Welcome back to ARTMATTERS: The Podcast for Artists. On today’s episode I speak with the artist Dik Liu. I studied with Dik back in the day and was thrilled when he accepted my invitation to join me for this episode. Dik F. Liu  received his MFA from Yale University. He is widely represented in exhibitions throughout the U.S. As a teacher,   Liu has taught at Cooper Union, Hofstra University, and the School of Visual Arts and is currently teaching at the New York Academy of Art, Pratt Institute, and the New School University.Today we discuss observational painting, Manet, skill, ego, abstract painting, color and light, Dik’s practice and material curiosity, the Maroger Formula, the economy of brushwork, consistency, failure, Rembrandt, world-building and painting as a form of engagement or escapism. It was great to reconnect with Dik, the man is a wealth of information and experience. This conversation is a two-parter, so stay tuned next week for the dramatic conclusion. You can now support this podcast by clicking HERE where you can donate using PATREON or PayPal!If you're enjoying the podcast so far, please rate, review, subscribe and SHARE ON INSTAGRAM!  If you have an any questions you want answered, write in to artmatterspodcast@gmail.com host: Isaac Mann www.isaacmann.cominsta: @isaac.mann guest: Dik Liu www.dikliu.com insta: @dik_liuThank you as always to ARRN, the Detroit-based artist and instrumentalist, for the music.