Sunday, October 30, 2011

Art Attack 2011


Art Attack is the Fall Art Crawl with over 100 artists at the Northrup King Building in NE Mpls (1500 Jackson St NE, Mpls, MN 55413) that takes place the first full weekend in November each year. This year it is 11/4-6/2011. Details are here: Art Attack.

This week, Local Artist Interviews features two artists exhibiting at Art Attack, and profiling a gallery in Northrup King.

Gallery Co (NKB #192 - Loading Dock)

Megan Bell Honigman (NKB #274)

Leslie Pilgrim (NKB #444)

Megan Bell Honigman - Painter


Chicken Little's Surprise

Megan Bell Honigman


Name: Megan Bell Honigman
City/State: Minneapolis, MN
Email: megan@meganbell.net
Website: meganbellstudio.blogspot.com
MNartist.org profile
Facebook page: search Megan Bell Studio

Bio~

Tell me about your work? What are you currently working on? How is this different from past projects?

When I describe my paintings to people who aren't familiar with them, I generally refer to their style as abstract expressionist for a lack of a better description. Because the organic nature of my work naturally lends itself to looser imagery, oddly shaped chickens, fish and vegetables seem to regularly find their way into my paintings. The last few years have found me creating "islands" of imagery afloat in a sea of buttery Naples Yellow. I've always been fond of the focus it placed on the image and I guess until recently it only seemed right to leave a bit of a cushion between the art and the edge of the canvas.

After the birth of my second child last year and the resulting baby imposed hiatus I feel like I'm finally ready to commit to my work again and have been looking for new ways to creatively express myself. My style is slowly evolving and the imagery has been creeping to the edges of the canvas. I feel like there is a new softness to my recent work. I have often felt I have a habit of overworking paintings because I find it difficult to stop when a painting isn't full of clean lines and rich colors. I've been trying to be a bit freer in my approach to the canvas, letting the work develop without the restraint of perfection.

In the last few years I've also developed quite a passion for tile and mosaic and see myself incorporating tile or found objects into my future pieces. Anyone who knows me well knows that I like to "go with the flow" both in life and in my creative pursuits. I dislike short term goals or saying things like "In five years I will be painting nothing but puppies". These things all seem a bit too limiting and don't leave much room for happy mistakes that are often times the very thing that make life and art interesting.



Day In The Park 18inx18in

"What is Art?" is certainly too big of a question to ask here, but what do you hope your audience takes away from your art? What statement do you hope to make?

I started painting at age 18 as a shy kid who could think of no better way to get noticed. I’ve come to think of painting as my super power; a way to say something without having to open my mouth and step out of my comfort zone. Over the course of my career what the paintings say, I suppose, depend a whole lot on the day and who’s listening. The statement I wanted to make at 18 was “Hey, look at me!” The statement that 37 year old me hopes to make is “Hey, look at the art and think of how great it would look in your living room!”

What was the best advice given to you as an artist?

If it’s not working, paint over it.



Everything is Going Fine 60inx60in


Tell me about your work space and your creative process.

Despite the fact that I’ve had a studio for the last 11 or so years I don’t think I’ve ever once had a dedicated place that I work within my studio. I’ve painted sitting on the dirty floor, sitting at my work table, standing with an un-stretched canvas tacked to a wall. My creative process is basically me deciding to do a new painting, starting with a few squiggles and chicken scratches then filling up the canvas with color. No planning whatsoever.

Who are some of the Minnesota artists you enjoy?

Dean Lucker's amazing moving sculptures http://www.woodlucker.com/
Laura Hallen http://www.laurahallen.com/
Jack Dale http://mnartists.org/jack_dale

Sheryl Tuorila's lovely mosaics http://www.sheryltuorila.com/
Eddie Hamilton http://www.painteddiepaint.com/
Matthew Madson http://www.mnartists.org/matthew_madson
Cody Kiser http://codykiser.com/
Charles Thysell - a favorite for many years!

My lovely father and mentor Craig Bell http:/www.mnartists.org/craig_bell
Teri Bloch – Every time I see her work I wish I had lots of money or a rich uncle that liked to buy me art http://www.mnartists.org/teri_bloch



Firestorm 12inx12in

If I were to follow you around to see art in Minnesota, which places would we go? What would we see?

Between a full time job, parenting and creating art, I sadly don’t get out to see art as much as I once used to. If the stars were perfectly aligned we would be lucky enough to be hanging out during Art A Whirl weekend in May. For anyone not familiar with this annual NE Minneapolis arts event it encompasses the Arts District of Minneapolis and showcases the many visual and performing artists that live and work in the area. I have been participating in Art A Whirl for many years and have only once had a chance to close down the studio and “do the Whirl”. It was awesome! After three days of visiting studios and going to see live music during Art A Whirl we’ll probably be pretty exhausted and possibly sick of one another so we’ll leave it at that.

Do you have any exhibits to promote in the near future?

