tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-76370147636626545712024-03-07T02:25:47.880-05:00Riffs: An Art BlogA music major's musings on defining the undefinable. Riffs is not a forum for critique. This is unabashed love of art and artists. Enjoy.Carolyn Hastingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17889723899756642292noreply@blogger.comBlogger18125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7637014763662654571.post-65709377845785662015-01-12T17:52:00.000-05:002015-01-12T17:52:46.923-05:00All About the Passion: An Interview with Linda Bell<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.lindabell.ca/" target="_blank">Linda Bell</a>'s passion for art and life bursts off the canvas of her carefully crafted collages. A career outside of the art world, children and marriage "intruded," as Linda says, causing her to put the creation of art aside for many years. That's one side of the story. Looking at her collages, mixed media art and acrylic paintings, the cumulative experiences of a life joyfully and fully experienced permeates every aspect of her work. </span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Well done, Linda Bell. Let's chat.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Blue Moon</b><br />
by Linda Bell</span></td></tr>
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</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Q1. What is your first memory of art?</b> </span><br />
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</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>A1.</b> My first memory connected to art likely comes from my mom telling the story of when I was five and busy painting a Christmas tree in a school classroom. The local newspaper had sent around a journalist and photographer to my elementary school and the principal of the school (who just happened to be my uncle) brought them to the Kindergarten room. Apparently, they tried to talk to me but I was so entranced and busy with my painting I ignored them. The photographer did, however, shoot a picture of me painting away and it appeared on the front page of the paper. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Twitter</b><br />
by Linda Bell</span></td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Q2. What was the first work of art you created?</span></b><br />
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</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>A2.</b> I am not sure. I did dabble in drawing and painting in high school and then university a bit but life intruded and a career, marriage and children took over and I did no art except a pottery class for many, many years. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Tea Party Fiesta</b><br />
by Linda Bell</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Q3. Was there a point in your life when you decided to try art, or were you always an artist?</b> </span><br />
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</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>A3.</b> I was always an artist wannabe. I do remember the moment, however, after my son was born when I felt an overwhelming need to do something just for myself and that something was art. So I enrolled in a local watercolour class and somehow found a way to get there. I used to laugh and tell people that I was going to my therapy — but really for me it was serious, a form of escape and meditation. Since then I have painted off and on for many years. I retired almost 6 years ago now and now I have the time and freedom to paint when I want. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Musician NYC</b><br />
by Linda Bell</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Q4. Are there specific triggers that cause you to race to a blank canvas/paper or do you impose a certain discipline on yourself?</b> </span><br />
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</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>A4.</b> I am totally undisciplined when it comes to painting - it is my joy, not my job, so I paint when I feel the need to paint. I have weeks when I don’t pick up a brush and weeks when the ideas and the desire to paint take over and I paint from morning to night. The only times when I have disciplined myself and pushed myself to paint have been when I have been preparing for a show. When I have done this, however, I have not always been happy with the results. We are all different, though, and I know some artists believe you should go into your studio every day — but that is not me and I don’t have to follow anyone's rules when it comes to this area of my life — hurrah! </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Cat Nap</b><br />
by Linda Bell</span></td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Q5. When you are working on a piece, is there a point at which you realize you have a masterpiece taking shape on the canvas/paper?</span></b><br />
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</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>A5.</b> Well, I am still waiting to create that masterpiece. You know that saying “<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hope_Springs_Eternal" target="_blank">hope springs eternal</a>.” Every new painting you start has that possibility. In fact some of what I consider my better paintings have been done over top of “old paintings.” I think it is because one has a feeling of there is nothing to lose so it is freeing. Of course, I have created really big messes that way, too. On another note I have recently realized that I need to leave a painting alone for a while after I think I have finished as I lose all perspective and don’t know if it is good or not so great or what to do to make it better. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxigHULjJABDpM2Ot7Nc9MSpS2vW5pP3Oig1jIhiS0s-UP_EBTtt3-mHYiTVE9Vn19T2mPhdLt3fbVtbDL-RLHfP0kdUUxADeg_V37a_MwuRRVTEmy3XHCo-0iNY1TTGiDF62UkdoNEbI/s1600/f07bc018a3ecf61d40347a1b5366b4b1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxigHULjJABDpM2Ot7Nc9MSpS2vW5pP3Oig1jIhiS0s-UP_EBTtt3-mHYiTVE9Vn19T2mPhdLt3fbVtbDL-RLHfP0kdUUxADeg_V37a_MwuRRVTEmy3XHCo-0iNY1TTGiDF62UkdoNEbI/s1600/f07bc018a3ecf61d40347a1b5366b4b1.jpg" height="320" width="315" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Morning Tea</b><br />
by Linda Bell</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Q6. Are there any artists you find particularly inspiring?</b> </span><br />
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</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>A6.</b> It's hard to know where to start with this question. My tastes are somewhat eclectic and so I love all kinds of art and artists. So I will just list the artists that spring to mind — <a href="http://www.paul-cezanne.org/" target="_blank">Paul Cezanne</a>, <a href="http://www.iklimt.com/" target="_blank">Gustav Klimt</a>, <b>[Henri]</b> <a href="http://www.henri-matisse.net/" target="_blank">Matisse</a>, and <a href="http://www.guggenheim.org/new-york/collections/collection-online/artists/bios/851" target="_blank">Georges Braque</a> to start with. Then as a Canadian I have to mention the <a href="http://www.groupofsevenart.com/" target="_blank">Group of Seven</a> and in particular <a href="http://www.macleans.ca/culture/arts/how-comedian-steve-martin-became-a-champion-for-lawren-harris/" target="_blank">Lawren Harris</a> and <a href="http://groupofsevenart.com/AJ-Casson-Group-Of-Seven-Art" target="_blank">A J Casson</a>. </span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I love the abstract and graphic art of such artists as <a href="http://www.rexray.com/" target="_blank">Rex Ray</a>, <a href="http://www.annesprints.com/" target="_blank">Anne Moore</a> and <a href="http://www.kristaharris.com/" target="_blank">Krista Harris</a>. I bought a DVD by <a href="http://www.annebagby.com/Anne_Bagby/home.html" target="_blank">Anne Bagby</a> several years ago and her patterns and techniques have been an inspiration ever since. I do a lot of collage so I am always drawn to other artists who work with collage and mixed media - but there are too many to list here. </span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">That is why I love <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/lindabellshaw/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a> so I can collect images from these artists - how great is that. Another current artist whose work just takes my breath away is <a href="http://www.deanmitchellstudio.com/" target="_blank">Dean Mitchell.</a> I have to stop now or I could go on and on. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFleTYF8INJoDQPhokH_EhF40VdHRxZZaC84Ay2u8Gd2YnAKl3lLXKVD_dGhiA3NDEvwfm13CzUxW0kB1cSQnudlgVqI4tdlMlR25H6rgiy3Y5ZEuodr_YHG-4G7rAGSGdeaV9PlT2xpM/s1600/54a5fe511f2d0a865e0bc4ed8fab9ca0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFleTYF8INJoDQPhokH_EhF40VdHRxZZaC84Ay2u8Gd2YnAKl3lLXKVD_dGhiA3NDEvwfm13CzUxW0kB1cSQnudlgVqI4tdlMlR25H6rgiy3Y5ZEuodr_YHG-4G7rAGSGdeaV9PlT2xpM/s1600/54a5fe511f2d0a865e0bc4ed8fab9ca0.jpg" height="320" width="317" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>It's a Numbers Game #2</b><br />
by Linda Bell</span></td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Q7. Are there any non-artists you find particularly inspiring?</span></b><br />
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</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>A7.</b> Again, a lot to consider with this question. I think right now I am inspired by those people and leaders who work to make this world a better place. I have a medical background and right now I am just amazed by the healthcare providers who are risking their lives to provide care for people with Ebola. I am also inspired by people who are working to improve the lives of women and children around the world. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaCgtV_TpMKDdaJswli9tZweL2YHTtXoMJG42cUn2F2M91-RvGz-skD4yeguv4LhqoHXG_yvcalVJ3gTPr3QvoSyHwgQXnmPJ6CYjZJ3wM5Vmid3zGWD6DYmCCLK6Vq0Kh9U27b0HqbHY/s1600/8a93b8b069777ddab13125a1fc4d42c3-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaCgtV_TpMKDdaJswli9tZweL2YHTtXoMJG42cUn2F2M91-RvGz-skD4yeguv4LhqoHXG_yvcalVJ3gTPr3QvoSyHwgQXnmPJ6CYjZJ3wM5Vmid3zGWD6DYmCCLK6Vq0Kh9U27b0HqbHY/s1600/8a93b8b069777ddab13125a1fc4d42c3-1.jpg" height="312" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Time Out</b><br />
by Linda Bell</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Q8. Please answer a question I didn’t ask.</b> </span><br />
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</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>A8.</b> Thank you for this opportunity first of all. I have people say to me how lucky I am to be an artist and in the past I used to reply that anyone can be an artist and that there are classes and books and other artists they could learn from. I still believe that people can learn to draw and paint — but I have realized recently that really it is not about learning specific things it is more about the passion — that's a corny word, I know, but I think it is the best word for it. Those of us that are artists have a desire and need to do what we do. It has its ups and downs, the frustrations when things don’t work out, the paintings that don’t sell or get into a juried show, but those are minor and fleeting, it is about the process and the joy of creating that drives us. So now I first say yes, that I appreciate how very lucky I am. I hope other artists also feel a sense of gratitude for this gift that gives meaning to our lives.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji4Qxe4vrmjV8xPsEEcuKD6UUd5W47gHl2smSBqgixvvBzViFUxZQWMQAsuA4KQLm8xEhgOTy99ztvde7YElRWci9jY6cynV5tVNn4jQQyDK1jYkdcG_Sb2sZPIoNneNl0-XAKdPENLZU/s1600/lean_on_me.w450h450.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji4Qxe4vrmjV8xPsEEcuKD6UUd5W47gHl2smSBqgixvvBzViFUxZQWMQAsuA4KQLm8xEhgOTy99ztvde7YElRWci9jY6cynV5tVNn4jQQyDK1jYkdcG_Sb2sZPIoNneNl0-XAKdPENLZU/s1600/lean_on_me.w450h450.jpg" height="160" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Lean on Me</b><br />
by Linda Bell</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Q9. Where can we see (and purchase) your work?</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>A9.</b> My work can be found on my <a href="http://www.lindabell.ca/" target="_blank">Web site</a>; </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">the <a href="http://www.artists.ca/" target="_blank">Federation of Canadian Artists</a>' site; and</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><a href="http://www.aionart.com/" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Aion Gallery</a>, <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">an art gallery which also offers art rental services.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaebxP5bG8-TWwdh8Xh7A-f-pvVMxhTeUPf_E-ovK5t5tf7uMJn7__KVvPNLYVKKzH3bs7lZ1gk43l3QhP4cab-5mn0gqzlSrzXbXmVlsFBzUweEBsNGQtuPN8-IjJsHBV3hh1Vhtrsc0/s1600/p1000295-1.w450h450.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaebxP5bG8-TWwdh8Xh7A-f-pvVMxhTeUPf_E-ovK5t5tf7uMJn7__KVvPNLYVKKzH3bs7lZ1gk43l3QhP4cab-5mn0gqzlSrzXbXmVlsFBzUweEBsNGQtuPN8-IjJsHBV3hh1Vhtrsc0/s1600/p1000295-1.w450h450.jpg" height="319" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Just Checking</b><br />
by Linda Bell</span></td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">===========================================</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></b> <b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thanks for stopping by, Linda. There’s always a passionate beagle to pet and a cup of hot tea at the ready in Lakewood. Don’t be a stranger.</span></b><br />
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})();</script>Carolyn Hastingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17889723899756642292noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7637014763662654571.post-16870806718671121842014-11-17T08:53:00.000-05:002015-01-11T17:28:02.150-05:00"No Art, Just Start" - An Interview with Jim Harris<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When I first saw <a href="http://www.saatchiart.com/jimharris" target="_blank">Jim Harris</a>'s work - those shapes, those forms, those colors, music on a canvas - I knew what had to be done. A <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/cihastings/art-jim-harris/" target="_blank">Pinterest board</a> must be created. Check.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The more I stared at his 620+ works on <a href="http://www.saatchiart.com/jimharris" target="_blank">Saatchi Art</a>, the more I wanted to know about Jim. Where does he live? How in the world does he make music with a paintbrush? Once again, I knew what had to be done. Plead with Jim for an interview. Check.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Colony 1</b><br />by Jim Harris</span></td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Let's chat.</span></b><br />
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</b></span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Q1. What is your first memory of art?</b></span><br />
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</b></span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>A1. </b> My father worked in advertising and one day when I was 5 or 6 he brought home pictures of animals drawn from my name made by an artist on a local TV channel. I thought they were really fantastic. I thought art had some magical qualities at that point. <b>[Editor's note: Oh, Jim, it does, it does.]</b></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Let me see what spring is like <br />on Jupiter and Mars</b><br />by Jim Harris</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Q2. What is the first work of art you created?</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>A2.</b> I've been drawing since I was a child so I really don't remember. When I was in the 4th grade I started to make somewhat complex battle scenes of the American Revolution and the American Civil War, lots of soldiers, forts and canons. I also liked drawing Medieval Knights on horses. My first oil painting was made in High School - it was a painting of a giant olive. <b>[Editor's mental note: Follow up interview; ask what came between war, horses, forts and the giant olive.]</b></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>I Dreamt of a Red House Last Night</b><br />by Jim Harris</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Q3. Was there a point in your life when you decided to try art, or were you always an artist?</b></span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>A3.</b> I've always enjoyed making art. In my teens and twenties I struggled between art and music, I thought I could only do one or the other. Then I just let them co-exist. But the visual arts are more important to me now.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Ludwig Van</b><br />by Jim Harris</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Q4. Are there specific triggers that cause you to race to a blank canvas/paper or do you impose a certain discipline on yourself?</b></span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>A4.</b> I paint every day so I'm pretty disciplined. The more I work the more I become inspired. Sometimes dreams inspire me. Art museums really inspire me. Music always inspires me. When I attended The School of the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston, I had drawing classes with Bill Flynn whose slogan was "No art, just start." I always recall that slogan if I feel lazy.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Untitled</b><br />by Jim Harris</span></td></tr>
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<b style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Q5. When you are working on a piece, is there a point at which you realize you have a masterpiece taking shape on the canvas/paper?</b><br />
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</b></span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>A5. </b> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I usually get fed up with a painting and give up for the day, when I return the next morning I realize it's done or almost.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Sun Ra: Angels and Demons at Play</b><br />by Jim Harris</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Q6. Your <a href="http://www.saatchiart.com/jimharris" target="_blank">Saatchi</a> bio describes you as an "American Artist Living and Working in Japan." Can you tell us the journey that took you to Japan? Is there something about Japan that informs/inspires your art?</b></span><br />
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</b></span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>A6. </b>My wife is Japanese, that's why I live in Japan. The architecture in Tokyo is really fantastic - so many different angles and colors. Old Buddhist Temples and Shrines really inspire me in the Japanese countryside. The clouds and blue skies over Japan are really dramatic and have a great influence on me every day. Walking down the street I collect lots of visual information and store it in my brain, I later use these sights as reference in my studio. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSYrMu3GFtLoREf3N8NOAlmF8nfcIVCfvutCyCSsbIrUESt9yrZwBabT58FgZq0bfpLK9WXdNC9ZRi0xDyURNMRTsB-WeKN8LzzO1R3nWQpoTpBsILsNeFTZqqIuw6vV5APhbm5HMCzTM/s1600/975639-7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSYrMu3GFtLoREf3N8NOAlmF8nfcIVCfvutCyCSsbIrUESt9yrZwBabT58FgZq0bfpLK9WXdNC9ZRi0xDyURNMRTsB-WeKN8LzzO1R3nWQpoTpBsILsNeFTZqqIuw6vV5APhbm5HMCzTM/s1600/975639-7.jpg" height="320" width="253" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>紅樓夢</b><br />by Jim Harris</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Q7. Your work, though mostly abstract, has a flow, a musicality that is so appealing. I notice many of your pieces have the word "jazz" in the label portion of the description. Would you talk about music and its influence on your art?</b></span><br />
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</b></span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>A7.</b> I love pretty much all kinds of music. I've been playing guitar for many years. I studied Chinese music for two years when I lived in NYC <b>[New York City]</b>. As a teenager I listened to <a href="http://www.openculture.com/2013/01/the_history_of_punk_rock.html" target="_blank">Punk</a>, <a href="http://djrioblog.com/2013/11/26/new-wave-artists-aging-gracefully-an-80s-world-gone-by/" target="_blank">New Wave</a> and <a href="http://pitchfork.com/features/articles/6764-no-the-origins-of-no-wave/" target="_blank">No Wave</a>, bands such as <a href="http://www.theclash.com/" target="_blank">The Clash</a>, <a href="http://www.rollingstone.com/music/news/hear-velvet-undergrounds-stripped-back-live-im-waiting-for-the-man-20141105" target="_blank">Velvet Underground</a>, <a href="http://www.punk77.co.uk/punkhistory/newyorkdolls.htm" target="_blank">The New York Dolls</a>, <a href="http://www.mc5.org/" target="_blank">MC5</a>, <a href="http://blackflagofficial.com/" target="_blank">Black Flag</a> etc. I later got into avant-garde music and eventually graduated to jazz. I've listened to a lot of <a href="http://www.milesdavis.com/us/home" target="_blank">Miles Davis</a>, <a href="http://hardbop.tripod.com/criss.html" target="_blank">Sonny Criss</a>, <a href="http://www.last.fm/music/Grant+Green" target="_blank">Grant Green</a>, <a href="http://www.pbs.org/jazz/biography/artist_id_coleman_ornette.htm" target="_blank">Ornette Coleman</a>, <a href="http://tricentricfoundation.org/" target="_blank">Anthony Braxton</a>, <a href="http://www.furious.com/perfect/ericdolphy.html" target="_blank">Eric Dolphy</a>, <a href="http://www.billevans.nl/" target="_blank">Bill Evans</a>, etc. Music really pushes my art and gives me lots of energy. The geometric forms in my paintings have a strong tie to jazz. I believe Abstract Expression and jazz go hand in hand. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Sonny Clark Quintet 1959 <br />~ Some Clark Bars</b><br />by Jim Harris</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Q8. Are there any artists you find particularly inspiring?</b> </span><br />
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</b></span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>A8.</b> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.artic.edu/aic/collections/artwork/15156" target="_blank">Hans Hofmann</a>, <a href="http://arshilegorkyfoundation.org/image-gallery" target="_blank">Arshile Gorky</a>, <a href="http://www.matta-art.com/" target="_blank">Roberto Matta</a> and <a href="http://diebenkorn.org/" target="_blank">Richard Diebenkorn</a> to name a few. I like <a href="http://www.warholfoundation.org/" target="_blank">Andy Warhol</a> for his work ethic. I really think he changed the art world forever. His influence can still be felt today.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1hCDLAJgLZJ1sZbZ1L552HqyOhLNdn5p1qedPJzri0yptF3WkfdAjeV2IxTmIoi9VtnV2zx71NOlGR0yefLx2w4mmcz47Mbaaz-RfDwzBhbiR9I-Beaj0Z759lsDWahYvOmOhLJeTFoQ/s1600/1470593-7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1hCDLAJgLZJ1sZbZ1L552HqyOhLNdn5p1qedPJzri0yptF3WkfdAjeV2IxTmIoi9VtnV2zx71NOlGR0yefLx2w4mmcz47Mbaaz-RfDwzBhbiR9I-Beaj0Z759lsDWahYvOmOhLJeTFoQ/s1600/1470593-7.jpg" height="320" width="221" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Dreams of My Homeland</b><br />by Jim Harris</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Q9. Are there any non-artists you find particularly inspiring?</b></span><br />
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</b></span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>A9.</b> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.robertquine.com/" target="_blank">Robert Quine</a>, a guitarist who played with <a href="http://www.richardhell.com/" target="_blank">Richard Hell</a> and <a href="http://www.rollingstone.com/music/videos/see-john-cales-touching-lou-reed-tribute-on-anniversary-of-his-death-20141027" target="_blank">Lou Reed</a>. His solo instrumental work is really great. I used to see him walking on the street in New York all the time. I find his work inspiring.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Fats</b><br />by Jim Harris</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><br /><b>[Full Disclosure</b>: <b>I commissioned and purchased <br />this work after asking Jim to paint whatever <br />came to mind while listening to <a href="http://www.fatswaller.org/" target="_blank">Fats Waller</a>]</b></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Q10. Please answer a question I didn’t ask.</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>A10.</b> I believe the Internet has changed the art world forever, it has really changed the playing field. Ten years ago if you wanted to see new challenging art, you would have to go to a brick and mortar gallery in Soho or some other urban destination, now with the Internet, there seems to be an endless flow of brave new exciting art from all over the globe easily accessible at your fingertips. However, I still enjoy the smell of oil paint whenever I walk into a gallery.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRHDql-Z4FgAkXuZ7soy9Fy8TTx8iZMC0vIeU10Bk1OBL8F5Z9WAj_jpfoC6q-4KNe22QjGZlN30myQglGlvH7nEwf2ug6Yc2aAk5EfSl7AhdKpcD2b66ABfWt4sM-Quq3a28O646MOxA/s1600/1167804-7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRHDql-Z4FgAkXuZ7soy9Fy8TTx8iZMC0vIeU10Bk1OBL8F5Z9WAj_jpfoC6q-4KNe22QjGZlN30myQglGlvH7nEwf2ug6Yc2aAk5EfSl7AhdKpcD2b66ABfWt4sM-Quq3a28O646MOxA/s1600/1167804-7.jpg" height="320" width="226" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Lush Life</b><br />by Jim Harris</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Q11. Where can we see (and purchase) your work?</b><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>A11.</b> <a href="http://www.saatchiart.com/jimharris">http://www.saatchiart.com/jimharris</a> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjISk5ogE9JjDjPNoxULDUdU7wx_8BO87ovRqkuzJfs-O2oXIxWTAHd4JNWS80hH4DE4hM6JHhbjTD-nckdEwHABwownscV4FgplQTJeAgpwCbMS3dhSbyowtFTw4TRIURW6Zbo9hVqQpI/s1600/1178499-7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjISk5ogE9JjDjPNoxULDUdU7wx_8BO87ovRqkuzJfs-O2oXIxWTAHd4JNWS80hH4DE4hM6JHhbjTD-nckdEwHABwownscV4FgplQTJeAgpwCbMS3dhSbyowtFTw4TRIURW6Zbo9hVqQpI/s1600/1178499-7.jpg" height="196" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>The Duke</b><br />by Jim Harris</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>===================================================================</b><br />
<b><br />
</b> <b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thanks for stopping by, Jim. There’s always a beagle to pet and a cup of hot tea at the ready in Lakewood. Don’t be a stranger.</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></b> <b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></b><br />
<br />
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})();</script>Carolyn Hastingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17889723899756642292noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7637014763662654571.post-77531990777548482362014-10-26T19:29:00.001-04:002014-11-17T08:54:41.645-05:00A Purple Shirt, a White Beard, a Life Change: An Interview with Cristina Surplus<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.cristinasurplus.com/" target="_blank">Cristina Surplus</a>. Such an evocative name. A warehouse bulging with paintings and painting supplies, masterpieces slightly outside of the building as even the windows give way. What is all this? Surplus, of course. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Cristina's Web site, "Inspired by David", gives full credit to her friend and mentor, <a href="http://thedailycougar.com/2010/09/07/art-professor-remembered-for-intensity-dedication/" target="_blank">David Hickman</a>, for her artistic development and career choice. And she showcases the work of artists she admires. Cristina's generosity knows no bounds. Surplus. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My favorite works remain the first works of Cristina's I saw, her <a href="http://www.cristinasurplus.com/new-york-bringing-bold-colors-to-the-city/" target="_blank">New York series</a>. Color so bold it takes your breath away. In fact, one might say there is a surplus of color.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Let's chat.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN8XoF7ud0unWCTGmAqlOIgqfIv1nkfNKvhS4bJT5ViWeF21iO2Oc5no_afj9793hpmMu1IgIfC7HyRp7ChI8JQ21e1-6zwTNpja30OrUZR5dDULDPvNALF91VH4eWUOQvf658mnYcrvw/s1600/New+York+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN8XoF7ud0unWCTGmAqlOIgqfIv1nkfNKvhS4bJT5ViWeF21iO2Oc5no_afj9793hpmMu1IgIfC7HyRp7ChI8JQ21e1-6zwTNpja30OrUZR5dDULDPvNALF91VH4eWUOQvf658mnYcrvw/s1600/New+York+5.JPG" height="216" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>The West Village </b>(New York Series)<br />
by Cristina Surplus</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b></b><br />
<a name='more'></a><b>==================================================================</b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></b> <b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Q1. What is your first memory of art?</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>A1.</b> I was very, very young (maybe 6?) when I started drawing in a sketch</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">pad <b>[Editor's note: When I was 6, the first of many art teachers was looking at me with disgust as if I deliberately drew "incorrectly". They couldn't kill my love for art, though. Even if I never tried to draw my shoe again.]</b>. My older sister, Michelle, was taking art classes and I would mimic her </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">by looking at an inanimate object and then copying it the best I could.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMh7Lo3hlYqmKUqkhLuE31ZXjuEQWU7TU749RN2ttAAWxg3rJ5rvdTn1jIkKCQqcSfpxfd8xWVG-RsA8qGMoKIr7O750pf3q1Z9irJMSupTt6-Z0uoDkdJlPMiFlP0Y99HTUE9IRKIE_A/s1600/Floral+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMh7Lo3hlYqmKUqkhLuE31ZXjuEQWU7TU749RN2ttAAWxg3rJ5rvdTn1jIkKCQqcSfpxfd8xWVG-RsA8qGMoKIr7O750pf3q1Z9irJMSupTt6-Z0uoDkdJlPMiFlP0Y99HTUE9IRKIE_A/s1600/Floral+2.JPG" height="243" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>The Butterfly</b><br />
by Christina Surplus</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Q2. What is the first work of art you created?</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>A2.</b> Well, if you mean the first work that I would let others see, then that</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">would be a Henri Matisse that I copied and painted on a large canvas. It</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">hung in our rental right after we got married. People would walk in and say,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Wow! Did you paint that?” I would always say, “Yes, I did!”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But, then I would feel guilty and tell them I copied it from one of the most</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">influential painters of all time. Sadly, that usually left them less impressed. <b>[Brilliant. What better way to understand art than to recreate the best? I'm not disappointed at this confession. I'm impressed.]</b> It </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">wasn’t long after that I realized original work is the way to go. <b>[That works, too.]</b></span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGXps5VzVBJHDfNhfIU_kVphYKlUaR0Vl8jF3aw3Ttk9SKiK05ovbsmh3IBhoJs4LwBIYcEQ7wAD-rIgbHGKRSM2Uzau5DFvnZimrq3k0UJTT_GXDf6tFOhqMUcNmTQS6U6PEQD8O_aow/s1600/New+York+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGXps5VzVBJHDfNhfIU_kVphYKlUaR0Vl8jF3aw3Ttk9SKiK05ovbsmh3IBhoJs4LwBIYcEQ7wAD-rIgbHGKRSM2Uzau5DFvnZimrq3k0UJTT_GXDf6tFOhqMUcNmTQS6U6PEQD8O_aow/s1600/New+York+1.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>E. 47th and </b><b>Lex </b>(New York Series)<br />
by Cristina Surplus</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Q3. Was there a point in your life when you decided to try art, or were you </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">always an artist?</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>A3.</b> I was always a closet artist. I sketched, doodled, colored, and painted</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">starting at a very young age. However, it wasn’t until I met <a href="https://www.facebook.com/InMemoriamDavidHickman" target="_blank">David Hickman</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">in my mid-20’s that I really started taking it seriously.</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLdPzh0EQaZj8hhOKg6h4gzDwDQrw2PyGd0uPOzOEI1H3HERELFFTUj8q5waamLNI3rV-OOq_1QuCDqaQTvOB2jtXHU15YMi-IMuvWauMJCisskPAlkBf9jcOzrtduzgiO4yjDhbnLFUs/s1600/Floral+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLdPzh0EQaZj8hhOKg6h4gzDwDQrw2PyGd0uPOzOEI1H3HERELFFTUj8q5waamLNI3rV-OOq_1QuCDqaQTvOB2jtXHU15YMi-IMuvWauMJCisskPAlkBf9jcOzrtduzgiO4yjDhbnLFUs/s1600/Floral+1.JPG" height="320" width="297" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Flower Burst</b><br />
by Cristina Surplus</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Q4. Would you tell us about David Hickman and his influence on your life?</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>A4. </b>We were renting a very funky house in a very funky neighborhood in</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Houston. Directly behind us, lived a kind-eyed, tall man with a striking white</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">beard. I noticed early on that every time I saw him, he was wearing a</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">purple shirt. One day, I decided to stop and ask him about his fascinating</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">clothing choice. He told me he was an artist and that purple was his</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“signature color.” He invited me into his house and I remember having a true</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">visceral reaction to his paintings. They were huge and bright and made me feel excited and alive. The shapes he created ranged from sharp or jagged,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">to fluid and feminine. I was awe-struck at his talent.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Then, he asked me two very simple questions. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Do you paint?” I answered, </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">“Yes, but it’s been a long time and I’m not very good.”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">His next question changed the course of my life from that moment on. He</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">asked me, “Why do you think you’re not very good?”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I realized right then and there that I was the only one placing judgment on</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">my work. Something shifted within me and I decided to get out of my own</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">way. I literally went home that day and started painting large scale pieces.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">He mentored me, guided me, and inspired me. But most of all, he</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">encouraged me to believe in myself.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOGHPFH6ut7_izRgTsOB6QN9kGAXXteVSY5xQbyKpRkN4sz78zR_8b2elnjxhEg8pmSLSI40ppuY4wbDfPgwS_9KQ2I0Pa5Ob43R3I0nlMjF5vxVnBsHJy80TqbNBL2GBfs64rCp1Zgjg/s1600/New+York+6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOGHPFH6ut7_izRgTsOB6QN9kGAXXteVSY5xQbyKpRkN4sz78zR_8b2elnjxhEg8pmSLSI40ppuY4wbDfPgwS_9KQ2I0Pa5Ob43R3I0nlMjF5vxVnBsHJy80TqbNBL2GBfs64rCp1Zgjg/s1600/New+York+6.JPG" height="255" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Soho </b>(New York Series)<br />
