Allen Brewer - Painter

Allen Brewer

Name: Allen Brewer

City/State: St. Paul, MN

Email: abrewer at mcad.edu

Website: allenbrewer.com

Bio~ Allen Brewer (b. 1974) lives and works in St. Paul, MN, balancing studio practice with teaching assignments at MCAD. Recent exhibitions include … 3^rd MN Biennial: curated by David Petersen and John Marks, VERBATIM: at the MAEP gallery of MIA, Mpls, and SCHAPES N SHPACES: solo painting exhibition at Thelma Sadoff Center for the Arts, Fond du Lac, WI.

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

I’m currently working with the semiotic meaning of form, color and context in painting. I incorporate language as mediation for my paintings, so I find inspiration and possibilities there, but more recently I’ve been trying to communicate another (non-spoken) lexicon within/via painting itself. Past projects (VERBATIM) depended upon a foreign voice or textual prompt to build the work, forcing me to consider material, intent and the paradoxical nature of language (being both limiting and expansive in it’s meaning and usage). My new direction relies more on intuitive gestures and ambiguity rather than clarification and description.

How did you decide to become an artist?

When I was 4 or 5 I made up my mind that this is what I would “be”. At 17 I considered a career as a professional French horn musician, but ultimately, art proved to offer more flexibility.

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

“Don’t ever lie to yourself”.

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

I don’t really rely on sales, but I have sold work in galleries and private commissions. Fortunately, teaching provides a comfortable substitute, allowing for more time in the studio actually working, which I am finding more valuable than sales.

Who are some of the Minnesota artists you enjoy?

I have many good friends who also push artistic expectations, and their names can be found in this very site. That said, aesthetic appreciation shifts from time to time as my own understanding and education expands, so the list continually grows.

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

http://www.walkerart.org/

http://www.midwayart.org/

http://thebinderyprojects.com/thebindery_projects/Enter.html

http://www.thecedar.org/

http://first-avenue.com/venue/entry

http://davidpetersengallery.com/

http://www.locationbooks.com/

http://thirdrailquarterly.org/

http://www.wopozi.com/

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?

I don’t bother with the web to find local events or artists, it’s all word of mouth or just showing up to the (many) openings at museums and galleries that occur weekly. I generally peruse the web to find events and artists in NYC, Europe and otherwise, but locally speaking, there is more value in physically participating in openings and after-parties.

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

I am showing a chronological survey of paintings from the last 4 years in Fond du Lac, WI at the Thelma Sadoff Center for the Arts until April 11, 2014. 

The show is called SCHAPES N SHPACES, the work can be seen here: http://allenbrewer.com/section/319201_exhibitions.html

Allen Brewer

Image List:

1. Infinity, paintings, found objects, 2014
2. Fists, acrylic on canvas, 2014

3. Green Thumb, acrylic on wood, 2014

4. Reincarnate, acrylic on canvas, 2013
5. National Wrecking Co., acrylic on canvas, 2013
6. Pesher, found wood assemblage, 20147. Image of artist

7. Image of the artist

Holly Streekstra - Mixed Media Installation

EMANATIONS, at TuckUnder Projects

Holly Streekstra

Name: Holly Streekstra
City/State: Minneapolis, MN
Email: holly@hollystreekstra.net
Website: www.hollystreekstra.net
Facebook page: Holly Streekstra

Bio~ 

Holly Streekstra has exhibited at numerous venues, including the Minnesota Museum of American Art, St. Paul; Woman Made Gallery, Chicago; Invisible Dog, Brooklyn; White Canvas Independent Film Festival, Székesfehérvár, Hungary; and the 4th International Video-Art Festival in Camaguey, Cuba. In 2008, she was a Jerome Foundation Fellow at Franconia Sculpture Park. In 2012 she won the Sun-der Preis in the international art competition Betwegter Wind in North Hessen, Germany. Streekstra received a Master of Fine Arts from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Since receiving an MFA in 2006, she has taught at various institutions in including Louisiana State University, Boise State University, Heron School of Art and Design, and Minneapolis College of Art and Design. In 2013 she will be a Fulbright Teaching Scholar in mixed media at Káposvar University, Káposvar Hungary.    

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

I make 3D work that takes differing forms: video, sound, installation, sculptures. I am generally focused on an investigation of our inner subjective states and psychic vulnerability in contemporary life. Right now I am working on using more visceral materials in unexpected ways as opposed to the tableau vivant arrangements that I typically seem compelled toward. Its a challenge for me to break away from order and sense making but I really feel a transition occurring that is frightening and exhilarating. I hope you will join me to see how things come into shape.