I will be showing new work along with my talented photographer studio mate Mike McGraw during the Northrup King Building’s 13th annual Art Attack (November 4-7th) 2011.
1500 Jackson St NE Studio #274
NE Mpls, MN 55413
Art Attack Details




Falling 24inx36in

Leslie Pilgrim - Painter

Leslie Pilgrim

Leslie Pilgrim
email: lespilgim@juno.com

Bio~
I have worked as an artist and writer for nearly 20 years. My works—sold both locally and nationally—are in healthcare, residential, and corporate collections throughout the country. Each of my creations is a stand-alone piece, yet, the works are fluid and organic, which allows for the pairing or grouping of several pieces into a larger original composition. My vibrant acrylic-on-panel pieces are drenched in color, punctuated by texture, and inspired by nature—tide pools along the Oregon coast, Minnesota’s North Shore, a star-filled night sky, flowers swaying in a summer breeze. To me, there is nothing quite as visually joyful as the interplay of colors. And color—like time, space, or sound—has no beginning or end. The compositional possibilities are infinite.


Tell me about your work? What are you currently working on? How is this different from past projects?

I only work with acrylic paints and mediums. I paint on panels. For the first decade or so of my art career, I only created mixed media collage pieces. Then I hit burned out on creating this type of work and I haven’t worked on collages for several years. I am currently working on several paintings for healthcare installations, galleries, and my studio.

"What is Art?" is certainly too big of a question to ask here, but what do you hope your audience takes away from your art? What statement do you hope to make?

Life is complicated. My art is not. I just want it to make people smile.


What was the best advice given to you as an artist?
Be flexible.

Tell me about your work space and your creative process.
Although I have a studio in the Northrup King Building (Studio #444) in NE Minneapolis to display my art, my work studio is in my home basement. I usually create off and on throughout the day, although when I’m working on a large project, I can work for 12 hours at a time. My paintings germinate not necessarily from a specific composition I want to create, but from color combinations I want to play with—maybe butter yellow and chartreuse, or orange and a pinky magenta, or just reds.

Who are some of the Minnesota artists you enjoy?

The Twin Cities are overflowing with great artists. And I have had the pleasure of getting to know many of them.
Sheryl Tuorila www.sheryltuorila.com
Jodi Reeb Myers www.jodireebmyers.com
Shannyn Potter www.shannynjoypotter.com
Justin Terlecki MNartists profile
Nanci Yermakoff MNartists profile


If I were to follow you around to see art in Minnesota, which places would we go? What would we see?

The Museum of Russian Art www.tmora.org
In Season restaurant www.inseasonrestaurant.com
Grand Hand Gallery www.thegrandhand.com
Your Art’s Desire gallery www.yourartsdesiremtka.com
Hudson Hospital in Wisconsin.

Where do you go online for good art resources, whether to find a new artist, or to see what is going on in the art world locally and otherwise?
I like the www.MNartists.org newsletter. www.twincitiesfinearts.org sends out a good email about what is going on in galleries in the Twin Cites.


What can we expect to see from you in the future?
Larger pieces for public spaces


12/2012/L10

Gallery Co - Gallery Profile



Gallery Co



1609 Hennepin Ave S
Mpls, MN 55403

612-747-6466





Who are three or four local artists who represent the quality and style of work you exhibit at your gallery?

JoAnn Verburg
Joel Sisson
Christine Baeumler
Jenny JenkinsDavid Sollie


Jo Ann Verburg (Photos on Back Wall)

For Artists:

How do you prefer artists contact you regarding exhibiting in your gallery? 


I appreciate personal visits or e-mails with links to their sites. I’m not a fan of snail mail packages. I love meeting local artists. My email is kathleen@galleryco.net I look forward to hearing from you!





What general advice would you give to artists trying to show in local galleries?

Every gallery is different. Try to be nice. Positive energy goes a long way.



Joel Sisson

For Collectors:

What is the typical price range for works for sale in your gallery?
$250 - $30,000


Do you have any advice for collectors looking locally to buy art?

We love to encourage collectors to invest in local artists, but we are not pushy. Some collectors want to hear a story about the artist – and prefer to invest in art that has a connection to New York, or some prominent museum. We respect that, but we love to see collectors simply fall in love with a work.


It’s great when a painting sells itself, simply because it is so beautiful.






If by chance all of the local art galleries were having opening receptions on the same night, where else would you recommend people go to maximize their art experience?


Jenny Jenkins


So many great galleries in this town!
Our favorites (in any order)

Midway Contemporary
Weinstein Gallery
Bockley Gallery
Soo Visual Arts
Form + Content
http://www.foxtaxservice.com/gallery/
The Northrup King Building is a mix of great galleries and fine artist studios.


What is your current exhibit?


Hmm. We used to be a gallery that had exhibits; however, one year ago we moved gallery co (from the Wyman building) into the Northrup King Building  (and now to 1609 Hennepin in Mpls (2012) and morphed into an art gallery + highly edited consignment store. So no more single artist exhibitions for us! Instead, we feature amazing contemporary art, mixed with beautiful antiques, asian, mid-century, custom and gently used, chic, modern furniture, along with lighting, pottery, books (coffee table art & architecture, poetry, notable fiction, etc.), rugs, pillows, zents.com spa grade products, and fabulous Robin Rife jewelry.

Regarding current artwork, at the moment, gallery co has three gorgeous works from Jo Ann Verburg, many kickass Joel Sisson sculptures, fantastic Don Coen paintings, and other sweet works from David Sollie, Stacey E. Meyer, Christine Baeumler, Shana Kaplow, John Alspach, Abraham Renco, Mary Bergs, Connie Helke, and more.

We also have incredible art on consignment. Yesterday we acquired a large number of interesting works from a prominent local art collector. Our inventory is always changing, and we are not the best at always getting images of new work posted online.