by Cristina Surplus</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Q5. Are there specific triggers that cause you to race to a blank canvas/</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">paper or do you impose a certain discipline on yourself?</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>A5.</b> I can only create what inspires me at my very core. I got that from Mr.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hickman. I know as soon as it happens because I feel it in my body. It’s an</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">energy like no other for me.</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf1aAwb2JAPdl_QW2rB78LK_N4CheDA0rQCwyc4zj-PxOasnnN7P-s2msifQ6VTZCJ-H5K_-pd5afwCI7GAOkWMiMYIzzr7OJ9qenkB8mOHAuV3JtCoHac74JPgyMZ0RhAOxcZ9JPlbn4/s1600/Floral+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf1aAwb2JAPdl_QW2rB78LK_N4CheDA0rQCwyc4zj-PxOasnnN7P-s2msifQ6VTZCJ-H5K_-pd5afwCI7GAOkWMiMYIzzr7OJ9qenkB8mOHAuV3JtCoHac74JPgyMZ0RhAOxcZ9JPlbn4/s1600/Floral+3.JPG" height="320" width="245" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Trio</b><br />
by Cristina Surplus</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Q6. What inspired your incredible New York architecture series?</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>A6.</b> The energy I mentioned above is what I feel when I enter Manhattan. I</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">can tell you that as soon as the cab comes out from under the tunnel and I</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">see those magnificent buildings, my heart starts racing and I let go of any</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">stress or negativity I may have been carrying. I live in Southern California,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">but I have New York City all around me at all times through my work.</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGscJ6I8N_IVp7MNKaF3f3IfK_osE2gtxBuu5uwgJCvl2OTI7tPKj_gKl3AnMnbcYa_dYnNCcHyf33GsXbUqqjjSvmxD3shyIqLXBmD55B3dMGdF6uLtQ54F70IFG5o03icmI_et8tsWo/s1600/New+York+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGscJ6I8N_IVp7MNKaF3f3IfK_osE2gtxBuu5uwgJCvl2OTI7tPKj_gKl3AnMnbcYa_dYnNCcHyf33GsXbUqqjjSvmxD3shyIqLXBmD55B3dMGdF6uLtQ54F70IFG5o03icmI_et8tsWo/s1600/New+York+3.JPG" height="253" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>The Essex </b>(New York Series)<br />
by Cristina Surplus</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Q7. When you are working on a piece, is there a point at which you realize </span></b><b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">you have a masterpiece taking shape on the canvas/paper?</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>A7.</b> I definitely know whether a piece is working or not. Mostly, this is based</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">on the color palate. The downside of working with large scale canvas, is that</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">when I don’t like the colors I’ve picked, I have a lot of ground to cover up.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">But, when the colors are working and I feel the good energy flowing, I’m</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">pretty darn happy.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVHijfV3bBjPK2YVBKPxCxfrdrhfdWFfZWCcZLSmPf8NoWXsf3hzfALdYv-GQN8YgE_WaIm5F-EJz93uPCr9juNfwTHUeTk06iaPdSzbEvO28n_5rKdOaPVFNiBQbDHfiAuKagoIygjSs/s1600/Cristina+Surplus+Misc+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVHijfV3bBjPK2YVBKPxCxfrdrhfdWFfZWCcZLSmPf8NoWXsf3hzfALdYv-GQN8YgE_WaIm5F-EJz93uPCr9juNfwTHUeTk06iaPdSzbEvO28n_5rKdOaPVFNiBQbDHfiAuKagoIygjSs/s1600/Cristina+Surplus+Misc+2.JPG" height="320" width="255" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Taos </b>(Santa Fe Series)<br />
by Cristina Surplus</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Q8. Are there any artists you find particularly inspiring?</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>A8.</b> I am truly inspired by all artists because I know what it takes to put your</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">work out there. It’s a vulnerability that at some point everybody has to deal</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">with in one way or another.</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5I0NJ6s7zVd0t0yvwDNwIjxcT9oGw7-ARADlQp0AlOLMasypLPnu890bXHp_lr7lUFv9MYR_mNQ5td3i3yU0bMTvC_g-vQvKHMGjTFu6qIuVj9_GxnyI9FmDpyi0dhaMUhTSQg3AODFs/s1600/New+York+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5I0NJ6s7zVd0t0yvwDNwIjxcT9oGw7-ARADlQp0AlOLMasypLPnu890bXHp_lr7lUFv9MYR_mNQ5td3i3yU0bMTvC_g-vQvKHMGjTFu6qIuVj9_GxnyI9FmDpyi0dhaMUhTSQg3AODFs/s1600/New+York+4.JPG" height="245" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Guess Where </b>(New York Series)<br />
by Cristina Surplus</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Q9. Are there any non-artists you find particularly inspiring?</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>A9.</b> Everybody is an artist. <b>[Ummm . . . there's about 37 art teachers in New Jersey who would disagree with that theory based solely on the outline of my shoe.] </b>Seriously, at all times every single person in this </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">world is creating something. I don’t hold art to something physical or only </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">with color. I believe an accountant is an artist - he/she just uses numbers to </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">create.</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Cp97NrEYsnk23_wtf2sSqM6Z9u8z-FOWk4H8fWvv_uN32W5EpXKlEjY-YMkjQCEUjUgvn81cMEoVDvMTQlBas-aVwVcSpCe8l5Ske-CtT9zoM6at-6RHt8hVvrp-_VLSxtrwST_sNmg/s1600/Cristina+Surplus+misc+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6Cp97NrEYsnk23_wtf2sSqM6Z9u8z-FOWk4H8fWvv_uN32W5EpXKlEjY-YMkjQCEUjUgvn81cMEoVDvMTQlBas-aVwVcSpCe8l5Ske-CtT9zoM6at-6RHt8hVvrp-_VLSxtrwST_sNmg/s1600/Cristina+Surplus+misc+1.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Adobe Door</b> (Santa Fe Series)<br />
by Cristina Surplus</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Q10. Please answer a question I didn’t ask.</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>A10.</b> Hmmm. “What is hard about being an artist?”</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The loneliness gets to me at times. Painting away in my studio is very solitary</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">; I often crave camaraderie with others.</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJK5pwRpIbTgb2_yiTnOiyMPB3cg16B1f6bjdQWa4AnYu2S73ja45lXbjagKxNUalRp4xEH3Rg7urMnURVAs6iHTbtCPXdBzmpEd7ZPyM7cM164uBUQnBuAanbjZtwIKRorbmp_FukEOA/s1600/New+York+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJK5pwRpIbTgb2_yiTnOiyMPB3cg16B1f6bjdQWa4AnYu2S73ja45lXbjagKxNUalRp4xEH3Rg7urMnURVAs6iHTbtCPXdBzmpEd7ZPyM7cM164uBUQnBuAanbjZtwIKRorbmp_FukEOA/s1600/New+York+2.JPG" height="320" width="249" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Upper East </b><b>Side </b>(New York Series)<br />
by Cristina Surplus</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Q11. Where can we see (and purchase) your work?</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>A11.</b> On my Web site: <a href="http://www.cristinasurplus.com/">CristinaSurplus.com</a></span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOxk72yey7inB1E9vVbuifO9zNlc63TLRo4p1m38BqLAOs71ftOniU-sQEn5XyuKY05LtSlypkpuQYK1exk8Gfzs0rj14TAlM67IsK-Ej8aC8g78j9rHrcQrVQTI6urhnzD59zjZSng-M/s1600/New+York+7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOxk72yey7inB1E9vVbuifO9zNlc63TLRo4p1m38BqLAOs71ftOniU-sQEn5XyuKY05LtSlypkpuQYK1exk8Gfzs0rj14TAlM67IsK-Ej8aC8g78j9rHrcQrVQTI6urhnzD59zjZSng-M/s1600/New+York+7.JPG" height="320" width="208" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Autumn in the City </b>(New York Series)<br />
by Cristina Surplus</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>==================================================================</b><br />
<br />
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thanks for stopping by, Cristina, and making us believe we can reach our inner artist. There’s always a beagle to pet and a cup of hot tea at the ready in Lakewood. Don’t be a stranger.</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></b><br />
<br />
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})();</script>Carolyn Hastingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17889723899756642292noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7637014763662654571.post-25497336438854508992014-10-03T19:30:00.000-04:002014-10-26T19:34:41.544-04:00Less of a War and More of a Party: An Interview with Tom Kelly<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></b> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://www.thomaskelly.net/" target="_blank">Thomas ("Tom") Kelly</a> </b>caught my eye when I saw his painting,<b> "Harry's Bar, Venice" </b>(see below).<b> </b>At once serious and comic, the image evokes a bygone era of casual elegance, when smoking was cool and not fatal, when men opened doors for women and women were not offended. Yet these well-dressed sophisticates are coming out of a bar. Not a fancy salon, a bar called "Harry." There must be more to this story. Notice the open door where you see the mirror image of the word "Harry." Oh, Tom Kelly, I am on to you.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Turns out, <a href="http://www.harrysbarvenezia.com/" target="_blank">Harry's Bar</a> was first a dream and then a reality for Giuseppe Cipriani. The bar really is in Venice. As in Italy. According to <a href="http://www.harrysbarvenezia.com/" target="_blank">Giuseppe</a>:</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In those days <b>[post World War I]</b>, the most popular meeting places for the young Venetian and European aristocracy were the bars in the luxury hotels, like those at the Europa, the Bauer, and the Grand Hotel ...</span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After a loan from a young American named - wait for it - "Harry," Giuseppe opened his dream bar. The first guest book included:</span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">... the signatures of Arturo Toscanini, Guglielmo Marconi, Somerset Maughan, Noel Coward, Charlie Chaplin, </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Barbara Hutton, </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Valentina Schlee, </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Orson Welles, </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Truman Capote, </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Georges Braque, </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Peggy Guggenheim . . . and a host of others.</span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">During the winter of 1940-1950, Hemingway dropped in so often he had a table of his own.</span><br />
<b style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</b> <b style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And that's only part of the story of just one Tom Kelly painting. </b><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLRw1DFA_42aHdseuKxH5HKNdFCbUq2k0iQ12xMfz-5FZ1U9siSeiGhXbEnVeaIUdg-5NigerYovPJxgRUb2Hep0XClsHP9xmwLapb7A8Jb75nBKxVMa33cGiM7AQ5-pL0VqQUcBJtK_8/s1600/harrys_bar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLRw1DFA_42aHdseuKxH5HKNdFCbUq2k0iQ12xMfz-5FZ1U9siSeiGhXbEnVeaIUdg-5NigerYovPJxgRUb2Hep0XClsHP9xmwLapb7A8Jb75nBKxVMa33cGiM7AQ5-pL0VqQUcBJtK_8/s1600/harrys_bar.jpg" height="255" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://www.thomaskelly.net/index.htm" target="_blank">Harry's Bar, Venice</a></b><br />
by Tom Kelly</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So, was I right? Was I way off base? <a href="http://www.thomaskelly.net/" target="_blank">Tom explains</a>:</span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My paintings are of common scenes, everyday occurrences in which people struggle </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">to establish and maintain relationships. </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It is these universal emotions and situations which most interest me.</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I encourage viewers to participate in the narrative by placing themselves </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">inside my scenes and characters. <b>[Editor's note: Encourage? My mind took off on a wild journey the minute I laid eyes on 'Harry's Bar.' I shiver to think what might have happened if encouragement was added to the mix.]</b> When asked by viewers </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">if their interpretation of a painting is a true one, </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I say, 'The paintings must stand on their own.'</span></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I don't tell them that their stories often rival my own.</span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I love this man.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Let's chat.</span><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></b> <b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">=============================================</span></b><br />
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></b> <b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Q1. What is your first memory of art?</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>A1.</b> Art class in grade school, about 3rd grade I think, introduced us to many materials, ideas and compositions. The art teacher coming to our class was a highlight of the week. I don’t really remember being introduced to specific artists or schools of art until much later. I remember having to use paint, glue, fabric and making large size 3 dimensional animals stuffed with paper, etc. for a grade. The lower grade school art classes were the genesis of all art.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Childhood is where it all begins: the seeing, the fabricating, and the total lack of regard for color schemes or proportion. We spend a lifetime trying to get this feeling and courage back. That is why children’s art exhibitions always outshine adult shows. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk9tzfgqkCf5gA1svSwcyj6P4tLeM1PRbhSPiZx13d31LZU-ZRRgGtiemVMEwp5UW6RvPvPzAbfrajIfDKOTNgT00ZMJKPaGzcZf_CYBTJkTiYDNIbA-3duR6rK8qzvbwPnztnHdxilIU/s1600/Bad+Dog+001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk9tzfgqkCf5gA1svSwcyj6P4tLeM1PRbhSPiZx13d31LZU-ZRRgGtiemVMEwp5UW6RvPvPzAbfrajIfDKOTNgT00ZMJKPaGzcZf_CYBTJkTiYDNIbA-3duR6rK8qzvbwPnztnHdxilIU/s1600/Bad+Dog+001.jpg" height="320" width="237" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Bad Dog</b><br />
by Tom Kelly</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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</div>
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Q2. What is the first work of art you created?</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>A2.</b> My first successful painting I would say was <b>The Smokers</b> in 1993, followed by <b>The Mannequins </b>and<b> Juggling in the Elephant Room</b> in 1994. The latter being sort of a narrative “breakout” piece for me. These paintings were met with a great response and encouraged me to go forward on my path. </span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjijGIb2n8uLmg3A7XVGub0LnxBfVPcQKDqiIIVFxtXWQ2GHZDY9ZnJZcynqKLaMtv7Hz-gtoM1K9Svzod92HJ5ytXaDj4trBwjVeWiWPm0d4W2NqRoL3XQ-EuYVr7quTnl9JPN_aC6xlQ/s1600/The+Smokers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjijGIb2n8uLmg3A7XVGub0LnxBfVPcQKDqiIIVFxtXWQ2GHZDY9ZnJZcynqKLaMtv7Hz-gtoM1K9Svzod92HJ5ytXaDj4trBwjVeWiWPm0d4W2NqRoL3XQ-EuYVr7quTnl9JPN_aC6xlQ/s1600/The+Smokers.jpg" height="320" width="254" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://www.thomaskelly.net/index.htm" target="_blank">The Smokers</a></b><br />
by Tom Kelly</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje0IIUeCZxXoD7WzsTmZspWfgMQXEEp9SZJtouo5v5sh6_7_E6S5b2Qo_QZkBMy7rw9kRISphfpIxTGazX8IC_qodr-m4zo5YI7rhigsPTvzqVA63DqqM9y4Nfvy89ktWEz_fOuL91000/s1600/The+Mannequins.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje0IIUeCZxXoD7WzsTmZspWfgMQXEEp9SZJtouo5v5sh6_7_E6S5b2Qo_QZkBMy7rw9kRISphfpIxTGazX8IC_qodr-m4zo5YI7rhigsPTvzqVA63DqqM9y4Nfvy89ktWEz_fOuL91000/s1600/The+Mannequins.jpg" height="255" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://www.thomaskelly.net/index.htm" target="_blank">The Mannequins</a></b><br />
by Tom Kelly</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghZnk2MmmRRdDjlAshBbWYHjAJxo-OYrpxusdAvdYZbhUPLPRIs21XUE1QMAmIngBNsumM-tHOWyuvdhxWrVZWraeLpz9Js88ccGOa1C9JfkGhUKO9Z64m2D-B69GSieYQqme0L92qIg4/s1600/Juggling+in+the+Elephant+Room.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghZnk2MmmRRdDjlAshBbWYHjAJxo-OYrpxusdAvdYZbhUPLPRIs21XUE1QMAmIngBNsumM-tHOWyuvdhxWrVZWraeLpz9Js88ccGOa1C9JfkGhUKO9Z64m2D-B69GSieYQqme0L92qIg4/s1600/Juggling+in+the+Elephant+Room.jpg" height="320" width="242" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://www.thomaskelly.net/index.htm" target="_blank">Juggling in the Elephant Room</a></b><br />
by Tom Kelly</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Q3. Was there a point in your life when you decided to try art, or were you always an artist?</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>A3.</b> I believe we are all artists in some form. The stick-to-it-iveness must be there to really become a true artist. Very few are able to turn the talent on and off like a spigot. Some early success stoked my fires to pursue art in a serious way. Maybe without that early encouragement I would have foundered. It may be like a gambler who wins a big pot and keeps coming back or a golfer who hits an occasional perfect shot. You get hooked and think: if I just practice and keep at it good things will happen. </span><br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBV5movmPwsJdsORRcoZ8AtQzLmVRX1tOSC_RSLURrwdrNu9yrZhh46EfJGf5SkBnsu1VjKzxDGjPE0P3o78abw68IwX3S5oaFJYi04EXXja768DqWV2xrDNRia_Z2OnFx8u9HE-gph4E/s1600/differing_opinions.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBV5movmPwsJdsORRcoZ8AtQzLmVRX1tOSC_RSLURrwdrNu9yrZhh46EfJGf5SkBnsu1VjKzxDGjPE0P3o78abw68IwX3S5oaFJYi04EXXja768DqWV2xrDNRia_Z2OnFx8u9HE-gph4E/s1600/differing_opinions.jpg" height="279" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://www.thomaskelly.net/index.htm" target="_blank">Differing Opinions</a></b><br />
by Tom Kelly</span></td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Q4. Are there specific triggers that cause you to race to a blank canvas/paper or do you impose a certain discipline on yourself?</span></b><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>A4.</b> I keep a short list of my next paintings. To keep artist block at bay, I plan ahead. I have four or five pieces ready in my mind and on paper to work on next. I do not have to have the precise order, but I do have the sketches. This will take the guesswork out of the equation. Do not second guess yourself when it is time to begin the painting either. You put this piece on the list when you were clear-headed and you liked it. Now it is time to trust yourself and get going. A short list will help you mentally prepare to always have a painting started, because starting the painting is sometimes the hardest step of all. </span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The other important trait for a painter is to be tenacious. Finish everything, don’t quit. This is a big one. It will work out. Get back in there and work on it. It is like a boxing match, the winner only has to get up one more time than the loser. Don’t start another “easier” piece. This is a trap. The painting you are quitting on was easy when you started. The tide will turn. Your confidence will rise. You will be proud of yourself, though no one else will know or care. So tell them, this one was a bear, a struggle, a war. But you were victorious and now you like it even more. Feel good about finishing a tough one. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRkaqmk-FPQtOUpBU4k9ZR3JVWzT14cRzhwHIskMZIs14e4ktbJp7MhZdnLFSKGTRCfeU6MRf0ptoiwaVK9Cc2Wa2UvF5X5sPrFSylB16LkJmUODF6vxFM7h58s37xAz_OWjlEVc4AFEY/s1600/asparagus_field.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRkaqmk-FPQtOUpBU4k9ZR3JVWzT14cRzhwHIskMZIs14e4ktbJp7MhZdnLFSKGTRCfeU6MRf0ptoiwaVK9Cc2Wa2UvF5X5sPrFSylB16LkJmUODF6vxFM7h58s37xAz_OWjlEVc4AFEY/s1600/asparagus_field.jpg" height="281" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://www.thomaskelly.net/index.htm" target="_blank">Asparagus Field</a></b><br />
by Tom Kelly</span></td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Q5. When you are working on a piece, is there a point at which you realize you have a masterpiece taking shape on the canvas/paper?</span></b><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>A5.</b> There is a point where I find myself on the downward side of the painting, where it begins to be less of a war and more of a party. The trick is to know when to be finished. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Sometimes you must know when to stop. Getting loud in a bar, finessing your taxes and finishing a painting are times like these. <a href="http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/art-chez-bonnard-the-home-that-shaped-the-master-1141995.html" target="_blank">Pierre Bonnard</a> is rumored to have housesat, in order to continue work on a painting that was already sold. Though his obsessive work ethic made him a great painter, thank goodness this is the exception. When you get down to using the very small brushes, stop, you are just fooling around. You must come to a point where you are finished and happy about it. You must be decisive enough to say, “I am done, this is the best that I can do.”</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXWNurVh2gknAaPj04FPJz4QX9wyAibORCiNbG9gSKJjRfQropcz6qnEBxbAmy8TPv0_B5GMch97YSTGCh8YTDkzETc-U-PAESxChlJAEbcyYIRL5Rilw2dYljX0BdMITMKTS7pg460So/s1600/sitting_very_close_500pxh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXWNurVh2gknAaPj04FPJz4QX9wyAibORCiNbG9gSKJjRfQropcz6qnEBxbAmy8TPv0_B5GMch97YSTGCh8YTDkzETc-U-PAESxChlJAEbcyYIRL5Rilw2dYljX0BdMITMKTS7pg460So/s1600/sitting_very_close_500pxh.jpg" height="320" width="245" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://www.thomaskelly.net/index.htm" target="_blank">Sitting Very Close</a></b><br />
by Tom Kelly</span></td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Q6. Are there any artists you find particularly inspiring? </span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>A6.</b> Many, many artists inspire me. Though I particularly admire the <b><a href="http://www.artcyclopedia.com/history/expressionism.html" target="_blank">Expressionists</a></b> and their un-pretty way of looking at their own lives, I also enjoy the <b><a href="http://www.artcyclopedia.com/history/mannerism.html" target="_blank">Mannerists</a></b>, the <b><a href="http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/praf/hd_praf.htm" target="_blank">Pre-Raphaelites</a></b>, the <b><a href="http://www.monograffi.com/magic.htm" target="_blank">Dream (Magic) Realists</a></b> and many others. You know you are admiring art that you look at for a long time and it leaves an impression on you. If you love it or hate it you are admiring it. </span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I meet people who will ask if I still have a certain painting that they saw for ten minutes, ten years ago and still remember vividly. And they are mad at themselves (and me, for some reason) for not buying it when they first saw it. That is quite a compliment and inspirational for me to make art that has that effect on the viewer. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCFeHuSHckgQaGdC0YaNHBhtB_0qkJua4A-KfwQD5MxHbB53Ywcx-HXaO9le1XAVKANJ4t8grsUDXiVV-vNlT5EChiVd_9fzxXLR0P9QYNxPYrfkytQvGrckTAKIVsS-X4h5S-yb6l66c/s1600/driving_song.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCFeHuSHckgQaGdC0YaNHBhtB_0qkJua4A-KfwQD5MxHbB53Ywcx-HXaO9le1XAVKANJ4t8grsUDXiVV-vNlT5EChiVd_9fzxXLR0P9QYNxPYrfkytQvGrckTAKIVsS-X4h5S-yb6l66c/s1600/driving_song.jpg" height="320" width="317" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://www.thomaskelly.net/index.htm" target="_blank">Driving Song</a></b><br />
by Tom Kelly</span></td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Q7. Are there any non-artists you find particularly inspiring?</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>A7.</b> I have high regard for writers <b>[Editor's note: Yes!!]</b>. They bring so many facets of life to us. The writers and writing are the basics of many, many things. Television, movies, books and any other entertainment you may think of all begins with the writing. Conveying information to and convincing an unknown audience to think as you wish them to is a powerful tool. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXKW-ps16WSHaP6PQ7BqNNGncBQzsmYc0j4JelYA9K9m9Zd-_hF6mEtBZWqALg-zZpAy16dZFhjzR9DMv2N_eDkI-I1cGUXmOzdxaq_wgv0AJ51Hy2hSdzSbp07Px__k8j64L2F7cvkFU/s1600/Picnic+at+the+Swing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXKW-ps16WSHaP6PQ7BqNNGncBQzsmYc0j4JelYA9K9m9Zd-_hF6mEtBZWqALg-zZpAy16dZFhjzR9DMv2N_eDkI-I1cGUXmOzdxaq_wgv0AJ51Hy2hSdzSbp07Px__k8j64L2F7cvkFU/s1600/Picnic+at+the+Swing.jpg" height="320" width="246" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://www.thomaskelly.net/index.htm" target="_blank">Picnic at the Swing</a></b><br />
by Tom Kelly</span></td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Q8. Please answer a question I didn’t ask.</span></b><br />
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</span> <b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A8. What is an important contemplation for an artist? </span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Paint what you know. If you want to be an honest, heartfelt painter, paint what you know. This honesty will show through in the painting. </span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You are the artist. Tell us your story. Please don’t tell someone else’s. If you live in the city, paint the city. What you know and feel, like and dislike will show through. This is your accent, your intonation. If you live near the shore, in the desert or mountains the paintings will show that naturally. Things you see every day will spill off the brush. There is beauty in your world, your neighborhood. </span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Think of the painters you have studied. Are you seeing their room, their street, their friends and their view of the hillside? Are you seeing their wife in the bath or at the piano? Are you seeing their passion for their mistress? Are you seeing their fears and innermost thoughts? </span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">You are, because they painted what they knew.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqrO0r1ewT9oJyRUelBschNhAsIUlryHk0sKS_beh97f77KGLobpUnOVIjak6kaD0M-s4ZGEJJWNkVJn1tUZhn2ixCBn_5qxrw4S6t8KgiaHzpzrm_ox4RTaN0DQnvvVjWze6-wrlqGmQ/s1600/The+Beautiful+People.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqrO0r1ewT9oJyRUelBschNhAsIUlryHk0sKS_beh97f77KGLobpUnOVIjak6kaD0M-s4ZGEJJWNkVJn1tUZhn2ixCBn_5qxrw4S6t8KgiaHzpzrm_ox4RTaN0DQnvvVjWze6-wrlqGmQ/s1600/The+Beautiful+People.jpg" height="227" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://www.thomaskelly.net/index.htm" target="_blank">The Beautiful People</a></b><br />
by Tom Kelly</span></td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Q9. Where can we see (and purchase) your work?</span></b><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Thomas Kelly is represented in New Jersey by <a href="http://www.artfuldeposit.com/" target="_blank">The Artful Deposit Gallery</a> in Bordentown. More information and contact info at <a href="http://www.thomaskelly.net/">www.thomaskelly.net</a>. </span><br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Please also watch for Thomas Kelly’s forthcoming book <i>100 Rules for the Aspiring Painter.</i> Now represented by a literary agent, Kelly’s book guides a painter to a simple positive path, coupling their artistic skills with social and business essentials to achieve success. The book covers the most important, sometimes overlooked, aspects for an artist to flourish. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">A successful working artist reveals street smart and common sense rules to make it as an artist. No text book or art class will tell you “Never paint a painting larger than will fit in your car” or “Become a post card guerrilla.” Vital to real world success, these 100 rules can separate the good artist from the good artist who sells.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji25FyE5ov5HF4vXoJ-vG14iq9pvRH9aGv09C4VgRhqOWzZgeMqpzcSlnq9zTkpNw7FryXSB9QE1QgB4BQ2h9akQD4cMX6NegT1DgZwrRhxZAnJzN97Hr_BpM_omTy0tgc8NcL7CJbjpQ/s1600/best_dancers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji25FyE5ov5HF4vXoJ-vG14iq9pvRH9aGv09C4VgRhqOWzZgeMqpzcSlnq9zTkpNw7FryXSB9QE1QgB4BQ2h9akQD4cMX6NegT1DgZwrRhxZAnJzN97Hr_BpM_omTy0tgc8NcL7CJbjpQ/s1600/best_dancers.jpg" height="231" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://www.thomaskelly.net/index.htm" target="_blank">Best Dancers in the Room</a></b><br />
by Tom Kelly</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">=================================================</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Thanks for stopping by, Tom, and making us believe we are all the best dancers in the room. There’s always a beagle to pet and a cup of hot tea at the ready in Lakewood. Don’t be a stranger.</b></span><br />
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})();</script><br />Carolyn Hastingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17889723899756642292noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7637014763662654571.post-78560755439853289362014-09-22T19:35:00.000-04:002014-10-26T19:37:44.368-04:00Monsters and Airplanes - An Interview with David French<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Remember memorizing state capitols, birds, mottos, etc.? I was always grateful these lists did not extend to cities. However, if there was ever such a thing as a "city artist," it would be <a href="http://davidfrenchoriginals.com/" target="_blank">David French of Charlotte</a>, North Carolina. David is the most collected artist in Charlotte (confirmed by the artist) as he lovingly chronicles Charlotte landmarks. </b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Charlotte's <a href="http://www.festivalinthepark.org/about.asp" target="_blank">50th Festival in the Park</a> begins September 19th. David, of course, will be there. And if you think I'm exaggerating David's connection with the city, the <a href="http://www.festivalinthepark.org/lakewalkartistsbios.asp" target="_blank">online exhibitor's page</a> begins David's bio with:</b></span><br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>"David French's 225+ paintings of Charlotte cover every corner of the city that resides in our hearts ..."</b></span></blockquote>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwg4kbcrO2R7DMQkyRbGHmUF2t12VCzeaAaQrWAbHoXpH3e-Cy8UimNCwz_8ZDVZ1hyDbN4jg9rJAab6e6xx2mF4jrmTzc3xhBuKmNEfF-ZqkIL6kdFp7yQ_xlcYznpltGD4Ai8MOP71Q/s1600/central-skyline-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwg4kbcrO2R7DMQkyRbGHmUF2t12VCzeaAaQrWAbHoXpH3e-Cy8UimNCwz_8ZDVZ1hyDbN4jg9rJAab6e6xx2mF4jrmTzc3xhBuKmNEfF-ZqkIL6kdFp7yQ_xlcYznpltGD4Ai8MOP71Q/s1600/central-skyline-web.jpg" height="142" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>2001 Central Skyline (Charlotte)</b><br />
by David French</span></td></tr>
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<b style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Let's chat.</b><br />
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<a name='more'></a><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>==============================================</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br />
</b></span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Q1. What is your first memory of art?</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>A1.</b> Sitting on top of tables at my mom’s laundromat. I remember drawing stick figures and houses when I was very young.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfsHsV1XaEkG7vkE0ZH1dpQPlDaR4Zc4oXJSSWw-Nt454rzt-xRdJkkGC3crpnv4BV1ou5hLIFdmHjumaYNyoK9nofDY2CAdhocrRYDW0kyoTgt-IE4w17_i3jus98-4ILoj_u7B9T198/s1600/saurez-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfsHsV1XaEkG7vkE0ZH1dpQPlDaR4Zc4oXJSSWw-Nt454rzt-xRdJkkGC3crpnv4BV1ou5hLIFdmHjumaYNyoK9nofDY2CAdhocrRYDW0kyoTgt-IE4w17_i3jus98-4ILoj_u7B9T198/s1600/saurez-web.jpg" height="246" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://www.suarezbakery.com/" target="_blank">Suarez Choices</a></b><br />
by David French</span></td></tr>
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<b style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Q2. What is the first work of art you created?</b><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>A2.</b> Where does a river begin … <b>[Editor's note: Generally there's a tributary . . .] </b></span><br />
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</span> <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiEOMcSAT33CLg9F-1PE97UQ78qglu2ZcKfMiMPar8SeiBYeFKyWBSq2gY4j-PxEFOYvhM3GWaPy5nJY-106_GAYFz9QQQh5uZ0wvaTDNMqRG6QUntwYtFUIo4PxBbvDer28VSf9K1y_s/s1600/visulite-theater-2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiEOMcSAT33CLg9F-1PE97UQ78qglu2ZcKfMiMPar8SeiBYeFKyWBSq2gY4j-PxEFOYvhM3GWaPy5nJY-106_GAYFz9QQQh5uZ0wvaTDNMqRG6QUntwYtFUIo4PxBbvDer28VSf9K1y_s/s1600/visulite-theater-2011.jpg" height="233" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://www.visulite.com/" target="_blank">Visulite Theatre</a></b><br />
by David French</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <b style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Q3. Was there a point in your life when you decided to try art, or were you always an artist?</b><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>A3.</b> I have drawn my whole life and used to sell my drawings of monsters and airplanes to my classmates in elementary school for a nickel or dime.</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEQXa9aKuu9CDHsnIbcZmfTgf5R3HHBvkbwAJEecpuMK1wd0Vms81-EoiCxrzCf7JgUFkEo_iRYhLgOnoxuxNcG2AvSh1681_Yc_j5qhlMF07lza8h2vjWTCzyJv5PQ_-zQgzvhoUzFkY/s1600/south-end-ex-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEQXa9aKuu9CDHsnIbcZmfTgf5R3HHBvkbwAJEecpuMK1wd0Vms81-EoiCxrzCf7JgUFkEo_iRYhLgOnoxuxNcG2AvSh1681_Yc_j5qhlMF07lza8h2vjWTCzyJv5PQ_-zQgzvhoUzFkY/s1600/south-end-ex-web.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://www.southendexchange.com/" target="_blank">South End Exchange</a></b><br />
