Chicken Little's Surprise
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