Joel Sisson

Simon Huelsbeck - Painter

Simon Huelsbeck

Name: Simon Huelsbeck
City/State: Rochester, MN
Email: Simon@simonhuelsbeck.net
Website: Simonhuelsbeck.net
MNartist.org profile: Simon Huelsbeck
Facebook page: Simon Huelsbeck

Bio~
I currently live in Rochester MN with my wife and two year old son. I teach painting and classes at the local college.

Tell me about your work? What are you currently working on? How is this different from past projects?

I’m currently working on a winter show that will be opening at the SooVAC on Nov 5th. The work has a great deal of lovingly rendered winter landscapes frequently with twists. The paintings have violations in the space and on the surface. There are also images that are integrated into the landscapes: stray parade floats, balloons, my son etc. Most of the work is really small just a few inches in either direction. I have also used, wood, rubber, and resin to make these lush white almost sculptural frames.


"What is Art?" is certainly too big of a question to ask here, but what do you hope your audience takes away from your art? What statement do you hope to make?

I hope the audience gets a sense for the preciousness of the simple and everyday moments that make up our lives. My life is passing and guaranteed to end. I want to preserve little bits of it and make it sacred


What was the best advice given to you as an artist?

Work hard and often.

Tell me about your work space and your creative process.

By far my favorite space to work in is the outdoors. I am a visual person and the world stirs my imagination and my. When the work comes inside I twist it and violate it, and labor over it. At the moment my basement studio is covered in resin, rubber, and white paint. Its incredibly inadequate- as is my garage/shop.

Who are some of the Minnesota artists you enjoy?
Roxanne Jackson http://www.roxannejackson.com/
Sara Belleau http://www.sarabelleau.com/
Ruben Nusz http://www.rubennusz.com/Art/rubennusz.html
Joe Sinness http://joesinness.com/
Michael Kareken http://www.michaelkareken.com/Michael_Kareken/Welcome.html

He’s not an artist but I do love the work done by our local curator Kris Douglas:
http://www.rochesterartcenter.org/ (Rochester Art Center)


If I were to follow you around to see art in Minnesota, which places would we go? What would we see?

Minneapolis Institute of Art http://www2.artsmia.org/wiki/index.php/Main_Page
Midway Art Gallery http://www.midwayart.org/
SooVac Gallery http://www.soovac.org/
Rochester Art Center http://www.rochesterartcenter.org/
Franklin Art Works http://www.franklinartworks.org/
Walker Art CEnter http://www.walkerart.org/


Where do you go online for good art resources, whether to find a new artist, or to see what is going on in the art world locally and otherwise?

http://www.mnartists.org/
http://www.artinfo.com/
http://www.contemporaryartdaily.com/
http://www.artnews.com/
http://www.artnet.com/
http://www.artslant.com/
http://www.artinamericamagazine.com/
http://artobserved.com/


Do you have any exhibits to promote in the near future?

"Point of Roughness" at the SooVac Gallery in Uptown, Mpls, MN From 11/5/2011 through 12/3/2011. Opening Reception 11/5/11 from 6-9pm.

I will be doing an ambitious and comprehensive installation at the James Wegner Gallery in the Spring and and a sabbatical show at the University Center Rochester Art Gallery in Fall of 2012.


Saturday, October 29, 2011

Lindsay Nohl - Illustrator


Lindsay Nohl
Altered Esthetics Featured Interview for...
One-day Celebration
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
6:00-9:00 PM

Name: Lindsay Nohl
City/State: Minneapolis Minnesota
Email: Lindsayjunenohl@yahoo.com
Website: lindsaynohl.blogspot.com, paperbicyclecreative.blogspot.com, paperbicycle.com
MNartist.org profile: http://www.mnartists.org/Lindsay_Nohl


Tell me about your work? What are you currently working on? How is this different from past projects?
I am a professional product and surface designer by day, where I really enjoy creating graphics and illustrations for a wide variety of kid-friendly consumer products. That's been part of the reason why I've always loved patterns. Currently I'm working on a 7 month long "Daily pattern" project, with the other artists at Paper Bicycle LLC, where we create a fully illustrated pattern a day. So far we are in the 6th month and it's been very exciting. The majority of the work is whimsical and is based on topics at random. I've really enjoyed the challenge!

This is the first time that I've participated in a project that extends over a month or two. It's been a test of my endurance, and a large test on my creativity. Having to come up with a great idea, execute it, and make it repeat every week day has definitely been a challenge!


"What is Art?" is certainly too big of a question to ask here, but what do you hope your audience takes away from your art? What statement do you hope to make?
It's funny, having just had a conversation with my husband about this the other day -- I believe art to be the experience of working through your process. It's a personal thing. The efforts of your energy create an end "product", but the important part is the creation of that work. It's the time you spend exploring, re-working, and finessing your own practice. The final piece is a reflection of the time the artist has placed in the work, and I believe the audience gets a glimpse into the mind of the artist as they view the final piece. It's not necessarily what the end thing is, it's the culmination of everything (including the time, energy, emotions, and intention) that went into what you see when it's finished.

My artwork is relatively light hearted in mood, but the audience may be able to see my influences and thoughts show through in my art. It's a marker of where I was at that time in life, and what was going on in my world. I'm incredibly transparent when it comes to my interactions, and I believe the same thing is shown in my work.