by David French</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Q4. What inspired you to concentrate on images of Charlotte (North Carolina)?</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>A4.</b> There is a great old art saying that says the medium creates the artist. I love my job because I get to make people happy. I think what makes people happy the most are seeing the places they love illuminated in color.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNmZxej-6OvUOimpmFH68uh8QDFFybO3pTI5tVh4LKRY4tDYBhOiM9t7DJlqBoP2_oVkz8y-sV-c8DefNLOkMjfnPh2EDU6OwxS8YXcQPYpkIxuJXxpI-AO-yFHqokjYkeyb-BD4xT0e4/s1600/1-1-connollys-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNmZxej-6OvUOimpmFH68uh8QDFFybO3pTI5tVh4LKRY4tDYBhOiM9t7DJlqBoP2_oVkz8y-sV-c8DefNLOkMjfnPh2EDU6OwxS8YXcQPYpkIxuJXxpI-AO-yFHqokjYkeyb-BD4xT0e4/s1600/1-1-connollys-web.jpg" height="159" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://www.connollysirishpub.com/" target="_blank">Last Call at Connolly's</a></b><br />
by David French</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Q5. Are there specific triggers that cause you to race to a blank canvas/paper or do you impose a certain discipline on yourself?</b><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>A5.</b> I really try to focus these days on what I think the public really, really wants.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv_vThF6xBbiXaTmLdKL1JYpEdQczlgDOSsOoQycuODCNNHr8638HEp-OCbi_7PBDF-5qvi7uKpNZ9RNKFiXRLlN9Cd_EiGV2rn1H4utgoijIYrSC5WIgPmy0wBKSMLq-PM9_Lj8UMlAk/s1600/1-1-uncc-best.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv_vThF6xBbiXaTmLdKL1JYpEdQczlgDOSsOoQycuODCNNHr8638HEp-OCbi_7PBDF-5qvi7uKpNZ9RNKFiXRLlN9Cd_EiGV2rn1H4utgoijIYrSC5WIgPmy0wBKSMLq-PM9_Lj8UMlAk/s1600/1-1-uncc-best.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://www.charlotte49ers.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=205425793" target="_blank">UNCC 2013-2014</a></b><br />
by David French</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <b style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Q6. When you are working on a piece, is there a point at which you realize you have a masterpiece taking shape on the canvas/paper?</b><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>A6.</b> I don't know about a masterpiece but there is a point in some of my pieces where I get a really, really great feeling... where I stand back and wish I could keep it.</span><br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOm9x9NFoOXr61LtWVbz9at9mSBzfuHC1reGFdH7TPrY-8h6OfBnoCNu5mS0lYu_p_gs7dh4p2mQ06A30hKIQqRffcUb7sK0ucncdg3GHSkoA5oKJJk6AnxN4Q1oOHTwdf_cqPHCn3b74/s1600/1-1-winter-sunset-web.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOm9x9NFoOXr61LtWVbz9at9mSBzfuHC1reGFdH7TPrY-8h6OfBnoCNu5mS0lYu_p_gs7dh4p2mQ06A30hKIQqRffcUb7sK0ucncdg3GHSkoA5oKJJk6AnxN4Q1oOHTwdf_cqPHCn3b74/s1600/1-1-winter-sunset-web.jpg" height="108" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Winter Sunset</b><br />
by David French</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Q7. Are there any artists you find particularly inspiring? </b><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>A7.</b> So many, so many. <a href="http://www.vangoghmuseum.nl/en" target="_blank">Van Gogh</a>, <a href="http://www.edwardhopper.net/" target="_blank">Edward Hopper</a>, <a href="http://www.bpib.com/illustrat/parrish.htm" target="_blank">Maxfield Parrish</a> … etc., etc.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjno_5eXLEigLLinqzA6tpcPdWgcav8C5hNULwl1WP73QajvQpzIrI2gugwDJRvzbOVuTnne8CCIDoxmhs_5_rKUJ-p37rSzpTznRSp8kveFc_hxf5TLI1s_MvYjSqk2osTbMbsqa44ILY/s1600/way-to-charlotte.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjno_5eXLEigLLinqzA6tpcPdWgcav8C5hNULwl1WP73QajvQpzIrI2gugwDJRvzbOVuTnne8CCIDoxmhs_5_rKUJ-p37rSzpTznRSp8kveFc_hxf5TLI1s_MvYjSqk2osTbMbsqa44ILY/s1600/way-to-charlotte.jpg" height="320" width="189" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>The Way to Charlotte</b><br />
by David French</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <b style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Q8. Are there any non-artists you find particularly inspiring?</b><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>A8.</b> My wife and baby boy are a true source of inspiration. </span><br />
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</span> <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVVmKDfeCOLA4sedbifdMRsiz-i9KBpAHLf__DEvh4elTPVjS3jkr5NXONjedOQlDSpalPIql7AexTnlLL7Uj5OCdaoDB7WL-49WL2In15UtXR328AJbiynmzTqvFKr44jVCnlA59uT04/s1600/west-sides-dq.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVVmKDfeCOLA4sedbifdMRsiz-i9KBpAHLf__DEvh4elTPVjS3jkr5NXONjedOQlDSpalPIql7AexTnlLL7Uj5OCdaoDB7WL-49WL2In15UtXR328AJbiynmzTqvFKr44jVCnlA59uT04/s1600/west-sides-dq.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://www.cmhpf.org/essaydairyqueenw.htm" target="_blank">West Side's DQ</a></b><br />
by David French</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <b style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Q9. Please answer a question I didn’t ask.</b><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>A9.</b> I love a great carnival and hope to paint some in the future.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvJVcX-FYpXnhxI9iLLMzm8AER9oqy9n2HRgEsALNb4kcdz_k0s1Li22kjIafrO9q1mp76AeYALz_LQVT4g2MD8P3E1XCodxI8AKULeoXloYzQ5gR7cjdZn61DVBct3NbfjJinOjpkgtA/s1600/lunch-at-johns_0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvJVcX-FYpXnhxI9iLLMzm8AER9oqy9n2HRgEsALNb4kcdz_k0s1Li22kjIafrO9q1mp76AeYALz_LQVT4g2MD8P3E1XCodxI8AKULeoXloYzQ5gR7cjdZn61DVBct3NbfjJinOjpkgtA/s1600/lunch-at-johns_0.jpg" height="320" width="156" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><a href="http://www.johnsfamilyrestaurant.com/" target="_blank">Lunch at John's</a></b><br />
by David French</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Q10. Where can we see (and purchase) your work?</b><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>A10.</b> Start with <a href="http://davidfrenchoriginals.com/">davidfrenchoriginals.com</a> or <a href="https://www.facebook.com/david.t.french?fref=ts" target="_blank">David Thayer French on Facebook</a>.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span> <span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>=============================================</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Thanks for stopping by, David. There’s always a beagle to pet and a cup of hot tea at the ready in Lakewood. Don’t be a stranger.</b></span><br />
<br />
<br />
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})();</script>Carolyn Hastingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17889723899756642292noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7637014763662654571.post-67601854955293338822014-08-03T15:11:00.002-04:002014-10-26T19:35:30.012-04:00Crayons and the National Gallery: An Interview with Annie O'Brien GonzalesNext spring, I'm going to say goodbye to my favorite nurseries and hello to Annie O'Brien Gonzales's beautiful flowers. My garden will be the envy of the neighborhood, populated with Annie's floral images.<br />
<br />
Let's chat.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCeUMmLq0YnXigp4-FKK_DQQfnPFBhuNgy3wkqcsbZYKPcunGlzTVzsjDu8g_f9M8udPbgcCOHhHxS6-IQgU3vYzYk3PA6AjfirVskUNKwTL3CFit5Yva5DMPQ9UCYl8hOjBxtHlwc6Es/s1600/3f7a000bbdec05eb622517440c7be37a.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCeUMmLq0YnXigp4-FKK_DQQfnPFBhuNgy3wkqcsbZYKPcunGlzTVzsjDu8g_f9M8udPbgcCOHhHxS6-IQgU3vYzYk3PA6AjfirVskUNKwTL3CFit5Yva5DMPQ9UCYl8hOjBxtHlwc6Es/s1600/3f7a000bbdec05eb622517440c7be37a.jpg" height="320" width="314" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Might as Well be Spring</b><br />
By Annie O'Brien Gonzales</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b>======================================================</b><br />
<b></b><br />
<a name='more'></a><b><br />
</b> <b>Q1. What is your earliest memory of art?</b><br />
<b><br />
</b> <b>A1.</b> My earliest memory of coloring is that I never had enough crayons and would try to mix them to get the color I needed. <b>[Editor's Note: As opposed to chewing on Burnt Sienna because it was so pretty.]</b> I really never saw any actual art until I went to the <a href="http://www.nga.gov/" target="_blank">National Gallery</a> in Washington DC. It was thrilling.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUt6HBSBo-mWU93S0jGcWGXroQLbGlOvIc8EDtZ3yvu9l0B90qWN6jexr9ZhpJSZIC96xxQLHpjvzpQ8stv9y0axTl7f9YMLGBW43bdVspgBnlemmAQmieG7RcTGZJKhS4xtf0LXxlyuE/s1600/eca07b9eddbbe844873ff4867177aade.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUt6HBSBo-mWU93S0jGcWGXroQLbGlOvIc8EDtZ3yvu9l0B90qWN6jexr9ZhpJSZIC96xxQLHpjvzpQ8stv9y0axTl7f9YMLGBW43bdVspgBnlemmAQmieG7RcTGZJKhS4xtf0LXxlyuE/s1600/eca07b9eddbbe844873ff4867177aade.jpg" height="317" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Hothouse #1</b><br />
By Annie O'Brien Gonzales</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b>Q2. What is the first work of art you created?</b><br />
<br />
<b>A2.</b> I remember completing drawings for a contest which was in the back of a comic book for an art school that I think was called <a href="http://www.arthomestudy.com/" target="_blank">"The Famous Artists School"</a> -- it said "if you can draw this, you could be a famous artist." I'm pretty sure they were trying to get you to enroll in their correspondence courses.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir-RCXJWaFOq83gWDY0A8RPOCQCQ5lilW85PbgPWkuN1y4oqoSq7R_-a2qFckRijIeawiuom65-9AAuNdEefxjXXQFr5vh_y13oN5YMOgxEZfPT2KA78fxMy_eFiWsHwcAWuA1JfO4TWY/s1600/a0c8e099363255375d1fc27719cfb303.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEir-RCXJWaFOq83gWDY0A8RPOCQCQ5lilW85PbgPWkuN1y4oqoSq7R_-a2qFckRijIeawiuom65-9AAuNdEefxjXXQFr5vh_y13oN5YMOgxEZfPT2KA78fxMy_eFiWsHwcAWuA1JfO4TWY/s1600/a0c8e099363255375d1fc27719cfb303.jpg" height="315" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Deux Poire</b><br />
By Annie O'Brien Gonzales</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b>Q3. Was there a point in your life when you decided to try art, or were you always an artist?</b><br />
<br />
<b>A3.</b> I was always drawing as a kid, I illustrated my biology reports extensively <b>[Editor's Note: Ooooh, one of <i>those</i> kids.]</b> and at one point I wanted to be a medical illustrator. Because I grew up during the "Space Race" with the Soviets, I was guided towards nursing school in college instead of an art major. I was literally asked by my high school guidance counselor if I wanted to be a nurse or a teacher. I ended up going back to art school after several years as a nurse practitioner.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwLsnR26hr-MS2zfdsQEiqxanb71OjvLJqu8f37Z4ZYVMOWEblcuA0dle0waEAADEfnHHyyIPHlvQSZc2FpiH53osXopX2sC_X3v4IIZ6MrAW5Z_tMTBSd0N5L0S-FDZmIhqInzYkabGE/s1600/c988200a78fa11daaa405e1191a96810.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwLsnR26hr-MS2zfdsQEiqxanb71OjvLJqu8f37Z4ZYVMOWEblcuA0dle0waEAADEfnHHyyIPHlvQSZc2FpiH53osXopX2sC_X3v4IIZ6MrAW5Z_tMTBSd0N5L0S-FDZmIhqInzYkabGE/s1600/c988200a78fa11daaa405e1191a96810.jpg" height="320" width="261" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Valdez Valley - Blue & Green</b><br />
By Annie O'Brien Gonzales</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><br />
</b> <b>Q4. Are there specific triggers that cause you to race to a blank canvas/paper or do you impose a certain discipline on yourself?</b><br />
<br />
<b>A4.</b> I collect ideas in my Inspiration Sketchbook -- swatches of color, visuals from magazines or just notes on names for paintings. I've learned to write it all down and make notes or I will forget all those great ideas. I enjoy painting so much that I go to my studio every week day if I am in town. I have never run out of ideas for paintings, my real challenge is to rein in the ideas to focus on a concept or series. I generally keep to a "work day" schedule: 9-5 in the studio. I spent so many years working that my body says "I'm done" at 5pm. I take the weekends off to spend time with my husband and superdog Rico.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9cpG04rcTHwYIIiLscWijaY0-UYRGGbROL_fKQkPcic2LI-Cjk_gyhLPpslkvyRNdCIGNCIEmF9asSAA62CGaLADIisywOU1KoccP7WLMKFhOsFi1u0poEKSuhD_bEr9Qu6z1nBa3HP4/s1600/4a9798ba67790d2a04c3d496d5af8165.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9cpG04rcTHwYIIiLscWijaY0-UYRGGbROL_fKQkPcic2LI-Cjk_gyhLPpslkvyRNdCIGNCIEmF9asSAA62CGaLADIisywOU1KoccP7WLMKFhOsFi1u0poEKSuhD_bEr9Qu6z1nBa3HP4/s1600/4a9798ba67790d2a04c3d496d5af8165.jpg" height="320" width="316" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Christmas Cactus</b><br />
By Annie O'Brien Gonzales</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b>Q5. When you are working on a piece, is there a point at which you realize you have a masterpiece taking shape on the canvas/paper?</b><br />
<b><br />
</b> <b>A5.</b> Hmm, I don't think that's ever happened. Paintings do take on a life of their own, though. Some end up being more pleasing to me than others. After 8 years of full-time painting (and hundreds of paintings) I am just now to the point where I can see what's wrong or what's needed. I usually let a painting "rest" overnight and come back to it to see what it needs.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9hym9Tf_s9zZq64kg_zEsn2JH9BJnmf-YjYvsLYJ1WOpnigMt3KbAtwuXZYiL2YllXqvEQTfwHIpO7kFAFybeo9U__zHjQrKhoxqn_FEos-dFsFHYOrv1cLpvgwE1Rbtztb8XAGgCIdg/s1600/47695ce4d0e613eaded4831cf5bb1905.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9hym9Tf_s9zZq64kg_zEsn2JH9BJnmf-YjYvsLYJ1WOpnigMt3KbAtwuXZYiL2YllXqvEQTfwHIpO7kFAFybeo9U__zHjQrKhoxqn_FEos-dFsFHYOrv1cLpvgwE1Rbtztb8XAGgCIdg/s1600/47695ce4d0e613eaded4831cf5bb1905.jpg" height="254" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Moonglow</b><br />
By Annie O'Brien Gonzales</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b>Q6. When did you realize you are the world’s best painter of flowers? </b><br />
<b><br />
</b> <b>A6.</b> Say what? I don't think so! <b>[Editor's Note: Exactly what the world's best painter of flowers would say.]</b><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkT6i9-koP8pVLpce9qUUlcSRqM8bsHmjdQu_fzYn2QHEreXjLkA0Ek-T68It-50nBsPYOPBO9AY1s_Zuglh9NHNE4L6zYMI5b6EOTTem312xRqqtm6D2nHI9E7tH5MSNq_WFMusQshOs/s1600/774f6e90f9e40cbf3dafd29884d48250.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkT6i9-koP8pVLpce9qUUlcSRqM8bsHmjdQu_fzYn2QHEreXjLkA0Ek-T68It-50nBsPYOPBO9AY1s_Zuglh9NHNE4L6zYMI5b6EOTTem312xRqqtm6D2nHI9E7tH5MSNq_WFMusQshOs/s1600/774f6e90f9e40cbf3dafd29884d48250.jpg" height="320" width="317" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>For Sentimental Reasons</b><br />
By Annie O'Brien Gonzales</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b>Q7. Are there any artists you find particularly inspiring?</b><br />
<b><br />
</b> <b>A7.</b> OK, my absolute inspirational painters that just make me swoon include: <a href="http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/gogh/hd_gogh.htm" target="_blank">Vincent Van Gogh</a>--(oh, the brushstrokes!), <a href="http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/mati/hd_mati.htm" target="_blank">Henri Matisse</a>--(his joyous color and loose brushstrokes), <a href="http://www.hockneypictures.com/home.php" target="_blank">David Hockney</a>--(his use of color & daring to just not give a darn and do everything artistic that he wants without being put in a box), <a href="http://www.tate.org.uk/art/artists/mary-fedden-1084" target="_blank">Mary Fedden</a>--(she makes common objects intriguing), <a href="http://www.okeeffemuseum.org/" target="_blank">Georgia O'Keeffe</a>--(her unusual compositions and boldness to break every barrier for women artists).<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLGKZqovAWyyjHrv-f76Ui2gmb1Z07SMzmgSpdVOvW8-bAOJC0hXhRtbqMbv04uy0PYuA1_kdBq-kK1TQCGedy0mwxn4yi0k15CQYbyViE4vfAg13kR0M7gfGF-QujBpNyXMCjfV5Gq5g/s1600/0c731c21d683c3af7e59f3bc6bc42435.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLGKZqovAWyyjHrv-f76Ui2gmb1Z07SMzmgSpdVOvW8-bAOJC0hXhRtbqMbv04uy0PYuA1_kdBq-kK1TQCGedy0mwxn4yi0k15CQYbyViE4vfAg13kR0M7gfGF-QujBpNyXMCjfV5Gq5g/s1600/0c731c21d683c3af7e59f3bc6bc42435.jpg" height="320" width="313" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Stargazers</b><br />
By Annie O'Brien Gonzales</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b>Q8. Are there any non-artists you find particularly inspiring?</b><br />
<b><br />
</b> <b>A8.</b> <a href="http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/pill/peopleevents/p_sanger.html" target="_blank">Margaret Sanger</a> has always inspired me. She was a nurse who advocated for women's rights in the early 1900's. <br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR8KzVK2xCU_DvS5io6gvgU0AsJ-f4xX5EjXs5UYG4nRzcysNM6tChMK666PKLEGp1c_GQWncnONFvQE6tFk25pq00TyqDwtpL-XkHchjeG-rUn97n6thaAPtHhAwHM7dLYWsOBGHPll0/s1600/58066d0d274f796aea54e29259ed7a83.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiR8KzVK2xCU_DvS5io6gvgU0AsJ-f4xX5EjXs5UYG4nRzcysNM6tChMK666PKLEGp1c_GQWncnONFvQE6tFk25pq00TyqDwtpL-XkHchjeG-rUn97n6thaAPtHhAwHM7dLYWsOBGHPll0/s1600/58066d0d274f796aea54e29259ed7a83.jpg" height="320" width="250" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Tropicale</b><br />
By Annie O'Brien Gonzales</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b>Q9. Please answer a question I didn’t ask.</b><br />
<b><br />
</b> <b>A9.</b> People sometimes ask me how they can improve as a painter. When I first came back to painting full-time someone told me to paint 100 paintings before I evaluated them too closely. I believe improvement is totally based on "hours at the easel," there are no shortcuts. Just paint and paint and paint and you will improve.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHF_Lmcuc5Gz92VS_1g7tjsuMLQN8ft8uMs1X_YdAmYo1jKhjq4jrLXmwKmbsrlL-kOF6_a3lpxGCJDjHsE68jKzwmQBpBVtmrSGrv_Aupn3taugWq9Yh7hUBmFS2d4b3a1JJgjKXO49o/s1600/b32208b607f954964c4e119a92ffeb7d.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHF_Lmcuc5Gz92VS_1g7tjsuMLQN8ft8uMs1X_YdAmYo1jKhjq4jrLXmwKmbsrlL-kOF6_a3lpxGCJDjHsE68jKzwmQBpBVtmrSGrv_Aupn3taugWq9Yh7hUBmFS2d4b3a1JJgjKXO49o/s1600/b32208b607f954964c4e119a92ffeb7d.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Bowl-o-Matic</b><br />
By Annie O'Brien Gonzales</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b>Q10. Where can we see (and purchase) your work?</b><br />
<b><br />
</b> <b>A10.</b> Currently, my work is represented by the following galleries/dealers:<br />
Santa Fe, NM - <a href="http://www.thematthewsgallery.com/" target="_blank">The Matthews Gallery</a><br />
Charleston, SC - <a href="http://www.theateliergalleries.com/" target="_blank">Atelier Gallery</a><br />
Oklahoma City, OK- Kristine Bates Design<br />
<br />
And there are a couple of more in the works--just check my <a href="http://www.annieobriengonzales.com/" target="_blank">Web site</a> for more information. I teach classes, too, and have a book coming out with <a href="http://www.northlightshop.com/" target="_blank">Northlight Books</a> tentatively called "Bold, Expressive Painting" in the Spring of 2015.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWoIh3rcSUrYcw1wHwfx6NQMRDTMqOL75w3po6nycPedObvx-H3vFHN7GjQe5aJ4oFg_bh1-2R9n5-up_ybMNouVBBBRugxGxYJeT-YA40zeSlb_sM1u_6rTxgPa9eKGnKNhHaO4TvcU8/s1600/5a15d2b462aeb60d86e964446e2d2ac0.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWoIh3rcSUrYcw1wHwfx6NQMRDTMqOL75w3po6nycPedObvx-H3vFHN7GjQe5aJ4oFg_bh1-2R9n5-up_ybMNouVBBBRugxGxYJeT-YA40zeSlb_sM1u_6rTxgPa9eKGnKNhHaO4TvcU8/s1600/5a15d2b462aeb60d86e964446e2d2ac0.jpg" height="320" width="319" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Someone Like You</b><br />
By Annie O'Brien Gonzales</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<span style="font-weight: bold;">======================================================</span><br />
<br />
<b>Thanks for stopping by, Annie. There’s always a beagle to pet and a cup of hot tea at the ready in Lakewood. Don’t be a stranger.</b><br />
<br />
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<br />Carolyn Hastingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17889723899756642292noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7637014763662654571.post-64570354542048356192014-06-24T16:26:00.000-04:002014-08-05T23:33:57.922-04:00Master of Ekphrasis - An Interview with Joost de JongeLast week, as I obsessively pored over my <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/cihastings/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a> notices, my eyes came back to the same e-mail over and over. "<a href="http://www.joostspaintings.nl/" target="_blank">Joost de Jonge</a> has repinned two of your pins." Such a familiar name. Sort of. And why those two pins, out of the 29,000+ available?<br />
<br />
Ah, of course, he chose the two pins of Joost de Jonge's work on my overloaded art board. Now I know 1) he's a living artist, and 2) he has a <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/joostdejonge/" target="_blank">Pinterest account</a>. <br />
<br />
One click and I discover he lives in the Netherlands, two clicks and I find myself on <a href="http://www.joostspaintings.nl/" target="_blank">Joost's Web site</a>, a magical world of color and movement. This art looks like music. As if <a href="http://youtu.be/dTOSRjD57EM" target="_blank">Charles Ives' Concord Sonata</a> hopped onto a canvas and <a href="http://youtu.be/IrucUjaxjO4" target="_blank">Thelonious Monk</a> decided to follow.<br />
<br />
Color, color, color. Evocative movement. These images sing to me. There must be a word for this.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://theekphrasisprojectjdj.blogspot.com/p/in-ekphrastic-realm-joost-de-jonges.html" target="_blank">Ekphrasis</a>. And I have just stumbled upon its Master.<br />
<br />
Let's chat.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><span style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://www.joostspaintings.nl/" target="_blank"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQoKbhfpWaw7ceQsyDrGStWABjqq9yy5Z4i6cnDQB2EhiLCXsn_NhGzFDsOpvGtQzWzlH0c3xRLq6z4U_59vwWHrD8SeUeXrrhHdCzT9Iv77ecpWbpp1TDruiyr9nxGeH1CHQVIoz6HvU/s1600/unnamed-4.jpg" height="320" width="317" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.joostspaintings.nl/" target="_blank"><b>The Talisman</b><br />
by Joost de Jonge</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a name='more'></a><br /><br />
<b>Q1. What is your first memory of art?</b><br />
<b><br />
</b> <b>A1.</b> I remember very clearly the first time I saw a <a href="http://www.karelappelfoundation.com/index.cfm/karelappel/work/painting/" target="_blank">Karel Appel</a>, an early landscape, rather traditional with cows, it looked very real, but when I walked up to the painting there was nothing there but blotches of paint, colored blotchiness. I guess I was no older than ten years, in primary school. When we cycled back to the camp, the feeling and visual image of this severed coat of paint, cows torn apart in black and white, remained with me and has had a profound influence on how I see things, they may not be what they seem at first glance. And, of course, it had far reaching implications where the function of applying paint is concerned, to deceive and to appear different from itself, concealing its nature, but then again, ballsy and self-revelatory at close inspection.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjD5Wct3g-o8A3UQ6zJrY81mPBukkAvolSlFyf1p0Gapq8-mZWXPY2WiO2r-nFMBGxgKX6XEO9gJjippEOkkEceBTKGairJxNs_Khgj_qIsQO4BqPb5zT18sOJiBkbWppGeKnm7TLDY28/s1600/BR5thscndmov.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjD5Wct3g-o8A3UQ6zJrY81mPBukkAvolSlFyf1p0Gapq8-mZWXPY2WiO2r-nFMBGxgKX6XEO9gJjippEOkkEceBTKGairJxNs_Khgj_qIsQO4BqPb5zT18sOJiBkbWppGeKnm7TLDY28/s1600/BR5thscndmov.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://theekphrasisprojectjdj.blogspot.nl/p/2011-paintings-drawings.html" target="_blank">Bruckner's 5th, 2nd Movement</a><br />
<a href="http://theekphrasisprojectjdj.blogspot.nl/p/2011-paintings-drawings.html" target="_blank">by Joost de Jonge</a><br />
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</tbody></table>
<b>Q2. What is the first work of art you created?</b><br />
<br />
<b>A2.</b> I don't know if you can call it art, I must have been around eight or nine years old and consciously decided to alter aspects of my grandparents’ house in the depiction of it in my painting… I really felt creative! So I was rather young when I started weighing esthetic experience, formalizing it.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTpEdmUl5jm6Xnoz2dD_Kh10Ru5Xl9DVz1aO3CmhJ_uxDn1urSkGMbgFjVB3rCp2sx9fEfwkjGNttxQ1WqH8S2q0vUfsYDRD1t30e3h1Kxbbd9mzfwhFhxUmShsdgFpxBNlx3nc_aPISY/s1600/unnamed-5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTpEdmUl5jm6Xnoz2dD_Kh10Ru5Xl9DVz1aO3CmhJ_uxDn1urSkGMbgFjVB3rCp2sx9fEfwkjGNttxQ1WqH8S2q0vUfsYDRD1t30e3h1Kxbbd9mzfwhFhxUmShsdgFpxBNlx3nc_aPISY/s1600/unnamed-5.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="http://www.joostspaintings.nl/" target="_blank">Unconscious Infinity 6</a></b><br />
<a href="http://www.joostspaintings.nl/" target="_blank">by Joost de Jonge</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><br />
</b> <b>Q3. Was there a point in your life when you decided to try art, or were you always an artist?</b><br />
<br />
<b>A3.</b> I was at the <a href="http://www.kmm.nl/" target="_blank">Kröller-Müller Museum</a> with my dear mother and grandmother, holding my grandmother’s hand, looking up at the <a href="http://www.odilon-redon.org/The-Cyclops.html" target="_blank">Cyclops by Odilon Redon</a>. I hid a bit behind her, clinging to her dress, remembering the soft satin, green, beneath that paisley embroidered pastel colored dress she wore; she was to me the softest sounding color, allover, outside and inside. My grandmother liked Redon a lot, so we stood there for a while and I finally dared to take it in. How my eyes and thoughts could wander through that great landscape of love, the voyeuristic Cyclops, the envious eager Cyclops, taking me in with his possessive glance, luring me into the darker and deeper world of his silent ecstasy. It felt as if a great dark sea opened up within me an endless void that I could not have imagined, it was completely still, nothing there, just the gaze, just the experience of experience so to speak and there in the deepest of all silences I realized that this was what I wanted, to touch people in that way, to feel myself in that way, deep and silent, though joyfully playing with color and form. I was to be an artist, a painter.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0i8885ORhaxJqttSzx6UnBKzTbZTQ3KPVE03MIYnzF0QHSAvk-LYGn7gHQAFYkrt641OoD2_dLDgP92AhX5FlcX3bjckdB2UNgL04cL86AarsVx7SKPztF-1vzPgseVmihvvYqxnkHdk/s1600/90eedb39c3ce64a1ffd1bc202e79102e.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0i8885ORhaxJqttSzx6UnBKzTbZTQ3KPVE03MIYnzF0QHSAvk-LYGn7gHQAFYkrt641OoD2_dLDgP92AhX5FlcX3bjckdB2UNgL04cL86AarsVx7SKPztF-1vzPgseVmihvvYqxnkHdk/s1600/90eedb39c3ce64a1ffd1bc202e79102e.jpg" height="300" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="http://www.joostspaintings.nl/" target="_blank">Interlocking Motive/caught in the same gel A</a></b><br />
<a href="http://www.joostspaintings.nl/" target="_blank">by Joost de Jonge</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b><br />
</b> <b>Q4. Are there specific triggers that cause you to race to a blank canvas/paper or do you impose a certain discipline on yourself?</b><br />
<br />
<b>A4.</b> I am a rather chaotic person, though disciplined to the extent of getting myself to the studio every day. Sometimes I feel I should take a day off, but somehow always find myself back in the studio…sometimes dreaming on an old chaisse lounge that belonged to the mother of my so beloved grandmother from my mother's side and I feel embraced by history, by the gentle touch of the feminine. We artists must be partly like women, to carry the forms within, to feel with great care for the upcoming creation, the works all around in the studio in different phases of becoming. <br />
<br />
Indeed, at times I feel highly inspired. This could be by something simple as how pudding resides within a form, the waves of plastic, but also how the border is there between the forms and how the line is made up of two pieces, the meeting point defines a line that seems to border on a kind of nowhere, like the horizon where sky meets the sea, though in essence more like a void. Also the materiality of the pudding, it’s coloristic structure so to speak, can grab me, the experience of it can develop towards a whole other pattern form and rhythm. Sometimes it’s sparked by a conversation with a good friend, a poet or painter, often by reading art historical treatises by <a href="http://dictionaryofarthistorians.org/riegla.htm" target="_blank">Alois Riegl</a> or <a href="http://www.dictionaryofarthistorians.org/baraschm.htm" target="_blank">Moshe Barasch</a> (do so much love his: "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/The-Language-Art-Studies-Interpretation/dp/081471255X" target="_blank">The Language of Art: Studies in Interpretation</a>"), among others. And surely the esthetics of <a href="http://www.dictionaryofarthistorians.org/greenbergc.htm" target="_blank">Clement Greenberg</a> are compelling.<br />
<br />
I have art books all around in the studio and paper to sketch at quite some tables downstairs and upstairs where I also have several rooms. Also, I have many chairs positioned through the studio, so I can sit and look at works at hand and speculate, reflect, each time from literally a different point of view. This inspires me to start working again and to see my work anew. But to become inspired you need to keep on working and yes in that sense, I am very disciplined.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7K0eGsxv81QehI5JSoWfDOEHM30e75UBHbAFx4qTAeUIkrDopXjgT7PjWw-s_hsgej2glxR-f35mN06hImrt2sfjEEUgSf3Z5bDENW0JYri8IooHvYUBISzE_qIw20TaF6D1XgrBA4VQ/s1600/c01e5ad51aa732c4a6f79f0506c02177.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7K0eGsxv81QehI5JSoWfDOEHM30e75UBHbAFx4qTAeUIkrDopXjgT7PjWw-s_hsgej2glxR-f35mN06hImrt2sfjEEUgSf3Z5bDENW0JYri8IooHvYUBISzE_qIw20TaF6D1XgrBA4VQ/s1600/c01e5ad51aa732c4a6f79f0506c02177.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="http://www.joostspaintings.nl/" target="_blank">Unconscious Infinity II</a></b><br />
<a href="http://www.joostspaintings.nl/" target="_blank">by Joost de Jonge</a></td></tr>
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<b><br />
</b> <b>Q5. Would you talk about the role music plays in your art?</b><br />
<br />
<b>A5.</b> Alongside the feeling and strong drive I had for painting, to paint and draw, I was writing poems early on, excited merely by sound and rhythm, all about the sounds things we used in the household made. I must have been a boy of just six years, barely able to write, but so much taken with the conjuring up of sounds through the unusual combination of letters, vowels. Here I feel started the desire to be utterly rhythmical. But I also remember that the sound of pulling and letting go of elastic to me was colored in gold and blue.<br />
<br />
Later on I played the flute and piano, took singing lessons and danced a lot. I was in a band as a singer and rapper and had a home studio for music around my twenties and made some pretty spectacular experimental electronic stuff; but I felt I lacked the classical education, which I did have in painting, I felt I had to choose and painting won. But that feeling to compose music, to structure (time-) bars is essential within my approach to the building up of the composition; searching for that playfulness that may give you the feeling of watching a composition by <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=19VxHGpzJBo" target="_blank">Schoenberg</a> or <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kkJ60BZDUkg" target="_blank">Stravinsky</a>, a <a href="http://youtu.be/D4EhFkR8hSU" target="_blank">simple nocturne by John Field</a> or the complex symmetry, repetition & mirroring of the themes of <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zO8i5D2uz84" target="_blank">Bach's fugues</a>. Also, the fascination for improvisation is linked to my endless evenings of searching for sound patterns amongst all those black and white piano keys.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYrpO6giGRlm62EothDJ9oEe9Ree-0kYA9gckHa2m5a4LWrEGSi1UCw2rPZAo4hqMerUfgYApKz_SMjSgmTnkYBq-_d0aWqz6qZUmj2834jBOkusBzFm3B23l4pR9zUoxwZo6V-x8jEiA/s1600/0eba1550bf5b135cfb3ecf897c59a9a8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYrpO6giGRlm62EothDJ9oEe9Ree-0kYA9gckHa2m5a4LWrEGSi1UCw2rPZAo4hqMerUfgYApKz_SMjSgmTnkYBq-_d0aWqz6qZUmj2834jBOkusBzFm3B23l4pR9zUoxwZo6V-x8jEiA/s1600/0eba1550bf5b135cfb3ecf897c59a9a8.jpg" height="209" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="http://www.joostspaintings.nl/" target="_blank">Resounding</a></b><br />
<a href="http://www.joostspaintings.nl/" target="_blank">by Joost de Jonge</a></td></tr>
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<b><br />
</b> <b>Q6. When you are working on a piece, is there a point at which you realize you have a masterpiece taking shape on the canvas/paper?</b><br />
<br />
<b>A6.</b> It is all about the invisible masterpiece. The piece you long for and think you can create every time you start painting, but then again you rarely do. It's seldom to find that everything is there in a work of art you just finished. I do feel that some pieces synthesize a period of research and as such are a masterpiece within a specific series of works; but above all I look for the interplay between the individual works and how they built on each other; to gather an understanding, a feel for their intrinsic universe of creativity and emotion.<br />
<br />
Every time I start creating I have to let go of all else but the work at hand, giving all my attention to its minor and major problems, quirks and specifics, the esthetic questions the forms raise, what feeling is conveyed, what is articulated through a direction of a line, a changing of its direction and which form is to be my lead character… So really I never know if it's going to be a masterpiece from my point of view, artistically, but I can tell if it's any good! And I do usually have a pretty good feeling if I'm getting there… but it's always about details, about the slightest differences, and balancing these is a true crusade.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizVrJF4SWYdKij0HFiy9Im5pYRy0QTJn-Bk0qpZSqHDxby6jJ2vbNXGo_FHPQ0n129fFb24U38zqiXguqRqIjOE_e0VmTMWJDMzfdb198wDqVYZ2ykYmZpPFL2sx19M0RT51BL3bO2pdk/s1600/271cc517be84efb75dbcf5f1e49bf794.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizVrJF4SWYdKij0HFiy9Im5pYRy0QTJn-Bk0qpZSqHDxby6jJ2vbNXGo_FHPQ0n129fFb24U38zqiXguqRqIjOE_e0VmTMWJDMzfdb198wDqVYZ2ykYmZpPFL2sx19M0RT51BL3bO2pdk/s1600/271cc517be84efb75dbcf5f1e49bf794.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="http://www.joostspaintings.nl/" target="_blank">Rhythmical Allusion 2 (The Poet's Garden)</a></b><br />
<a href="http://www.joostspaintings.nl/" target="_blank">by Joost de Jonge</a></td></tr>