Step on this Side of the Curtain. 2012. mixed media, found objects, digital audio, near-infrasonic tone, lighting, scent. 216in.x 204in. x132in. approx.

Created for TURF IDADA Art Pavilion (on view during 2012 Super Bowl—Indianapolis.)

How did you decide to become an artist?
Visual art is the only thing that felt natural. 

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

''Take an object. Do something to it. Do something else to it.'' -Jasper Johns

"Some people are even better at their second love than at their first… knowing there’s something they’d rather be doing gives them a certain freedom."- Andy Warhol

You Can Do Anything (14 Ways to Acquire Knowledge)-James Mangan

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

I want to make art that people enjoy. I work hard to find opportunities and support that keep me busy with deadlines to make fresh work that will be seen.

Who are some of the Minnesota artists you enjoy?

Alexa Horochowski

Charles Matson Lume

Allen Brewer

Jen Rogers

(WE) Hardland/Heartland

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

Walker Art Center

Midway Contemporary Art

MEAP (Minnesota Artists Exhibition Program)

David Petersen Gallery

The Bindery Projects

TuckUnder Projects

Rosalux

SooVAC

Soap Factory

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? 

BLOUIN ARTINFO

Contemporary Art Daily

WeWasteTime

thisiscolossal

l'étoile

mnartists.org

A Co-Efficient of Weirdness. 2012. Mixed media installation, performance, artist’s book and set of divining cards at D’Clinic Studios, Lendava, Slovenia. Collaboration with Allison Halter (USA/Germany).

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

I'm preparing for a show at TuckUnder Projects. 5120 York Ave S, Mpls, MN
June 27-July 28, with an opening on Thursday, June 27th 6-9pm.

In this recent installation, EMANATIONS, Streekstra creates an ontological microcosm by presenting objects and situations which serve as intermediaries for exploring trans-communication and states of Presence. Studio experiments featuring materializations with a grounded tangible presence (wax, fibers, and found objects) suggest eerie vacillations between mortal and ethereal. The work establishes an inquiry into reflexivity, highlighting the effects of imagination on perception through peculiar arrangements and manipulations referencing illusionist apparatus, apported gifts, and funerary forms.

You will also see work by Jenny Jenkins in the Leaky Sink Gallery
and Look (again) Residency by low tech/high joy Collaboration (Marlaine Cox and Karen Kasel)

Souvenir Horizon. 2012.mixed media installation at Look Gallery,Budapest. 

25”x8”x 6” approximate. (in construction)

Tuck Under Projects

LAI Gallery Profile

Ellie Kingsbury - Photographer

Ellie Kingsbury 

Photographer

Name:                       Ellie Kingsbury

City/State:                 Minneapolis, MN

Email:                        ellie@kingsburypictures.com

Website:                    www.elliekingsbury.com

MNartist.org profile: http://mnartists.org/artistHome.do?rid=225477

Facebook page:       KingsburyPictures

Twitter: @                  lelebobellie

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

I have a few projects going right now.  For a few years I’ve been photographing winter bikers - sometimes a running shot, but usually more portrait style.  I’m a winter biker myself, and though I knew there’s no one type that continues their riding throughout the bad months, I never saw any documentation of it.  I thought it was important for people to see the faces of the winter biking population. Aside from that, I’m working on a project where I’m studying a shared experience between ordinary garden produce that’s irregularly formed or blemished or past its peak freshness, and middle-aged people.  The hope is that in our media-driven culture that idolizes a blemish-free youth, we find beauty and a strong life force in things that don’t fit within that predescribed archetype.  Lastly, I’m working on a series of photos of nature-made mandalas.

How did you decide to become an artist?

I got to take a photo class in 8th grade, and in it we shadowed a fine art photographer.  It became the spark for a life-long desire to question and create .  Working with my hands and being a free thinker doesn’t bode well for your average desk job, so here I am.

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

I used to feel bad if I set about making images without a clear idea of why I was doing it or where it was going.  Then someone gave me the quote “I work-but after the work, I discover the language“ (Kinji Akagawa).  This speaks to the intuitive process that artists need to honor.  Why you’re working on something is inside you, and after the images have spawned a bit you’ll find the language.  I’ve also found that writing your artist statement really helps you gain a deeper understanding of your work.  Sucks having to do it, but it’s worth it in the end.