What was the best advice given to you as an artist?
The best advice I've ever been given has been to "create work with intention". John Gaunt, a great professor of mine from the Minneapolis College of Art & Design, is a fantastic motivator and and a wonderfully inspired and talented artist. I keep this in mind every time I create a piece of work.

Tell me about your work space and your creative process.
I have two work spaces. My studio is in Uptown, Minneapolis - where I share it with 3 other really talented artists. The work we create there is more commercial, and the space reflects a little bit of that feeling. Light grey walls, Black furniture, Large, work spaces and desks. Still, it's un-cluttered for the most part and I really enjoy it as a clean creative sanctuary.

My home studio on the other hand is my down-and-dirty space. This is where I leave my paints out for weeks, I don't clean it up, my notes, scraps, and drawings are where I left them after I made them. It's a space where I have the good ideas and the bad ones. Depending on the mood I'm in, and what art I'd like to create, I love having a choice for how and where I create my artwork.

My creative process is incredibly varied. I am a traditionally trained illustrator that also has a large digital side. I jump between mediums constantly, depending on the mood or purpose of my work. I am impatient artist. I have to start, and finish pieces quickly while I still have the passion to do them, and I fly through projects as quickly as humanly possible. This does not mean that I don't take the time to make them well, or make them right, but it does mean that I'd rather pull an all-nighter and whip out a painting while I'm in the zone, rather than wait weeks to see it through. While I'm working, I am working in a frenzy.

Lindsay in her studio

Who are some of the Minnesota artists you enjoy?
Jennifer Davis http://www.jenniferdavisart.com/
Chris Hajny hajny.com
Andres Guzman http://www.andresguzman.com
Francesca Buchko http://francescasketches.blogspot.com/


If I were to follow you around to see art in Minnesota, which places would we go? What would we see?
The place we'd go most often is the Minneapolis College of Art & Design. Every day there is something new and exciting. The students are fantastic and they eat, breathe, but rarely sleep, design and art. I love teaching there - both for the BFA program as well as the Continuing Studies program. Everyone brings so much passion and freshness there. It's hard not to be incredibly awed and inspired when you visit.


Where do you go online for good art resources, whether to find a new artist, or to see what is going on in the art world locally and otherwise?
I love Behance.net, Pinterest.com, pikaland.com, and ten-paces.blogspot.com. Some are portfolio sites, and others are fantastic art-centered blogs.

Do you have any exhibits to promote in the near future?
I addition to the Altered Esthetics' "Dia De Los Muertos" exhibit on 11/2/11, I will be launching a new project in December around the theme "Customizable Christmas", and working on a new series of textural paintings.

Friday, October 28, 2011

Circa Gallery - Gallery Profile

Circa Gallery

210 N 1st St
Mpls, MN 55401
612-332-2386


Tell me about your gallery.

Circa is a contemporary art gallery located in the Minneapolis Warehouse
district on the corner of 2nd Avenue and 1st Street.

Our mission is to provide awareness, discernment and appreciation of a vast
array of contemporary styles, media and expressions. We strive to assist our
patrons in acquiring art reflective of their own creative dimension.

We are committed to showing work by a select group of the most talented and
well-respected artists on the contemporary scene.

We typically present seven diverse exhibitions per year, opening new shows
approximately every six weeks. In addition to our exhibition schedule we
house a selection of works by our various artists that can be viewed
throughout the year. On request, we are always happy to take visitors
through the gallery¹s racks for a hands-on introduction.

Who are three or four local artists who represent the quality and style of
work you exhibit at your gallery?

Theresa Handy (www.circagallery.org/html/handy_theresa_1.html)
Ken Steinbach (www.circagallery.org/html/steinback_ken_1.html)
Monica Reede (www.circagallery.org/html/reede_monica_3.html)
Barbara Kreft (www.circagallery.org/html/kreft_barbara_1.html)


For Artists:
How do you prefer artists contact you regarding exhibiting in your gallery?

Please email a selection of images along with your artist statement and
contact info to staff@circagallery.com

What general advice would you give to artists trying to show in local
galleries?


Always check out a galleries stable of artists to make sure you are good
fit. Then, send several images or website information and a resume in
whatever form the gallery requires. Don¹t just stop in with work to show.
You need to make an appointment first. It is a big turn off for galleries
for artists to just pop in and ask for the director or staffer to take a
look at their work.

Also, put together a cohesive body of work to show your style. Let the
gallery know what you have done and where you are headed with your work.


For Collectors:
What is the typical price range for works for sale in your gallery?

We have a wide range in pricing. We have smaller works and works on paper
for around $1000 and it goes up to about $12,000 for larger works.
Our biggest selection is in the area of $4000.00


Do you have any advice for collectors looking locally to buy art?

Look around at several galleries and get a feel for what local artists you
like. Make sure the artist has a solid track record of showing work and that
the work is well made. A gallery director or staffer should be able to guide
you to top local artists who have a good reputation and are collected.

If by chance all of the local art galleries were having opening receptions
on the same night, where else would you recommend people go to maximize
their art experience?

Groveland Gallery is an excellent gallery with knowledgeable staff.
Chambers Gallery is a good place to check out as well.


What is your current exhibit?

We are currently showing a solo exhibition of recent paintings by Theresa
Handy at our gallery. Fall 2011.