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<b><br />
</b> <b>Q7. Are there any artists you find particularly inspiring?</b><br />
<br />
<b>A7.</b> Yes, amongst many others I want to mention <a href="http://www.hanshofmann.org/" target="_blank">Hans Hoffman</a>, <a href="http://www.wikiart.org/en/georges-braque" target="_blank">Georges Braque</a>, <a href="http://pablo-picasso.paintings.name/biography/" target="_blank">Pablo Picasso</a>, <a href="http://centraalmuseum.nl/ontdekken/object/?img_only=1#o:10385" target="_blank">Janus de Winter</a>, <a href="http://www.artnet.com/artists/jacob-bendien/anthroposophic-composition-7bxP35AqFVFLYycVv848GQ2" target="_blank">Jacob Bendien</a>, <a href="http://www.theartstory.org/artist-de-kooning-willem.htm" target="_blank">Willem De Kooning</a>, <a href="http://www.theartstory.org/artist-mondrian-piet.htm" target="_blank">Piet Mondrian</a> (above all), <a href="http://www.moma.org/collection/artist.php?artist_id=4840" target="_blank">Odilon Redon</a>, <a href="http://www.vangoghgallery.com/" target="_blank">Vincent van Gogh</a>, <a href="http://www.paul-gauguin.net/" target="_blank">Paul Gauguin</a>, <a href="http://www.artble.com/artists/paul_cezanne" target="_blank">Paul Cézanne</a> and <a href="http://www.jean-baptiste-simeon-chardin.org/" target="_blank">Jean-Baptiste-Siméon Chardin</a>.<br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://www.artchive.com/artchive/C/chardin.html" target="_blank">Chardin</a></b> because of the materiality of his paint, the toughness and dryness of his strokes, like the <a href="http://www.christies.com/lotfinder/paintings/giorgio-morandi-fiori-5128298-details.aspx" target="_blank">Fiori by Morandi</a>, hit you with exactly the opposite materiality, luscious and sensual.<br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://www.pbs.org/hanshofmann/" target="_blank">Hoffmann</a></b> because of his great sense for composition; this man has balanced form to border the extreme of harmony and he understood how the materiality of paint could play an active role within the coming about of that sense of harmony, truly a great protagonist and influencer of modern day abstraction.<br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2005/may/07/art1" target="_blank">Braque</a></b> for his mysteriously balanced browns and blacks.<br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://gerryco23.wordpress.com/2013/10/11/picasso-in-antibes-the-joy-of-life/" target="_blank">Picasso</a></b> for his joyous play with art for art's sake.<br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://centraalmuseum.nl/ontdekken/object/?img_only=1#o:10385" target="_blank">Janus de Winter</a></b> as a neglected Dutch master of the perilous brushstroke.<br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://explore.rkd.nl/en/artists/6434" target="_blank">Bendien</a></b> as the real early twentieth century Dutch master of religious feeling in formalized abstraction.<br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://www.wikiart.org/en/willem-de-kooning" target="_blank">De Kooning</a></b> for making sense of all that coloristic chaos, teaching me so much (as we have a beautiful collection here at the <a href="http://www.stedelijk.nl/en" target="_blank">Stedelijk Museum</a> in Amsterdam, I can study it often) about rhythm and the secrets of materiality also the secrets of Cézanne's truth about painting, his difficulty to find the balance, though everything is changed easily, so much, too much by adding the slightest touch of (another) color.<br />
<br />
<b><a href="http://www.gemeentemuseum.nl/tentoonstellingen/mondriaan-de-stijl" target="_blank">Mondrian</a></b>, the master of Spiritual articulation through art, I mean, articulating the esthetic through a specific feel of the spiritual, conjuring up this feeling within his elaborated system of lines. Think of the early trees, how they seem to grow upwards upon the picture plane and how they expand into that same plane, making the two-dimensional opening up towards a finer feeling of space, a finer feeling of what natural growth may be for mankind and more specific, for art's esthetic position within the concept of humanity, defining the spiritual in art as such through feeling and esthetic realization of space as indefinable, though crystal clear presence.<br />
<br />
It is not so much the illusion of three dimension, but as I tried to suggest, more an abstract articulation of a very slight receding of space, which could just be the distance between the two lines, though suggestive of another kind of space which is not coherent with the implicit two dimensionality of the picture plane. Abstraction in black and white, grey tones that cite the old idea of a superior grey, a kind of silver light, a condition of the greatest balance that the old masters could reach, a condition of light for which The Netherlands is known, with all its Grey skies and endless seascapes. The <a href="https://www.rijksmuseum.nl/en/explore-the-collection/styles/the-hague-school" target="_blank">Hague School Painters</a> were famous for it and, of course, Mondrian emanated from this school.<br />
<br />
Surely the later paintings, especially the <a href="http://www.johnsheridanart.com/boogie.htm" target="_blank">Victory Boogie Woogie</a> we have here in <a href="http://www.gemeentemuseum.nl/en" target="_blank">de Gemeentemuseum</a> in The Hague, inform my leaning towards the musical within painting. Listening to Jazz and painting at the same time was one of my first real conscious <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ekphrasis" target="_blank">ekphrastic efforts</a>, during my study at <a href="http://www.kabk.nl/" target="_blank">The Royal School of Arts The Hague</a>. Of course when you name Jazz and painting in one sentence, you say Mondrian, you say syncopation…<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFU6dWdiXssfPpUMitU9LcxcqPylRpmrGHMX7EM_d0X8LD3JTLsqvEJqQ2GokaRdzXaArEl5QynjflW_PfonUcFCFlo44NQ5UwDj6uBaNtNyWH86baIFrX3SQIuFRqErb6IrD34abv5iw/s1600/unnamed-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFU6dWdiXssfPpUMitU9LcxcqPylRpmrGHMX7EM_d0X8LD3JTLsqvEJqQ2GokaRdzXaArEl5QynjflW_PfonUcFCFlo44NQ5UwDj6uBaNtNyWH86baIFrX3SQIuFRqErb6IrD34abv5iw/s1600/unnamed-3.jpg" height="320" width="158" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="http://www.joostspaintings.nl/" target="_blank">Archeology of Personhood 5</a></b><br />
<a href="http://www.joostspaintings.nl/" target="_blank">by Joost de Jonge</a></td></tr>
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<b><br />
</b> <b>Q8. Are there any non-artists you find particularly inspiring? </b><br />
<b><br />
</b> <b>A8.</b> Above all others: [Maurice] <a href="http://www.mythosandlogos.com/MerleauPonty.html" target="_blank">Merleau-Ponty</a>. I do so much love to read. And have a rather insatiable appetite for philosophy in relation to experience, of all sorts. One essential book in this relation is <a href="http://mitpress.mit.edu/books/inner-touch" target="_blank">"The Inner Touch" by Daniel Heller-Roazen</a>. Also, <a href="http://www.versobooks.com/books/1136-ethics" target="_blank">Alain Badiou's "Ethics"</a> is very relevant to the validity of the arts and especially the somewhat old-fashioned, though bracingly alive, practice of painting.<br />
<br />
So here come to mind not just one non-artist, but so many wonderful and interesting professionals, though I for my work restrict myself to poets, art historians and art critics as well as philosophers, though I also spend a lot of time reading about musicians and music: [Arnold] <a href="http://www.schoenberg.at/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=162&Itemid=197&lang=en" target="_blank">Schoenberg</a> and [Ludwig van] <a href="http://lucare.com/immortal/" target="_blank">Beethoven</a>, among others.<br />
<br />
I think philosophy and poetry, alongside music and the other <a href="http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/us/definition/american_english/beaux-arts" target="_blank">Beaux Arts</a>, are the best sources of inspiration for a painter, besides of course the genuine divine inspiration! and the inspiration that springs from the work itself, from working. I'd also like to mention [Fyodor] <a href="http://www.centerstage.org/crimeandpunishment/Digital-Dramaturgy/Fyodor-Dostoevsky.aspx" target="_blank">Dostoyevsky</a>, [Anton] <a href="http://www.online-literature.com/anton_chekhov/" target="_blank">Tsjechov</a> and <a href="http://www.robert-morgan.com/" target="_blank">Robert Morgan</a> (The Penguin Poet, whose <a href="http://books.google.com/books/about/Gap_Creek.html?id=NUyJBHKcONgC" target="_blank">Gap Creek</a> is to me a modern day equivalent of Dostoyevsky’s best novels).<br />
<br />
Robert Morgan wrote a lovely piece about my work, which so much strengthened me in my feeling as an artist. A poet that is also very important to me is [Fjodor] <a href="http://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fjodor_Tjoettsjev" target="_blank">Tjoettsjev</a>.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="http://www.joostspaintings.nl/" target="_blank">Archeology of Personhood 4</a></b><br />
<a href="http://www.joostspaintings.nl/" target="_blank">by Joost de Jonge</a></td></tr>
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<b><br />
</b> <b>Q9. Please answer a question I didn’t ask.</b><br />
<b><br />
</b> <b>Joost’s question. What do you think about the value of color?</b><br />
<br />
<b>A9. </b>The great Master of Aix, dear old <a href="http://www.atelier-cezanne.com/anglais/histoire.htm" target="_blank">Cézanne</a>, revealed in his writings that he sometimes felt colors to be autonomous beings. I feel this, too, so real and so alive within me as another world. I can travel through Oceans of Color within my mind. Color seems to me to be able to tell truths about yourself, about the secrets you keep in your heart of how you feel, unlocking the strangest emotions, that do not seem real, or I should say otherworldly.<br />
<br />
I wish to refer to <a href="http://www.soest.de/03leben_wohnen/kultur/museen/117040100000025160.php" target="_blank">Wilhelm Morgner</a>; this year I visited the <a href="http://www.soest.de/03leben_wohnen/kultur/museen/117040100000008045.php" target="_blank">Wilhelm-Morgner Haus</a> in Soest (Germany) with my dear friend and colleague, the art critic <a href="http://lowegallery.com/artists/joost-de-jonge/editorial.htm" target="_blank">Peter Frank</a>. <a href="http://www.soest.de/buergerservice_politik/buergerinfo/mitarbeiter/117040100000033772.php" target="_blank">Dr. Annette Werntze</a> was so kind to give me a guided tour.<br />
<br />
I felt some tears rolling down my face whilst standing in front of one of his biggest abstractions, Wilhelm Morgner understood color, he lived through it… so this is also how other artists inform your work, they sometimes reveal a truth about how you work, through experience (of their work, or a specific aspect of it), the experience helps you to further what was already there within yourself (the artist) and within your work (the art), now I even more consciously than before can give color its true life within the eye of the beholder, because I felt it’s working within me.<br />
<br />
So here I’m talking not so much about considering tonal value, but autonomous value, not so much harmonizing but more of a placing of colors individually almost like a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cloisonn%C3%A9" target="_blank">cloisonné</a>, avoiding chaos. For me it is most important to see how I can give a color its individuality within a specific color scheme I chose, for I do need some order and reflection, I do need some parameters to work with, to challenge myself, for it is also much harder for a color, a specific hue of red, to stand out amongst the other hues of red within the painting and then again, it's about the uniqueness of that red… sometimes I dream about a color, I dream of red and browns everywhere, like big holes in space, blobs of being, taking me by surprise, color exciting within me a vibration with its own solitude within. In my work, colors are built up in layers, standing out on their own, remaining relative… never becoming absolute but within the depths of my feeling and from thereon I play, seriously.<br />
<br />
From directing my attention to the value of my feeling instead of a specific color value, the color value arises naturally; it is here where the color within my work answers spiritual necessity.<br />
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOnKDHXvGqGjef8u7r6uY8aOD9QmT86V0V8DUgzhxsFFS1Cg0SpKze-vusB-VQDIt1XU09nfNMDNYVJQHy6gRDFYLwAGgv8KYy_XtcHLYdlrjlDL9RUsDdJgy8ybyogfzWwG0yvAk8i00/s1600/unnamed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOnKDHXvGqGjef8u7r6uY8aOD9QmT86V0V8DUgzhxsFFS1Cg0SpKze-vusB-VQDIt1XU09nfNMDNYVJQHy6gRDFYLwAGgv8KYy_XtcHLYdlrjlDL9RUsDdJgy8ybyogfzWwG0yvAk8i00/s1600/unnamed.jpg" height="320" width="159" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="http://www.joostspaintings.nl/" target="_blank">Archeology of Personhood 2</a></b><br />
<a href="http://www.joostspaintings.nl/" target="_blank">by Joost de Jonge</a></td></tr>
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<b><br />
</b> <b>Q10. Where can we see (and purchase) your work?</b><br />
<br />
<b>A10.</b> My work is currently on show in Atlanta at the <a href="http://lowegallery.com/artists/index-scrollbar.php?artist=joost-de-jonge" target="_blank">Bill Lowe Gallery</a>, in Easthampton at the <a href="http://mark-gallery.com/artist.vm?series=5490" target="_blank">Mark Gallery</a>, in San Diego with <a href="http://alexandersalazarfineart.com/artists/gerrit-joost-de-jonge/" target="_blank">Alexander Salazar Fine Art</a> and in Naples at <a href="http://www.galleriastudiolegale.it/" target="_blank">E23/Galleria Studio Legale/Antonio Rossi</a>.<br />
<br />
A good impression of my activities is to be found at <a href="http://www.joostspaintings.nl/" target="_blank">my Web site</a> where the galleries I work with are listed and where a potential customer might choose the gallery located nearby.<br />
<br />
I'd also like to refer you to <a href="http://issuu.com/joostdejonge/docs/the_archeology_of_personhood_series_dcc3c002b641ea" target="_blank">my latest publication at ISSUU</a> <b>[Editor’s note: for those unfamiliar with this scary looking acronym, it’s actually a great <a href="http://issuu.com/" target="_blank">digital publishing platform</a>]</b>, with lots of images of new works and texts by prominent art writers.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiDQdaXGNMzK0dQ1mz_oJHlkfYEUKCTxCN6mOfFqjK0oMXQbczNi1x9VDaUW58Q1tFCNoyP7bIz2RaKB_c9RY0hhlylWhc1LLg2w8XGJckIqAdGcTbuRhHdHhpQ7n7NDHFce_5Imd7Iao/s1600/9c700625d34e517cd9b28531d22048d8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiDQdaXGNMzK0dQ1mz_oJHlkfYEUKCTxCN6mOfFqjK0oMXQbczNi1x9VDaUW58Q1tFCNoyP7bIz2RaKB_c9RY0hhlylWhc1LLg2w8XGJckIqAdGcTbuRhHdHhpQ7n7NDHFce_5Imd7Iao/s1600/9c700625d34e517cd9b28531d22048d8.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="http://www.joostspaintings.nl/" target="_blank">The Dream of Reason</a></b><br />
<a href="http://www.joostspaintings.nl/" target="_blank">by Joost de Jonge</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
=======================================================================<br />
<br />
<b>Thanks for stopping by, Joost. There’s always a beagle to pet and a cup of hot tea at the ready in Lakewood. Don’t be a stranger.</b><br />
<br />
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<br />Carolyn Hastingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17889723899756642292noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7637014763662654571.post-12911852033597883412014-06-04T21:29:00.000-04:002014-06-24T16:27:01.657-04:00Linear Thinking Run Over by a Truck - An Interview with Eva FolksEnter <a href="http://evafolks.com/index.html" target="_blank">Eva Folks' world</a> and you never want to come home. Chickens drive coupes; giraffes rubberneck; well dressed pink poodles cruise in convertibles with one paw on the wheel; homes and offices tilt toward and away from each other in an engineer's fantasy world of gorgeous colors and rule bending.<br />
<br />
Eva is good Folks.<br />
<b><br />
</b> Let's chat.<br />
<b><br />
</b> <b>==============================================</b><br />
<b><br />
</b> <b>Q1. What is your first memory of art?</b><br />
<br />
<b>A1.</b> Sitting under the dining room table with my crayons and drawing all over the bottom of it. My parents weren’t too happy about it at the time, but they didn’t clean it off. The table was around until a few years ago and my childhood scribbles were still on it.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5xSc3Rn1lid2307QXpdJJ-0GVQgShtDCsEoIvYZRDRQerOOFb7fWP7wbL913pAFAOQpsEKJnFbyGYYDIzcMUmQGPjoEJz6Ap77qxNN8ehHePpOsWGPh5Emc0kkicFzWufxVIDqp5mxgg/s1600/urban-forest-eva-folks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5xSc3Rn1lid2307QXpdJJ-0GVQgShtDCsEoIvYZRDRQerOOFb7fWP7wbL913pAFAOQpsEKJnFbyGYYDIzcMUmQGPjoEJz6Ap77qxNN8ehHePpOsWGPh5Emc0kkicFzWufxVIDqp5mxgg/s1600/urban-forest-eva-folks.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Urban Forest</b><br />
(Eva Folks)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b></b><br />
<a name='more'></a><b>Q2. What is the first work of art you created?</b><br />
<br />
<b>A2.</b> If I go way back, I’ll say mud pies and sand castles. I’ve always liked to create things. While I was working full-time in front of a computer screen, I’d stopped drawing and painting almost completely. Not sure why. Left brain, right brain thing? Maybe.<br />
<br />
It’s hard to switch back and forth, but I needed to do something more creative, so I enrolled for night school classes at one of the local colleges. I picked a program in interior decorating which really helped kick-start my creativity. When I graduated a few years later, I started a part-time business with a friend. We’d go out and pick paint colours to match client’s fabrics, but soon the decorating turned into painting faux finishes and murals. I was involved in art again.<br />
<br />
A few years ago, an artist friend of mine, Judy, told me that it was about time I stopped procrastinating and got my ideas onto canvas. I did and it felt great! The first piece in the Urban Series was created, titled “Urban Vibes”.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioiwPRBNOBYFDcBjHyT16ZFa5w-YwxDHcEnCk11ccF1Z1xpqYPxdDtuSbLOL5-Tdcrky5H4t19juBGnaVLSAa48NOuopAh2BZ9JRwSrUoitjEb4JHlAAHb3yJYCtghJmHjEQuFzhF2mKw/s1600/Urban_Vibe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioiwPRBNOBYFDcBjHyT16ZFa5w-YwxDHcEnCk11ccF1Z1xpqYPxdDtuSbLOL5-Tdcrky5H4t19juBGnaVLSAa48NOuopAh2BZ9JRwSrUoitjEb4JHlAAHb3yJYCtghJmHjEQuFzhF2mKw/s1600/Urban_Vibe.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Urban Vibes</b>(Eva Folks)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Q3. Was there a point in your life when you decided to try art, or were you always an artist?</b><br />
<br />
<b>A3.</b> Always. When I think back to my childhood years, tween years, teen years, I was always drawing something. Mad Magazines were the best to draw from. I’d spend hours copying the characters from its pages. When we went on family vacations, I spent a lot of my time drawing. I wanted to be an artist when I grew up, but life has a way of moving us in different directions. I’ve come around full circle now, back to doing what I’ve always wanted to do, and only recently have I felt comfortable calling myself an artist.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD2MRt3KodE2lHAllOilz_fh2opDBTgJOAJCnVsVJNxbW42lCpJ__9hJBoRfrLxRzauV6iVSjf3H1J5KFXq4PlNRGfZ9f0n_Uq1kvrnHuDVcNffe20QcJMsgJ-qjPgKMT_kJQeqq2vWN4/s1600/Urban_Knight.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD2MRt3KodE2lHAllOilz_fh2opDBTgJOAJCnVsVJNxbW42lCpJ__9hJBoRfrLxRzauV6iVSjf3H1J5KFXq4PlNRGfZ9f0n_Uq1kvrnHuDVcNffe20QcJMsgJ-qjPgKMT_kJQeqq2vWN4/s1600/Urban_Knight.jpg" height="316" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Urban Knight</b>(Eva Folks)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Q4. Are there specific triggers that cause you to race to a canvas or do you impose a certain discipline on yourself?</b><br />
<br />
<b>A4.</b> Anything can spark the idea for a painting at any time. Something someone says, or driving by a place or event. I always do a quick sketch of the idea so I don’t forget anything. Then, I mull the idea over for a while, making some changes here and there, and figure out the canvas size.<br />
<br />
Eventually, I move the idea over to a canvas and start working out the colours. The funny part is, that after all this thinking, I end up changing the image all around again. I’m never completely sure what I’m going to end up with when I start, but each painting evolves, and in the end I always have a new favourite piece.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh64jdnJWUiM2yfKI0-foGhNAzwJNyNOtNCHAgIXMBgn7a7qmnVkzoCILhQ3rl7FF9EdH2BesBoBpS2ZcZMBn6oFQIt6p4ZnwbLHicXRZ2BdieakJI35XPpc2_P5oUVzJTxrV6lkSD5nfQ/s1600/0972119c8c101f7c7890a59d6175cfa7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh64jdnJWUiM2yfKI0-foGhNAzwJNyNOtNCHAgIXMBgn7a7qmnVkzoCILhQ3rl7FF9EdH2BesBoBpS2ZcZMBn6oFQIt6p4ZnwbLHicXRZ2BdieakJI35XPpc2_P5oUVzJTxrV6lkSD5nfQ/s1600/0972119c8c101f7c7890a59d6175cfa7.jpg" height="320" width="214" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Rubberneckers</b><br />
(Eva Folks)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Q5. When you are working on a piece, is there a point at which you realize you have a masterpiece taking shape?</b><br />
<br />
<b>A5.</b> Never. I always get stuck at one point or another, usually around the mid-point of a painting, when I want to throw my work out in the street and run it over with my truck. <b>[Editor's note: I would pay to see that.]</b> But I step back, work on another painting, or write for a few days. When I head back to the canvas with a clear mind, the painting shows me what to do. Then off I go again to completion.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJFsvR1C60WH9ob3ojS9KOj8KaLZjPeutFRLfXC1xiME1JNWdXznerlGZGxxO8vn1TzekMVgchMydYL3bLseHxXC_yOtBG9G-CntlelcGxUnKTPHAJf_Xr0Cmkx1XG_Q9JoXCz9ujF4P0/s1600/75aeebf05b8fdbf97ab584b2e729278f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJFsvR1C60WH9ob3ojS9KOj8KaLZjPeutFRLfXC1xiME1JNWdXznerlGZGxxO8vn1TzekMVgchMydYL3bLseHxXC_yOtBG9G-CntlelcGxUnKTPHAJf_Xr0Cmkx1XG_Q9JoXCz9ujF4P0/s1600/75aeebf05b8fdbf97ab584b2e729278f.jpg" height="320" width="144" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Urban Crawl</b><br />
(Eva Folks)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Q6. I read on your Web site that you have an engineering background and thought simultaneously “that is hilarious” and “that makes sense.” In your curvy, bendy, wonderful world, does your engineering knowledge come into play?</b><br />
<br />
<b>A6.</b> I’ve always loved perspective drawing and it comes easy to me. At work, I spent many years drawing with the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AutoCAD" target="_blank">AutoCAD</a>, and working with formulas to calculate bends in metal. Very linear thinking. My paintings do reflect all of that, though I never set forth consciously to create a work of art with any of that background in mind. The buildings in my paintings bend and twist, but just to the point before they would topple over. I’ve had people comment on that, saying that the buildings aren’t right, but they are. Then they smile.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtgaaNv9aV_AT99D35Hq_nJU_wLlXDBxs94X_7fEBpJqAznVDZtvAPnpP6AbhDb8fGwbLZbHwBHbzNyx2PjDtxEuJI2jeJw5nm6jHFmxTlI66dFhx1GUrgfeFm8DFOuMeQXAuZKGF92rQ/s1600/Urban_Heights.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtgaaNv9aV_AT99D35Hq_nJU_wLlXDBxs94X_7fEBpJqAznVDZtvAPnpP6AbhDb8fGwbLZbHwBHbzNyx2PjDtxEuJI2jeJw5nm6jHFmxTlI66dFhx1GUrgfeFm8DFOuMeQXAuZKGF92rQ/s1600/Urban_Heights.jpg" height="320" width="158" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Urban Heights</b><br />
(Eva Folks)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Q7. Are there any artists you find particularly inspiring?</b><br />
<br />
<b>A7.</b> I love art that is colourful and tells a story. That always inspires me. Artist like <a href="http://www.marthamarkowsky.com/Home_page.html" target="_blank">Martha Markowsky</a>, and <a href="http://studiorayyan.com/index.php" target="_blank">Omar Rayyan</a> do just that. And they throw in a bit of whimsy, too. I also find the work of <b>[M.C.]</b> <a href="http://www.mcescher.com/" target="_blank">Escher</a> amazing (there’s that engineering background) and <a href="http://thedali.org/" target="_blank">Salvador Dali</a> for his adventures into everything surreal.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguk3FkGcweuo0h8iE6nVaoy-EFTkDX8Lyj9xN-N0VDxZtzvbdMUPyWlNWqMtwjOsCLytGcrcwcPhaUNb2K5gBHbmAsgIUNZzymvoz-o99TXoYYhmu3XZDZf1qDBEBqVT4r8zKUB2XqWYk/s1600/Dog_Days_Of_Summer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguk3FkGcweuo0h8iE6nVaoy-EFTkDX8Lyj9xN-N0VDxZtzvbdMUPyWlNWqMtwjOsCLytGcrcwcPhaUNb2K5gBHbmAsgIUNZzymvoz-o99TXoYYhmu3XZDZf1qDBEBqVT4r8zKUB2XqWYk/s1600/Dog_Days_Of_Summer.jpg" height="144" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Dog Days of Summer</b><br />
(Eva Folks)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Q8. Are there any non-artists you find particularly inspiring?</b><br />
<br />
<b>A8.</b> I’d have to say my mom. She’s a dynamo that never stops. She ballroom dances, takes piano lessons, and Jazzercises. A couple of years ago, in her early seventies, she started a sewing business. Yoga mat bags were the first things she was making. She needed something to carry her mat to exercise classes in. Last year she bought herself a show tent, and she spends a lot of summer weekends taking her work to different shows to sell. Now’s she making other bags too, and jewelry pouches that people are snapping up so fast she can hardly keep up. She’s done really well with it all. Her drive and energy amaze me. Go, Mom!<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6pefflrpkaWneCtF264lgH8_pmrg9iaHQvikfyu1bxW-gulIiZjBVj1sWvF9bf4QLWYnOijOKTBB08afwvOF8AxaOsJsN7Ac0I5btgOvRCqYP7cAnCzUGDGmbfkZjNEAbO5mLczUG2DM/s1600/Like_Mother_Like_Daughter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6pefflrpkaWneCtF264lgH8_pmrg9iaHQvikfyu1bxW-gulIiZjBVj1sWvF9bf4QLWYnOijOKTBB08afwvOF8AxaOsJsN7Ac0I5btgOvRCqYP7cAnCzUGDGmbfkZjNEAbO5mLczUG2DM/s1600/Like_Mother_Like_Daughter.jpg" height="249" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Like Mother, Like Daughter</b><br />
(Eva Folks)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Q9. Please answer a question I didn’t ask.</b><br />
<br />
<b>A9.</b> I most appreciate my husband, David. He’s always been so supportive of me; in both my painting and writing. It’s because of him that I’ve had this amazing opportunity to work in my studio, and focus on what I’m creating. I put 100% into everything and never settle for less.<br />
<br />
Sometimes I feel like success isn’t coming fast enough, and I do get down about it, but David’s there with his support and understanding. He jokes and says I’m his retirement plan, then tells me to just keep at it. It will come. And he’s right. Each year is more successful than the one before it, even if I don’t always see it.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4aNcnip_Jd32_GYcdVnfeLmSGqNAdmRGYWmhAzSM_D-9NJr-x_FKTfdi1iVKAZxrPPjgCYe3hcaZsdq4yCdN3rasyc3eAj3dwAI9XiZpAkmhR41msO4o-H-uARg3gYwAmSQxampAfG2U/s1600/chicken_coupe.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4aNcnip_Jd32_GYcdVnfeLmSGqNAdmRGYWmhAzSM_D-9NJr-x_FKTfdi1iVKAZxrPPjgCYe3hcaZsdq4yCdN3rasyc3eAj3dwAI9XiZpAkmhR41msO4o-H-uARg3gYwAmSQxampAfG2U/s1600/chicken_coupe.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Chicken Coupe</b><br />
(Eva Folks)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Q10. Where can we see (and purchase) your work?</b><br />
<br />
<b>A10.</b> I’m not doing too many shows in 2014, mostly local events, and the <a href="http://www.schombergvillagestreetgallery.ca/" target="_blank">Schomberg Street Gallery</a> in September. I plan to venture out more in the next few years and do some US shows again. Right now, you can find my work in various galleries; <a href="http://pennellogallery.com/" target="_blank">The Pennello Gallery</a> in Cleveland, Ohio, <a href="http://theedgeartgallery.ca/" target="_blank">The Edge Gallery</a> in Barrie, Ontario, and <a href="http://galleryseven.ca/" target="_blank">Gallery Seven</a> in Aurora, Ontario where I live. You can purchase prints of my work on <a href="http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/eva-folks.html" target="_blank">Fine Art America</a>.<br />
<br />
Or you can <a href="http://evafolks.com/index.html" target="_blank">get in touch with me</a> personally to purchase a piece that isn’t at a gallery, a signed and numbered Giclée print, or a commission.<span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzFec4rbmaA8_pdZ2hrKjrIqxIpn9Gjo5yqQDbkxuzgvdT6DEzGE8yBdKXTtILziZTMKKlazvb4rf0hjXI9lZoNcmIKfC6xB9_lw_RAcclgu2A_g7FtYLpdDRVd86z64fhymUEMIbT-HI/s1600/Urban_Hang-Ups.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzFec4rbmaA8_pdZ2hrKjrIqxIpn9Gjo5yqQDbkxuzgvdT6DEzGE8yBdKXTtILziZTMKKlazvb4rf0hjXI9lZoNcmIKfC6xB9_lw_RAcclgu2A_g7FtYLpdDRVd86z64fhymUEMIbT-HI/s1600/Urban_Hang-Ups.jpg" height="160" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Urban Hang Ups</b><br />
(Eva Folks)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
=============================================<br />
<b>Thanks for stopping by, Eva. There’s always a beagle to pet and a cup of hot tea at the ready in Lakewood. Don’t be a stranger.</b><br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
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})();</script>Carolyn Hastingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17889723899756642292noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7637014763662654571.post-812323130155372642014-05-15T18:34:00.000-04:002014-06-04T21:42:27.869-04:00To Paint is to Breathe – An Interview with BarzagaAlthough her dad introduced her to art, it’s Barzaga’s women that first caught my eye. There’s a timelessness about them; they live in the past; they live in the future; they live, live, live. Outer beauty tempered with a single tear, a certain melancholy, they celebrate joy with music and friendship. They wear their sadness well. And I love every one of them.<br />
<br />
Let’s chat.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVnbm23Wy2HLjs_FHP6Qhpg6Va8BpsyZ72hGQmmC4pA2pG4j5nr_KlHF-zhQE1qqIGrhkbzEzexCo_qmd0CB67O6FhA5glWtqBRJoGNIhkDltc3mmIRf6yvFU0iFzQ3ddUrLPJNfKegVw/s1600/X8L6000A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVnbm23Wy2HLjs_FHP6Qhpg6Va8BpsyZ72hGQmmC4pA2pG4j5nr_KlHF-zhQE1qqIGrhkbzEzexCo_qmd0CB67O6FhA5glWtqBRJoGNIhkDltc3mmIRf6yvFU0iFzQ3ddUrLPJNfKegVw/s1600/X8L6000A.jpg" height="320" width="192" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.artistrising.com/products/501326/Reflections.htm" target="_blank">Reflections</a></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;"><b>Note</b>: In honor of Barzaga's Cuban heritage, </span></div>
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<span style="color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">questions and answers appear <b>in Spanish</b> </span></div>
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<span style="color: #e06666; font-size: xx-small;">beneath the English version.</span></div>
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<b>Q1. What is your first memory of art?</b></div>
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<b>A1.</b> Spending time with my dad who introduced me to painting.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWk0kQKiFaFpx3nFaZzQWNYEUGWZKHcmLtc0co9B3SLixk1fxzo88gsbKqv4iSsaGSuHr3kyjzRmiSedoYrkZzG197ThWsRZt9w_CxL88QbodFk8oX-_QMRYiZ8HVqNg9ag7NTgavP1ec/s1600/58955_4478710824246_1556530152_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWk0kQKiFaFpx3nFaZzQWNYEUGWZKHcmLtc0co9B3SLixk1fxzo88gsbKqv4iSsaGSuHr3kyjzRmiSedoYrkZzG197ThWsRZt9w_CxL88QbodFk8oX-_QMRYiZ8HVqNg9ag7NTgavP1ec/s1600/58955_4478710824246_1556530152_n.jpg" height="320" width="206" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/BarzagaExpressions/timeline" target="_blank">Elena's Ghost</a></td></tr>
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<b></b><br />
<a name='more'></a><b>Q2. Was there a point in your life when you decided to try art, or were you always an artist?</b></div>
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<b>A2.</b> I’ve always been drawn to art. But it was in my adult years that I took painting seriously and I decided to paint as a profession.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJCDsMdU1Pe8HvoHO-XcKoqHmjPRHc7trRcQY54Mq4BywLToY_r2ra_cBtqtgO4ePcHdnx5Hd38GYra03Vnrqrvcdw_3b7Kv2eS-cvmHV3sEjOy-DrxyhPOB5B0-rFG0vK44D3ykPxF7A/s1600/69248_10200430856452344_1921326451_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJCDsMdU1Pe8HvoHO-XcKoqHmjPRHc7trRcQY54Mq4BywLToY_r2ra_cBtqtgO4ePcHdnx5Hd38GYra03Vnrqrvcdw_3b7Kv2eS-cvmHV3sEjOy-DrxyhPOB5B0-rFG0vK44D3ykPxF7A/s1600/69248_10200430856452344_1921326451_n.jpg" height="320" width="211" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/BarzagaExpressions/timeline" target="_blank">Little Black Windows</a></td></tr>
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<b>Q3. Looking at your Web site, <a href="http://barzagaexpressions.com/" target="_blank">Barzaga Expressions</a>, I see many stunning portraits of women. The more I look, the more I detect a certain wistfulness, almost a profound sadness, in their faces and body language. And yet, these are obviously strong women: performing music, hugging each other and/or their instruments, some surrounded by beautiful flowers, others in beautiful rooms. Am I misinterpreting these pieces?</b></div>
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<b>A3.</b> Art is open to interpretation. For me it’s like looking at myself in the mirror many times or a reflection of myself. Or looking at the person seated next to me on the bus or a family member. There’s no specific way, in my opinion, to interpret art. Everything depends on the viewer. And the way each viewer creates a connection to the piece. What for some is green, for others is blue.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS5bmJosUzIsS12V70R4Woa7AnxfjgslbL6OjR2JHEH6YkkHw-0MDFCoggqqsByLuMx44hbzDaPWmzyrT6Sy_RRcA-uGjkqjtlyfTCTsDRsvbm7sDflqG9Z9dB4AVvmyIoxtA3mvocz4M/s1600/image-700x1075.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS5bmJosUzIsS12V70R4Woa7AnxfjgslbL6OjR2JHEH6YkkHw-0MDFCoggqqsByLuMx44hbzDaPWmzyrT6Sy_RRcA-uGjkqjtlyfTCTsDRsvbm7sDflqG9Z9dB4AVvmyIoxtA3mvocz4M/s1600/image-700x1075.jpg" height="320" width="208" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://barzagaexpressions.com/" target="_blank">Paper Dreams</a></td></tr>
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<b>Q4. Are there specific triggers that cause you to race to a blank canvas/paper or do you impose a certain discipline on yourself?</b></div>
