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/