In a more narrative format:
Art form: Photography and Encaustic Painting
Best know for: Painting on X-Ray prints and hand-colored B/W infrared photography
Major art/professional influences/why: I was born and raised in
HOG Butcher for the World, Tool Maker, Stacker of Wheat, Player with Railroads and the Nation’s Freight Handler; Stormy, husky, brawling, City of the Big Shoulders:
Growing up in a city forever colors your soul. It profoundly affects your world view. I love cities; I love the vibration and the manic energy. I love
Two words stay with me from my art-school period in
Passion—is the other thing I think that keeps me going. I have always worked in the creative arena, whether it was teaching computer graphics, working on films in post-production as a 2D artist in
Photographers/Professors at the School of Art & Architecture,
When did you start making art/or what made you decided to do this art form: I have been making art as far back as I can remember. Once as a seventh grader at
I was in a bad car accident in 1985, and when I saw my X-Rays, realized they were only large negatives, so I went into the darkroom and contact printed them, and started to paint on them with oils.
Process: I love texture and feeling as opposed to the slick smoothness of a black and white photographic print. Trying to go a bit deeper than superficial “decorative” art is what I’m after. A mood, a feeling, a thought captured. With photography-- time, space, and light are captured. That’s a great feeling. When it’s rare, it’s very rare. With painting, there is only one original and that is still special in our modern world of throw-away goods, disposable everything, and cheap mass-produced consumer products.
What's new: I have been painting with encaustics for the last two years, attempting to marry my photography with painting and intermixing the two media. Using collage and words have always been a factor in my art.
What keeps you creating: Passion. Without passion, it’s not going to happen. It also helps immensely to have an understanding mate—which my husband, Dave is. He is extremely supportive. Without that support, I think pursuing a creative livelihood is more difficult. Working as an artist is achievable, but much more difficult. Understanding and emotional support from family and friends is paramount.
What else/burning things you want to add:
I was chosen as the Lavender Festival artist for 2008, so I’ll be at the Lavender Festival in Cusick, Washington, July 6 and 7 taking photos, capturing images of the fields of lavender and getting that ethereal, hand-colored black and white image for next year’s Lavender Festival poster.
I’m inviting everyone to visit North Country Artist Trails this summer; it’s an open-ended artist studio tour of artists in Northeastern Washington, patterned after the Heritage Trails of
Other great websites: www.artocracy.org. Megan Murphy has done a fabulous job creating affordable ORIGINAL art that is down-loadable, an excellent idea for 2D artists.
Another thing: I had a booth at ArtFest in
IN general, artists are the most educated and poorly paid folks amongst the general population. I think people have to realize that when a lawyer or doctor charges anywhere from $125.00 or $200.00 per hour no one blinks, but when an artist charges $25.00 per hour, everyone has a hissy fit! Artists are their own worst enemies. We have to believe in ourselves, in our value.
Also, art supplies have gone up at least 1000% since 1980 in my estimation. The trend now is for everyone to confirm themselves, believe in themselves, and “love what you do, the money will follow”. This has transpired into a glut of artists. Sometimes I think the only people attending art shows or gallery openings are other artists to see what’s selling and what’s not. When people ask how much a piece of work costs, it’s usually another artist trying to see if their prices for their own artwork are in the ballpark.
All that aside, being an artist is a job you NEVER retire from and I love it!