Theresa is a local artist who graduated from the University of Wisconsin,
Milwaukee in 1995. She has been a recipient of the Minnesota State Arts
Board Fellowship, the Jerome Fellowship and a semi finalist on numerous
occasions for the McKnight Fellowship. HANDY has been featured in many
publications, her work resides in corporate and private collections, and she
has an extensive exhibition record.

Her paintings are abstractions, sufficiently referential so that it is
commonplace to see them as suffused with a special light, dense with
allusions to sky, water, sun, bleached architecture, sharp shadows and
angular illuminations, often haunted by human presences. The discrete images
collectively exist as a memorial reflecting Handy's recollection and
experience with the environment, and a testimonial to her experience on
Earth and her struggle to reconcile and find balance with the world around
her.

Theresa Handy Exhibit Details: 10/28/11 - 12/3/11 Reception 5-8, Friday 10/28

UPDATE:   September - October 2013 Kenneth Steinbach - Drawing and Sculpture - Interview


Thursday, October 20, 2011

Pete Driessen - Mixed Media


Nauticalia Tentacalus Installation-Detail (Aft View), 
They Won’t Find Us Here Gallery, Minneapolis, MN, Pete Driessen © 2010,
Mixed Media on Optimist Dinghy, Size Varies.
Pete Driessen

Name: Pete Driessen
City/State: Minneapolis, MN
Email: pete@petedriessen.com
Website: www.petedriessen.com
MNartist.org profile: mnartists.org/pete_driessen
Facebook page: www.facebook.com/pete.driessen

Bio~
Pete Driessen is a Minneapolis based multipractice visual artist, painter and educator who creates large scale socio-political paintings, mixed media ship fleets, found object installations, conceptual art statements, and performative participatory projects. Pete received his MFA in Visual Culture from Vermont College of Fine Arts, and has been awarded regional grants and awards, including a Minnesota State Arts Board Artist Assistance Fellowship, a Metropolitan Regional Arts Council/Small Arts Grant, and a Minneapolis Arts Commission/Neighborhood Arts New Presenters Grant.

Pete’s exhibition record includes national and regional solo and group exhibitions, including two recent local solo projects: Curatorial Cult Club/Kwestion Quration? at the Walker Art Center Open Field, and Nauticalia Tentacalus at They Won’t Find Us Here Gallery. Pete loves to create and eat homemade banana cinnamon pancakes, grilled cheese sandwiches, bacon cheeseburgers, and prefers the texture and flavor of Cool Whip over Ready Whip.

Self Portrait with Roof Rake #3-Detail(Face)
Pete Driessen © 2010,
Acrylic & House Paint/Gloss Acrylic Gel & Iridescent Tinting Mediums/Modeling Paste/Unstretched Dark Blue Camping Canvas/Hangs from Grommets, 120 x192 inches

Tell me about your work? What are you currently working on? How is this different from past projects?
When I was a little boy I played a tuba solo in front of a large hometown audience with Novocain through out my mouth! Yikes! Run: John Philip Sousa March: (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uU_buMqNpJo)

My recent work is well threaded into and energized by recent painful life transitions. Some of my latest projects include painting my Self Portrait with Roof Rake series and my Love’s Torment series; illustrating and writing a zine-ish Divorce: Artist Discovery Letter statement; producing a random Artist-Daddy-Mom blog; and developing and curating a hybridic garage-based gallery known as TuckUnder. I’m currently writing a little book entitled, ChromOrgasm, which explores color as a power distributor, and outlines social, political, and biological themes of color within our culture. I recently finished an assemblage about personal miracles for a group show entitled, El Milagro at Intermedia Arts.

I’m just beginning two new large-scale bodies of paintings about transition, masculinity and consummation. I am preparing to create conceptual pieces about the theme of money for a group show at Banfil Locke Arts Center in 2012. I am also preparing portfolio work for Art Basel Miami Beach in December and NYC Armory Week in March 2012.

Despite all the recent producing, I’ve observed that my painting, mixed media constructions, and installation work are growing and extending conceptually into many written, visual and curatorial directions and forms, and as singular, complimentary, and participatory offshoots of my visual arts practice. Like many artists with kids—I lack studio time, I’m having trouble financially piecing it all together, and keeping up with professional and artistic follow through.

"What is Art?" is certainly too big of a question to ask here, but what do you hope your audience takes away from your art? What statement do you hope to make?

I get up in the morning and turn on the radio to listen to the weather report. Run: Earth, Wind, & Fire: September: (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2S8ZrQG0y6g)

Growing up in a large family with a print rich environment helped set the stages for what I produce today. I like verbal story telling, independent documentaries, literary non-fiction, allegorical history painting, and representational narratives. I am allured by everything conceptual and contemporary, too. With my larger paintings I am interested in an emotive reaction within the viewer.

I do not ask anyone to like my work. In fact, I enjoy it more when people dislike my work—because it tells me so much more about the viewers relation to the work and how the work plays into their mindset. Playing into viewer’s false perceptions and the common Americans psyche, and those who have been deceived by power and the media are all a favorite of mine. Exposing a viewer to a new truth or meaning brings a different level of meaning to the artwork itself. The artistic statement of truth seeking is more often visually clearer and journalistically straightforward in my paintings than in my ship constructions or conceptual sculptures.