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<b>A4.</b> The truth is, there is not a set factor. It can be a memory, a feeling, a song, a book, etc. It all depends on the inspiration. If I don’t feel inspired, I cannot paint.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7pWxoYrV47trvckJ4Ze7rB2-zxUw50zwvC3O35NmH3bxi12APOByXo92UfhzCDgo8WB8hprWGTaBormhVch8RXJnCGt1MG2A6aEpy6DwFEGjgYOF2zWrY-GitCY14973HFz0wECzQgLk/s1600/1979757_10200812977405129_1556468998_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7pWxoYrV47trvckJ4Ze7rB2-zxUw50zwvC3O35NmH3bxi12APOByXo92UfhzCDgo8WB8hprWGTaBormhVch8RXJnCGt1MG2A6aEpy6DwFEGjgYOF2zWrY-GitCY14973HFz0wECzQgLk/s1600/1979757_10200812977405129_1556468998_n.jpg" height="320" width="183" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/BarzagaExpressions/timeline" target="_blank">La Bohème</a></td></tr>
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<b>Q5. When you are working on a piece, is there a point at which you realize you have a masterpiece taking shape on the canvas/paper?</b></div>
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<b>A5.</b> I don’t think of my paintings as masterpieces. I see them as a part of me. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqWXzp90901gRMoGr2Jp86DbDcahLBRmD0V_zfS5-Vhn9CyW6C4YTJRx8kZEU5yZOeCzhUr_oRcwcs35yyOPsuE2hNDRSyjdw68bZRa45dnA14Ql6p7A8CbgsN3AMT9tJVHs34gnql0LI/s1600/1656334_10200631170620073_1039886704_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqWXzp90901gRMoGr2Jp86DbDcahLBRmD0V_zfS5-Vhn9CyW6C4YTJRx8kZEU5yZOeCzhUr_oRcwcs35yyOPsuE2hNDRSyjdw68bZRa45dnA14Ql6p7A8CbgsN3AMT9tJVHs34gnql0LI/s1600/1656334_10200631170620073_1039886704_n.jpg" height="320" width="186" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/BarzagaExpressions/timeline" target="_blank">Psicofonía</a></td></tr>
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<b>Q6. Are there any artists you find particularly inspiring?</b> </div>
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<b>A6.</b> <a href="http://www.fridakahlofans.com/" target="_blank">Frida Khalo</a>, <a href="http://www.vangoghgallery.com/" target="_blank">Vincent Van Gogh</a> and <a href="http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/pica/hd_pica.htm" target="_blank">Pablo Picasso</a>.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ8rwtkcVIGvMOi-LHy_Yyg07v5ET3WZqP5i35opaWAEcH_jf0aPa5xSiYA8b_AekX5sOr64hNs8bZIChW0qZiqyAqvf6s_aIbpWvZ4ZTW0ltS40447ypVlY9GgFOiwQBKXZcnfwjaSJY/s1600/10255211_10200872783540245_2394765347549594927_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQ8rwtkcVIGvMOi-LHy_Yyg07v5ET3WZqP5i35opaWAEcH_jf0aPa5xSiYA8b_AekX5sOr64hNs8bZIChW0qZiqyAqvf6s_aIbpWvZ4ZTW0ltS40447ypVlY9GgFOiwQBKXZcnfwjaSJY/s1600/10255211_10200872783540245_2394765347549594927_n.jpg" height="320" width="189" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/BarzagaExpressions/timeline" target="_blank">Pollyanna</a></td></tr>
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<b>Q7. Are there any non-artists you find particularly inspiring?</b></div>
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<b>A7.</b> My mother has always been a great emotional support in my life. Since I was a little girl she has supported me and helped in one way or another to follow my dreams. My father introduced me to art and my mother always supported my dream of being an artist.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBu-en2Y6tMBLS9-JTZUSKpXrMGEm2Gk7fL0vW3UP-b6j1mVvos3v8-pSa7KeBI-PuvFF_HIEWvyiIRbqNp1mstRRtY-PaVPBih8DMHlzYLWD4eYL-lKVMsB5WknyllyI0tzw9mv5eAnE/s1600/1620524_10200493391775688_544652473_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBu-en2Y6tMBLS9-JTZUSKpXrMGEm2Gk7fL0vW3UP-b6j1mVvos3v8-pSa7KeBI-PuvFF_HIEWvyiIRbqNp1mstRRtY-PaVPBih8DMHlzYLWD4eYL-lKVMsB5WknyllyI0tzw9mv5eAnE/s1600/1620524_10200493391775688_544652473_n.jpg" height="320" width="223" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/BarzagaExpressions/timeline" target="_blank">Ophelia's Opheliac</a></td></tr>
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<b>Q8. Please answer a question I didn’t ask.</b></div>
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<b>A8.</b> Barzaga is my artistic name in honor of my mother, Marina Barzaga.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhELMyMPnZdWRIQxeLJI1feOOqauak8FqUWN-mS9nBjxzvrzvTUcg0WRff5PhgNPx6ruGEH-n0aqUc3wNKBRji8-aeaNZLS7K7c5462OSy2SCNg6f4ezkPCPiHY2re5X7GoBQBxg4V3Uv8/s1600/1017156_10200413042206999_1721695607_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhELMyMPnZdWRIQxeLJI1feOOqauak8FqUWN-mS9nBjxzvrzvTUcg0WRff5PhgNPx6ruGEH-n0aqUc3wNKBRji8-aeaNZLS7K7c5462OSy2SCNg6f4ezkPCPiHY2re5X7GoBQBxg4V3Uv8/s1600/1017156_10200413042206999_1721695607_n.jpg" height="320" width="196" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/BarzagaExpressions/timeline" target="_blank">Tick, Tock</a></td></tr>
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<b>Q9. Where can we see (and purchase) your work?</b></div>
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<b>A9.</b> On my <a href="https://www.facebook.com/BarzagaExpressions" target="_blank">art page</a> or on my <a href="http://barzagaexpressions.com/" target="_blank">Web site</a>. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyD99VhHiRjFytcVz1PWlydWDvETXIYDfM7FL5CBVXT2iwkbJUHrTm3_Y8rKgd_cT3e3TZ8ZMe6sIkIIMJQWcnXcrl48zKyN2vgHOTG-Ii8ktZ3ArkblTEuGy8FVfbuAe-T1buKrdP1TI/s1600/1017287_4537649737682_58999752_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyD99VhHiRjFytcVz1PWlydWDvETXIYDfM7FL5CBVXT2iwkbJUHrTm3_Y8rKgd_cT3e3TZ8ZMe6sIkIIMJQWcnXcrl48zKyN2vgHOTG-Ii8ktZ3ArkblTEuGy8FVfbuAe-T1buKrdP1TI/s1600/1017287_4537649737682_58999752_n.jpg" height="320" width="250" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Light Still Burns</td></tr>
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<b>Thanks for stopping by, Barzaga. There’s always a beagle to pet and a cup of hot tea at the ready in Lakewood. Don’t be a stranger.</b></div>
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<span style="background-color: #0c343d; color: #f1c232; font-size: x-large;">*********************</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #0c343d; color: #f1c232; font-size: x-large;">en español</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #0c343d; color: #f1c232; font-size: x-large;">*********************</span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"><b>P1. ¿Cuál es tu primera memoria de arte?</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"><b>R1. </b> Pasando tiempo con mi padre que me introdujo a la pintura.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivCxyXcuIzNUr5D1oAqkPDrUz_I6xdVKZeaUKj9YrcK3qRgHfNU2nlwdv0oGsH1i3xKaiVHsGf1GRSBpNoAYPPzQ0dy4Cd9-NdlJNS4pPdlFskhqbD88m4QnFSYP7mR_Rfu2PQd7Awask/s1600/10246487_10200812976965118_895830994_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivCxyXcuIzNUr5D1oAqkPDrUz_I6xdVKZeaUKj9YrcK3qRgHfNU2nlwdv0oGsH1i3xKaiVHsGf1GRSBpNoAYPPzQ0dy4Cd9-NdlJNS4pPdlFskhqbD88m4QnFSYP7mR_Rfu2PQd7Awask/s1600/10246487_10200812976965118_895830994_n.jpg" height="320" width="196" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/BarzagaExpressions/timeline" target="_blank">House of Paper</a></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"><b>P2. ¿Hubo un momento en tu vida cuando decidiste intentar crear arte, o siempre fuiste artista?</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"><b>R2. </b> El arte siempre me ha llamado la atencion . Pero fue en mis años de adulta que tomé la pintura en serio y decidí pintar como profesión.</span></div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm6w5qHLYqSCoKQIo8go7FERCbkwAILgMG9cUT0m6f0lgBIjSaPGN_CCVGCccYA_OvvndujhKgaxV2Ms1i0CqyB__B8QECv2rhqcca0YX49wpVdnEKhsJoS5MfL_YAwuIuQbTotphpTck/s1600/1545162_10200404403991049_1712647641_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm6w5qHLYqSCoKQIo8go7FERCbkwAILgMG9cUT0m6f0lgBIjSaPGN_CCVGCccYA_OvvndujhKgaxV2Ms1i0CqyB__B8QECv2rhqcca0YX49wpVdnEKhsJoS5MfL_YAwuIuQbTotphpTck/s1600/1545162_10200404403991049_1712647641_n.jpg" height="320" width="194" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"><b>P3. En cuanto a tu sitio Web, <a href="http://barzagaexpressions.com/" target="_blank">Barzaga Expressions</a>, veo muchos retratos impresionantes de mujeres. Cuanto más miro, más detecto una cierta melancolía, casi una profunda tristeza en sus rostros y el lenguaje corporal. Y, sin embargo, ellas son, obviamente, mujeres fuertes: tocando música, abrazándose o abrazando sus instrumentos, algunas rodeadas de flores hermosas, otras en habitaciones hermosas. ¿Estoy malinterpretando estos retratos?</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"><b>R3.</b> El arte está abierto a interpretación. Para mí es como mirarme en un espejo muchas veces, Un reflejo de mí. O mirar a la persona sentada a mi lado en el bus o un familiar. No existe una manera específica en mi opinión para interpreter al arte. Todo depende del admirador. De la manera que el mismo crea una conección con la obra. Lo que para unos es verde para otros es azul.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvmWzLigFU9JGtUujaTQg5sT8PihUGJBKp48ZwNOp7TY6EW-nQmv8gH7rORpw5AtQhbjO6XE3dAVg4SP3gAdMMiLBx0ETXV0RRvZP7hmCZzCqutolVaNIMdCDt7A_BcM0qVoGdFjamZJw/s1600/IMG_20120930_173147-1-300x443.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvmWzLigFU9JGtUujaTQg5sT8PihUGJBKp48ZwNOp7TY6EW-nQmv8gH7rORpw5AtQhbjO6XE3dAVg4SP3gAdMMiLBx0ETXV0RRvZP7hmCZzCqutolVaNIMdCDt7A_BcM0qVoGdFjamZJw/s1600/IMG_20120930_173147-1-300x443.jpg" height="320" width="216" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mockingbird Song</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><b>P4. ¿Existen factores desencadenantes específicos que te mueven a correr para un lienzo / papel en blanco o te impones una cierta disciplina en ti misma?</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"><b>R4.</b> La verdad no hay un factor fijo. Puede ser una memoria, un sentimiento, una canción, un libro, etc. Todo depende de la inspiración. Sino me siento inspirada no puedo pintar.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbk6dMd7NIcpJDQJ470QoDTHB7P9ayuY0pN-yypRvcw2gJPvCYOAwfqkVxo0xiVaerps_AhItsW7MCPhjaEfGB5KSr5o7l_5zrQb14yB7mJeE5zmQYtjWdopgxLSk6ZyAbhcSt9tIMldM/s1600/IMG_20120930_174414-1-1-700x1017.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbk6dMd7NIcpJDQJ470QoDTHB7P9ayuY0pN-yypRvcw2gJPvCYOAwfqkVxo0xiVaerps_AhItsW7MCPhjaEfGB5KSr5o7l_5zrQb14yB7mJeE5zmQYtjWdopgxLSk6ZyAbhcSt9tIMldM/s1600/IMG_20120930_174414-1-1-700x1017.jpg" height="320" width="220" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://barzagaexpressions.com/page/3/" target="_blank">Masquerade</a></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"><b>P5. Cuando estás pintando una obra de arte, ¿hay un punto en el que te das cuenta que una obra maestra se está creando en el lienzo/papel?</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"><b>R5.</b> No pienso en mis pinturas como obras maestras. Mas bien las veo como una parte de mi.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUqmeojiqz7nSRrMZ8TMdNrApLlO9mgXyUsdLJ-JFsrjElUIyBuVRYGAOU5oWk8QGAPLO-1zJibnMksDHXqKrq97uUuy3ry6FBp3GTOL2_1uMxSx1ARqxVXvX5XudV1TkdksX9nhqWi6A/s1600/IMG_20121006_111036-1-300x449.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUqmeojiqz7nSRrMZ8TMdNrApLlO9mgXyUsdLJ-JFsrjElUIyBuVRYGAOU5oWk8QGAPLO-1zJibnMksDHXqKrq97uUuy3ry6FBp3GTOL2_1uMxSx1ARqxVXvX5XudV1TkdksX9nhqWi6A/s1600/IMG_20121006_111036-1-300x449.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://barzagaexpressions.com/page/2/" target="_blank">Moonless Night</a></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"><b>P6. ¿Hay algún(a) artista que consideras particularmente inspirador(a)?</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"><br />
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"><b>R6.</b> <a href="http://www.fridakahlofans.com/" target="_blank">Frida Khalo</a>, <a href="http://www.vangoghgallery.com/" target="_blank">Vincent Van Gogh</a> y <a href="http://www.metmuseum.org/toah/hd/pica/hd_pica.htm" target="_blank">Pablo Picasso</a>.</span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2tvBVmKW99cVDlfdcrYuc5PErxm33-qdq5Vy9V0qHvAMVYWg9ae8jziLlmMl6sKPZwyqhbyhLhhrqCqriDPIWKofuXtgs7Yf1tU5fonPh5Z9cvuFhj3SZej_oSBuXJjIidXX1qWji6Zg/s1600/image-300x517.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2tvBVmKW99cVDlfdcrYuc5PErxm33-qdq5Vy9V0qHvAMVYWg9ae8jziLlmMl6sKPZwyqhbyhLhhrqCqriDPIWKofuXtgs7Yf1tU5fonPh5Z9cvuFhj3SZej_oSBuXJjIidXX1qWji6Zg/s1600/image-300x517.jpg" height="320" width="184" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://barzagaexpressions.com/page/3/" target="_blank">Farewell</a></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"><b>P7. ¿Hay alguien que no sea artista que consideras particularmente inspirador(a)?</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"><b>R7.</b> Mi madre siempre ha sido un gran soporte emocional en mi vida. Desde pequeña ha apoyado y ayudado en una manera o otra a seguir mis metas. Mi padre me introdujo al arte y mi madre ha apoyado siempre mi meta de ser artista.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh78iu39Zut3Fy55yNYHFSyUJElNs16nvaX90L1iewXQhuxaxNJUbp8nGHacCM2O4_rAKZh_1jrD_tIRSN-eaBALIgn96C0R4OyT6Vjec6Srg_PQ78ORAZgDaH2ncvyIDESo8x2UZ7GIxk/s1600/1014168_10200614261357352_1510980397_n+(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh78iu39Zut3Fy55yNYHFSyUJElNs16nvaX90L1iewXQhuxaxNJUbp8nGHacCM2O4_rAKZh_1jrD_tIRSN-eaBALIgn96C0R4OyT6Vjec6Srg_PQ78ORAZgDaH2ncvyIDESo8x2UZ7GIxk/s1600/1014168_10200614261357352_1510980397_n+(2).jpg" height="320" width="253" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/BarzagaExpressions/timeline" target="_blank">Black Tulip</a></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"><b>P8. Por favor, contesta una pregunta que no hice.</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"><br />
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"><b>R8.</b> Barzaga es mi nombre artístico en honor a mi madre Marina Barzaga.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUBiG5HkcnRsDIYfrB6BMv_ZUpllUTMqLkVsavb1O8-76yAgcH9djgRvvds7z_QdatS2pEEuZ_0JsdoykN0_zCBoDLdQPFmAzIlXDdTxEXyBWkRGZGJ-1FQOYH3X9hIBktJ3jQ03nCWzA/s1600/C8L6000A.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUBiG5HkcnRsDIYfrB6BMv_ZUpllUTMqLkVsavb1O8-76yAgcH9djgRvvds7z_QdatS2pEEuZ_0JsdoykN0_zCBoDLdQPFmAzIlXDdTxEXyBWkRGZGJ-1FQOYH3X9hIBktJ3jQ03nCWzA/s1600/C8L6000A.jpg" height="320" width="217" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.artistrising.com/products/501320/Dolores.htm" target="_blank">Dolores</a></td></tr>
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</div>
<div>
<span style="color: #134f5c;"><b>P9. ¿Dónde podemos ver (y comprar) tus obras?</b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"><br />
</span></div>
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<span style="color: #134f5c;"><b>R9.</b> En mi <a href="https://www.facebook.com/BarzagaExpressions" target="_blank">página de arte</a> o en mi <a href="http://barzagaexpressions.com/" target="_blank">Web site</a>. </span></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYgCGYNQMpeYhuK9hHbSwlHhh_I5NeCmwNgE7lVRPSKfAT2_VEO3sZ4L3Ba6WgZY6OJhEUBVext2gmNfOn6yXzA0paMavmYkJZw1L6yuLiKAMOOVsEXqjmi8v0Pq2W7OqygVhwYOL8dHg/s1600/IMG_20120930_172221-1-300x450.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYgCGYNQMpeYhuK9hHbSwlHhh_I5NeCmwNgE7lVRPSKfAT2_VEO3sZ4L3Ba6WgZY6OJhEUBVext2gmNfOn6yXzA0paMavmYkJZw1L6yuLiKAMOOVsEXqjmi8v0Pq2W7OqygVhwYOL8dHg/s1600/IMG_20120930_172221-1-300x450.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://barzagaexpressions.com/" target="_blank">Quiet Voices</a></td></tr>
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</div>
<div>
<span style="color: #134f5c;">============================================</span></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
<br />
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})();</script>Carolyn Hastingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17889723899756642292noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7637014763662654571.post-62418089580516592542014-05-01T18:32:00.000-04:002014-05-17T07:54:17.558-04:00An Orange-Haired Doll and a White-Haired Man - Meet Luon St. PierreWhen it takes nearly a full line of text for an <a href="http://luonsart.com/" target="_blank">artist's name</a>, you know you are talking to someone special. Or with <a href="http://www.galleriechiz.com/LuonStPierreHome.html" target="_blank">24 great-aunts</a>. Or both.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.galleriechiz.com/LuonStPierreHome.html" target="_blank">Luon Marie Amanda Isabelle Camille Rose St. Pierre</a> creates furniture that makes you want to throw away everything in your house and start over with rooms full of her wildly colorful, eye popping, dance in your socks, impossible to be depressed around, furniture.<br />
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Her friends, by the way, call her Lulu.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPI52JohRD5CC6uAen0QrrYsWFfduYf34W80JXlMUwA-idXTweoH1Y_pP7GGvoJ94eyO2cyhVZzadbDvtV_FXz9jcjM4_cxv6E7JPVUumRbCz4IDJrHuuQE88t1fmXRxxQwBdX-hm5_Ps/s1600/Summer_2006_018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPI52JohRD5CC6uAen0QrrYsWFfduYf34W80JXlMUwA-idXTweoH1Y_pP7GGvoJ94eyO2cyhVZzadbDvtV_FXz9jcjM4_cxv6E7JPVUumRbCz4IDJrHuuQE88t1fmXRxxQwBdX-hm5_Ps/s1600/Summer_2006_018.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Luon St. Pierre - Cupboard</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a name='more'></a>==================================================<br />
<b>Q1. What is your first memory of art? </b><br />
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<b>A1.</b> I have always been surrounded by art. My mother is an artist, fiber art, painter, musician, and ballet. My father was skilled on so many levels; he was what we called a renaissance man. But when I was about six years old my mother gave me a doll that was made by an artist named Barb Loken. It had a pottery head with orange wool for hair. She had a stuffed cotton body with a red plaid dress. She wasn't pretty but she was so interesting. <b>[Editor's note: Luon, I love you. Where were you when I was six? And do you mind if I use that last line for my epitaph?]</b> She was my first inspiration. I named her Mariah, and I've had her for 43 years.<br />
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<b>Q2. What is the first work of art you created?</b><br />
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<b>A2.</b> As a kid I was always creating stuff, but the first work of art that I sold was a mural I painted for a little girl’s bedroom.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhICOoRlxFSY9goUb0lCOUUj6Fab1GLkS7zyn5Q0nzNMiCUkykMlZQkuFMsyMT-86sa-AFZKYwskX1TtzGVWdMzyRLGSm4qlkHnbadFuiwttLi_P3e778SB-4Gpjc-mjvWivHzbk1qy5CM/s1600/box_2-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhICOoRlxFSY9goUb0lCOUUj6Fab1GLkS7zyn5Q0nzNMiCUkykMlZQkuFMsyMT-86sa-AFZKYwskX1TtzGVWdMzyRLGSm4qlkHnbadFuiwttLi_P3e778SB-4Gpjc-mjvWivHzbk1qy5CM/s1600/box_2-1.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Luon St. Pierre, Box</b></td></tr>
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<b>Q3. Was there a point in your life when you decided to try art, or were you always an artist?</b><br />
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<b>A3.</b> I went to art school for a year and a half; I actually was studying interior design and space planning. I quit because it just wasn't what I wanted. I realized later that I didn't want to decorate someone else’s home, I actually wanted to build the furniture. Not just functional furniture, but art furniture. So, yes, kind of, I have always wanted to be an artist. I just didn't find my niche until a little later.<br />
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<b>Q4. What made you decide to focus on fine art furniture?</b><br />
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<b>A4. </b> I floundered around for a while (all of my 20s) helping someone else with his dream. I finally found my voice after the birth of my daughter and a divorce. I was a single mom with an infant and a burning desire to create something. I was walking around Jerome, Arizona, one day in May, and I saw a white-haired man selling his art in a small park in between two old brick buildings.<br />
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He built benches and mirrors and cupboards. I was so inspired … I bought one of his benches ... and spent the next year begging him to take me on as an apprentice. Instead, he took me on as a student and I paid him for an intense 4-day workshop. The best education ever! His art name is Hoda Das and that was 18 years ago. <b>[Editor's note: I scoured the Internet but could not find a link for Hoda Das. But maybe that's better - he will live in our imaginations forever.]</b><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHvTYXdl1C56SqCHQhHhDQYkSrFhsZ49IecT2mjlJ3-RSYlDUPNEdORXoLXr4yQTiKdAFZt5-0fg5r_56JtdpU2VPVD1Pa7kY3GBDXMCJ32eLASXy2fbPTap8xP4SRr7tLMTfBa85xJhs/s1600/cupboard_405.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHvTYXdl1C56SqCHQhHhDQYkSrFhsZ49IecT2mjlJ3-RSYlDUPNEdORXoLXr4yQTiKdAFZt5-0fg5r_56JtdpU2VPVD1Pa7kY3GBDXMCJ32eLASXy2fbPTap8xP4SRr7tLMTfBa85xJhs/s1600/cupboard_405.jpg" height="320" width="123" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Luon St. Pierre, Cupboard</b></td></tr>
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<b>Q5. Are you ever out in public or in someone’s home and have an overwhelming urge to grab a piece of boring furniture and Luon-ize it?</b><br />
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<b>A5.</b> I can't say that I want to redo someone else’s stuff, because I like to build my own. I love designing my own pieces. Shapes, sizes and functions - I feel like I have two jobs - the shapes and then the color.<br />
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<b>Q6. Are there specific triggers that cause you to race to Home Depot or your workshop or do you impose a certain discipline on yourself?</b><br />
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<b>A6.</b> I have always been very disciplined. I've had to be. When I started I was a single mom of an infant. I had to work around her schedule. I had to be productive. She also kept me grounded. I can get an amazing amount done in a short amount of time. I also have very intense creative spurts that I need to act on immediately or I lose it. Most of the time it works in my favor :)<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQgT2xaYm4euTBcO-5eVxDj7Jizuo5OHrGgsoo4A0TCW1DAFCyaPuFrQzcjwTcIVFhrE7qiWPSRx_CS2zLQZ9yyhYvxu98DhXgfrnvzhFwDWUdFF7_RYdtbHtN9-Azi4o-XWOaj-l6aO8/s1600/cabinet_105.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQgT2xaYm4euTBcO-5eVxDj7Jizuo5OHrGgsoo4A0TCW1DAFCyaPuFrQzcjwTcIVFhrE7qiWPSRx_CS2zLQZ9yyhYvxu98DhXgfrnvzhFwDWUdFF7_RYdtbHtN9-Azi4o-XWOaj-l6aO8/s1600/cabinet_105.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Luon St. Pierre, Cabinet</b></td></tr>
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<b>Q7. When you are working on a piece, is there a point at which you realize you have a masterpiece taking shape?</b><br />
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<b>A7.</b> Definitely yes, there are some things that just work.<br />
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<b>Q8. Are there any artists you find particularly inspiring?</b><br />
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<b>A8.</b> Oh absolutely, <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/04/28/le-tricorne_n_5225705.html" target="_blank">Picasso</a> and <a href="http://www.modigliani-foundation.org/" target="_blank">[Amedeo] Modigliani</a> are two of my favorites. However recently I have been so drawn to Outsider, Raw, Naive, Self-Taught Art. You can look on my <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/luonstpierre/" target="_blank">Pinterest</a> boards and see all the artists that I admire and collect! The list is quite long.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-vLIXySkFNU6tiacfMIbOIQHSbi8Tgw3W80w6KpJTWh5sNaHjNnXxll2frcTmccphVzW-ajpd8b7dZbF__okncZ8z-k0Q5tj0A3oUCfOD2pi0dwnsj2qYzD2URT6tfO2urmCkplqQ6Ac/s1600/box_4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-vLIXySkFNU6tiacfMIbOIQHSbi8Tgw3W80w6KpJTWh5sNaHjNnXxll2frcTmccphVzW-ajpd8b7dZbF__okncZ8z-k0Q5tj0A3oUCfOD2pi0dwnsj2qYzD2URT6tfO2urmCkplqQ6Ac/s1600/box_4.jpg" height="320" width="186" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Luon St. Pierre, Box</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Q9. Are you comfortable telling the story of your farm? I can’t stop thinking about it.</b><br />
<br />
<b>A9.</b> The Farm I live on has been in my husband’s family since 1796. <b>[Editor's note: You read that right. 1-7-9-6. Twenty years after America began]</b> It started out back then about 1,600 acres; there are only 160 acres of the original farm left. It has been our dream for quite some time now to create an ArtFarm. We are building small cottages around my <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kitchen_garden" target="_blank">potager garden</a> and replanting our orchards. We want to be as self-sustaining as we can. We've been at it for about six years now and I've got to say it is a lot of work. We have built our own house; we lovingly refer to it as ARTFARM CENTRAL. We have renovated the two hundred year old barn and built four cottages scattered around the garden and orchard. It is a never-ending project that we wouldn't have any other way.<br />
<br />
<b>Q10. Please answer a question I didn’t ask.</b><br />
<br />
<b>A10.</b> A question you didn't ask … Do you ever collaborate with other artists?<br />
<br />
I have, I've worked with a dear friend and amazing artist, <a href="http://www.lizvaughn.com/" target="_blank">Liz Vaughn</a>. I have taken some of the women that she paints on canvas and turned them into functional art, like chairs and cupboards, then she paints the features. I have worked with another friend, <a href="http://saigon-decastro.designerprints.com/events/modern-and-contemporary.html" target="_blank">Daria Sandburg</a>, an assemblage artist. And I haven't said anything to her about this but I'd love to collaborate with self-taught artist <a href="http://theartstack.com/mscaswell79" target="_blank">Misty Lindsey</a>.<b> [Editor's note: Don't worry, I won't say a word.]</b><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU33JIkzHIwD5S0dm5KqfcNyz0PAcjz_I6_bxFkffwLx-S2lHnrA7I-vDXwuVJMjSrVhbzQedd8-_0a2YLZM4ie0pBUoRtmSIf69C9BEGFfbsEPaVdzljYBTjmZNe_6WwUTKC1MD-tcjw/s1600/Luon+old+work..Lick+&+Lent+020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU33JIkzHIwD5S0dm5KqfcNyz0PAcjz_I6_bxFkffwLx-S2lHnrA7I-vDXwuVJMjSrVhbzQedd8-_0a2YLZM4ie0pBUoRtmSIf69C9BEGFfbsEPaVdzljYBTjmZNe_6WwUTKC1MD-tcjw/s1600/Luon+old+work..Lick+&+Lent+020.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>A Luon and Liz Special</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Q11. Where can we see (and purchase) your work?</b><br />
<br />
<b>A11. </b>Shops, boutiques and galleries that carry my work:<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Joj6TY0qmp8UN3zvNQS02MNBhtWDZhAb-lCix0y4OS694rjdNIa4mjjMvNvhYvGPGIZFryUCFfG9iqfRjtC_esWQGl5zZhozwy1eJSLn4U7h8Q7GagW0IDKkfOt0SEPGD1SK9yzquag/s1600/chair4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Joj6TY0qmp8UN3zvNQS02MNBhtWDZhAb-lCix0y4OS694rjdNIa4mjjMvNvhYvGPGIZFryUCFfG9iqfRjtC_esWQGl5zZhozwy1eJSLn4U7h8Q7GagW0IDKkfOt0SEPGD1SK9yzquag/s1600/chair4.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Luon St. Pierre, Chair</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<ol>
<li><b><a href="http://ruplumcrazy.com/outer-banks-artist-luon.html" target="_blank">Plum Crazy</a></b> in Duck, North Carolina</li>
<li><b><a href="http://www.twoplatesfull.com/artists/luon-st-pierre/" target="_blank">Two Plates Full</a></b> in Scottsdale, Arizona</li>
<li><b><a href="http://www.chiaroart.com/" target="_blank">CHIARoScURO</a></b> in Chicago, Illinois</li>
<li><b><a href="http://www.shannalee.com/" target="_blank">SHANNALEE</a></b> in Fargo, North Dakota</li>
<li><b><a href="http://www.matildascottage.com/#!galerie-matilda/c1ufv" target="_blank">Matilda's Cottage</a></b> in Roswell and Alpharetta, Georgia</li>
<li><b><a href="http://www.popcycleshop.com/" target="_blank">Pop-Cycle</a></b> in Tucson, Arizona</li>
<li><b><a href="http://www.galleriechiz.com/LuonStPierreHome.html" target="_blank">Gallerie Chiz</a></b> in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania </li>
<li><b><a href="http://soergels.com/" target="_blank">Soergel Orchards</a></b> in Wexford, Pennsylvania</li>
<li><b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/BlueMesquiteGallery?filter=3" target="_blank">Blue Mesquite Gallery</a></b> in Tubac, Arizona</li>
<li><b><a href="https://www.facebook.com/DEdgeArt" target="_blank">D'Edge Art Gallery</a></b> on South Main in Memphis, Tennessee (home to one of my favorite living legend artists, <a href="http://www.longriver.net/hunt.html" target="_blank">Mr. George Hunt</a>)</li>
</ol>
And I'm always looking for more, especially closer to home!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSG2JegIYrtL0X4Dau7aJeljiflZq-9yaF5FVmSWIKojYtp2BQ_tgJLLDOLL29rkbs0qfi6Ft1cxXj-uGKhEf0y-gMEEa5wbquJNPSu-NzsCAP7O5H_rg2QH4Gxx4E-pUF93PkakcWFPc/s1600/Colleen_Dugan_001.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSG2JegIYrtL0X4Dau7aJeljiflZq-9yaF5FVmSWIKojYtp2BQ_tgJLLDOLL29rkbs0qfi6Ft1cxXj-uGKhEf0y-gMEEa5wbquJNPSu-NzsCAP7O5H_rg2QH4Gxx4E-pUF93PkakcWFPc/s1600/Colleen_Dugan_001.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Luon St. Pierre, Chair</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
========================================================<br />
Thanks for stopping by, Luon. There’s always a beagle to pet and a cup of hot tea at the ready in Lakewood. Don’t be a stranger.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<br />
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})();</script>Carolyn Hastingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17889723899756642292noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7637014763662654571.post-27332693084435713842014-04-21T17:47:00.000-04:002014-05-17T07:53:52.000-04:00ADD and Ancient Chinese Secrets - An Interview with Scott Bergey<a href="http://www.scottbergey.com/" target="_blank">Scott Bergey</a> is a man of few words and tons of ideas. Last time I checked his <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/scottbergeyart/" target="_blank">Flickr photostream</a>, the image count was somewhere around 5,230. Even if only half of those images are original works of art, this is a man with a fertile imagination. <br />
<br />
Let's see if we can coax a few syllables out of him.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxbL55lCocs2F8keGMXBswwlR8h12IBZEMJgUgeUAZ7TW7OHiNqK3TH4s5VU69KHcbFUQ7xNsXF86OPPQtuuc1I7VFbMhRauFugWXbJjz6pA2e30OdZvSRK3c4ivNVE0fyuw2Qzk9ubZg/s1600/Me+RAW.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxbL55lCocs2F8keGMXBswwlR8h12IBZEMJgUgeUAZ7TW7OHiNqK3TH4s5VU69KHcbFUQ7xNsXF86OPPQtuuc1I7VFbMhRauFugWXbJjz6pA2e30OdZvSRK3c4ivNVE0fyuw2Qzk9ubZg/s1600/Me+RAW.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Scott, with a selection of his art at RAW</b><br />
(Riverdale Art Walk in Toronto, Ontario)<b> </b><br />
Not sure there's a tent big enough for the whole collection.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<a name='more'></a>==============================================<br />
<b>Q1. What is your first memory of art?</b><br />
<br />
A1. Growing up, art was never really important to me. I remember <a href="http://www.groupofsevenart.com/" target="_blank">Group of Seven</a> (famous Canadian landscape painters) <b>[Editor's note: Not to be confused with the left-brain-oriented <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/G7" target="_blank">Group of 7</a>]</b> paintings hanging in my public school. Otherwise, it was all airplanes, music and, of course, girls. It was not until I was 22 that I was really introduced to art. I was dating a girl that was in a Visual Arts degree at University. She took me to New York City and we visited all the modern art museums. I was really impressed.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiuWDbFWynLAXpPwAw9vmKdiLDXLdC9XPQiNRcgbFRSsPcnmlkB9G4oLQ2JMbI4lb9-M6hC_upOEC11VsFrnSY3YC_-SNUBWAFV3CtXdfCbNVA5dDXPvs9MVl154tsckcKSJBy-Ly-6eg/s1600/Charmed+As+Usual+sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiuWDbFWynLAXpPwAw9vmKdiLDXLdC9XPQiNRcgbFRSsPcnmlkB9G4oLQ2JMbI4lb9-M6hC_upOEC11VsFrnSY3YC_-SNUBWAFV3CtXdfCbNVA5dDXPvs9MVl154tsckcKSJBy-Ly-6eg/s1600/Charmed+As+Usual+sm.jpg" height="320" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Charmed As Usual</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b>Q2. What is the first work of art you created?</b><br />
<br />
A2. I tried to do a landscape scene in oils. What a disaster. Have no idea what landfill it is in now.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJywahbnf65OPEWJ1PwPh-2cBSSKlP-UW7bek7Uo0hTln0BSWRoX0H3Upz_-bfv6hyphenhyphen_vWZA0T8irxeb7JFjotHlOclCddTp7fExjwTzqnftVChZTRaBz5bA0olrJjLWsycjBIhuUfoS4o/s1600/Hang+On.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJywahbnf65OPEWJ1PwPh-2cBSSKlP-UW7bek7Uo0hTln0BSWRoX0H3Upz_-bfv6hyphenhyphen_vWZA0T8irxeb7JFjotHlOclCddTp7fExjwTzqnftVChZTRaBz5bA0olrJjLWsycjBIhuUfoS4o/s1600/Hang+On.jpg" height="320" width="224" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Hang On</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b>Q3. Was there a point in your life when you decided to try art, or were you always an artist?</b><br />
<br />
A3. Started to paint earnestly in 1998. Had a large apartment with lots of wall space. I was too cheap to buy art so I thought I would just do it myself. Took me a while to catch the drift of it, still learning.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiC4sZquRopj1mYyYX6_QTplfjIVI8KiHWVZNxle9ogNdoZt7iN-Gf8u34O65rJP-MkuhhDQ6B5d04Nj7kYsYClLlTndxVrNTJrpsfK-z3nrT3e1UOAsCu0BzfSoXgX4qhIm6_Q6hcSIA/s1600/Two+Figures+sm.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiC4sZquRopj1mYyYX6_QTplfjIVI8KiHWVZNxle9ogNdoZt7iN-Gf8u34O65rJP-MkuhhDQ6B5d04Nj7kYsYClLlTndxVrNTJrpsfK-z3nrT3e1UOAsCu0BzfSoXgX4qhIm6_Q6hcSIA/s1600/Two+Figures+sm.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Two Figures</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b>Q4. Are there specific triggers that cause you to race to a blank canvas/paper or do you impose a certain discipline on yourself?</b><br />
<br />
A4. I try to paint every day. Even on vacation. I find that if I take days off I lose my feel for the technique. Sometimes I forget how to create certain textures if I take too much time off.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC9G1cU4z_19aZeoP-Lcf4nY5PEgqJCR2kwLzQrNDDkrMpdtCEiO83SpDmgwMdaNkcVGIOp_FQBSPRqaaYiJR6Wmo1TK7klKmIlWAJbPv40WUte_yCV3E4kJ64vjSvimD3IF8UT4VxEQY/s1600/af1cd9cecf3c4633ce03e466b971e74f.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC9G1cU4z_19aZeoP-Lcf4nY5PEgqJCR2kwLzQrNDDkrMpdtCEiO83SpDmgwMdaNkcVGIOp_FQBSPRqaaYiJR6Wmo1TK7klKmIlWAJbPv40WUte_yCV3E4kJ64vjSvimD3IF8UT4VxEQY/s1600/af1cd9cecf3c4633ce03e466b971e74f.jpg" height="320" width="237" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Long, Long Time</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b>Q5. When you are working on a piece, is there a point at which you realize you have a masterpiece taking shape on the canvas/paper?</b><br />
<br />
