I never imagined that I could do. It was so exciting, to see to process of layering the vibrant fluid acrylics, one color on top of another. She stressed the importance of shape, value, color, transition, line work and focal point in developing a successful painting. Since Karen moved out of state, a bunch of her students (about 20) continue to meet monthly to critique eachothers’ work and offer suggestions. We each bring in a painting monthly based upon challenges presented from the group. About five years ago I was invited to join the “Friday Painters”, about 10 ladies who work independently at a church where we can observe each other painting and get ideas and critiques on the fly. Both groups have been very helpful to me in my artistic development.
CK: Any interesting hobbies you’d like to share?
JV: Playing with the grandchildren comes first followed by painting, gardening and traveling. Also I am a fair weather golfer in a ladies league.
CADY KUZMICH/GAZETTE REPORTER
Some of Joan Van Alpen’s painting supplies as seen in the painting room of her Halfmoon home on Jan. 22, 2016.
Reach Gazette reporter Cady Kuzmich at 269-7239 or ckuzmich@dailygazette.net.
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