Addie Larson
Name: Addie Larson
City/State: Northfield, MN
Email: larsonam at stolaf.edu
Website: www.addielarson.com
Facebook page: Addie Larson
Twitter: @AddieLarson
Etsy Page: Artistic Addie
Pinterest: Addie Larson
Bio~ I’m from Ely, MN and in touch with nature. Soon to be St. Olaf grad, looking forward to diving into the Minneapolis art scene after college. I’ve studied art in New York City and Italy, which has opened my mind to the vast number of possibilities in the arts. Filled with fresh and optimistic ideas, which is portrayed through my watercolor and photography.
Tell me about your work? What are you currently working on? How is this different from past projects?
My painting uses vibrant colors and a palimpsest of layers. My photography captures the raw emotion of people. I’m interesting in portraying feelings that aren’t typically captured. I’m currently working on my senior exhibition at St. Olaf. I’ve pulled the concept from the ancient chakra theory. Each week I meditate on a different chakra, or center of energy within the body. For the piece, I’m using watercolor as a three dimensional installation. I’m hoping to reveal my personal progression through my art as I become a more balanced person.
Also, I’m currently planning my next creative adventure: A Photographic Journey of Hope in America. I plan to travel to each state’s small town named “Hope.” While there, I’ll document the hopeful stories of the people through photographs. After four months of traveling, I’ll publish an art book that shares stories of hope with everyone. Lately the news has been so negative, I want to bring back optimism into the lives of Americans! I’m fundraising for my journey on Kickstarter. This body of work is different than any I’ve done before in the way that it relies on other people to be successful. I’m leaving many parts of my journey up to chance so that I have the flexibility to capture reality. Furthermore, this piece deals with a subject matter that we can all relate to. It’s extremely personal to me, but also a universal concept. (https://www.kickstarter.com/
How did you decide to become an artist?
I tried my hardest to become a business woman or architect or accountant, something rational. My heart kept pulling me towards art, and I’m so happy to be doing what I love. Not a day goes by that I wish I had chosen a different path.
What was the best advice given to you as an artist?
Let your creativity flow with the rhythm of life. Always be open to unexpected possibilities. If you try to plan your art career perfectly, you might miss out on a life-changing opportunity for your art.
Many artists struggle to find ways to sell their art. How do you sell your work? How do you market yourself?
I’m also a natural marketer, so I don’t mind promoting my art whenever I have the opportunity. I sell at local craft fairs, and in the past have posted art on my Etsy site: Artistic Addie. I use my website (www.addielarson.com) as a portfolio, rather than marketplace. I’ve approached many local businesses and sell my art through them. (Grand Frames and Gifts on Excelsior, The Pebble Spa, Piragis Northwoods Company, and The Front Porch Coffee and Tea)
Who are some of the Minnesota artists you enjoy?
Pat Dunn Walker (www.patriciadunnwalker.com)
Jill Ewald (www.jillewald.com)
Marissa j Murdy photography (on Facebook)
Jesse Landa (jesselanephotography.weebly.
Jenna Mahr (jennamahr.com)
Mary Ellen Lien watercolor
David Hastings (www.davidwilliamh.tumblr.com)
If I were to follow you around to see art in Minnesota, which places would we go? What would we see?
Northfield Arts Guild-constantly changing gallery space filled with mixed media, ceramics, watercolor, and more
In addition to www.Local-Artist-Interviews.
Etsy and Pinterest, Instagram and Facebook, also look to blogs
Do you have any exhibits to promote in the near future?
My senior art exhibit opens at Flaten Art Museum on April 27th.
My Kickstarter page for my Photographic Journey of Hope in America will be active until April 7th. Please contribute, spread the word on Facebook and Twitter, and email those who would be interested in taking part. As you may know, Kickstarter is an all-or-nothing crowdfunding platform; if we don’t reach our fundraising goal by April 7th, we will receive none of the funds and you will not be under any obligation. Watch the video here:
What can we expect to see from you in the future?You’ll see lots of hope! I’ll be traveling with a friend of mine that is a writer. Through our works we hope to prove that there is still a lot of hope left in America. I’ve already been getting a ton of emails from people willing to help out, which goes to show that when we all use our individual talents and work together we are capable of tackling the unimaginable: in this case putting an end to violence in America. I hope to raise enough funds from my book to make a substantial donation to the Boys and Girls Clubs across America.
Addie Larson