Triangulation-Detail (Deceptive Face)
Pete Driessen © 2011, Acrylic Paint/Gloss Acrylic Gel & Iridescent Tinting Mediums/ Micaceous Iron Oxide/Modeling Paste/Unstretched Canvas. Hangs from Grommets. 108x144 Inches

What was the best advice given to you as an artist?
Play something artistic and something that I can work with, okay? David Byrne. Laurie Anderson (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hd7XnOnSkkA), John Cage, Lou Reed, and on and on.
I like hearing the comments from old blue-collar ladies wearing gold Lame who have had a few glasses of wine on Friday or Saturday nights during Art A Whirl. It usually comes down to them thanking me for painting about a social political event that they never heard about, and they declare in a giddy, girly fashion something like, “…tee he…I’d like to see more nude male figures, bigger cocks and larger penis’s in your paintings… tee he, tee he!”

Things that are inaccurate and bug me to the indignant creative core often inspire me. When I was a kid I went to interview with a bigwig art director at a Minnesota based worldwide incentives agency. The old dismissive dork told me to “become an electrician!” Another time, a perfectionist art mentor told me in an invalidating tone that I could not ”make up your own words.” What bullshit! I heard Shaggy in the back of my head laughing, “Like, everyone must follow the Holy American Dictionary and never wane from it, man!” Only if A. Merriam Webster adds a new word, then you can use it! This leads me to hearing and comparing all the reasons by non-artists and right wing business types why artists shouldn’t be artists. Often, just simply quietly listening to the continuous stream of dream stealers makes me stronger as an artist and empowers me to create even more.

I truly love a couple of Taoist phrases; “Chop wood, carry water,” and “The Tao that can be taught and told is not the eternal Tao.”

Tell me about your workspace and your creative process.

I arrive at the studio and turn on the radio on my broken tape player: Suburbs: Music for Boys. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fKguWyiNLEg&feature=related)

My creative process is a nomadic and theoretical workspace that is nearly everywhere and can take place at anytime—the home, the car, the cabin, the kid’s school, the yard, and the raspberry patch. I have had studios in Northeast for nearly 20 years, the most recent I created in conjunction with my wonderful arts friendly landlord. I created it to be a large work, study, show, creation, visualization and meditation space. I usually have several large bodies of work in multiple forms going at the same time. The site is a chaotic, disorganized blend—as I work on large scale paintings, conceptual projects, artist statements & writing, reading, collages, mixed media ship constructions, water tank sculptures, and combined installation all at once.

Frequently acting like a silly, scurrying squirrel or chicken-with-its head-cut-off allows for accidents, coincidences and “aha” moments to occur, ideas to generate, and my work to be produced in multiple vector modes rather than linear one-at-a-time mode. I often attempt to separate ideas, materials, organize, arrange, orchestrate and categorize things into goofy systems, kooky charts, mind maps, files of files, and lists upon lists. Gelling time is important to me. Rarely do I work quickly through a piece for the simple reason to get it done. Rushing into creation often has a poor result for me and often conversely affects my follow up with the work. Breaking the studio into four physical arenas has been helpful although it continuously overlaps: office, shop, storage, and creation/exhibit.

I firmly believe the myth of northern light for painters is complete bullshit. Light and artwork are ever changing and shifting. And attempting to have perfect light all day is, in my mind, a joke. I prefer all different kinds of light and its theatrical affect on my art and working conditions—halogen, incandescent, florescent, shadowy, filtered and seasonal natural light that is ever shifting illumination. For these reasons, I created a semi defined rectangular interior building space, devoid of windows, with large working walls and only one overhead skylight. The skylight acts as my own little Turrell sky pesher.

Who are some of the Minnesota artists you enjoy?
Radio is working again. Run: BAD Cmon Every Beat Box: (http://www.metacafe.com/watch/sy-18085711/big_audio_dynamite_cmon_every_beatbox_official_music_video/)

I tend to not follow work that is solely created for ego based, selling, capitalist, careerist, or self-serving purposes. Although my preferences are wide ranging, they are often lean towards critical thinking artists or artworks that are aesthetically advanced in their ideas, imagery, thought and creative processes. I love it when artwork makes me feel uncomfortable and uneasy, makes me pee, makes me think on the toilet, or brings me to a visual or spiritual climax. It's unfair and inappropriate to drop names so consider the following an unfinished list or work in process of artists that visually stimulate and engage me somehow. I know that I am forgetting literally handfuls of talented Minnesota artists and could easily fill pages of artists in every discipline because my interests are wide ranging.

For technical and participatory work I love the Works Progress (http://www.worksprogress.org/current/we-work-here/) collective,
Steve Deitz & Northern Lights (http://northern.lights.mn/),
Peter Haakom Thompson (http://www.tentservices.org/).

For conceptual work I watch Aaron Van Dyke (http://aaronvandyke.net/index.html),

For sculpture I follow Aaron Spangler
Andrea Stanislav (www.andreastanislav.com/),
Gregory Euclide (http://www.gregoryeuclide.com/),
and the Franconia (http://www.franconia.org/) troops.

For painting and drawing I enjoy Chris Mars (http://www.chrismarspublishing.com/),
Carolyn Swiszcz (http://www.carolynswiszcz.com/),
Lisa Nankivil (http://www.nankivil.com/)

For photography it’s Paul Shambroom—hands down (http://www.paulshambroom.com/),

For sociopolitical work I appreciate Camille Gage (http://www.formandcontent.org/camille.htm).

For Video I watch Matt Bakkom (http://mnartists.org/work.do?rid=204078),

For printmaking I dig Jenny Schmid (http://www.bikinipressinternational.com/).