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

Somewhere I heard you should spend 25% of your time marketing.  Not fun, but you can’t expect people to come find you.  Spend 30 minutes a day researching calls for art, contact information for galleries, putting together your next email newsletter, etc.  Also, keep a list of people who have expressed an interest in your work, and keep them up to date with current events.   

Who are some of the Minnesota artists you enjoy?

Rebecca Pavlenko  www.rebeccapavlenko.com

Laura Hallen              www.laurahallen.com

Beth Andrews           www.beth-andrews.com

Allen Brewer            www.allenbrewer.com

Scott Stulen              www.scottstulen.com

Jim Dryden               www.jimdryden.com

Caitlin Karolczak      www.studiosilenti.com

Keith Taylor               www.keithtaylorphoto.com

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

Anywhere people have access to an amount of raw material and can put away self-criticism.  Watch what the Black Label folks do to make their tall bikes (or other huge units on wheels).  Today I saw a guy with a handmade front rack on his bike that held about 8 pizza boxes.  I didn’t know Pizza Luce delivered.....but he lifted the top flap and pulled out a beer.  Homemade beer cooler disguised as pizza boxes!  I also love what the May Day Parade or the Art Sled Rally participants think up.  Give a person a little fabric, cardboard, and paint and they just magically come up with something great.

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 is the unbeatable, and I also love Springboard for the Arts.

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

I’m part of a duo show opening on May 10th at Gallery 122.  I have some of my mandalas hanging at the Owatonna Hospital right now, and was asked if I could come back in January for a show of my garden produce still lifes.  And some of my winter biker photos will be at Altered Esthetics in June (June 6th - June 27th) The opening reception is Friday 6/7/13 7-10pm).  I’m also going to be a part of the Midtown Greenway’s art/fundraiser event “Greenway Glow”, still in concept stage. 

Altered Esthetics LAI Profile

Website

Steven Lang - Photographer

Steven Lang

Name: Steven Lang

City/State: Minneapolis, MN
Email: info@stevenlang.net
Website: www.stevenlang.net
MNartist.org profile: http://www.mnartists.org/artistHome.do?rid=103175
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/TheArtistStevenLang
Twitter: @thespectacles

Bio~ Artist and writer Steven Lang received his B.F.A. from the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities.  In 2012, he was a resident artist at Elsewhere, a living museum set in a former thrift store in downtown Greensboro, NC, and was a participant in the 4th season of CSA — Community Supported Art, sponsored by mnartists.org and springboardforthearts.org. He has recently exhibited at Rosalux Gallery, Soo Visual Arts Center, and the Walker Art Center’s Walker Shop. His short story, “Tandem,” was included in the recent Milkweed Editions anthology Fiction on a Stick. His short-short story, “The Scarecrow,” was published in 2011 as finalist in the mnLIT series on mnartists.org.

Greensboro, North Carolina

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

I'm currently working on self-publishing a photo book. The book is called A is for Elsewhere, and is the result of a recent artist residency at Elsewhere, a "living museum" in Greensboro, North Carolina.

How did you decide to become an artist?

When I was five years old I found an open can of deck paint and painted myself completely red. It has never really worn off. 

Greensboro, North Carolina

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

"Throw your work away." - Victor Caglioti

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

I struggle with that a lot, and like most artists I don't have the answers. But I do have a website, www.stevenlang.net

Greensboro, North Carolina

Who are some of the Minnesota artists you enjoy? 

Allen Brewer

Pamela Valfer

Aaron Dysart

Carrie Thompson

Richard Barlow

Alyssa Baguss

Andy Sturdevant

Johnathan Hamilton

Ruben Nusz

Andy DuCett

Dustin Yeagar

David Rathman

Joan Vorderbruggen

Broc Blegen

Noah Harmon

Cheryl Wilgren Clyne

Alex Kuno

Nick Howard

Tara Costello

Many, many more! 

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

I would walk around with my camera, mostly, and find the art I'm looking for that way. But recently I've been to Air Sweet Air, SooVAC, Midway Contemporary Art, and the MCAD Gallery. 

Greensboro, North Carolina

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? 

I like Tumbr for that. Here are some examples:

http://hyperallergic.tumblr.com/

http://flyoverart.tumblr.com/

http://photolia.tumblr.com/

Greensboro, North Carolina

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

I am currently showing work in the Artists in Storefronts project. I'm also their documentary photographer. 