A5. I have <a href="http://psychcentral.com/addquiz.htm" target="_blank">ADD</a> when It comes to painting. I try to get a feeling out of the paper in the first 20 minutes. After that I get bored and move on. This is only possible using such small paper sizes otherwise it would cost a fortune in art supplies.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb71Fqz0p942RgMj-FogAFO3V4T8psXJPg0yTCWC6_WQ9-SsL8AQNYfGbJ59YEZZ4mpvilk7JuxUUmLxI5L3envK-TkVr81csHJ_PsDGuW7ODdL7IfZUXWzufrgPN7pbnwM7iyqETBKds/s1600/c0e4c7e879c2ccf3cef3d2f0d5248d87.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhb71Fqz0p942RgMj-FogAFO3V4T8psXJPg0yTCWC6_WQ9-SsL8AQNYfGbJ59YEZZ4mpvilk7JuxUUmLxI5L3envK-TkVr81csHJ_PsDGuW7ODdL7IfZUXWzufrgPN7pbnwM7iyqETBKds/s1600/c0e4c7e879c2ccf3cef3d2f0d5248d87.jpg" height="320" width="252" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>The Camera Never Lies</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<b>Q6. Are there any artists you find particularly inspiring?</b><br />
<br />
A6. All the usual suspects<b> [Editor's note: Not to be confused with <a href="http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0114814/?ref_=fn_al_tt_1" target="_blank">The Usual Suspects</a>]</b> ... <a href="http://www.picasso.com/" target="_blank">Picasso</a>, <a href="http://www.wikipaintings.org/en/paul-klee" target="_blank">Paul Klee</a>, <a href="http://www.artic.edu/aic/collections/artwork/artist/Dubuffet,+Jean" target="_blank">Jean Dubuffet</a>, <a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/arts/yourpaintings/artists/antoni-tapies-1596" target="_blank">Antoni Tapies</a>. etc. Some that are still alive include <a href="http://www.matteococci.it/" target="_blank">Matteo Cocci</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Carol_Rama" target="_blank">Carol Rama</a>, <a href="http://www.lylecarbajal.com/" target="_blank">Lyle Carbajal</a> and <a href="http://www.conduitgallery.com/artists/lance-letscher" target="_blank">Lance Letscher</a>.<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Q7. Are there any non-artists you find particularly inspiring?</b><br />
<br />
A7. The Beatles. They were only recording around 10 years but they created 300 songs that will be around forever.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTLTo4E8mhu2lakFlgowLzN8i6oeYRZcuBBhkA7k9a-DN_BVX5w4Maqad9yJw_FWBbiQTdLEAB41ihO9mewep0-SLZ4fqbmPr-Ez3FoKBrKSXQ9qvqehjLWyrhxeThknCnDpLHwlaJpO8/s1600/Carry+That+Weight.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTLTo4E8mhu2lakFlgowLzN8i6oeYRZcuBBhkA7k9a-DN_BVX5w4Maqad9yJw_FWBbiQTdLEAB41ihO9mewep0-SLZ4fqbmPr-Ez3FoKBrKSXQ9qvqehjLWyrhxeThknCnDpLHwlaJpO8/s1600/Carry+That+Weight.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Carry That Weight</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b>Q8. Please answer a question I didn’t ask.</b><br />
<br />
A8. How do get that terrific texture on your paper paintings? Ancient Chinese Secret. ha ha<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiGVhx0mqGcr88H4Pv5kjIn90SwT1O23Ef6zMc6OfDR0ujZaX20vv9Q8JUwB9Pm-TlJGTabbTQP4LA2r5EWVV61SJRdXwSlPWkPY3iKz2ie3mYo7hQBbs0TGqP5xCu7fS6pct6fu0IoFg/s1600/ac7590600150d4fcf3e35b5b98beff06.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiGVhx0mqGcr88H4Pv5kjIn90SwT1O23Ef6zMc6OfDR0ujZaX20vv9Q8JUwB9Pm-TlJGTabbTQP4LA2r5EWVV61SJRdXwSlPWkPY3iKz2ie3mYo7hQBbs0TGqP5xCu7fS6pct6fu0IoFg/s1600/ac7590600150d4fcf3e35b5b98beff06.jpg" height="320" width="239" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Big SUV, Small Woman</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<b>Q9. Where can we see (and purchase) your work?</b><br />
<br />
A9. My art can be purchased on my <a href="http://www.etsy.com/ca/shop/ScottBergey" target="_blank">Etsy Web site</a>.<br />
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<b>Thanks for stopping by, Scott. There’s always a beagle to pet and a cup of hot tea at the ready in Lakewood. Don’t be a stranger.</b><br />
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<br />Carolyn Hastingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17889723899756642292noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7637014763662654571.post-20313981404154341562014-04-17T18:59:00.001-04:002014-05-17T07:53:15.388-04:00Wake Up Your Joy - An Interview with Renie BritenbucherRenie Britenbucher says she lives in Northeast Ohio but don't you believe it. Renie lives in a wondrous, whimsical world that is at once hilarious and peaceful. I dare you to bring any negative emotion to Renie's Web site. When you find yourself humming "<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2nGKqH26xlg" target="_blank">What A Wonderful World</a>", you'll know you've entered Renie-land.<br />
<br />
And you'll never want to leave.<br />
<br />
Let's chat.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkEXgUlHchZKeHtAvCvVERbAlC5mHk0IbO7EGgxEkRE7aPquTxB2AAU1PBGmk7FUBSgOeB4Ur5QRBkTpDQa6fov11Zd7fSSbfASiDde-aT85FFBFZUOfocBOWXMXqciCpsw3CdSaDViAE/s1600/il_570xN.125086260.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkEXgUlHchZKeHtAvCvVERbAlC5mHk0IbO7EGgxEkRE7aPquTxB2AAU1PBGmk7FUBSgOeB4Ur5QRBkTpDQa6fov11Zd7fSSbfASiDde-aT85FFBFZUOfocBOWXMXqciCpsw3CdSaDViAE/s1600/il_570xN.125086260.jpg" height="129" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Field of Poppies</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<b>Q1. What is your first memory of art?</b><br />
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A1. I know I was very young. I remember being attracted to pictures in magazines and tearing them out. I don't think I had a concrete understanding of art yet, but loved pictures and images.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjonFkkDGZersXz_1rncAaL3z19JYDC24oKLIxtCQ9dHLE8HIaujfALF73riBmbjYg-L7sERBxBx9XUUgx_BL2pCXl9ErGIlnyDJURcEN-5PLi0y00c60g55gKnYnqzOH91OT2w-p0Q5kA/s1600/il_570xN.273321741.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjonFkkDGZersXz_1rncAaL3z19JYDC24oKLIxtCQ9dHLE8HIaujfALF73riBmbjYg-L7sERBxBx9XUUgx_BL2pCXl9ErGIlnyDJURcEN-5PLi0y00c60g55gKnYnqzOH91OT2w-p0Q5kA/s1600/il_570xN.273321741.jpg" height="320" width="253" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Colorful Yellow Chair <br />
Red Poppies Still Life</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b></b><br />
<a name='more'></a><b>Q2. What is the first work of art you created?</b><br />
<b><br />
</b> <b>A2. </b>I'm not positive, but the one I consciously remember is drawing a picture of <a href="http://www.behindthevoiceactors.com/characters/Flintstones/Wilma-Flintstone/" target="_blank">Wilma Flintstone</a>, while watching <a href="http://www.neatorama.com/2010/09/30/10-neat-facts-about-the-flintstones-on-their-50th-anniversary/#!Eg6S9" target="_blank">The Flintstones</a> on TV. I remember my parents being impressed with it, so it stuck with me (all about pleasing the parents)!<br />
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<b>Q3. Was there a point in your life when you decided to try art, or were you always an artist?</b><br />
<b><br />
</b> <b>A3. </b>I was always an artist. I remember on days that I would be home from school, sick, I always felt like I should be creating something, like this creative buzz was always going on inside me and I had to express it.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuiaO9qIJsK1PTccP1mK1Bn_XziysOsI338eT9TefmBy6kR6TbKWW6BVeHsoNKVgI7VA5A9tpL9MctCtphRtcRYwFLROB31vSn3U0qLt2wXctkKVFybLL_rrm37uaZi2FKA-ZG3VDiuLY/s1600/il_570xN.140914396.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuiaO9qIJsK1PTccP1mK1Bn_XziysOsI338eT9TefmBy6kR6TbKWW6BVeHsoNKVgI7VA5A9tpL9MctCtphRtcRYwFLROB31vSn3U0qLt2wXctkKVFybLL_rrm37uaZi2FKA-ZG3VDiuLY/s1600/il_570xN.140914396.jpg" height="262" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Colorful Funky Cityscape</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Q4. Are there specific triggers that cause you to race to a blank canvas or do you impose a certain discipline on yourself?</b><br />
<b><br />
</b> <b>A4. </b>So much makes me excited. I have folder upon folder of inspiring images. So, there isn't any one thing, just life. There's so much to express. I was going to say "capture" <b>[instead of "express"]</b> but that word doesn't fit with me. I never feel like I'm capturing something - it's an expression that is mine.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkQdcB_QfRPt4EyAFg2WtO3Xm0OM50tbx5_4bLN3jHKOLpeTskn16GSunxXkrfeTlI5ZPrF_SSHCihyphenhyphenNmRTD9Au6jAhqSgLWazB6cxrn0M0z-5Ek0-oaji8Bkr2c049uU37iVEBXHv9QA/s1600/il_570xN.139000839.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkQdcB_QfRPt4EyAFg2WtO3Xm0OM50tbx5_4bLN3jHKOLpeTskn16GSunxXkrfeTlI5ZPrF_SSHCihyphenhyphenNmRTD9Au6jAhqSgLWazB6cxrn0M0z-5Ek0-oaji8Bkr2c049uU37iVEBXHv9QA/s1600/il_570xN.139000839.jpg" height="320" width="256" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Kite Fliers with Dog</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Q5. A great deal of your art is sold internationally. How did you achieve such incredible world-wide exposure and success?</b><br />
<b><br />
</b> <b>A5. </b>How I achieved the exposure is summed up in two words: hard work.<b> [Editor's note: Well, maybe three words.]</b> Very hard work. It isn't easy, or at least it hasn't been, for me. I work at this almost every waking hour.<br />
<br />
When I decided to do art full time, it was so scary. But it was new on the internet and it was so exciting. I've met artists from all over the country, and world. We stuck together in the early days. We had online groups where we would bounce around ideas on how to sell our work, what worked best for each of us, where to sell, how to market ourselves. It has taken consistency, and not giving up. I love doing this so much that it's a fire that pushes me to keep going.<br />
<br />
I never take it for granted and never think I've accomplished anything because it's a magical mystery tour! It's this journey that I can't believe I get to be a part of. It's been pure joy for me and I guess that's what has allowed me to have some success.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN39FvwBdUBEoFfbms6NAQZ8JqRevfF2hGTMpZTZDwZnY9ejWzlVz_ToVjciOclclmAeRqfOwwao4WM92PHn1gl4OMn4wEvzUkemLglzxw_AOiTjTeuPzs2SD4xNgQzjRsajtlavk7NA8/s1600/il_570xN.510368381_pfzg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN39FvwBdUBEoFfbms6NAQZ8JqRevfF2hGTMpZTZDwZnY9ejWzlVz_ToVjciOclclmAeRqfOwwao4WM92PHn1gl4OMn4wEvzUkemLglzxw_AOiTjTeuPzs2SD4xNgQzjRsajtlavk7NA8/s1600/il_570xN.510368381_pfzg.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Sunflowers Red Polka Dots <br />
(Ceramic Tile)</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Q6. When you are working on a piece, is there a point at which you realize you have a masterpiece taking shape on the canvas?</b></div>
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<b>A6. </b>I never think in terms of my work being a masterpiece. That thought never occurs to me. There are paintings I love more than others, for sure, And, some I really, really love. But to consider them a masterpiece just seems a little "off" for me. It doesn't fit. I see it as an expression of myself. And it sure makes me happy when someone else likes what I do. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1o0wG-wmqYFuOyEO9RkWh0IQY524PC9_M4MWGBbB61vbqHjLhxZSlhIWlstGTFqY7waQRq2Pq25gO-mTxCDiFh5_ByZ5_APBMez9URXUBUNsFW-U62AGnBLE2AcwhIuG-OG24wZVDZcw/s1600/il_570xN.374652679_53yg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1o0wG-wmqYFuOyEO9RkWh0IQY524PC9_M4MWGBbB61vbqHjLhxZSlhIWlstGTFqY7waQRq2Pq25gO-mTxCDiFh5_ByZ5_APBMez9URXUBUNsFW-U62AGnBLE2AcwhIuG-OG24wZVDZcw/s1600/il_570xN.374652679_53yg.jpg" height="266" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Gorgeous Day Tuscan Landscape<br />
Needlepoint Folk Art</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div>
<b>Q7. Are there any artists you find particularly inspiring? </b></div>
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<b><br />
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<b>A7. </b>I find so many artists inspiring. My favorite old master, like so many others, is <a href="http://www.clevelandart.org/events/exhibitions/van-gogh-repetitions" target="_blank">Vincent Van Gogh</a>. I love him, love all his work and the energy that flows through it. It feels alive to me, like you can see all the molecules moving. <b>[Editor's note: That's the best description of Van Gogh's work I have ever read]</b> And his love of color has always inspired my own love of color. I also love <a href="http://www.wikipaintings.org/en/marc-chagall" target="_blank">Marc Chagall</a> very much. And <a href="http://www.theartstory.org/artist-matisse-henri.htm" target="_blank">Henri Matisse</a>. </div>
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<br /></div>
<div>
There are many modern day artists I love. One that comes to mind is <a href="http://fineartamerica.com/profiles/sesillie-michelle-girelli-doyley.html" target="_blank">Sisille Girelli</a> (she has another name, too) <b>[Editor's note: Sisille Girelli also paints under the name Michelle D'Oyley]</b>, <a href="http://debrahurdart.com/" target="_blank">Debra Hurd</a>, <a href="http://www.snakejagger.com/" target="_blank">Snake Jagger</a>. It's hard for me not to love most art. The only art that I don't respond well to is the darker art, or art that I find degrading to women. That does not appeal to me at all.<b> </b></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg03YUFGDb9FT9uFdVaECEBpSG6blHGuUXqbp9RPRYOkzkvnrfVU0UI3aBoC8Cg_8INgzNzBO6ol3FF4RcuB-foBqVSm28HxSmNjMoUpCdIyHCNQiGs2b8RxWvJVR3CeGbqsLlBOCNRoz4/s1600/il_570xN.576176724_aavi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg03YUFGDb9FT9uFdVaECEBpSG6blHGuUXqbp9RPRYOkzkvnrfVU0UI3aBoC8Cg_8INgzNzBO6ol3FF4RcuB-foBqVSm28HxSmNjMoUpCdIyHCNQiGs2b8RxWvJVR3CeGbqsLlBOCNRoz4/s1600/il_570xN.576176724_aavi.jpg" height="248" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Big Beach Diva Sunbathing</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div>
<b>Q8. Are there any non-artists you find particularly inspiring?</b></div>
<div>
<b><br />
</b></div>
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<b>A8. </b>Hm, non-artists that I find inspiring? I probably answered this a little, previously, but I find just about anything inspiring. Laughing and good friends are inspiring to me. Going to the park is inspiring to me. Reading a good book is very inspiring to me. </div>
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<div>
I am a very spiritual person and my spirituality, spiritual beliefs, inspire me a lot. My artwork has healed the inner child in me. It is amazing because it's created this space of joy in me that didn't exist before. Or, maybe it just woke up the joy that was there hidden under some painful life events. </div>
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I don't know, but what I do know, is it is this huge gift. That, in and of itself, is inspiring to me.</div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQyRLlBGnBRl286wzOwOFT8qLPgVyPiwEZp_yYm6UtHn6XJBDYDRFzQB-jb21HveTMO_7dQFvgEeySnXapbvdA4qxpx_WWSYKN5sJjP0wb2BetiPhf1dCgQdhNl_ciAqAr-NhElFE-yyw/s1600/il_570xN.68608449.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQyRLlBGnBRl286wzOwOFT8qLPgVyPiwEZp_yYm6UtHn6XJBDYDRFzQB-jb21HveTMO_7dQFvgEeySnXapbvdA4qxpx_WWSYKN5sJjP0wb2BetiPhf1dCgQdhNl_ciAqAr-NhElFE-yyw/s1600/il_570xN.68608449.jpg" height="314" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>White Houses Green Peace</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
<div>
<b>Q9. Please answer a question I didn’t ask.</b></div>
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<b><br />
</b></div>
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<b>A9. </b>I'll probably be painting, or in some way, creating art until the day I die. It's a passion inside me. I love so many creative processes and selling artwork online has opened new doors for me and new ways of thinking and doing art.<br />
<br />
I license my artwork to several companies. That means they pay a fee to use my artwork on their products. One is the <a href="http://www.immaculatebaking.com/artist/renie-britenbucher/" target="_blank">Immaculate Baking Company</a>, which has my art on 2 flavors of cookies <b>[Editor's note: Even if they're not chocolate, I will buy them because I love Renie]</b> and also on their pie crust packaging. I license to companies who make home products like <a href="http://www.denydesigns.com/products/renie-britenbucher-crows-in-sunset-duvet-cover" target="_blank">comforters</a> and <a href="http://www.denydesigns.com/products/renie-britenbucher-crows-in-sunset-sheet-set" target="_blank">sheet sets</a>, <a href="http://www.denydesigns.com/products/renie-britenbucher-crows-in-sunset-woven-rug" target="_blank">rugs</a>, etc.<br />
<br />
This has made me think in a different direction and I've been learning so much from this. I love this direction my art is taking me. You're never too old to learn new things, I'm finding.<b> </b></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqbAp9GvBYpzTV6ZeIMrD-0QmZNPZfPHpvsBuA8eORxSjAeekK9VXJyS4p3bAxHw_U7BlLilCnurcQG97ttb2QRuPCaqIY_3poTnmcd3Be_u0kWu87lRzXnIkhurU03U8jhvIDJ5lWF1s/s1600/il_570xN.73007683.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqbAp9GvBYpzTV6ZeIMrD-0QmZNPZfPHpvsBuA8eORxSjAeekK9VXJyS4p3bAxHw_U7BlLilCnurcQG97ttb2QRuPCaqIY_3poTnmcd3Be_u0kWu87lRzXnIkhurU03U8jhvIDJ5lWF1s/s1600/il_570xN.73007683.jpg" height="250" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Fall Autumn Kids Rake Leaves</b><br />
Blank Note Cards Pk of 10</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
<div style="font-weight: bold;">
Q10. Where can we see (and purchase) your work?</div>
<div style="font-weight: bold;">
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<b>A10. </b>I have a <a href="http://www.reniebritenbucher.com/" target="_blank">Web site</a>. I also sell originals on <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/reniebritenbucher" target="_blank">Etsy</a>. You can find my artwork on needlepoint at <a href="http://www.artneedlepoint.com/" target="_blank">The Art Needlepoint Company</a>. And one of the companies that makes products with my artwork is <a href="http://www.denydesigns.com/collections/artist/ar-renie-britenbucher" target="_blank">DENY Designs</a>.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd7OK2JOht9Gbvp9dKQ27pvHIT6af_svayVk1kw0DdhF75asf2Qhw0-AImiy411-rvOL6BBqrKF-j5vruBdoSJsb5lOC9TfPVbgHdt7fZw5dHiy8JOkCQh9I8XrkXYBJYhL6YGUpKgm_A/s1600/il_570xN.247630259.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd7OK2JOht9Gbvp9dKQ27pvHIT6af_svayVk1kw0DdhF75asf2Qhw0-AImiy411-rvOL6BBqrKF-j5vruBdoSJsb5lOC9TfPVbgHdt7fZw5dHiy8JOkCQh9I8XrkXYBJYhL6YGUpKgm_A/s1600/il_570xN.247630259.jpg" height="320" width="317" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Sunset Sailboat</b></td></tr>
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</div>
</div>
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==================================================================</div>
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<div>
Thanks for stopping by, Renie. There’s always a beagle to pet and a cup of hot tea at the ready in Lakewood. Don’t be a stranger.</div>
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})();</script>Carolyn Hastingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17889723899756642292noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7637014763662654571.post-53232579669314224052014-04-15T11:58:00.002-04:002014-04-17T19:45:09.475-04:00Dancing From Canvas to Canvas: An Interview with Jen Noren<br />
Jen Noren can paint a picture of a lonely street and make you want to live there. She paints a blue guitar with a red background and you think, "there's my guitar", even though you never owned one. Her love of life is writ large across every canvas. You want to see what she sees; the world in technicolor.<br />
<br />
Let's chat.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Paper Route</b></td></tr>
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<b>Q1. What is your first memory of art?</b><br />
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A1. I have a lot of early memories of art, because a lot of people in my family painted for fun. But I think my earliest memory of art was when my big sister got in trouble for painting her baby cradle with my Mom’s red oil paint. It’s a pretty vivid memory of being up in the attic in our house in Ashland, <b>[Ohio],</b> the house I was born in. I was probably around a year old, I bet. <b>[Interviewer's note: My first conscious memory is from age 13. Some of us are late bloomers.]</b> I remember my Mom yelling at my sister Wendy, and seeing the wooden baby cradle smeared with red oil paint. Red is still my big sister’s favorite color. I think, to Wendy, the cradle must have looked beautifully transformed! <br />
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I remember thinking it smelled really bad, like a skunk. <b>[Interviewer's note: Hahahahahaha]</b> I also remember seeing the oil painting that my Mom was working on. It was a snowy, old fashioned horse-and-buggy church scene, with a big red church that had a tall steeple. This painting hung above our fireplace mantle in my childhood. I don’t know where it is now.<br />
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Wendy still paints furniture, lol! After writing this, I think I should gift her with a red cradle. Mom yelled at her then, but it's been a family joke about Wendy's artistic expression ever since.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Rt. 55</b></td></tr>
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<a name='more'></a><b>Q2. What is the first work of art you created?</b><br />
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</b> <b>A2. </b>It is tough to say what my first work of art was. I am the third daughter of four kids; I have a younger brother. We always had art supplies when we were little. We had a big, antique heavy square table that was our “art table” (my parents refurbished and sold antiques as a hobby, they loved Flea Marketing). This table was good for everything, and the top was covered in crayon and marker scribbles, dried glue, you name it <b>[Interviewer's note: Personally, I choose not to dwell on the nature of dried substances and children]</b>. My two older sisters and I were competitive artists. We had challenges drawing popular cartoons, like <a href="http://www.peanuts.com/" target="_blank">Peanuts</a>, <a href="http://imaginationsoup.net/2012/05/great-illustrators-study-shel-silverstein-plus-some-poetry-too/" target="_blank">Shel Silverstein drawings</a>, <a href="http://www.schlumpf.com/en/" target="_blank">Smurfs</a>, or <a href="http://garfield.wikia.com/wiki/Odie" target="_blank">Garfield and Odie</a>. <br />
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I suppose I had an advantage being the youngest artist; I could build on what everyone else was doing. (My little brother, Nathaniel, seemed to have been passed over for the art gift! We all felt bad about that until he picked up Blues guitar at the age of 15, and then it all made sense, thankfully!) <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Blue Guitar</b></td></tr>
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But I would say that my defining moment, my first “real” work of art was a pencil portrait of my Grandpa Noren. My Grandpa Noren was an extremely gifted, self-taught artist. As far as I know, he never sold any work professionally, but he painted wildlife and portrait reproductions in oils like a master. My Grandparents came to visit when I was around 5 or 6 years old. My Grandpa drew my portrait in pencil. I remember what I was wearing that day! He then handed the pad of paper and pencil to me, and asked me to draw his portrait. I obliged, and I worked very hard at my drawing. I wanted to impress him, I knew he was the best. I remember toiling over capturing every wrinkle in his face, hahaha! (Oh, how he must have loved that!)<br />
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When I was done, I handed the drawing to him and he was astonished. He started yelling for the whole family, saying, “Jennifer is an artist, she’s an artist, look at this”! And so, that was my defining moment. He pronounced me to be an artist, and I was one. I took it very seriously and truthfully. From that moment on, I was an artist, and I worked at it like it was my job. I have always felt very fortunate about this, especially when I was in high school, and heard my friends struggling over choosing a college major, and wondering “what they will be when they grow up”, you know? It was never a question for me. I guess I never really worried about it. My job has always been superfluous (is that the right word?).<b> [Interviewer's note: That's one of them. Several others come to mind but you never know who will be reading]</b> I mean, I love my job, but it doesn’t DEFINE me. I am, and always have been, An Artist.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Grandma's Utensils</b></td></tr>
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<b>Q3. Are there specific triggers that cause you to race to a blank canvas or do you impose a certain discipline on yourself?</b><br />
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</b> <b>A3. </b>When I was in school (ages 6-18), I would race to my notebook paper to draw frequently. And I would race home from school to draw, sometimes 16-hour straight marathons of drawing or painting, to complete my masterpieces. During school hours, I would draw caricatures or parodies, or political cartoons for the school paper or to be passed in notes to my friends, instead of doing school work in subjects I struggled in (Math). <br />
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Now that I am an adult, a working mother of two, I have to plan my race to the canvas. When inspiration strikes, it is usually while I’m driving to and from work. It's about a 45 minute drive, and, I don’t know what the word is right now, but it’s kind of a dreamy, twilight time for me that is productive for inspiration. So I’m inspired, but I’m on my way to work, or I’m on my way home to pick up my kids. If I have a particular inspiration that nags at me, then I plan it all out ahead of time, I work out the layers and the composition and colors in my mind, like a back burner simmering as I go about my day doing everything I have to do. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Umbrella Tables</b></td></tr>
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I work on paintings in stages as I have time. An hour here, an hour there, and then more time when my boys go to their Dad’s house. So, I do all the baby steps in the short segments of time. I stretch the canvas. I do a layer of <a href="http://www.jerrysartarama.com/discount-art-supplies/acrylic-paints-and-mediums/jerrys-gesso-primers.htm" target="_blank">gesso</a>. The next day, I do another layer of gesso. A week later, I add a layer of color (I hate a white canvas, I always do underpaintings first). Then, when I get my errands done or whatever it is, I put in the long hours on the painting on Fridays and Saturdays. <br />
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A lot of times, I will have several paintings beginning at once, maybe in different stages, and this is how I get a lot of painting done with little time. Friends are always asking me how I have so much time to get so many paintings done. That’s the thing, I don’t have a lot of time! Somehow, I make it look like I do!<br />
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</b> <b>Q4. Can you tell us about your adventures creating art in public? What do you feel are the biggest differences about the produced in a public setting as opposed to art you create alone?</b><br />
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</b> <b>Q4. </b>When I paint alone, I am extremely focused, almost like I’m dreaming or meditating. I barely notice myself breathing. When I create art in public, I feel a lot more like an <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Action_painting" target="_blank">Action Painter</a>, like <a href="http://www.moma.org/collection/artist.php?artist_id=4675" target="_blank">Jackson Pollock</a>, or like a performance artist. My art takes on a lot of the energy of the music and people around me. I splash the paint, I let the mineral spirits run. I pick up the canvas and turn it this way, and that. Usually, I am talking over my shoulder to people. After a while, I have to shut people out in order to get the painting done on time. But it’s really fun to talk to people while I paint. I love to educate them about it, and I love how magical it is for them. People always say, “Wow! I’ve never watched anyone paint before”! Painting is usually a solitary kind of thing. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Abstract, painted to music</b></td></tr>
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But, I’m a wannabe rock star at heart, this is no secret! Hahaha! I have always been inspired by music. I want to be close to it. I like to set up my easel stage-side of my friends that are performing in bands. It’s as close as I can be to center stage, singing on the mic. It’s funny. I have tried my hand at singing. I have even recorded (a friend recorded some songs with me as a gift), and it’s awesome. But singing and playing guitar is very, very hard work for me. If I wasn’t a visual artist, I would be a performing artist, for sure. I have also had a guitar since I was 6 years old, but my brother got that gift!<br />
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My Dad gave his guitar to me when my brother was still in diapers. Obviously, he didn’t know it belonged to my brother, (he was close)! There is definitely a difference between my public art and my studio art. My studio art is a lot more peaceful and controlled. My public art is usually wild and chaotic. I’ve had people say that my public art can make them feel motion sickness, there’s so much going on. Can you believe that?! I don’t have a problem with it. I live in the heart of all that.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Red Guitar Still Life</b></td></tr>
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<b>Q5. When you are working on a piece, is there a point at which you realize you have a masterpiece taking shape on the canvas?</b><br />
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</b> <b>A5. </b>That is an interesting question, because I was happy to give up on the idea of painting a “masterpiece” a long time ago. I don’t remember when, maybe in high school, I read something from an artist that stated something like, “If you have created a “Masterpiece”, then you are done creating. The term, “Master” piece connotes that you can do no better, this is the pinnacle. So, if you have created a true Masterpiece, then why would you continue? This was a great realization for me, the pressure was off. I didn’t have that anxiety facing a blank canvas anymore. I wasn’t there to create a masterpiece. I was there to learn, to paint, to create, to have fun!<br />
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Now, on the flip side, (I love duality!) I still have a painting once in a while that I feel is a Masterpiece, hahaha! (I have one on my mantle right now, it surprised me when I painted it in the last month or two). <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Jen's Latest "Master" piece</b></td></tr>
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Something magical happens, usually, like a happy little accident. Some way that a brush stroke reveals a texture, or the light is captured so perfectly that it looks alive. Something I didn’t plan. And I’m painting it, thinking, Oh my God, this is amazing, I’ve never painted anything better, and I don’t know if I can ever top this. But, believing what I believe (the previous paragraph), I have to give that feeling time to wear off. And, I have to let go of all that, and know that I’m not done yet, I’m not dead yet. (Like Monty Python, can you hear it? “<a href="http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Monty_Python_and_the_Holy_Grail" target="_blank">I’m not dead yet! I think I might go out for a walk</a>”!) I’m only forty years old, I have many, many, many more years to paint. I will live to be over a hundred years old, I believe, so I have to get over this, and know that I will do more “Master” pieces. What do you think of that? <b>[Interviewer's note: I am exhausted thinking of that.]</b><br />
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<b>Q6. Are there any artists you find particularly inspiring?</b><br />
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</b> <b>A6. </b>The artists that I find inspiring are the most hard-working and prolific artists. I am really inspired by artists with a strong work ethic, like <a href="http://basquiat.com/" target="_blank">Jean-Michel Basquiat</a> and <a href="http://www.ibiblio.org/wm/paint/auth/pollock/" target="_blank">Jackson Pollock</a>. I love how Basquiat worked on three easels at once. I only have two easels now, but I want another one. I want to work like him, on three easels, dancing from canvas to canvas with some lively music playing. Have you seen the movie, “<a href="http://www.jean-michelbasquiattheradiantchild.com/" target="_blank">Basquiat: The Radiant Child</a>”? He was so beautiful. He had these deep, dreamy eyes, like an angel. He looked as if his soul resided in heaven. A lot of times, I’ll have a painting on each easel, and others in beginning stages on the table, or propped up at the bottom of the easel. And I do, of course, love strong woman artists, like <a href="http://www.fridakahlo.com/" target="_blank">Frida Kahlo</a>, <a href="http://www.okeeffemuseum.org/" target="_blank">Georgia O’Keeffe</a>, and <a href="http://www.marycassatt.org/" target="_blank">Mary Cassat</a>. <br />
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Though I love bold, vibrant art that looks more ethnic, Caribbean or Native American than European, I am sometimes envious of soft, subtle works of art. I have tried to do subtle, and I just haven’t mastered that. I kinda have to say, I hate pastels. Just sometimes, I wish I could do it. I wish I didn’t have to outline things, or have my color be so saturated. It just doesn’t look right or feel right to me if I don’t do it my way. But I would love to be able to paint something restful or peaceful. The closest I can get to peaceful is with my abstracts. Now, you’ll have to look at them, and tell me if you agree. I love the people that agree with me on this! Not everyone does. Like I said, some people actually feel sick when they look at all that movement. But for me, I think I can find peace in the midst of it all. The abstracts can be more peaceful to me, because I don’t get stuck re-thinking a line, or re-painting it in my mind, Second guessing what I wish I would have done. The abstracts set me free from all that worry.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Amy's Painting</b></td></tr>
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<b>Q7. Are there any non-artists you find particularly inspiring?</b><br />
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</b> <b>A7. </b>What first comes to mind if I try to think of a non-artist that I find inspiring, are people that I’ve read about that have overcome adversity, like <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harriet_Tubman" target="_blank">Harriet Tubman</a>. I love reading biographies. The first real book I ever read was <a href="http://www.amazon.com/Freedom-Train-Story-Harriet-Tubman/dp/0590436287" target="_blank">Freedom Train, The Story of Harriet Tubman</a>. I was an early reader. My Mom says I was a spontaneous reader as a toddler, I don’t know. So, my big sister let me read Freedom Train when she was done with it. She was in 6th grade, and I was in 1st grade. That really affected me. I still draw analogies to it in my life. I still feel like her sometimes, like I have to buy my freedom.<br />