Gorgonica-Triptych/Black & Orange-Detail (Spider/3 Balls)
Pete Driessen © 2010,
Acrylic & House Paint/Gloss Acrylic Gel & Iridescent Tinting Mediums/Modeling Paste/Unstretched Black Camping & Florescent Orange Canvas/Found Mirror Frame/Hangs from Grommets & Wire, 
 74 x 78 Inches

If I were to follow you around to see art in Minnesota, which places would we go? What would we see?

Damn this radio, the reception sucks: Dead Skunk in the Middle of the Road (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K65GaJMl9KQ)…

Where I hang out in the Twin Cities and greater Minnesota is often an extension of my art practice and its extension into my life.
Walker Art Center Open Field and Drawing Club (http://blogs.walkerart.org/openfield2011/), Midway Contemporary Art & Library (http://www.midwayart.org/),
Art of This (http://artofthis.net/),
They Won’t Find Us Here Gallery (http://www.theywontfindushere.com/),
Rochester Contemporary Art Center (http://www.rochesterartcenter.org/),

MAEP, State Fair, Paul Bunyanland, the Soap Factory, and nearly vacant strip malls. I love outstate antique stores, dollar stores, thrift stores, rural flea markets, old fashioned barn keggars, and the smell of fresh silage and fish eviscerations. I love visiting and having conversations at other artist’s homes and studios. I love going to lunch, garage sales, seeking out junk materials and old ephemera, and hanging out at workshops and lectures on all types of subjects. To satisfy my nautical urges it’s the 3 W’s: Wind, water, and waves. And lakes and nude beaches. Wait…there are no nude beaches anymore in Minnesota. Damn, we are sooo puritan here.

Where do you go online for good art resources, whether to find a new artist, or to see what is going on in the art world locally and otherwise?

Wish I may, wish I might…I want a new stereo with Bose speakers: Gil Scott Heron: The Revolution will Not be Televised (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rGaRtqrlGy8)

Often, I utilize nontraditional online media resources for seeking out a variety of quirky and idiosyncratic art related ideas, materials, opportunities, connections and resources. I like continuously learning in all forms and believe that dissent is the highest form of patriotism. I love listening to those that speak to truth to power: Cornell West, Chomsky, Naomi Klein, Naomi Wolf, Amy Goodmann, and Ed Said. I embrace truth and meaning and find inspiration from Link TV (http://www.linktv.org/),
and Architects & Engineers for Truth (http://www.ae911truth.org/en.html),

For strictly art thingies I like perusing calendars and classifieds of a zillion blogs and mailing lists, including
radical art caucus (http://radart.squarespace.com/),
mplsart.com (http://www.mplsart.com/),
and rhizome (http://rhizome.org/).


Detecting Curation—Detritus #12/Detail (Wolfgang Puck Hamburger).
Pete Driessen © 2010, 8.5x11, Half Eaten Hamburger, Penny, Type Scale, Marker on Copy Paper. Performative “CSI” image of found hamburger. Hamburger found by artist while detecting curatorial detritus around museum. Image 12 of 34 objects. The Curatorial Cult Club/Kwestion Quration? Walker Art Center Open Field, Minneapolis, MN. An artist curated, ten week participatory/performative solo exhibition and alternative publication project. Artist Cell Phone Photo.

What can we expect to see from you in the future?

Crap! Radio off. Turn on old fashioned analog TV with rabbit ears/UHF antennae: Star Trek/Intro Rerun: (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdjL8WXjlGI)

I will be secretly placing an undisclosed image of a naughty, haughty Michele BachMANn in her birthday suit at the Lake Harriet Troll house during a random bike ride this fall. It will be a fleeting, meek and foible art moment and perhaps it will get blown away by the wind, covered in leaves, partially chewed up by a chipmunk, destroyed by an indignant toddler who has had too much sugar, pooped on by a Canadian Honker, or stolen by a young waif boy who has been recently love smitten.

Later this fall and next year, I will continue developing artworks relating to themes of truthiness, collective deception, false fear, and abuse of power. A few, triumphant galloping horses and odd phallic characters with names like Wolfi, Condi, Karlie, Rummy, Dickie, and Georgie just might show up in my mix, too. I am perennially job hunting and presently preparing six different grants and exhibit applications all due within three weeks of each other, so you might find me on my laptop at Spyhouse burning the midnight oil. Or surrendering and being in the present moment with my ailing father or harvesting and picking raspberries with my kids in our backyard. X0x0X

And here are some things...

Mpls.SW Patch interview/article

And to the Cashe at the Casket, Nov. 4-6: NE Mpls Arts District

Send off to Art Basel, at VanBrabson Gallery on Nov. 19: http://www.vanbrabsongallery.com/services

Saturday, October 8, 2011

Joe Aschebrock - Mixed Media


Joe Aschebrock

Name: Joe Aschebrock
City/State: Minneapolis, MN
Email: Joe.Aschebrock@gmail.com
Website: http://www.myspace.com/mydishragbody
MNartist.org profile: http://www.mnartists.org/Joe_Aschebrock

Bio~
I was born in Milwaukee, WI in 1976. I was lucky enough to have frequent trips to the County Zoo, the Domes, botanical gardens, etc. But it was the Milwaukee Public Museum and the Milwaukee Art Museum that blew me away. They both just visually made me wide-eyed, and I loved going.

