Hi there!  I am a digital painter of NH landscapes—or lakescapes as I call them since the preponderance of my drawings are of lake scenes. I am continually struck by the beauty and variety of the lakes and mountains of the area. I attempt to convey the feeling of looking out across the water (or mountains, or forests, or sky). Or I delve into a close-up look at a flower or a patch of ground. Depth and space are created through the layering of colors of varying opacity. I have a graphic design background—I was in advertising design for 20 years before teaching digital art at Laconia High School for 20  years—so my drawings are informed by a graphic sensibility—bold, simple shapes and colors, concern for the impression of a piece.

So how do I create my work? Digital painting is a relatively new medium. I use the software program, Adobe Illustrator, to create my images by substituting pixels for paint and a mouse for a brush; the computer monitor becomes my canvas.

The painting process is similar to traditional painting. A scene inspires a mental image, while my photographs provide reference. The image is drawn with the mouse (yes, I still use a mouse rather than a stylus—it’s just what I’m used to).

After the drawing is complete, it is printed with seven colors of ink on matte paper on an Epson printer. The result is a brilliantly colored serigraph-like print.

Education? I studied art at the University of Connecticut and have a BFA in painting. I also have a Master of Education from Lesley University. 

You can view more of my work at mfederspiel.com

Thanks for your interest!