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I relate to her, in that she was a hard-worker, but also a daydreamer. In the book, it said that she had “spells” after being hit in the head, and that maybe sometimes she feigned spells so that she could rest. Well, I’m not sure if I should admit this here, but I’m going to: sometimes I take a paid day off work in order to paint, like you said, if I need to race to the canvas to paint something. Usually, I am very disciplined, and I work very hard at my day-to-day things. But sometimes, it is just too much, and I need to stay in my pj’s and paint for a day.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhySwlg84Dr_JsmwwJMDesNRdmfKAb-Lkf24rQm5qkWXEfsdm21HepxeSC2GPtW5Hgl-vSgXYbbXj8_K9LRvGBLjPf28Qe5ld2qlruCmAYcNchDc7c03qptKKviREBkXJ7Kn1ou1p7aJU8/s1600/il_570xN.473897233_5ufu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhySwlg84Dr_JsmwwJMDesNRdmfKAb-Lkf24rQm5qkWXEfsdm21HepxeSC2GPtW5Hgl-vSgXYbbXj8_K9LRvGBLjPf28Qe5ld2qlruCmAYcNchDc7c03qptKKviREBkXJ7Kn1ou1p7aJU8/s1600/il_570xN.473897233_5ufu.jpg" height="213" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Historic Gas Station, Troy, Ohio</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Q8. Where can we see (and purchase) your work?</b><br />
<b><br />
</b> <b>A8. </b>You can see my work online at: <a href="http://www.jennifernoren.com/">www.JenniferNoren.com</a>. There are photos of my work on my <a href="http://www.jennifernoren.com/" target="_blank">Web site</a>, and a link to my Etsy shop, <a href="https://www.etsy.com/shop/FineArtbyJenoren" target="_blank">FineArtbyJenoren</a>. For my local work, I try to post pics to my Facebook page, <a href="http://jennifer%20noren%2C%20painter/" target="_blank">Jennifer Noren, Painter</a>. And you can see my work locally right now in Troy, Ohio, whether it is murals or window paintings in local businesses, or pieces for sale at <a href="http://davidfairinteriors.com/" target="_blank">David Fair on the Square</a> (interior design and consignment) or at the <a href="http://www.mayflowerartscenter.com/" target="_blank">Mayflower Arts Center</a>.<br />
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Thanks so much, Carolyn! I hope to sit with you and that sweet beagle for a cup of tea in the near future! </div>
<div>
======================================================================</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>That's funny - I was just going to say: <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';">Thanks for stopping by, Jen. There’s always a beagle to pet and a cup of hot tea at the ready in Lakewood. Don’t be a stranger.</span></b></div>
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})();</script>Carolyn Hastingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17889723899756642292noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7637014763662654571.post-28921105685962839692014-04-11T10:26:00.001-04:002014-04-16T08:30:58.078-04:00Slippery Visual Slopes - Gianna CommitoDiscovered the work of <a href="http://www.racheluffnergallery.com/artists/gianna-commito/" target="_blank">Gianna Commito</a> today. Luckily, <a href="http://artsyforager.com/2014/04/10/gianna-commito/" target="_blank">Artsy Forager</a> already did the hard part - describing these incredible pieces in artsy terms. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwnFJ4annsq2dLUlrNExIdnl2GA9Z4nXH2EU7k2Zp7Fo2m9g5L5RFmp_MxiroZllio6OiIA2WNyDaJfpYlntjaqvxgxIA_bZZVpUkL0qtQcDOCfN_Z0lSy4RRA94JVsKzSyqVOlopZEss/s1600/turf-72.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwnFJ4annsq2dLUlrNExIdnl2GA9Z4nXH2EU7k2Zp7Fo2m9g5L5RFmp_MxiroZllio6OiIA2WNyDaJfpYlntjaqvxgxIA_bZZVpUkL0qtQcDOCfN_Z0lSy4RRA94JVsKzSyqVOlopZEss/s1600/turf-72.jpg" height="320" width="248" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Turf, 2010</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>As for me, all I can say is they took my breath away and who can ask more than that from art? If I forced myself to think sensibly, I suppose terms such as "controlled chaos" might come to mind, or "a riddle wrapped in an enigma sliced into geometric pieces." <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbDALVfORtV9OKvSFi8bvIzkpi5VjY0AkR2yZy0d9OcHFiShjFG6sOW8vY20y5DP-Le1alrZ6aFm1KrSuEogpdW-X3mbez6FxXgQ9ZbQoUGMZLDJutvMhvBOj7Ng8m2NP6nGqOeAhacy4/s1600/stall-72.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbDALVfORtV9OKvSFi8bvIzkpi5VjY0AkR2yZy0d9OcHFiShjFG6sOW8vY20y5DP-Le1alrZ6aFm1KrSuEogpdW-X3mbez6FxXgQ9ZbQoUGMZLDJutvMhvBOj7Ng8m2NP6nGqOeAhacy4/s1600/stall-72.jpg" height="320" width="260" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Stall, 2010</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
But I'm not going to force myself, because I would rather inhale the raw beauty than try and impose woefully inadequate words upon these striking works of art.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi1cbziN4Q5grFfPrG2TJwj5_XbU3-8Wx_96yNjY1KDwK-IgXVNaP9u4IgrnjheniEYufyqYkmsDjwRlfvv5zWuyjGGU1bYVIX7HbYVZZf31aXVbR6idmZZvTBgFC9f-zKsDf74OWvyIM/s1600/track-2-72.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhi1cbziN4Q5grFfPrG2TJwj5_XbU3-8Wx_96yNjY1KDwK-IgXVNaP9u4IgrnjheniEYufyqYkmsDjwRlfvv5zWuyjGGU1bYVIX7HbYVZZf31aXVbR6idmZZvTBgFC9f-zKsDf74OWvyIM/s1600/track-2-72.jpg" height="320" width="264" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Track, 2010</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjald-pjt97vuCUZXZy2NwPR-kj2NdAvaOmWCHZdY-vVeUZh48Ldv9p65LGYKKoD0Ny05-pqcVrh6xOJWZmfWVoePsQlFKmXE1aHTNgwnHQfj_n3uV7ZBvb4tnRa8gBXrOnAwGM4rgn-q4/s1600/wing-72.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjald-pjt97vuCUZXZy2NwPR-kj2NdAvaOmWCHZdY-vVeUZh48Ldv9p65LGYKKoD0Ny05-pqcVrh6xOJWZmfWVoePsQlFKmXE1aHTNgwnHQfj_n3uV7ZBvb4tnRa8gBXrOnAwGM4rgn-q4/s1600/wing-72.jpg" height="320" width="273" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Wing, 2009</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK0xQMbRocNSeEkhdu22gbIgzrxySGHPBCuU3tW2hVvISafEolM6JuER3QvwHrA2GqhgqtQJMEZPE9tTsvd1BXK33vnA_wNnGtPdQChuTbsnjwTfhwL5dWaLBNpkLyPsWjfFMJElSGl_4/s1600/moth-72.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK0xQMbRocNSeEkhdu22gbIgzrxySGHPBCuU3tW2hVvISafEolM6JuER3QvwHrA2GqhgqtQJMEZPE9tTsvd1BXK33vnA_wNnGtPdQChuTbsnjwTfhwL5dWaLBNpkLyPsWjfFMJElSGl_4/s1600/moth-72.jpg" height="320" width="262" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Moth, 2009</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div>Where, you ask, would a person capable of creating such intricate slippery visual slopes reside? Excellent question. According to her bio on the <a href="http://www.racheluffnergallery.com/artists/gianna-commito/" target="_blank">Rachel Uffner Gallery Web site</a>, Gianna Commito, although born in North Carolina, lives and work in Kent, Ohio. Ah, Kent; the bucolic town sporting a University of the same name from which graduated "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Kent_State_University_alumni" target="_blank">Bonnie Turner</a>, writer/creator of <a href="http://www.3rdrockfromthesun.net/" target="_blank">3rd Rock from the Sun</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/That-70s-Show-Official/157744090932520?rf=105653349468992" target="_blank">That 70s Show</a>" and "<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Kent_State_University_alumni" target="_blank">Dav Pilkey</a>, Children's author best known for <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Captain_Underpants" target="_blank">Captain Underpants</a>." Should have guessed.</div><div><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguyarGM7zCfB-yMT0BGysD3ZjCeeWiWnsgrFK7SBL5tYAWEtjDJrwuCkDDNBGQKvJLKsruQeCfLXQUHTQhVD15e-C-mFRjHiEAtXOgoE0OiC-UHs9N2Pt28p7Yi23Dc0hEE5tZ0eltyDg/s1600/125_gc-35-ptg.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguyarGM7zCfB-yMT0BGysD3ZjCeeWiWnsgrFK7SBL5tYAWEtjDJrwuCkDDNBGQKvJLKsruQeCfLXQUHTQhVD15e-C-mFRjHiEAtXOgoE0OiC-UHs9N2Pt28p7Yi23Dc0hEE5tZ0eltyDg/s1600/125_gc-35-ptg.jpg" height="320" width="257" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Brig, 2012</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div><br />
</div><div>All images above courtesy of <a href="http://giannacommito.blogspot.ca/" target="_blank">Gianna Commito's Web site</a>, with the exception of "Brig", courtesy of <a href="http://www.racheluffnergallery.com/artists/gianna-commito/" target="_blank">Rachel Uffner Gallery</a>, New York.<br />
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</div><br />
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Carolyn Hastingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17889723899756642292noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7637014763662654571.post-69254096521257645602014-04-08T10:47:00.001-04:002014-04-17T19:45:41.582-04:00Vastness, Seclusion and Solace: An Interview with Robert McAffee<b><br />
</b> Robert McAffee joins us today to talk about his childhood; his pre-art career(s); inspiration and motivation; and his trailblazing uncle, <a href="http://www.samcraw.com/Clippings/JackReidpaintsthewateryou.html" target="_blank">Jack Reid</a>.<br />
<br />
I am in awe of Robert McAffee who, for all his insightful talk of art and controlled anger toward the treatment of the First Nations children of Canada, manages to maintain a childlike quality of playfulness and joy.<br />
<br />
OK, I adore him. Let's chat.<br />
<b><br />
</b> <b>======================================</b><br />
<b><br />
</b> <b>Q1. What is your first memory of art?</b><br />
<br />
A1. Six years old and my mother taking me to visit her brother, the late and very well known landscape artist, <a href="http://www.wallacegalleries.com/artists/jack-reid" target="_blank">Jack Reid</a>. The visit inspired me from that young age to be an artist one day. He continued to be a mentor and friend until his death in 2011. <br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.robertmcaffee.com/dedication-to-jack-reid.html" target="_blank">Click here</a> to see my dedication page to Jack Reid.<br />
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<br />
<a name='more'></a><br /><br />
<b>Q2. What is the first work of art you created?</b><br />
<br />
A2. Right there on my uncle's drawing table, a watercolour of a pine tree. Uncle Jack matted it and it was hung in my home for many years afterwards. Sadly it has been lost.<br />
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<br />
<b>Q3. Was there a point in your life when you decided to try art, or were you always an artist?</b><br />
<br />
A3. I was an artist from the get go, but to make ends meet I endured many years of other jobs, including 7 years as a sign painter, 14 years as a photo equipment salesman, and 12 years as a banker with TD Bank Financial Group in Toronto.<br />
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In 2009, I was downsized with sixty other employees and I took my package and decided to make a go of life as an artist. Five years later I have no regrets.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmsN8YYYOGeIkpBmx5v_3lmPmH3usG_J48MDagHJ6_vm5rxDl-aeo6jdl79doZoAdDXAW27xkA7kbF1NtKQS2E5LQIuh7ngM9OQYmo-xAoQN08Wd8eb3b8V7pQwDrRXuNphzPHl4TwnJE/s1600/unnamed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmsN8YYYOGeIkpBmx5v_3lmPmH3usG_J48MDagHJ6_vm5rxDl-aeo6jdl79doZoAdDXAW27xkA7kbF1NtKQS2E5LQIuh7ngM9OQYmo-xAoQN08Wd8eb3b8V7pQwDrRXuNphzPHl4TwnJE/s1600/unnamed.jpg" height="319" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Forest Falls</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Q4. Would you explain what the phrase "Landscape Artist" means to you? I noticed you use that phrase with reference to yourself.</b><br />
<br />
A4. I am a landscape artist, first and foremost. This means that I am better at hills, trees, water and rocks than the human form. I have ventured into the human form for personal reasons recently, however that is a direction which remains low priority.<br />
<br />
I am deeply troubled by injustice and human tragedy with particular emphasis on the mistreatment and abuse of the First Nations children who were removed from their family homes and placed in Residential schools. Their lives have been scarred forever and I sought to paint a series of "stories" from that part of our history, to draw more attention to the story and hope we never forget and never repeat. <a href="http://www.robertmcaffee.com/aboriginal-residential-schools.html#/" target="_blank">Click here</a> to see the paintings.<br />
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<br />
<b>Q5. Are there specific triggers that cause you to race to a blank canvas/paper or do you impose a certain discipline on yourself?</b><br />
<br />
A5. Colour, vastness, seclusion, solace, warmth, depth, contrasts, power images (i.e. mountains, waterfalls), distant high views.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOCOgzRlEGOzR0xd0yNKHkTLRLjpm7caRc2fUHXJMz1up11YnkSK8zGxUUVLngz7_4wx5_XH_tQQXs34LPu1NwHOAMQ_TNRbleY4pB7AhevB7Xrpy7-xi5vqW56B-JTvUOTZ4blXWrNOg/s1600/5069774.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOCOgzRlEGOzR0xd0yNKHkTLRLjpm7caRc2fUHXJMz1up11YnkSK8zGxUUVLngz7_4wx5_XH_tQQXs34LPu1NwHOAMQ_TNRbleY4pB7AhevB7Xrpy7-xi5vqW56B-JTvUOTZ4blXWrNOg/s1600/5069774.jpg" height="318" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>The Three Sisters</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqrhl2biJycrPpm_b40NQqPvLSSAWI3lqE0ipIWW_J8RE2GcvUyh-2ME_mnOnVMm4MhnI_5af_Ie0CSK4HSCFKA0GaXE7Te_lz_LOTDTwzw8W37xgwR00yQExhHJd08LOwQgJ_B_dsdmg/s1600/unnamed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqrhl2biJycrPpm_b40NQqPvLSSAWI3lqE0ipIWW_J8RE2GcvUyh-2ME_mnOnVMm4MhnI_5af_Ie0CSK4HSCFKA0GaXE7Te_lz_LOTDTwzw8W37xgwR00yQExhHJd08LOwQgJ_B_dsdmg/s1600/unnamed.jpg" height="215" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Memories of Canoe Lake</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<b>Q6. When you are working on a piece, is there a point at which you realize you have a masterpiece taking shape on the canvas/paper?</b><br />
<br />
A6. Good question! I never think I have a masterpiece unfolding. Seriously, I never feel that confident in my work. I'm still striving for the elusive "masterpiece".<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtDS-xICZJL77bZeTpY3ktDF0yBq-l1LVcXGhx-qsi53URyUc58EKk4iAN7rOD1fjh5ZdqL0su9tDqSphF7ZHWI8UmFipwSYSpgwJS03H0e3iMYiedverH9geBSwlcJhK8lCnE900k96I/s1600/unnamed-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtDS-xICZJL77bZeTpY3ktDF0yBq-l1LVcXGhx-qsi53URyUc58EKk4iAN7rOD1fjh5ZdqL0su9tDqSphF7ZHWI8UmFipwSYSpgwJS03H0e3iMYiedverH9geBSwlcJhK8lCnE900k96I/s1600/unnamed-3.jpg" height="316" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>The West Shore, Canoe Lake</b></td></tr>
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<b>Q7. Are there any artists you find particularly inspiring? </b><br />
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A7. <a href="http://bertc.com/subtwo/g32/index.htm#top" target="_blank">Tom Thomson</a>, because he understood this land that Canada is made up of. He allowed his work to be rough and unrefined so that the brush could speak on its own without the perimeters of perfection.<br />
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<a href="http://www.markrothko.org/" target="_blank">Mark Rothko</a>, American abstract artist who wasn't afraid to fill a canvas with bold blocks of colour <b>[Interviewer's note: Seeing "Mark Rothko" and "color" with a "u" in the same sentence is a bit jarring but we will let it stand because we love RM]</b>.<br />
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They speak to me.<br />
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<a href="http://www.mcmichael.com/collection/seven/harris.cfm" target="_blank">Lawren Harris</a>, saw the big aspects of Canada, the Rockies, the ice formations of the north and captured them on canvas for us all to enjoy.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8wNpJ9S_1nKj6AOShtwryEigIEP67XoYGU9puSkEpMYLkWw7xrfOW2X8r6YoUwPdaWTmOwSDlXmKI2O6NCooZheJJ2W0HIpPgPMex9eTGWJYVkyM7Lh5Ok6h2E24n58qcrW4kGVYcYxU/s1600/unnamed-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8wNpJ9S_1nKj6AOShtwryEigIEP67XoYGU9puSkEpMYLkWw7xrfOW2X8r6YoUwPdaWTmOwSDlXmKI2O6NCooZheJJ2W0HIpPgPMex9eTGWJYVkyM7Lh5Ok6h2E24n58qcrW4kGVYcYxU/s1600/unnamed-4.jpg" height="320" width="318" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>The Storm</b></td></tr>
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<b>Q8. Are there any non-artists you find particularly inspiring?</b><br />
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A8. I enjoy people who have made success of their lives/work and still remain simple and truthful to the world. People who fit that bill for me are: <a href="http://www.leonardcohen.com/us/home" target="_blank">Leonard Cohen</a> <b>[Interviewer's note: Leonard Cohen! I knew there was a reason I loved this man]</b>, <a href="http://www.gordonlightfoot.com/" target="_blank">Gordon Lightfoot</a>, <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arlene_Dickinson" target="_blank">Arlene Dickinson</a>.<br />
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ugh8Xe6hX7U" target="_blank">Leonard Cohen on Q TV (CBC exclusive)</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ugh8Xe6hX7U" target="_blank">Full interview here</a></div>
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<b>Q9. Please answer a question I didn’t ask.</b><br />
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A9. What motivates Robert McAffee to paint? I believe people these days are in far too much of a hurry to enjoy life and creation. It exists all around them and yet they are scheduled to death.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuuYa5bTjNWMnF8D5mNNAiUVP8G_p2zPXvyKXXaSAl3Tvi5vNq0GN3K-oemUT3YktbF0nct0NFobfTlZHKhxqkgHfBhqzZJWmWw0YL9Qm4WA4IrWURW6WbXcUgybOdfhQonYF8HHqf_GQ/s1600/unnamed-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuuYa5bTjNWMnF8D5mNNAiUVP8G_p2zPXvyKXXaSAl3Tvi5vNq0GN3K-oemUT3YktbF0nct0NFobfTlZHKhxqkgHfBhqzZJWmWw0YL9Qm4WA4IrWURW6WbXcUgybOdfhQonYF8HHqf_GQ/s1600/unnamed-2.jpg" height="317" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Autumn Path</b></td></tr>
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So my mission is to go out there and capture some of that awesomeness and beauty, get it on canvas and make it available to all the busy people around me and the world. Make them stop for a minute, look, contemplate and say, I need this on my wall. I need to bring this piece of solace home with me.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigfx7gpRFWNfppAG_lCywArMRJ3SdhE9OgIgJzKJz1rGC9XuAfF6EJx4I_SgnQYcaRijkvXnWLdFGm3yLQogj0vGNPAtIYrEZBolSAy04Fn_zPHwty9I0ZC-wSSTQGrM-tpLYFw04KtlQ/s1600/unnamed-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigfx7gpRFWNfppAG_lCywArMRJ3SdhE9OgIgJzKJz1rGC9XuAfF6EJx4I_SgnQYcaRijkvXnWLdFGm3yLQogj0vGNPAtIYrEZBolSAy04Fn_zPHwty9I0ZC-wSSTQGrM-tpLYFw04KtlQ/s1600/unnamed-1.jpg" height="253" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Georgian Bay</b></td></tr>
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That's what motivates me.<br />
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<div>
Thanks for stopping by, Robert. There’s always a beagle to pet and a cup of hot tea at the ready in Lakewood. Don’t be a stranger.</div>
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<br />Carolyn Hastingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17889723899756642292noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7637014763662654571.post-65241791294134346342014-04-06T19:36:00.000-04:002014-04-08T10:50:01.637-04:00No Wrenches - An Interview With Dana Irving<div class="im">
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<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';">Dana Irving is a Vancouver-based artist/singer/songwriter, whose works can be found on her <a href="http://danairving.com/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Web site</a> or at the <a href="http://www.iantangallery.com/project/dana-irving/" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Ian Tan Gallery</a>. Ian Tan describes her art in a way that would make the most seasoned art collector perk up:</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';">Her style; a marriage of Emily Carr, Lawren Harris and</span></div>
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<b><i><span style="color: red; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';">Dr. Seuss</span></i></b><b><span style="color: red; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"> </span></b><b><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';">[Editor’s note: italics and bold are mine]</span></b><span style="color: red; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';">,</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';">is a visual testament to the force of the</span></div>
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<span style="color: red; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';">sublime natural landscape in the</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';">As I write this, I’m listening to snippets of Dana Irving’s Smilin’ CD (one minute teasers available on <a href="http://www.danairving.com/smilincd.html" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">Dana’s site</a>). I’m tapping my feet and feeling better by the minute, half of my brain trying to decide if this is blues or country or both when a song titled “<a href="http://www.danairving.com/music/NoWrenches.mp3" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank">No Wrenches</a>” begins and I am knocked off my feet. I haven’t heard vocals like this since <a href="http://www.joanarmatrading.com/index.php" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank" title="http://www.joanarmatrading.com/index.php
CTRL + Click to follow link">Joan Armatrading</a> sang <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y84S4_ThV6g" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank" title="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y84S4_ThV6g
CTRL + Click to follow link">Down to Zero</a> and broke my high school heart.</span></div>
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Let’s chat.</div>
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<b><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';">Q1. What is your first memory of art?</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"><b>A1. </b>I grew up in a small town in northern BC<b> [Interviewer's note for Americans who think Iowa and Idaho are the same state - "BC" stands for British Columbia]</b>, Canada. I hate to say it, but when I was young, the place was pretty artless. A logging town full of practical people doing practical things. My mother knew I needed something ... so at four years old she took me to ballet classes at the home of this lovely, eccentric Norwegian lady. She was passionate about dance and she was a great teacher. I remember being dazzled by her and her house full of paintings and antique furniture. Everything about her was inspiring</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.famouspainters.ca/springinpark.html" target="_blank">Spring in the Park, 2012</a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"><b>A2. </b>When I was 8, I drew a squirrel at school that really looked like a squirrel and there was quite a fuss made about it. It stuck with me - like - "Oh, maybe I'm going to be good at this."</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';">Q3. Was there a point in your life when you decided to try art, or were you always an artist?</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"><b>A3. </b>Well, firstly - I am certain that all of us begin an artist. I dare you to find me a 5 year old who thinks he/she can't paint. It's just human nature to be creative. This is why we pick this music and not that, and these pillows and not those, but I will not digress just now.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_LAD-hjKfw6zwWnGE2v7WFxUn9942aASQOJyB-0YAp3ZI3N5Cr7FYZQ8JQcpFx-3GM5V-DUnaOcD2mSuHNLn1tslg9x_gu-YIjNMHzYu-N_6cRKDI0iE0YiO4fsHvBcB_403SITSqDz4/s1600/9C43.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_LAD-hjKfw6zwWnGE2v7WFxUn9942aASQOJyB-0YAp3ZI3N5Cr7FYZQ8JQcpFx-3GM5V-DUnaOcD2mSuHNLn1tslg9x_gu-YIjNMHzYu-N_6cRKDI0iE0YiO4fsHvBcB_403SITSqDz4/s1600/9C43.jpg" height="197" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.famouspainters.ca/individual1.html" target="_blank">Point Atkinson Light, 30" x 48</a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';">I guess I made the conscious choice to study art when I was 16. Until then I was a very academic student, into Math and English Lit. I spent the summer between grades 11 and 12 working in a National Park here in BC, hiking and adventuring in the wilderness. I met kids from all over the country <b>[Interviewer's note: By "country", Dana means "Canada"]</b> there. (A couple of them are still my good friends.) They were artsy and into music and they influenced the way I saw the world. That summer is still the best summer I have ever had! When I went back to finish high school that fall, I changed all my courses to arts and applied design. I really started becoming a musician and songwriter then as well.</span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';">Q4. Are there specific triggers that cause you to race to a blank canvas or do you impose a certain discipline on yourself?</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"><b>A4. </b>I spent many years waitressing and then painting houses. Making art for a living now is such a joy and privilege! I cannot wait to get out to my studio. I do treat it like a job though, putting in anywhere from 6 to 10 hours a day, 5 or 6 days a week. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';">I hike and take photos quite a lot. I spend 1 or 2 days per month drawing from those photos and then I paint from the drawings.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.famouspainters.ca/september.html" target="_blank">September, 2011</a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"><b>A5. </b>Yes, they do, but in a subtle way. I don't make images of songs or songs about my images, but for sure the day is broken up with both painting and music. I make my living as a painter and painting gets the lion's share of my time, but I play at least an hour a day. These days it's a little more as I am in the recording studio again. I hope to have 4 new songs available on iTunes before autumn. To me, making music with other people is the ultimate team sport. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"><b>A6. </b>Well thank you for implying that I am capable of a </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLmlSyPk1hsbWI2nMXxje7xYQvmMQ48eiZR9h6agDc2F3UxD3hWSE9wJUx6r7comjkkrgKD0vG71HRAfzK2W_hMDEUYvnWu4_5oPve9ou5XTlM4AscWmPAzxYmpi9a73TJT0qfzRj3M0E/s1600/InsidetheGoldenWind.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLmlSyPk1hsbWI2nMXxje7xYQvmMQ48eiZR9h6agDc2F3UxD3hWSE9wJUx6r7comjkkrgKD0vG71HRAfzK2W_hMDEUYvnWu4_5oPve9ou5XTlM4AscWmPAzxYmpi9a73TJT0qfzRj3M0E/s1600/InsidetheGoldenWind.jpg" height="320" width="157" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.famouspainters.ca/insidegoldenwind.html" target="_blank">Inside the Golden Wind, 2012</a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';">I find the pieces that I most often feel the proudest of just spill out fantastically, right from the start. That's where the magic is. Then the skills you've honed have to bring it home. </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';">Q7. Would you tell us about “Famous Painters Ltd.”?</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"><b>A7. </b>In the early 90s, I started a business with a professional house painter. We did decorative, textured paint finishes on walls and ceilings of high end homes. We took our portfolio around to architects and interior designers and that developed into a unique and specialized marketplace ... one with lots of money to pay for laborious, beautiful paint finishes. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';">It was a popular look at the time to imitate an old world patina or marble surface. That eventually led to mural painting and <a href="http://www.trompe-l-oeil-art.com/" target="_blank">trompe l'oeil</a>, also very popular at the time. Because of my skills in realism, this quite quickly became the bulk of our work and continued as such for another 12 years. I have murals in lavish private residences, restaurants, airports and on the sides of buildings. You can see a few examples in my "archive" at <a href="http://www.danairving.com/vault" style="color: #1155cc;" target="_blank" title="http://www.danairving.com/vault
CTRL + Click to follow link">www.danairving.com/vault</a> So the title "Famous Painters" covered all the aspects of our operation.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX336KIeLIY3i1gwBdiW4-lVfCo7Fy_M8XSBmNLQoFNQSFsfg_yZPwX2yr1B4Cl2Na54FzNNBDcYx-Amsdq9n_O1IQqgL7cUqa6RRIX4uQaR25l8VVtovVeeX4-qSax75UGPvFV3kB-MU/s1600/WNTrain_sml.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX336KIeLIY3i1gwBdiW4-lVfCo7Fy_M8XSBmNLQoFNQSFsfg_yZPwX2yr1B4Cl2Na54FzNNBDcYx-Amsdq9n_O1IQqgL7cUqa6RRIX4uQaR25l8VVtovVeeX4-qSax75UGPvFV3kB-MU/s1600/WNTrain_sml.jpg" height="141" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.danairving.com/vault/wntrain.html" target="_blank">Whistler Northwind DIning Car (detail)</a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"><b>A8. </b>Well, as I mentioned, Lawren Harris was my first big love. Then later, all of the G</span><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';">Group of Seven. You can't live in BC and not know <a href="http://www.emilycarr.ca/" target="_blank">Emily Carr</a> as well, so she got in there, too. No one I have seen has better graphic design skills than <a href="http://www.ocm.org/blog/details.aspx?ID=103" target="_blank">Dr. Seuss</a>. <a href="http://www.delempicka.org/" target="_blank">Tamara de Lempika</a> is a fave as well as <a href="http://www.mostateparks.com/park/thomas-hart-benton-home-and-studio-state-historic-site" target="_blank">Thomas Hart Benton.</a> I am pretty much enamored with the era of painting between 1920 and 1950. There is a lot of stylizing going on. It just sits well with me. Abstract has never been my thing.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"><b>A9. </b>I could write a book about my Mom. It's a really special thing for parents to have the vision and confidence to encourage a child to live a creative life. It takes some guts, I think. I am lucky and grateful.<b> [Interviewer's note: I love this woman]</b></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXWmEHUUNBp2Lr9ZOQAYPf0TccCKHcqNeCXttZcxreJJnJ0yhsROgRpcfZHQMRk0YC-AZjuZPNiQTys0FxSQnMixPMDJMxlUSzfo8cBZWXdmE6_mMjZCujrcUImCRM44r_VVRp_L4jtUc/s1600/Seabushome.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXWmEHUUNBp2Lr9ZOQAYPf0TccCKHcqNeCXttZcxreJJnJ0yhsROgRpcfZHQMRk0YC-AZjuZPNiQTys0FxSQnMixPMDJMxlUSzfo8cBZWXdmE6_mMjZCujrcUImCRM44r_VVRp_L4jtUc/s1600/Seabushome.jpg" height="320" width="317" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.danairving.com/seabushome.html" target="_blank">Seabus Home, 2013</a></td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';">Q10. Please answer a question I didn’t ask.</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"><b>A10. </b>Oh, I can now digress ...</span></div>
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<span font-family:="" ms="" omic="" sans="" style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';">Being more in touch with your own creativity makes everyone a little happier.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';">Too much emphasis is put on "talent." Talent is a great thing, but not everything, and not much at all without practice. I have heard so many times, "I wish I could draw." You can.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHpYDuALhD7OHwz-JQxYoOGA8l9n9cLn1q9u1nPt-EhWvS6IWw08LomEapGfHG8j_N-ZqhTR1EiNzMWIXxEY58lbpMcZiQkJNF34JCvblF3YMs12tgSvvdgZLSIgQKe3aLE5pAV8HYEXY/s1600/9C32-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHpYDuALhD7OHwz-JQxYoOGA8l9n9cLn1q9u1nPt-EhWvS6IWw08LomEapGfHG8j_N-ZqhTR1EiNzMWIXxEY58lbpMcZiQkJNF34JCvblF3YMs12tgSvvdgZLSIgQKe3aLE5pAV8HYEXY/s1600/9C32-1.jpg" height="320" width="158" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.danairving.com/coolshadow.html" target="_blank">Cool in the Shadow (Grouse Grind)</a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"><b>A11. </b>I have work at the Ian Tan Gallery in Vancouver, Canada, and also at <a href="http://steffichfineart.com/dana-irving/" target="_blank">Steffich Fine Art</a> on Salt Spring Island. (I met Matt Steffich way back in that fantastic summer I mentioned.) My <a href="http://www.famouspainters.ca/individual1.html" target="_blank">Web site</a> is a good source for what's new and of course, social media:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"><a href="https://twitter.com/danairvingart" target="_blank">danairvingart</a> on Twitter</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.pinterest.com/danairvingart/" style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';" target="_blank">Pinterest</a></div>
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Facebook and Instagram are coming soon.<br />
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<a href="http://www.famouspainters.ca/smilincd.html" style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';" target="_blank">Songs</a><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"> will be available on iTunes later this year.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"><b>[Interviewer's note: More articles to check out:]</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"><a href="http://canadianartjunkie.com/2012/10/15/dana-irving-emily-carr-meets-dr-seuss/" target="_blank">Canadian Art Junkie</a></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"><a href="http://vancouverisawesome.com/2011/10/09/illustrated-vancouver-vol-12-lost-mural-of-stanley-park/" target="_blank">Vancouver is Awesome</a> </span></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';">============================================</span></b></div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';">Thanks for stopping by, Dana. There’s always a beagle to pet and a cup of hot tea at the ready in Lakewood. Don’t be a stranger.</span></div>
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<script id="_wauxxp">var _wau = _wau || [];
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s.src="http://widgets.amung.us/map.js";
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})();</script><br />Carolyn Hastingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17889723899756642292noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7637014763662654571.post-91550029664235928002014-04-03T20:33:00.001-04:002014-04-07T21:05:53.026-04:0010S - The Rise of Graffiti in SaigonGraffiti, which has run the gamut in the US from police chasing kids armed only with spray paint, to upstanding citizens painting over these scary defacings of public property, to <a href="http://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/the-story-behind-banksy-4310304/?no-ist" target="_blank">Banksy</a> stalkers waiting for him to finish so they can carefully knock down the wall and <a href="http://nypost.com/2013/10/19/landlord-installs-gate-and-guards-to-protect-bansky-artwork/" target="_blank">sell it for a gazillion dollars</a>. The market has spoken. And, in so doing, nearly destroyed the purpose and beauty of this underground grassroots movement.<br />