I remember seeing a Cy Twombly, asking why there was a chalkboard in the museum, and being impressed when told it was painted to look that way. And again when I saw Julian Schnabel’s plate paintings, I thought, “You can do that?” But I think my favorite as a child was Miro’s “The King’s Jester” (Le Fou Du Roi). Seeing that painting as a child set the tone for the things in life I would be attracted to.

Those works made a lasting impression on me; they got me hooked on seeing what could be done.


Tell me about your work?
My work is who I am. Like most artists, the work is a reflection of who they are or of the environment from which it came.

I rarely have a premeditated vision of what I’m going to make. In the beginning of a work I rely heavily on automatism. Mood determines the direction of the work.

I usually have several things I’m working on, all at different stages of completeness. I work in two modes. One is expressive, sweeping reckless abandon. The other is more refined and methodical.

Lately I’ve been utilizing a lot more color and working larger. I’ve just been putting in the hours refining what I do.


What can we expect to see from you in the future?
I’ve been thinking about branching out into new directions.

There’s a lot I’d like to do, I can‘t imagine working in the same style my whole life. I haven’t even really hit my stride yet.


"What is Art?" is certainly too big of a question to ask here, but what do you hope your audience takes away from your art? What statement do you hope to make?

You know that feeling where you smell something in the air and that triggers a vivid memory. That spilt second where you’re so enveloped by the memory that you feel outside of yourself, transcendental. That’s what art does for me. I like to feel that, and I like my work to evoke that.

I really don’t have a “statement”, maybe my work‘s about existence, the human experience or empathy. All I know is its something intangible and I’m not able to articulate it in words. Hopefully you see it in my work.



What was the best advice given to you as an artist?

“Once you put something out into the world you can’t take it back.”

“You know there’s another side to that paper.”


Tell me about your workspace and your creative process.
I’ve always had some sort of space set aside. For the last several years I worked out of a cozy four-season porch. Currently I’m building a studio in my basement. This’ll be my first real proper studio space. Otherwise, I’ve always just worked from home. I can’t imagine having a studio that I’d have to travel to. I’ll work anywhere though. I made “On a Plane” literally on a plane.

As far as my creative process, it’s an internal pressure to work. If I haven’t made something in a while I get anxious and irritable.

Sometimes I have to work hard at it. I could be working on something, battling it for months until I’m satisfied or I’ve destroyed it. Other times it pours out of me nearly complete on it’s own.

Seasonal changes tend to bring on an outpouring of productivity.



Who are some of the Minnesota artists you enjoy?
Brian Hart, his work is pretty amazing. His light drawings have that strange intangible quality that’s hard to describe, like foreign and familiar simaltaniously. It has an atmosphere to it that makes me feel this hazy, dreamy nostalgia. http://facebook.com/brianmatthewhart

Adam Considine has real commitment to his work and the medium. He takes things to the next level while still remaining connected to the history and tradition. Artists who strive to elevate art to a highest possible standard are the kinds of artists that impress me. Adam falls into that category. http://adamconsidine.com/

Clinton Rost’s work also has that dreamy nostalgia I’m a sucker for. I really like the way he frames and composes the scenes he paints, really great use of light too. http://clintonrost.com/

John Megas’ printmaking. He’s got a solo show coming up in November at Gallery 122. http://www.johnmegas.com

Corey McNally’s matchbook collages.
http://myinvisiblefriends.tumblr.com/

also:
Rob McBroom: http://www.mnartists.org/rob_mcbroom
Jennifer Davis: http://www.jenniferdavisart.blogspot.com/
Nick Howard: http://nickhowardart.blogspot.com/
and Jesse Draxler: http://jessedraxler.com/

Where do you go online for good art resources, whether to find a new artist, or to see what is going on in the art world locally and otherwise?
I use facebook to network and keep tabs on what’s going on. I also use MNartists.org quite a bit.

Also,
mplsart.com
vita.mn/
letoilemagazine.blogspot.com/
citypages.com/arts/
myspace.com
google.com

If I were to follow you around to see art in Minnesota, which places would we go? What would we see?

Most of the time I’m a shut-in, I work on art.

When I do go out, I go to The Walker and MIA mostly, sometimes the Mpls Central Library. As far as galleries, I go usually after the show opening. I prefer a quiet somewhat empty gallery space. I’m there to see art.

When I’m downtown I go to Hennes Art Company and gallery13. If I’m in NE I’ll usually look in Rouge Buddha, spotart and Altered Esthetics. My part of town I go to Gallery 360 and SooVac. There’s great art at café barbette, other cafés too.



Do you have any exhibits to promote in the near future?
I have work in the Raw Minneapolis Showcase: PULSE
at the Fine Line Music Café October 13th, 2011 at 8pm.

It’s a 21+ cocktail attire event featuring: Artists, Photographers, Live Music, a DJ, a Fashion Show…
Tickets are only $10, you can purchase tickets by following this link rawartists.org/minneapolis/pulse, on the right of the page you can click on the menu where it says general admission and scroll down to my name Joe Aschebrock.


I’ll also have work up at Altered Esthetics for the Fear Itself show October 06th – 27th, 2011. The Opening Reception is Friday, October 7, 2011 - 7pm-10pm


*November I’ll be showing in St. Paul at the AZ Gallery for Art Brawl. The opening event will be Friday, November 11th from 6-10pm. theAZgallery.org/