Michael Schmidt - Painter

Glimpse

Michael Schmidt

Name: Michael Schmidt
City/State: Saint Paul, Minnesota
Email: mtaschmidt@mac.com
Website: http://www.michaelschmidtstudio.com
MNartist.org profile: http://www.mnartists.org/artistHome.do?rid=64976

Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/PaintingsByMichaelSchmidt#

Bio~ 

Michael Schmidt was born in Canada. He studied History and English at the University of Toronto and Painting and Illustration at Ontario's Sheridan College. Michael moved to Saint Paul in 1993 and worked as an illustrator and scenic painter before becoming a full-time artist six years ago. His work has been exhibited in solo and group shows throughout the Twin Cities.   Michael's paintings are found in private and corporate collections in the U.S., Canada and Great Britain.

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

My paintings are about the act of painting as much as they are about any specific subject matter.  I usually choose mundane, everyday subjects as the starting point for my paintings.  Anonymous urban landscapes and everyday objects are common themes.  I see my work as primarily abstract art.  I am more interested in composition, color, texture and rhythm as much as I am about any real narrative in my work.  I am currently working on a series of semi-abstract urban-themed canvases as well as a series of paintings inspired by the waves and shoreline of Lake Superior.  In these new paintings, the subject matter disappears almost completely.

Evidence

"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? 

My hope is that my artwork gives the viewer the chance to slow down and take a second look at the world around them.  We are surrounded by interesting visual experiences in the most common places.  I have had people tell me that after seeing my urban artwork, they never looked at a power-line or water tower the same way again.  I also hope that the viewer takes the time to get a little closer to my paintings, lets the subject matter disappear and appreciates the way the paint is applied.

Heading Home

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

I had an art teacher in college who always went on about the "miles and miles of canvas" we would have to go through if we were serious about painting.  I am beginning to understand what she meant.  Art is something you have to devote yourself to for an entire lifetime.

Tell me about your work space and your creative process.

I am fortunate to have an easy 40 foot commute to my backyard studio in Saint Paul each day.  Once the family is off to work and school, I bring my cup of coffee out to the studio, put on some music and start painting.  I usually have two or three paintings on the go, with a couple more in the idea stages, so I am never at a loss for something to do each day.  I work with oil paint and wax medium applied with large scraper tools and palette knives. My paintings develop pretty quickly. I often find myself racing against the clock as I like to keep a wet and workable paint surface.

I also share a studio space in the Northrup King Building in Minneapolis.  I use this studio occasionally to work in, but more as a place to exhibit my paintings as well as a great venue to connect with the public and other artists.

Workspace

Who are some of the Minnesota artists you enjoy?

Jack Dale http://www.mnartists.org/artistHome.do?rid=10688

Allen Brewer http://allenbrewer.com

Davie Duke http://www.davieduke.com

Kirsten Arden http://www.kristenardenstudio.com/

Shawn Mcnulty http://www.shawnmcnulty.com/

Jim Conaway http://www.trafficzoneart.com/artists/conawayj/gallery.aspx

The 8 artists I share my studio space in Minneapolis with: http://studiopolisarts.weebly.com

Sliced

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

An easy and obvious answer would be The Minneapolis Institute of Art http://www.artsmia.org/ Every time I visit the M.I.A. I am reminded how fortunate we are to have a world class art museum in our city (and a free one at that).  Every time I visit I find something new.  Lately the contemporary galleries, especially the Minnesota Artist Exhibition Galleries have been very impressive.

Other favorite art destinations:

The Grand Hand Gallery http://thegrandhand.com/

Traffic Zone Center for Visual Art http://www.trafficzoneart.com/

Rosalux Gallery http://rosaluxgallery.com/

AZ Gallery http://theazgallery.org/

Northrup King Building http://www.northrupkingbuilding.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?

For local art happenings:

arthounds http://minnesota.publicradio.org/projects/ongoing/art-hounds/

nemaa http://www.nemaa.org/

mpls art http://mplsart.com/

minnesota original http://www.mnoriginal.org/

I also like to spend time online seeing what is going on in the art scene of other cities:

San Francisco:  http://www.artbusiness.com/openings.html

Toronto and Montreal:  http://www.slateartguide.com/

London: http://contemporarylondonart.blogspot.com/

Undone

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

I am currently working on a new body of work for a show at the Grand Hand Gallery in Saint Paul http://thegrandhand.com/ opening on June 2, 2012

I will also be showing my work at Art-A-Whirl, May 18-20, 2012  Stop by studio #423 in the Northrup King Building to see some of my new work. http://www.northrupkingbuilding.com/