Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Marlaine Cox - Metal Artst


Marlaine Cox
Scope.   
Metal, spring steel, magnifying glass, 
Look(again) residency:  Low tech/high joy collaborative, 2013


Name:  Marlaine Cox
City/State:  Minneapolis, MN
Etsy Page: Scrap Yard Siren 

Bio-
Marlaine Cox is a Miami born metal artist who transplanted to Minneapolis in 1990 because her car broke down while driving through.  After settling in to the eternal winter she began constructing found object assemblages, finding inspiration in the broken tools, farm implements and detritus around her. She never managed to fix the car but continued her life anyway.



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

My work is mostly about transforming salvaged bits and metal scrap into functional objects.  I like the challenge of turning a broken tool into a new and unexpected use while trying not to manipulate the objects too much, letting beauty of the original forms show.  My goal is to fit as few parts together as elegantly as possible.  If the objects become humorous or absurd by my subtle manipulations then even better.
Right now I’m working with artist, Karen Kaselas part of a creative placemaking team called low tech/high joycollaborative.   We are in the middle of a six month artist residency called Look(again) at TuckUnder Projects .  We created scoping devices from salvaged metal, inviting visitors to peer into the yard, finding unexpected oddities and small surprises.

Karen and I have collaborated in the past(The Shanty of Misfit Toys) http://www.artshantyprojects.org/  so formalizing this partnership is very exciting. We explore details in the environment that are often overlooked.

I’m also working on a series of wall sculptures for an upcoming exhibit at Gallery 360, opening on August 24, 2013.  My compulsion is to inject a ‘function’ into everything I create so these purely decorative sculptures are a departure for me.  To combat this, the pieces will have some kinetic component in them, a pulley or a hook, so they still ‘function’ just a little.



How did you decide to become an artist?

When I was a kid I was preoccupied with manipulating my environment. I built hidden book shelves and cubbies in the bottom bunk & I transformed our patio into a ramshackle greenhouse, building shelves into the screen walls and filling it with plants from the yard.  I carpeted my high school locker.  Since I was a bookworm I just thought I would be a writer or teacher or work in publishing.  It wasn’t until I moved to Minnesota when I was 23, disgruntled that college sucked all the fun out of reading and writing, that I realized how much I loved working with my hands.  I loved the immediacy of it, and getting out of my head.



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

Try to create something beautiful every day, no matter how small or ephemeral.  The artistic process doesn’t need to be filled with angst and suffering, it can sometimes be simple creative activities that have nothing to do with theory or art history or big ideas.

Many artists struggle to find ways to sell their art.  How do you sell your work?  How do you market yourself?

I sell my line of post-industrial accessories at Etsy: http://www.etsy.com/shop/scrapyardsiren 
and in local shops: http://www.ilikeyouonline.com/ 
I accept commissions: http://marlainecoxmetalworks.com/



Who are some of the Minnesota artists you enjoy?

Faye Passow http://fayepassow.com/ 
Peter Haakon Thompson  http://www.peterhaakonthompson.com/ 
Jan Elftmann http://www.corktruck.com/ 

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

Franconia Sculpture Park http://www.franconia.org/ 
Chicago Ave. Fire Arts Center http://www.cafac.org/ 
Art Shanty Projects http://www.artshantyprojects.org/ 
The Ledge Gallery  http://www.theledgempls.com/ 
Walker Art Center  http://www.walkerart.org/ 

In addition to www.Local-Artist-Interviews.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? 




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

August 1, 2013: Low tech/high joy collaborative continues the Look(again) residency at TuckUnder Projects
 
August 2, 2013: AlteredEsthetics-Time Honored Exhibition-I’ll be showing three pieces from my post-industrial accessory collection

August 24, 2013:  Gallery 360- Wall Sculpture Series



Friday, July 26, 2013

Roger Williamson - Painter


Roger Williamson

Name:                          Roger Williamson
City/State:                    Minneapolis, MN
Email:                            roger@rogerwilliamsonart.com
Website:                        http://rogerwilliamsonart.com/
MNartist.org profile:     http://mnartists.org/artistHome.do?rid=32529
Facebook page:           https://www.facebook.com/williamsonart?fref=ts
Twitter: @                      https://twitter.com/rwilliamson222


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

I am currently working on a triptych of three 8ft by 4ft oil on wood panels. The theme of the work reflects different aspects of human awaking and the possibilities that arise when we escape our conditioning.

My past projects have been single works either oil on canvas or pastel on paper and a limited edition tarot deck of the 22 major arcana cards http://rogerwilliamsonart.com/tarot-of-the-morning-star-5/



How did you decide to become an artist?

There was no decision I evolved into it.  When I was sixteen, I sacrificed an opportunity to pursue a career in art to play music which took me through the 1960’s and 70’s.  Because of my adventures in music I feel the art I now create has strength, timbre and vibrancy it may not have had if I had chosen to taken a different path.

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

Pass it on, let experiences and learning pass through you so that others can benefit from them.  Nothing is owned, everything is on loan.


Many artists struggle to find ways to sell their art.  How do you sell your work?  How do you market yourself?
Fine Arts America            http://roger-williamson.artistwebsites.com/
Absolute Arts                    http://www.absolutearts.com/roger/
Roger Williamson Art      http://rogerwilliamsonart.com/
Sales through local retail stores


Who are some of the Minnesota artists you enjoy?
Rachel Rolseth  http://rachelrolseth.com/

To be honest the painters I like are from the late 19th century, Jean Delville, Fernand Khnopff, the Fin de Siècle and the symbolist movement in general. 

