Scottsdale Artists’ School: When did you first start painting? Johanne Mangi: I have loved art since I was a child but I lacked confidence in my creativity. Over time, I’ve realized creativity comes alive in many forms. In 2008, I decided to get serious about my art and focused on drawing. In 2010 I took the “plunge” and joined a historic painting group in New Haven called The Brush & Palette.
SAS: Tell us about who or what has influenced you most? JM: I discovered Richard Schmid’s figure painting book at the public library and my jaw literally dropped. I wanted to paint that way! He became one of my mentors and several years later, I was invited to join the Putney Painters. This association has brought deep and lasting friendships.
Sherrie McGraw and David Leffel have also been wonderful mentors to me. They believed in my work early on, encouraged, challenged and inspired me.
SAS: In 2020 you added online teaching to your CV. How is that going? JM: I have two instructional videos published and have been mentoring virtually for a few years, so I’m no stranger to video. I am an Art Ambassador for Royal Talens (Rembrandt brand) which is a diverse group of great artists with varying levels of experience in online teaching. We began Zooming together and learning from each other. It took me a few months to develop a format and curriculum that I knew would be a success and benefit to students, and SAS did the rest. The workshops have been really popular, I love teaching online, and I get to support the School. It’s a win-win.
SAS: What do you like most about SAS? JM: SAS is my dream school. The experience is always special. They make me feel like a celebrity and they are open to my out-of-the-box ideas. I began teaching there in 2018. My mentors taught me that we should pass on knowledge. I love to cut through the technical jargon and help students get excited about painting. I’m happy to announce that I have an in-person workshop scheduled for February 2022.
Next Generation, oil, 10 x 8" (25 x 20 cm)
SAS: What can students expect from your workshops? JM: The unexpected! I purposely take students out of their comfort zones. I paint in oils, but use other mediums such as gouache and oil sticks to stretch students and give them a fresh perspective. My main objective is confidence building.
I always have live dog models. It creates energy and the students can study the subject firsthand. I want students to have fun and trust that they can apply whatever they learn to any subject.
SAS: Describe your style and color selection? JM: ENERGETIC! That’s where I start and hopefully finish. The painting chooses the colors.
King Jimmy, oil stick, 13 x 11" (33 x 27 cm)
SAS: Why did you start painting dogs? JM: When I was a kid, I could identify all the dog breeds. I have six furry family members and I enjoy painting them from life so it’s a natural fit.
SAS: What is your secret to making dogs so lifelike? JM: Painting from life, active brushwork, and of course, their eyes!
SAS: What advice do you have for your students? JM: Love the process. Learning never stops. There’s always more to know, more to understand, more to challenge you. Paint what you love. I paint everything but it’s my passion for dogs and animals that anchors me to my art. Energy level: create when you are energetic, stop when you lose energy— that’s when muddled thinking happens and you lose your way. Find painting groups, paint with artists better than you, it will raise your game.
Borzoi, oil, 11 x 14" (27 x 35 cm). Exhibited at the AKC Museum of the Dog, NYC.
SAS: How do you measure success? JM: I’ve had great opportunities, but I’m constantly thinking, working and moving forward so success is a fleeting feeling…that’s my nature. Awards are always a nice surprise, but I don’t focus on them. I love what I do and that is the greatest success.
SAS: What does the future hold? JM: The next best painting.—
Visit www.scottsdaleartschool.org for more information on the school and its upcoming workshops.