Facebook Friend on Friday: Victoria, Reflective Glow

If you have a Facebook Fan Page, do you ever wonder who some of your followers really are?  I do, when I actually have time to think about such things.  That's why I thought it was great when on a recent post, I actually started chatting back and forth with one of my followers, Victoria.

It turns out that Victoria has a Cairn Terrier named Mandy who looks a lot like me!  She also has a German Shepherd named Lady and a British Shorthair named Loki.  Even more interesting, Victoria is an artist who paints in watercolor, one of our favorite mediums.

Victoria says she loves animals so she is always following Facebook animal pages and mine is one of them.  She enjoys seeing my photos - probably because I look a lot like Mandy.

So, I asked Victoria is she would be the first of my Facebook friends that I could spotlight on my Fan Page and blog in a new contest - Facebook Friend on Fridays.  She said "Yes!" and even agreed to let me post a short interview and some of her commissioned pet portraits right here on my blog.

I hope you find Victoria as interesting and talented as I do!

When did you know you wanted to be an artist?

As a child, I was always artistic, doodling with pencils or pens, and I loved colors.  I think I was always an artist at heart but just needed to grow into using my abilities.

"Rocky" - used with permission of Reflective Glow

I love the name of your studio.  How did you studio get its name Reflective Glow?

When I first started painting, I would take my paintings to the hospital to show my dad as he always critiqued them for me.  He was in the hospital due to a stroke but loved seeing my paintings.  My husband once asked my dad what he would do if I became a very famous artist.  My dad thought a moment then said, "I would be proud and honored to bask in the reflective glow of her brilliant success."  I knew at that moment I had found the name of my studio.

What are some of the things that inspire you and your art?  What are your favorite subjects to paint and why?

I am inspired by everything around me...I especially love painting animals and their personalities.  I also love driving back roads looking for those special old barns or scenes and taking photographs for future paintings as well as just sitting and looking at nature for inspiration.

"Gracie" - used with permission of Reflective  Glow

You create in my favorite medium, watercolor.  Is this your favorite too?  What other mediums do you like to create with?

When I was young, I drew with pencils and as a teenager, pastels.  I still have the pastels my dad bought me when I was a teen.  In the mid-90s, I saw an ad for watercolor classes.  I had always loved the look of watercolors but didn't know how to use them, so I took the class.  So far, I have stayed with watercolors as I love how they express light.

Living in Virginia, do you find the change of seasons inspiring?  Do you have a favorite season to capture in your art and if so, why?

Oh yes, I love  the seasons here in Virginia!  I especially love the Fall; the colors of Fall are so inspirational.  I love driving back roads with each season to see the changing colors and the angle of the sunlight.

"Baby Girl" - with permission of Reflective Glow

Your pet portraits are wonderful.  What is the best part of painting a pet portrait for someone?

I love seeing someone's face when they first see their pet portrait.  It's just the best feeling to see tears of love for a deceased pet well up in someone's eyes when they tell me the painting looks "just like him/her".

A big thank you to Victoria for being the first of my Facebook friends to share so much about themselves with me!  I wonder who will be next?!?  Anyone who follows my Fan Page is eligible to enter my Contest.

"Livy" - with permission of Reflective Glow

To see more of Victoria's work, which includes paintings of animals, landscapes and pet portraits, you can visit her website Reflective Glow (or Click Here).