Eddie Hamilton - Painter

South Side Pride,Eddie Hamilton, 2009
60” x 62”, Acrylic on Canvas

Name: Eddie Hamilton
City/State: Minneapolis, MN
Email: eddie@painteddiepaint.com        
Website: www.painteddiepaint.com
MNartist.org profile: http://www.mnartists.org/artistHome.do?rid=9128
Facebook page: Eddie Hamilton
Twitter: @painteddiepaint.com              
Etsy Page: NA


Bio~
Eddie Hamilton’s work is primarily acrylic on canvas but also includes mixed media on wood panel. His direct and playful work represents the emotion, energy, and interactions of people in their communities. Eddie’s paintings are developed after research and reflection on the concept to be represented. Currently, his work is the result of studying gentrification and interpersonal human urban contact. Acrylics, ink, and crayon are used because of the ability to quickly apply and layer these materials resulting in a continuous flow of work in one sitting. His visual representation of people and the urban setting has been greatly influenced by his childhood in California. His fascination with communities and the urban life is a result of living in vastly different areas as a child and an adult search for a sense of a community to call his own.

The Bishop and The Piper (Hamline University),
Eddie Hamilton, 2010
48” x 72”, Acrylic on Canvas

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

My new project is thanks to a 2012 Artist Initiative grant from the Minnesota State Arts Board. The goal of The Shadows Project is to bring awareness to the Minnesota public about the challenges and successes in recent years when it comes to the inclusion of people living with disabilities.

I will spend a period of time with a person with a mild to severe disability (partner) to gain an understanding of their interaction with their community. Depending on the relationship developed with the partner, our time together can range from one day up to a week or more. During my research I will interview the partner, their family, and community members they interact with. I will also capture images that represent my partner’s physical environment. Observational notes and photography will be used to document my partner’s interaction with their environment.

The result of the time with my partner will have three outcomes. One: A personal relationship formed between us. Two: A short biography of my partner and their community interaction. Three: An 8’ x 16’ painting showing my interpretation of my partner’s interaction with their community and the opportunity to raise awareness of the unique way people with disabilities interact with their community through exhibition of the work at my studio, on my website, and future public exhibition. The scale of the paintings is important because it seemingly allows the viewer to walk into the setting I have illustrated.

The scale of the paintings from this project is new territory for me as well as the research time that is needed before I even begin painting. This is very new for me, I usually paint from only my perspective but it seems that there is an opportunity to walk in another’s shoes for a while as well.

Moses,
Eddie Hamilton, 2010
48” x 72”, Acrylic on Canvas

How did you decide to become an artist?

So, I was talking with a friend recently about how I wonder if I am an artist. My argument was that I could stop making my work and could move onto something else and be fine. For example, I’m completing school this year and earning my initial teaching license in special education. I can see committing myself to education and putting painting behind me. Can an artist even consider not making new things?

But, I do like to make things because it is a great way to communicate, especially for me and my reserved personality. I guess I’ll keep painting because it is a way to say what I have to say. And if I was to label the kind of art I make I think it is definitely moving in the direction of folk art if anything.

Who's Afraid of the Big Bad Neighborhood
  Eddie Hamilton, 2011
  8' x 8', Acrylic on Panel

What was the best advice given to you as an artist?
“What else can you do?” – Merl Clercx my high school art teacher. He told me this after I had completed another life-like drawing.

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

I don’t feel like I do much, but over time my work has been out there for a lot of people to see. I send out an email newsletter about 4 times a year and have a web site that I update once in a while. My most effective marketing tool has been having a studio in the Northrup King Building for 8 or 9 years. The longer I am there the more people know where to find me during art crawls or First Thursdays.

Saying yes to offers to show work has also been successful for me. I’ve said yes to a lot of coffee shops, restaurants, and other businesses when they ask me to show my work in their space.

Who are some of the Minnesota artists you enjoy?

Far too many to compile a list, right now I enjoy the murals along Lake Street and through my South Minneapolis Neighborhood. I don’t know them all but I like what Jimmy Longoria has been doing, http://www.jimmylongoria.com/

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

I prefer to be inspired on the street or on the road someplace. Being surprised by art in unusual places is exciting like driving the alleys in South Minneapolis you can see murals, paintings in the garbage etc.

If I was to venture in a gallery it would be Soo Vac, Rosalux, or the MAEP exhibition at the MIA.
http://rosaluxgallery.com/,

http://www.soovac.org/

http://www2.artsmia.org/wiki/index.php/Main_Page

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 have to honestly say that I don’t usually go anywhere to find new artists aside from what I see on the street or hear about from other artists. I suppose that is part of me not always thinking I am an artist. The website I probably visit the most is Interact’s website.

http://www.interactcenter.com/index.html

It Happened Over The Course of Several Years,
Eddie Hamilton, 2010
48” x 72”, Acrylic on Canvas,

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

I’ll be focusing on The Shadows Project this year and producing a new body of work that communicates the perspective of individuals living with a disability as they interact with their community.