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<a href="http://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/the-story-behind-banksy-4310304/?" target="_blank">Smithsonian Magazine</a>, in an article written by Will Ellsworth-Jones and appearing in their February 2013 issue:<br />
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It could be said that Banksy’s subversiveness diminishes as his prices rise. He may well have reached the tipping point where his success makes it impossible for him to remain rooted in the subculture he emerged from.</blockquote>
Americans have become jaded about this art form. Which is why I was so happy to open my <a href="http://www.woostercollective.com/post/10s-crew-of-saigon-paints-biggest-wall-in-vietnam" target="_blank">latest missive from the Wooster Collective</a> this morning and see a country with no tradition of graffiti (other than <a href="http://www.vietnamgraffiti.com/" target="_blank">graffiti left behind by American soldiers</a>, but that's a story for another day), beginning its tenuous journey with graffiti and the talented artists behind it.<br />
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The country is Vietnam, the city is Saigon and the graffiti artists call themselves "10S" (short for 10 Seconds Crew). 10S recently celebrated their 5th anniversary as a group by painting their largest surface to date - a 100' x 16' wall.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJTX30Q8I_yCgC2ZrpgVHGdmbESRlLQ08yFwwKXai-UI8z0WaM4xP3aap_8GK1aYn1f6y5t8GZIys282IJtLbmYvARgiMZmYcdZbN_SeDTfTGJAWJ4Kp0hSUu1vyMR4fCLRQlDo-uH74E/s1600/4504101349_97c0a019f1_z.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJTX30Q8I_yCgC2ZrpgVHGdmbESRlLQ08yFwwKXai-UI8z0WaM4xP3aap_8GK1aYn1f6y5t8GZIys282IJtLbmYvARgiMZmYcdZbN_SeDTfTGJAWJ4Kp0hSUu1vyMR4fCLRQlDo-uH74E/s1600/4504101349_97c0a019f1_z.jpg" height="156" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://taki183.wordpress.com/2011/03/31/interview-with-saigon-based-graffiti-artist-daos-501/" target="_blank">Daos (10s)</a></td></tr>
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<a name='more'></a>What makes this story even more unique is how they were able to obtain the required materials. Turns out the average day's pay in Vietnam is approximately $3 (in US dollars) and a can of spray paint runs approximately $5 or $6 dollars. You see the problem. The market has not so much spoken as hit them over the head with cold hard un-artist-like facts.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6RFdODYexz2BfTFdH2HtfWUBMmEvgaugW9_BMsxSoS4WNhN9omk2G8Ly0oKP22xFpTi_-oLdAGAyjBvULrNuRyWoK2f769UROhYervHm6ue0BAQQxmIye31Zb6IFE69723YuS2MwxjUU/s1600/4238367902_504d34cf8b_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6RFdODYexz2BfTFdH2HtfWUBMmEvgaugW9_BMsxSoS4WNhN9omk2G8Ly0oKP22xFpTi_-oLdAGAyjBvULrNuRyWoK2f769UROhYervHm6ue0BAQQxmIye31Zb6IFE69723YuS2MwxjUU/s1600/4238367902_504d34cf8b_b.jpg" height="205" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://taki183.wordpress.com/2011/03/31/interview-with-saigon-based-graffiti-artist-daos-501/" target="_blank">Daos (10s)</a></td></tr>
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Enter <a href="http://the5thelementmag.com/2013/08/29/the-saigon-sky-high-project-support-graffiti-abroad/" target="_blank">Sahra Van Nguyen</a>. Sahra is Vietnamese and for the past 9 years, she has conducted fundraising for various issues around the world (including New Orleans). Sahra's 2013 birthday wish was to raise enough money for <a href="https://www.facebook.com/nhommuoigiay" target="_blank">10S</a> to complete their 5th anniversary wish, painting the largest wall they had ever tackled.<br />
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Sahra is amazing. As part of her fundraising, which she conducted through <a href="http://youcaring.com/">YouCaring</a>, a portion of the funds was set aside to <a href="http://saigonskyhigh.tumblr.com/" target="_blank">bring art supplies and workshops to a local orphanage</a>. <br />
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Oh, and also to make a short documentary "<a href="http://www.youcaring.com/other/birthday-wish-2013-saigon-sky-high-project/83025" target="_blank">on the graffiti scene in Vietnam</a>."<br />
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All of which she accomplished.<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/ns_4LvuPNV4" width="420"></iframe><br />
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Here's the actual wall as the painting takes shape. <a href="http://www.woostercollective.com/post/10s-crew-of-saigon-paints-biggest-wall-in-vietnam?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+wooster+%28Wooster+Collective%29" target="_blank">Wooster Collective</a>:<br />
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"Take a good look at their rusty scaffolding and wobbly bamboo ladders. No matter the conditions they have to work with, these guys are still pushing their limits to go big. It's inspiring to see the way art continues to transcend cultural and language barriers and connects us all. It's powerful."</blockquote>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/NWIFDXkqbz8" width="560"></iframe><br />
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Hope 10S someday sells a wall for a gazillion dollars. At which point I will look for a country without a history of graffiti . . .<br />
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<br />Carolyn Hastingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17889723899756642292noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7637014763662654571.post-56138779507309330502014-04-02T09:55:00.000-04:002014-04-03T20:34:48.445-04:00The Vandals Took The Handles<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';">Rob Dobson graciously agreed to appear as my debut Riffs post. Rob is a singer/songwriter/artist/philosopher. His first album, containing all original material; and recorded, produced and (eventually) distributed independently, is due out in a couple of months. The album cover, of course, is a gorgeous Rob Dobson original painting. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Comic Sans MS";">An interview with Rob resembles a jam session. So much to talk about. We’ll try and stay with Rob The Artist but I cannot rule out cameo appearances by Rob The Musician, Rob Who Grew Up in South Africa and/or Rob The Philosopher. </span><br />
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Hang on and enjoy the ride.</div>
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<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';"><b>Q1. </b></span><b>What is your first memory of art?</b><br />
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</b> <b>Rob: </b>It's hard to say because I have all these memories and I'm so visual ... I remember at my grandma's house when I was really, really young there was this pond with Koi in it and that's the first thing that came to my head. But I didn't consciously think of that as art. And that's not what my art looks like.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Swimming Under Water, 2013</td></tr>
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When I was in school, people started to notice that I could draw. </div>
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<b>Interviewer rudely interrupts</b>: At what age?</div>
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<b>Rob:</b> <b>[Editor's note: RB twists beard hair - sign of deep thought - beagle barks at nothing in particular]: </b>First grade. </div>
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And so you become the person that can draw. You're drawing whatever's cool - HeMan or Ninja Turtles or something, for people. That's probably the first time I consciously thought "Oh, I can draw" because I was designated that.</div>
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I see a lot of things in scenes, like a movie director. I like colors ... cinematography is a really good way of putting it. You can feel something about a movie ... when it's done in a certain kind of cinematography and sometimes what goes on in the movie doesn't necessarily matter, it's the feel of it. And when I think back to when I was young, there's a feel to certain days and a cinematography to certain days. </div>
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And so the Koi pond is like that. Kind of. <b>[Rob laughs.]</b></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Hunt, 2013</td></tr>
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<b>Q2. </b><b>What is the first work of art you created?</b><br />
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</b> <b>Rob: </b>I probably created art before this but my first piece that I can remember making was before first grade and it was in school and we had to paint a vacation and we had just gone to Port Elizabeth in South Africa and watched the <a href="http://www.bayworld.co.za/content.asp?pageID=49" target="_blank">dolphin show</a>. And I drew that. With crayons. And the teacher took me around to all the classes ... not just my grade and made me show them the picture. So that's the one I remember. I still have that. My mom has it, I think. It's pretty cool.<b> </b><br />
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</b> <b>Interviewer, who cannot draw anything but a blank look, is fascinated: </b>So, were you really proud of yourself or were you embarrassed?<br />
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</b> <b>Rob: </b>No, I wasn't embarrassed. I was observing it, watching it happen. I didn't feel big headed. I just thought, "oh wow, look at them looking at me." <br />
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</b> <b>Interviewer needs to be restrained: </b>What were the other kids' reaction?<br />
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</b> <b>Rob: </b>I don't remember them being like "woah." I think it was the adults doing that. I don't think the kids noticed at that age really.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jeff Buckley, 2013</td></tr>
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<b>Q3. </b><b>Was there a point in your life when you decided to try art, or were you always an artist?</b><br />
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</b> <b>Rob: </b>I was always an artist.<br />
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<b>Q4. Are there specific triggers that send you racing to a blank canvas or do you impose a certain discipline on yourself?</b><br />
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</b> <b>Rob: </b>I definitely am inspired by some kind of content. Visually, usually, even if I'm writing a song. I'll think of a feel and I'll start with that.<br />
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Sometimes I try and do that by looking at photographs or thinking of albums ... and sometimes it happens because I'm listening to a certain kind of music or because I've watched a movie that has a feel to it. <br />
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... [it] comes out of this desire to illustrate a moment in time because with art and with music you can hone it down to just a few seconds or minutes of a moment and really look at that.<br />
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Sometimes the more simple it is the deeper you can go into it. And for that it's the same with music and with art. There's different kinds of paintings ... and songs and sometimes I don't capture what I was thinking; most of the time I don't, actually, but it inspires what it turns out to be.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Native Flower, 2013</td></tr>
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<b>Q5. As a singer/songwriter, do you find art and music overlap?</b><br />
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</b> <b>Rob: </b>Yeah, but different parts of the brain are being used while you're doing it ... for me the inspiration is the same. Trying to illustrate a moment or an idea or a feel is the same but the way that you do it is different. <br />
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Painting is much more zen. Your left brain, your calculating brain comes in for a second. You're just going along <b>[Rob makes going along noises which sound like aliens landing] </b>and then . . . <i>blue in the right corner</i>. <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2000/08/22/arts/arts-abroad-for-joni-mitchell-artist-singing-was-not-enough.html" target="_blank">Joni Mitchell described that the best</a>. <br />
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With a song, you're using your mind a lot more. Lines are coming in. There are moments when it's more zen-like where you're just blurting out something. The initial idea is sometimes much more like that. But then you have to "good, better, best" everything. "That's not good." You try things and you're like "nope." A new line or a new idea comes into your mind and you're like "no" [or] ... "ooh, thats pretty good; maybe I'll use that", "what if I turn that into this; no, that's not going to work", "let me try this." <br />
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You're watching your thoughts come by and you're judging them. And art isn't like that. Painting is much more like your mind only comes in [to say] "too much pink" or "too little this".<br />
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</b> <b>Interviewer interjects: Do you lose yourself more when you're painting?</b><br />
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Rob:</b> I don't know because when you're observing your thoughts it's pretty meditative also. It's analytical but ... because you're observing your thoughts it's not like you're identifying with them so it's almost the same ... you are not the thought. You're standing outside of the thought. It's different but it's not like writing a song isn't zen-like either.<br />
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</b> <b>Interviewer interrupts: The distinction is subtle.</b><br />
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</b> <b>Rob:</b> You're using your analytical mind more when you're writing a song because you're constructing something and you have to judge what you're putting down. But because you're almost watching the thoughts go by in a river and going no, yes; no, yes; it's not like you are: "I am this thought that's coming by." You don't identify with it. Those thoughts don't own you. So it's being separate from those.<br />
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It's the same thing when you're painting. Painting is a lot easier. The freedom of it is better in that you can judge it way later. You can stay away from that <b>[your painting]</b> for almost the whole thing. Whereas a song you have to go through it all the time. Which is fine as long as you don't ultimately judge it and identify with a thought like this is horrible and because this is horrible I am a horrible person. Then it becomes painful.<br />
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</b> <b>Interviewer interjects: Is performing closer to painting than songwriting would be?</b><br />
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Rob:</b> Yeah, probably. Because you've already worked out what you're doing. Or if you're improvising. As long as you don't identify with a thought that comes in and says this is horrible; yeah, it's pretty much exactly the same.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Watering Hole, 2013</td></tr>
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<b>Q6. When you are working on a piece, is there a point at which you realize you have a masterpiece taking shape on the canvas?</b><br />
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</b> <b>Rob: </b>Yeah, it's in the last minute. Almost always. There's a point near the middle, kind of beginning, where you're like "ooh, this could be good" but you destroy that one; I always destroy that one. And then I'm like, oh man, I had something. And then right at the end when I'm [thinking] this isn't working and I wasted all this paint - "well, you don't get them all" - I try something drastic. And then it works. And that's happened with almost every single piece that I've done recently.<br />
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</b> <b>Interviewer: Define "drastic".</b><br />
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Rob:</b> Well, let me try and put black all over this part. You do that and all of a sudden you say "wait a minute", and then "oh, wow, this is really good." Or something like that. <br />
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This is a good example. When I first started painting again, two years ago, I did this piece and I was going to give up and I thought well, let me clean up; I was painting at my girlfriend's apartment. I have to go home with this now and put it in my car and the paint's going to be all wet so I dried the paint with a paper towel, with a bunch of paper towels. I rubbed it and it turned out to be amazing. And I was like this is a good piece so that was it. And something like that happens almost all the time.<br />
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Then sometimes when I do that, I think oh my god, this is amazing, it's almost there but I don't know what to do next and I'll wait and I'll look at it for a day and then I'll [think] I need to erase this small little yellow thing, something that small.<br />
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</b> <b>Interviewer: So when you inserted Rover into your painting, was that drastic?</b><br />
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Rob: </b>That was the drastic thing, yeah. I thought it was really cool but it was flat. I had this desire to destroy it, to throw a brick through it because it was frustrating - it was almost there but it was like somehow not there so I destroyed it by putting Rover in there and all of a sudden I was like "oh, this is something." It was much more moving. It was funny. It said something. Whereas before it was just nice looking.<b> [Rob chuckles]</b><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rover, 2013</td></tr>
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<b>Q7. Are there any artists you find particularly inspiring?</b><br />
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<b>Rob:</b> Yeah - <a href="http://www.jacksonpollock.org/" target="_blank">Jackson Pollock</a>, <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/03/30/vincent-van-gogh_n_5051910.html" target="_blank">Vincent Van Gogh</a>, Picasso, <b>[Jean-Michel]</b> <a href="http://basquiat.com/" target="_blank">Basquiat</a>, who am I missing there? A lot of the people that were part of the birth of modern art. That's when I like it. When I go to a museum and I see all the really old paintings, the Victorian paintings of the queens and kings and the portraits, it's so boring. And then you go to where <a href="http://www.picassohead.com/create.html" target="_blank">Picasso</a> and them happened and all of a sudden it's really great. And then Basquiat and them are like little pieces of cool, like the pop art thing was kind of cool but that was in the 60s. But somehow I relate that to the 80s, too. I don't know why.</div>
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But that's it for me really. Even modern modern art. I think it's kind of boring. It's ... like a computer a lot of the time. It's like "idea art." But I like the painting artists, you know, there's a picture there.</div>
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<b>Interviewer:</b> <b>So, idea art, in my musical background, I equate that with someone like <a href="http://johncage.org/" target="_blank">John Cage</a> who my piano professor said most of his pieces you just have to read about them or know that they exist for your mind to expand, but to sit through them ...</b></div>
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<b>Rob:</b> Yeah, is John Cage the one who did the ...</div>
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<b>Interviewer:</b> <b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/4%E2%80%B233%E2%80%B3" target="_blank">4 minutes and 33 seconds of silence</a>?</b></div>
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<b>Rob: </b>33 seconds of silence ... that's really interesting. I recently went to an art exhibit where some of the ideas were good but some of them completely evaded me. Someone took a picture, overexposed it and put it up there. It wasn't even so ugly it arrested you. It was just an overexposed picture. And then there was an explanation that this piece represents genocide or something. But you can say that anything represents anything. <b> [Points to box of Kleenex]</b> This box of tissues represents sadness and tears in the world. It's not the idea I am against, it's the quality of the expression of the idea.</div>
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In music, 33 seconds of silence, because the silence is just as much a part of the silence as the sound, I get that, I understand that. Plus, wasn't it at a venue where you could still hear chairs creaking and wind whistling?</div>
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<b>Interviewer:</b> <b>We did it at <a href="http://douglasscampus.rutgers.edu/" target="_blank">Rutgers</a> when I was a student there and yes, the windows were wide open and people in the audience became really nervous, they didn't know what to do with the silence so they started fidgeting. You heard nervous cackling and the swoosh, swoosh, swoosh of traffic outside - that all became the music. It expands your idea of what music is or can be.</b></div>
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<b>Rob:</b> I like how art challenges awareness levels and makes people look at things differently. That is totally cool. If that exhibit had all things like that, I would probably think it was completely brilliant. It would transcend that even and become a new art of expanded awareness and ideas. <br />
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But I could be wrong.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbmiu_VT3J16KgerIauW_2uS7xDp1hyphenhyphenUVGyJlF-JwGWpou3OIpq2rSANrwvq9_qv8UvfGs7Ipb_sLczB66u8a7BFt6WP8vwQtZ59empsEA5y-JZO3TzkGnoEjSqKeQsxRPkM6TCOo1Jps/s1600/India+Horse.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbmiu_VT3J16KgerIauW_2uS7xDp1hyphenhyphenUVGyJlF-JwGWpou3OIpq2rSANrwvq9_qv8UvfGs7Ipb_sLczB66u8a7BFt6WP8vwQtZ59empsEA5y-JZO3TzkGnoEjSqKeQsxRPkM6TCOo1Jps/s1600/India+Horse.jpg" height="247" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Untitled, 2013</td></tr>
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<b>Q8. Are there any non-artists you find particularly inspiring?</b></div>
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<b>Rob: </b>Oh, non-artists. This is a really good one. Wow, that's hard to say. Like sports players? Those are kind of artists.</div>
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<b>Interviewer: Because I know you personally, I was thinking - <a href="http://bukowski.net/" target="_blank">Charles Bukowski</a>.</b></div>
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<b>Rob:</b> Oh, a poet. But I think of him as an artist, though. Charles Bukowski is amazing. There's lots, though, but he's probably my favorite. Talk about painting images in a subtle way. Oh, man. I don't know if anybody does it better than that. <br />
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Sometimes I think people read him because it's funny or because he talks about whores but I don't even really notice that. His lines are really direct and to the point. There's always this moment of resolution for me in almost every single one of his poems. It's a line and all the other lines set up that line and it's always so good. I wish I could think of one, I would have to think of the whole poem, though.<br />
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Segments of his books are in some of his poetry books, that's how poetic his writing is. In one of his poems he talks about how his dad was having an affair and his mom was confronting his dad with it and he <b>[Bukowski]</b> walked in and you just see this tension. All the lines are really direct, he's not rhyming anything. He<b> [Bukowski]</b> basically gets kicked out of the house and all this craziness is going on and then one of the last lines is "so he just got up and walked out into the afternoon" or something like that. It's those lines at the end of his poems that carry more weight. <br />
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I often wonder if other people read it and have the same line carry that weight. So many times I'll be reading one of his poems all the way through and I'm like "ok, ok" and then it's like<b> [here Rob gasps and sighs] </b>and then the next one<b> [here Rob gasps and sighs again]. </b>It happens all the time.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjenkeE2Dseb9f_KBnx4tALGm3uZdJd4XkboS2pXC17ZEo90RJNZWjtFqc6k8yklLMnAFxe4u3wQtRjuDu8kTd0Coay1tLVHiRwOLW2_mye8wrhn68mbLbjNbzHA3mPSblDSQEDG_DaNuI/s1600/Buckowski.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjenkeE2Dseb9f_KBnx4tALGm3uZdJd4XkboS2pXC17ZEo90RJNZWjtFqc6k8yklLMnAFxe4u3wQtRjuDu8kTd0Coay1tLVHiRwOLW2_mye8wrhn68mbLbjNbzHA3mPSblDSQEDG_DaNuI/s1600/Buckowski.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bukowski, 2013</td></tr>
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<b>Interviewer: It's interesting to me that he didn't come to mind because you think of him as an artist, under the broad umbrella of artists.</b></div>
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<b>Rob:</b> It's all so much the same for me with Bukowski; his poems and his books are like songs or his poems are like songs and his books are like songs or paintings, images, it's hard to even see the difference. And I also like him because I could watch him talk all the time. It's one of the things I like about certain poets is that you don't even have to hear their poems, just watch them speak and it's like you could just listen to it forever. And he definitely is one of those people. So awesome. <br />
<br />
But no, I wasn't thinking of him. I was thinking everybody who's great at something is an artist. Engineers are artists when they are really good at it or when they think outside of the box about it. Some sports people are like artists. <b> </b></div>
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<b>Interviewer: Are there any sports figures for you that stick out as artists?</b></div>
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<b>Rob: </b> Yeah, there's lots. <a href="http://www.vanityfair.com/culture/features/2010/02/tiger-woods-201002" target="_blank">Tiger Woods</a>, <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2006/08/20/sports/playmagazine/20federer.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0" target="_blank">Roger Federer</a>, the good soccer players. There's lots of them. <a href="http://dangable.com/" target="_blank">Dan Gable</a>, the wrestler. There's lots and lots of them. Even though you know he was on drugs - <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_Lance_Armstrong_doping_allegations" target="_blank">Lance Armstrong</a>. Cricket players I remember from South Africa being really great. Golfers. <br />
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There's so many people that are like that. The thing that they do - the way a golfer looks at a golf course or the way they impose discipline on themselves to get it done. It's different but it's still like a symphony or something when it's done well. Or working with limitation and thinking outside of the box for something or sometimes just executing perfectly. ... there's lots of those people ...</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTgO3BrsO46WjWe5SuNDgZ0FsZxAtA4izmP9irRlepcZf_ZpSoNF-F9UzBCGVBmIhbe2Gw4jVGtYYsfW2858WZPnIncx-JVsse-Rg3nSRaevznspL7uOqq3lctstoFU4yKz8In7DKUB64/s1600/Lady.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTgO3BrsO46WjWe5SuNDgZ0FsZxAtA4izmP9irRlepcZf_ZpSoNF-F9UzBCGVBmIhbe2Gw4jVGtYYsfW2858WZPnIncx-JVsse-Rg3nSRaevznspL7uOqq3lctstoFU4yKz8In7DKUB64/s1600/Lady.jpg" height="320" width="157" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lady, 2013</td></tr>
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<b>Q9. Please answer a question I didn't ask.</b><br />
<b><br />
</b> <b>Rob: </b>What I've noticed about myself when I get obsessed with different poets and artists and musicians, is that I get obsessed with them as a whole. Sometimes it becomes more about who they are then it does about the music and I like their music or paintings or poems) because of who they are. <br />
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<b>Interviewer:</b> <b>Would that work in reverse?</b><br />
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<b>Rob:</b> Yeah. It works all different ways.<br />
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<b>Interviewer:</b> <b>So if there was music you really were enjoying but you found out something terrible or that you didn't agree with about the musician, would that ruin the music for you?</b><br />
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<b>Rob:</b> No, probably not. I would just adjust, I'm really good at adapting and adjusting the scope of something. There's people like Bukowski; he wasn't very nice to women sometimes and basically he was kind of a drunk. But when I watch interviews with him . . . you can see into somebody's soul and it's part of the picture I see when I think of him. What I love about who he was is watching the interviews and knowing that he struggled with this and then seeing him deal with life's stuff as well as having amazing writing. <br />
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If an artist puts out something that's a failure, I'll still buy it and, if I like the person or I'm into them at that time, I'll still listen to it and I will hold it almost in the same esteem as their masterpieces because a person as a whole is way more interesting than just one piece. I thought of that because I'm listening to Bob Dylan all the time and he's such a genius it's unbelievable. But the real genius of Bob Dylan is even higher than the music; it's the fact that he is not afraid to be who he is at all. I love everything he does but he has these masterpieces and then he has things that people at one time thought were complete crap. And he tried stuff that wasn't as strong as some of the other stuff and he just wasn't afraid to do that.<br />
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He wasn't afraid to fly in the face of what everybody thought about him. I don't think there is a person that was thought of higher in the music world. But it didn't stop him from being who he is; he's not afraid to adapt and change and fly in the face of who he was yesterday and the only justification that he has for it is that it's today and I feel like doing this today.<br />
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He's the kind of person that doesn't need or want permission from anybody and that is art right there. When you look at the whole, his career from the beginning all the way till now, that is the art piece.<br />
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It's like when Bob Dylan comes out with something, it might not be your favorite thing of his. There's nothing wrong with saying "I don't like that", or having an opinion about something but me, because it's me, I will accept it because it was done by Bob Dylan. Even if it's not my favorite one. It adds to the mosaic of what that genius person did. And it's important, for me, to see the failures of people like that or the so-called failures of people that are that great because really at the end of the day even Bob Dylan's music, like 500 years from now, might now even be around. And so the important part is the life, the moments of expression that he had, those moments that are captured are just as important. That's <b>[the piece you may not like]</b> a little snippet of a life that he appears to be really present for.<br />
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So the real lesson is that you can create and do what you want to do and you don't need permission for it. That's what I get from his <b>[Bob Dylan's]</b> music. And the fact that he does it at such an enormously high level gives him all the credibility in the world.<br />
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It's like Bukowski when he writes the poem <a href="http://www.artvilla.com/bluebird/" target="_blank">Bluebird</a> or when he writes the poem, what's the other poem, <a href="http://www.culturalweekly.com/the-laughing-heart/" target="_blank">The Laughing Heart</a>, because he's such a lowdown character and he's drunk and really embraces the slummy side of life; sometimes when he says something beautiful, you can take it as truth because if <b><i>he</i></b> noticed it ...<br />
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So some of his poems that are pointing towards the gods delighting in you and a spiritual truth, are so much more believable coming from him. But you wouldn't get that if you just read that poem; you'd have to see the whole thing. I look at the whole spectrum of an artist. Not everybody. I don't do that with everybody. But with people like Bob Dylan and Tom Waits, I do because you can learn so much from them - you can learn about writing songs and stuff, but you can learn so much more about living a life. Even from the people that you know you would never live a life like that, you can learn, you can learn something from everybody and it's really cool.<br />
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<b>Interviewer: I love the way you think about art and music. Can you sum up how you feel about Bob Dylan?</b><br />
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<b>Rob:</b> He was worshipped and he could have stayed worshipped but he chose to be free.<br />
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<b>Q10. Where can we see (and purchase) your work?</b><br />
<b><br />
</b> <b>Rob: </b><a href="http://www.ugallery.com/rob-dobson" target="_blank">UGallery</a> has some of my originals for sale. You can also reach me at robdobsonart1@gmail.com for commissions, questions, or to see my entire portfolio. A Web site is forthcoming.<br />
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</span> <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS';">Thanks for stopping by, Rob. There’s always a beagle to pet and a cup of hot tea at the ready in Lakewood. Don’t be a stranger.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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Carolyn Hastingshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17889723899756642292noreply@blogger.com9Lakewood, OH, USA41.4819932 -81.79819079999998641.4819932 -81.798190799999986 41.4819932 -81.798190799999986