Eleanor McGough - Painter

Deluge, acrylic on panel 48h x 72w

Eleanor McGough

Name: Eleanor McGough
City/State: Minneapolis MN
Email: EFMartist@aol.com
Website: www.mnartists.org/Eleanor_McGough
MNartist.org profile: www.mnartists.org/Eleanor_McGough

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

 My paintings commingle forms from biology, textiles, maps, and geometry to convey a kaleidoscope world of interconnectedness.

Currently my focus is on large 4ft x 6ft acrylic paintings that are created on two merged panels. These works have subtle echoes of land or seascapes, and the merged panels have a reference to Asian screen paintings.

Working on this larger scale is really physically engaging and the works more easily become “a place” in my perception- as if one could disappear in to them.

The Marsh, acrylic on panel 48h x 72w

"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 believe art can transport people, even if only for a brief blip, into a separate realm or way of thinking. 

In my own work, I hope to reveal simultaneity between the grand scale and the miniscule -- a sense of infinite interconnectedness (through reoccurring pattern) of all things.

Jettison, acrylic on panel 36h x 72w

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

 My Father, who was an architect, once told me that the path to success (however you want to define that term) as an artist is an extra long road.  He said I should have perseverance above all else.

Tell me about your work space and your creative process.

Currently Craig Bell and I share a studio in the Northup King Building (#369)  in NE Minneapolis.

My works start out with loose very randomly applied paint, and I build layers this way while intermittently slowing things down with interjections of tiny details and delicately painted line forms.

I tend to work either on the floor or a large work table, preferring for the work to be flat as I work on it, although I do end up moving the panels all around when I want to make the paint move or drip on it’s own accord.  It becomes a balancing act of getting paint to do what paint does when thrown, splattered or dripped, with more deliberate and calculated decisions painted by my hand.

Aerial View III, acrylic on panel 24x24

Who are some of the Minnesota artists you enjoy?

 Linda Deg Lee  www.lindadeglee.com

Jack Pavlik  www.mnartists.org/Jack_Pavlik

Jantje Visscher  www.jantevisscher.com

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

Groveland Gallery (Justin Terlecki paintings, Jeremy Lund prints) www.grovelandgallery.com

Como Park Conservatory- the Pavilion, the Japanese Garden, the Sunken Garden  www.comozooconservatory.org

Minneapolis Institute of Art—I love seeing the rotating shows in the MAEP gallery  www.artsmia.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?

MNArtists -  www.mnartists.org

quodlibetica- www.quodlibetica.com

Fleeting, acrylic on panel 48h x 72w

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

I will be part of Art-a-Whirl May 18-20, 2012 in the Northrup King Building in NE Mpls. Studio #369.

In 2013, I have a solo show at The Phipps Center for the Arts in Hudson WI.

Craig Bell - Painter

Chandler Blvd - 12 x 16" oil on canvas

Craig Bell

Name: Craig Bell
City/State: St. Paul, MN
Email: wilsonbell@usfamily.net
MNartist.org profile: http://www.mnartists.org/craig_bell
Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/profile.php?id=100002254865863

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

I work in oils on canvas and panel. Until a few months ago, my paintings were of quite identifiable subjects. A voyueristic view of the urban landscape has long been a favorite theme of mine to follow. My latest is a series of nocturnal L.A. street scapes, which has allowed me to mix "bad" photorealism with a relaxed form of abstraction. 

This year has been a time of transition for me, kind of like jumping off a cliff - exhilarating and frightening at once. Everything that I have painted since January has been primarily abstraction. I am enjoying myself and liking the new pieces. I think this is a direction I will follow, it feels so natural.

Auto Repair - 12 x 16" oil on canvas

"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?

An audience is a fickle bunch. It goes back to the saying, "You can't please everyone all the time." It is a bit of a paradox, that we as artists do this for ourselves, yet we need some sense of appreciation. I do enjoy what I do and hope it shows in my work. If there were to be a statement, I think it is the work itself. I strive to be original, whatever that means. While I work on a canvas, I know it will likely outlast me by many years. This is what I'll be remembered for, and it should shine because in essence, it is me.

Starship - 24 x 30" oil on canvas

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

With a good audience, an artist's ego may grow.

Tell me about your work space and your creative process.