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

Laura Hallen - Mixed-Media

Laura Hallen

Name: Laura Hallen
City/State: Minneapolis, MN
Email: laura@laurahallen.com
Website: www.laurahallen.com
MNartist.org profile: mnartists.org/laura_hallen
Facebook page: http://facebook.com/laura.hallen

Bio~
Tell me about your work? What are you currently working on? How is this different from past projects?
Currently I am a multi-media artist with a strong background in painting. My primary medium is Plexiglas and Plexiglas boxes, where I play with the internal landscape within the box, and the external façade outside of the box. There is tension and play between 2 and 3 Dimensions of my work. I have been through many phases with my art. I started as an oil painter on canvas, focusing on the figure. I then discovered Plexiglas. I have been exploring the versatility of Plexiglas with paint, photography, multi-media, pigmented shellac, and found objects. I recently went through a phase with my work that involved marshmallows, tutus, streamers, and feather boas.

My work has taken a turn to a deeper look into how we present ourselves to the world, and my boxes have become metaphors for skin. My work engages the contrast between how we present ourselves in the public versus the private interior lives we each have. Much like how we present ourselves to the world with the importance placed on the exterior, I am curious of what is on inside; dazzling, bound up, complex, fantastic messes each of us contain.

Humans are fragile. Humans are vulnerable to pressures and stress, especially in light of social networking and how we put our best face forward. More and more we are asked to present a perfect image of who we are while we become disconnected to the true person we are inside. I represent the balance and tension between what is on the surface and what is in the interior space in my Plexiglas boxes.

"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 art is an expression of where I am in my life at any given moment. My constant practice is to try to be in the moment, and embrace whatever emotions I may be experiencing. The Good and the Bad.
I want to make a bold statement with my work, with images that will grow with time, and have the viewer constantly discover new perspectives on my art.

I’m hoping my art will pique the viewer’s curious and playful side, as well as a thoughtful side, with an appreciation of Beauty.

What was the best advice given to you as an artist?
Don’t judge yourself too much, and it’s ok to make an ass out of your self once in a while.

Tell me about your work space and your creative process.
I share a studio in the Northrup King Building with Eddie Hamilton and Cody Kiser. I couldn’t have asked for better studio mates. (Check out our spoof advertisement for last year’s Art-A-Whirl. I usually start with an empty Plexiglas box and find inspiration with the size and shape of the box. I work on both sides of the Plexiglas with pigmented shellac and use a lot of silicone while gluing materials down to the background. A lot of my work has elements of framing to it, without the frame. My work involves a lot of assembly and hardware. Some projects take longer than others, and some I can bang out quickly. It depends on how inspired I am, and if the air conditioner is working well in the studio.

Who are some of the Minnesota artists you enjoy?
There is so much talent in this city with such amazing resources!
I love:
Josie Lewis for her luminescent resin cubes: http://josielewis.com/
Alison Hiltner for her scientific, botanical installations: http://www.alisonhiltner.com/
Gregory Euclide for his miniature forest installations: http://www.gregoryeuclide.com/
Casey Opstad for his polyurethane sheets and landscapes: http://www.caseyopstad.com/
Cody Kiser for his interior paintings: http://www.codykiser.com/
Eddie Hamilton for his playful paintings: http://www.painteddiepaint.com/
Kate Cassanova for her organic sculptures, hermit crab video and photography

If I were to follow you around to see art in Minnesota, which places would we go? What would we see?
Northrup King Building: http://www.northrupkingbuilding.com/
Gallery 122 @ Hang It http://www.hangitinc.com/about_gallery_122.html
Franklin Art Works http://www.franklinartworks.org/
Soo Visual Art Center http://www.soovac.org/
Midway Contemporary Art http://www.midwayart.org/
MCAD Gallery http://mcad.edu/events-fellowships/gallery-exhibitions

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?
MN Original is where it’s at! http://www.mnoriginal.org/art/
Plus I’m always checking L’etoile’s blog for current evens and culture: http://letoilemagazine.blogspot.com/

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

I have 2 shows up right now. I am in a group show at the SooVac called Untitled 8 and a solo show at the Spyhouse on Nicollet Both shows run through August 20th, 2011.

Laura Hallen

Image List:
1. “Boom Goes the Dynamite” 33” x 33” x 4”, tutu, pom-poms, marshmallows, Plexiglas Box, July 2010

2. “Synthetic Hairball” 30” x 30”, Acrylic, beeswax and pigmented shellac on Plexiglas, February 2011

3. “Cruel Nature” 47” x 36” Acrylic on Plexiglas, March 2011

4. “Euphoria” 12” x 7” x 2”, pigmented shellac on Plexiglas, May 2011

5. “Sparkle&Snuff” 42” x 42” x 6”, fabric flowers, pigmented shellac, Plexiglas box, June 2011