If I were to follow you around to see art in Minnesota, which places would we go? What would we see?
I would begin at the MIA 19th early 20th century paintings
Stevens Square Center for the Arts http://www.stevensarts.org/
Gamut Gallery Minneapolis http://www.gamutgallerympls.com/
--Although not an art gallery in the traditional sense I find it extremely inspiring as it has a very mystical and other worldly feel..



In addition to www.Local-Artist-Interviews.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? 
MNArtists.org       http://mnartists.org/
Saatchi                   http://www.saatchionline.com/
Wooloo.org           http://www.wooloo.org/
Aesthetica             http://www.aestheticamagazine.com/




Do you have any exhibits to promote in the near future?  Yes
Chimera at Stevens Square Center for the Arts (SSCA), Third Avenue S., Minneapolis, MN  55404.
Opening: Saturday August 3rd 7pm through 10:30pm.  Exhibit runs through Sunday August 25th, 2013

What can we expect to see from you in the future?
More depictions of ancient myths.  Myths I believe are tools that guide and encourage us through life’s drama.

SSCA - Install


Image List:
1.         Dance For Kali, Oil on canvas, 2012
2.         She The Flowering Of Ishtar, oil on canvas 2012
3.         She Entered Her Dream And Took Back Her Mask Of Power, oil on wood board, 2013
4.         Io Tells Her Story, oil on canvas 2011
5.         Orpheus: Don’t Look Back, oil on canvas, 2011
6.         He Called On His Idyll And Then She Took Him, oil on canvas, 2009

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Jacqui Rosenbush - Sculptor and Painter


Remnant
Jacqui Rosenbush

Name: Jacqui Rosenbush
City/State: Bloomington/MN
MNartist.org profile: Jacquilyn Rosenbush


Jacqui Rosenbush is a multimedia sculptor and painter. Her childlike wonder of creation drives the aesthetic of her work, producing pieces that are both grounded in earthy forms and sprinkled with dream-like notions. During her years at the University of Minnesota, she traveled to Mexico and Venezuela to study visual art and culture and earned a BA in Studio Art with a minor in Spanish Studies in 2009. She currently runs a business providing handmade and eclectic décor for special events and is pursing opportunities to engage communities in the arts through murals and live painting. Her sculptures take shape in her Bloomington Studio, where she can be found singing and dancing while simultaneously, and quite spontaneously, creating something out of nothing. In addition to living a life that creatively brings forth life in others, her dream for the future is to open a Center for the Arts.




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

I like to consider my work as visual poetry that provokes emotive reactions that are felt before they are understood. I believe its best appreciated when approached with an openness to be affected. It is often presented in a raw state, not perfectly crafted, but honest. I typically work with wood, but love to incorporate materials like lace, wool, rocks, and other found objects. I like working with loose canvas when painting, for the sculptural, off-the-wall effect, or on plywood for the heft and texture. I'm currently working on two series, one being a sculptural installation called, "The Co-Creator's Workshop," and a painting series called, "Remnants," which I'm just getting the ball rollin' on. They are both new endeavors for me, especially the painting series as I'm hoping to partner with writers to create corresponding poems for each painting.


How did you decide to become an artist?

I pursed a degree in Nutrition Science in college in an attempt to combat the starving artist career, only to discover that investing in my talents as an artist would be the most satisfying and rewarding choice for me after all. It was as if I needed to try something else so that I would be confident in my choice to pursue what I wanted all along. 


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

A poetry teacher of mine, in reference to editing a poem, stated, "Where is it hot? Follow that." And I have found that simple concept to be a gentle and effective tool through the nuances of creating art and pursing this career. 

Many artists struggle to find ways to sell their art.  How do you sell your work?  How do you market yourself?

I too am still discovering ways to sell my work (It seems like one doesn't learn those essential skills in college, huh?). My family is my biggest support and is always buying my work, as are my friends. I did create an Etsy shop for smaller handmade accessories as a starting point to eventually sell fine art, but have yet to enter that transition. [etsy.com/shop/buttonsandbottletops]. Other than that, having a profile on MNartists and being connected with groups like RAWartists and Aldrich Arts Collaborative that do a great job at promoting their artists in an effort to create good turn-outs for their events is like catching a free marketing ride to success. I often remind myself to not despise the day of small beginnings, because we all have to start somewhere and we are all trying to figure out the best way to do it.



Who are some of the Minnesota artists you enjoy? 
I have really come to appreciate Jill Van Sickle's work. It is so beautiful and widely celebrated. I think she does an awesome job at promoting herself and keeping her followers constantly engaged by continuously creating and posting new pieces for sale on Facebook with links to her upcoming shows, etc. Not only is she talented, but she seems like a really great person, and that's what sells me. (Jill's LAI Interview)


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

I'm a solid fan of the M.I.A. So, we would stop there and be sure to visit the MAEP (Minnesota Artists Exhibition Program) Gallery [artsmia.org]. And since I love sculpture and road trips, we would go to Franconia Sculpture Park to romp around under over and through big and awesome sculptures [franconia.org]. We would also go to the Walker for good measure and to stay current [walkerart.org] And then to Art-A-Whirl, for exposure to an overwhelming amount of amazing and entertaining stuff [nemaa.org/art-a-whirl].



In addition to www.Local-Artist-Interviews.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? 

mnartists.org, and springboardforthearts.org are great resources. 



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

I will have three pieces in the Time Honored Exhibition at Altered Esthetics in NE, August 1st through the 29th, 2013. Opening night is Friday, August 2nd. 7-10PM.


Altered Esthetics LAI Profile



Image List:
1. Remnant
2. Thirsty
3. The Bride
4. Apathy
5. Basket For Your Journey
6. Consider The Rock
7. Image of artist