My creative process beings and ends in the studio (Northrup King #369). When I'm there, I control that space, that environment, the lighting, and music - always need to have music. Get on that canvas and see what happens. Let the unknown be the guide.

Northrup King Building #369

Who are some of the Minnesota artists you enjoy?

Many others, but here are a few of the people I am most influenced by, for many reasons:

Megan Bell - http://www.meganbell.net

Duane Ditty - http://www.duaneditty.com

Matthew Madson - http://www.mnartists.org/matthew_madson

Jack Dale - http://www.mnartists.org/jack_dale

Eleanor McGough - http://mnartists/eleanor_mcgough

Hard Landing - 30 x 40" oil on canvas

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

A large part of my day would be at the Northrup King Building. I get to visit with friends and artists almost every day. I enjoy the Walker, MIA and The Groveland.

Encroachment - 12 x 12" oil on panel

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.local-artist-interviews.com

http://www.nemaa.org

http://www.springboardforthearts.org

http://www.MNArtists.org

http://facebook

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

Currently, I am working on new abstracts that will be showing in my studio during Art A Whirl, May 18, 19, 20, 2012 Northrup King Building, Sudio 369

Craig Bell

Jack Dale - Painter

Beginnings

Jack Dale

Name: Jack Dale
City/State: Cannon Falls, MN
Email: jack@fat-mouse.com

LAI Featured Artist Page: http://laifeaturedartists.blogspot.com/2012/04/jack-dale.html
MNartist.org profile:  http://www.mnartists.org/artistHome.do?rid=10688
Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100000518742346

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

I'm painting for an upcoming show at the Bloomington Theater and Art Center. The paintings are abstracts but I am creating them with the idea of a natural origin. Landscape, water, earth, sky etc. You can see some of the work here.

"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 don't try to make a statement. I attempt to create a painting that will be aesthetically pleasing.

I want the viewers to determine what the painting means to them. I believe that we all bring our

own experience, bias, and predispositions when looking at art work. I hope each viewer will

remember my paintings ( not for what they might represent ) but for the feelings that they evoke.   

Rapid's Magic

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

I read an article years ago that stated: never be afraid to ruin a painting. I've tried to follow that

advice ever since.

Tell me about your work space and your creative process.

I have a studio in the Northrup King Building in N. E. Mpls. It is 650 square feet that allows me to create and show my paintings. My actual work area is approximately 12' x 18' and this is just right.

My process is very spontaneous, intuitive and reactive. Most of the time I am starting with little

or no preconceived idea. By placing marks, lines, scribbles etc. on my surface I am able to build from there. Every time I address the canvas it seems like I am reacting to some earlier response. I can get lost within this working style and it feels good.

Spring

Who are some of the Minnesota artists you enjoy?

That's a tough question because there are so many talented artists that I like and respect.

I'll list a few here but by no means are these the only people that I should be giving  props to.

Craig Bell http://www.mnartists.org/craig_bell

Megan Bell Honigman http://www.meganbell.net

Duane Ditty http://duaneditty.com

James Wrayge jameswrayge@yahoo.com

Matt Madson http://www.mnartists.org/matthew_madson

Shannyn Joy Potter http://www.shannynjoypotter.com

Teri Bloch http://www.mnartists.org/teri_bloch

Sandra Dowd http://sandradowd.com

Dan Kaniess http://www.madebyhuman.com/

Mike Welton  http://mikeweltonart.com
 

Fall

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

I like to go to fellow artists' exhibitions. Visit the MIA, Walker. Visit with the many talented artists in the Northrup King Bldg. and to Rosalux Gallery where I just became a member. http://www.rosaluxgallery.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? (Provide links)

Typically I'll check the mnartists.org site for interesting artists. The NEMAA site is also good.

Winter

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

I have an exhibition starting April 13, 2012 (with an artist reception on April 13 from 6 - 8 p.m.) at the Bloomington Theatre & Art Center to May 18. 2012. I am showing along with Danny Saathoff.   http://www.bloomingtonartcenter.com/

I will also be partaking in Art-A-Whirl at my studio 393 at the Northrup King Building (NE MPls) on May 18,19 and 20, 2012. See more at http://www.northrupkingbuilding.com/

http://www.bloomingtonartcenter.com/Pages/Exhibitions.htm

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