Thinking About Art

The Artists Interview Artists Project: The End

With yesterday's post of Jesus de la Rosa's interview, the AIA Project came to a close. At least, that is, the online component of it. The first interview was posted on June 7, 2005 and since then there were 93 interviews. Only 11 artists failed to complete the project after being given the 5 questions to answer. I'm surprised by how low this number is but pleased as well.

While I know the project at times was repetitive, I hope that each interview was insightful in some way. Perhaps it was in how a photographer answered a painter's questions. Or how an artist only answered with brief one sentence answers although they were given a platform to share themself and their work with the world. If nothing else, we got to the see the work of 93 artists from all over the world, artists who we would likely not have seen otherwise.

With this end something new begins. I will be moving forward with an associated book project to document the best interviews (to be selected by a curator). A book will then be published and hopefully, if things go well, a traveling exhibition will be assembled. Only time will tell what comes from this.

As you've likely come to expect, the next project is near. I've decided what it will be but I am unsure if it will be a success or not. It will require artists to do a little more work and at the same time to be selfLESS. These are two challenges that I've come to learn may mean disaster for the project. But I hope some artists will step up to the plate and participate regardless. The announcement for this project will be posted soon.

Thanks to all the artists who participated, visitors who read them, and bloggers who linked to them. I appreciate your efforts!

The final list of interviews:

Juno Doran (questions by James W. Bailey)
Josh Feldman (questions by Joseph Barbaccia)
Lisa Stephenson (questions by Whitney Lynn)
Joseph Barbaccia (questions by Josh Feldman)
James W. Bailey (questions by Matt Hollis)
Matt Hollis (questions by Juno Doran)
Carol Es (questions by James Leonard)
Alexandra Silverthorne (questions by Ami Lahoff)
Christine Buckton Tillman (questions by Carol Es)
Douglas Witmer (questions by Alexandra Silverthorne)
Sky Pape (questions by Douglas Witmer)
Whitney Lynn (questions by Lisa Stephenson)
Heather Levy (questions by Joanne Greenbaum)
Heather Lowe (questions by Samantha Wolov)
Samantha Wolov (questions by Heather Levy)
Timothy McClellan (questions by Heather Lowe)
James Leonard (questions by Sky Pape)
Joanne Greenbaum (questions by Timothy McClellan)
Richard Kooyman (questions by Robert Walton)
Candy Keegan (questions by Warren Craghead)
Robert Walton (questions by Candy Keegan)
John M. Adams (questions by Richard Kooyman)
Prescott Moore Lassman (questions by Mary Addison Hackett)
Mary Addison Hackett (questions by Prescott Moore Lassman)
Andrew Wodzianski (questions by Nathan Manuel & D.Billy)
Nathan Manuel & D.Billy (questions by Andrew Wodzianski)
Michael Janis (questions by Scott Listfield)
Scott Listfield (questions by Michael Janis)
F. Lennox Campello (questions by Sean Hennessy)
Matt Andrade (questions by Adrian Parsons)
Sean Hennessy (questions by F. Lennox Campello)
George Wayne (questions by Michelle McAuliffe)
Eridanus Sellen (questions by Anabela Jevtovic)
Anabela Jevtovic (questions by Eridanus Sellen)
Marianela de la Hoz (questions by A.B. Miner)
Martin Henry (questions by Barbara Johnson-Gresser)
A.B. Miner (questions by George Wayne)
Barbara Johnson-Gresser (questions by Martin Henry)
Adrian Parsons (questions by Matt Andrade)
Heather Schmaedeke (questions by Patricia Hartnett)
Anthony Easton (questions by Melissa Kennedy)
Roz Leibowitz (questions by Anthony Easton)
Melissa Kennedy (questions by Tracy Lee)
Michelle McAuliffe (questions by Marianela de la Hoz)
Tim Folzenlogen (questions by Jason Hanasik)
Rob Willms (questions by Dott Schneider)
Marsha Stein (questions by Gregg Chadwick)
Jason Hanasik (questions by Tim Folzenlogen)
John LeKay (questions by Rosa Naparstek)
Brock Neilson (questions by Richard Vosseller)
Rosa Naparstek (questions by Howard Salmon)
Patricia Hartnett (questions by Verta Reyes)
William Andrews (questions by Bean Gilsdorf)
Howard Salmon (questions by John LeKay)
Corey Amaro (questions by Jason Dean and Matt Nash)
Michael Grayeagle (questions by Chris Ashley)
Marion Boddy-Evans (questions by Deborah Fisher)
Richard Vosseller (questions by Brock Neilson)
Deborah Fisher (questions by Corey Amaro)
Eileen Wold (questions by Michael Grayeagle)
Rob Myers (questions by William Andrews)
Gregg Chadwick (questions by Marsha Stein)
Chris Ashley (questions by Eileen Wold)
Verta Reyes (questions by Heather Schmaedeke)
Jason Dean & Matt Nash (questions by Rob Myers)
Mary Taitt (questions by Adriane Giberson)
Adriane Giberson (questions by Peter Ferko)
Peter Ferko (questions by Amethyst Begley)
Susan Schwake-Larochelle (questions by Jean Hutter)
Jean Hutter (questions by Mary Stebbins Taitt)
Amethyst Begley (questions by Kimberley Lindsley)
Kimberley Lindsley (questions by Susan Schwake-Larochelle)
Prem Singh (questions by Alison Rose)
Erin Antognoli (questions by Karen Winters)
Denis Peterson (questions by Andrea Pratt)
Jennifer Seymour (questions by Erin Antognoli)
Imants Ozers (questions by Denis Peterson)
Mark Malmgren (quesntions by Fiona Ross)
Remi Viger (questions by Brady Hegberg)
Fiona Ross (questions by Susan Constanse)
Susan Constanse (questions by Remi Viger)
Amie Oliver (questions by Christin Ciaccio Briggs)
Christin Ciaccio Briggs (questions by Dawn Whetzel)
Tara Krause (questions by Cathy Breslaw)
Dawn Whetzel (questions by Tara Krause)
Warren Craghead (questions by John M. Adams)
Dwayne Butcher (questions by Miguel Avila)
Zachary Stadel (questions by Walter Logeman)
Miguel Ángel Ávila (questions by Mark Creegan)
Walter Logeman (questions by Dwayne Butcher)
Mark Creegan (questions by Zachary Stadel)
Jennie Rosenbaum (questions by Jesus de la Rosa)
Jesus de la Rosa (questions by Claire Bryan)

Artists Interview Artists: Jesus de la Rosa

Jesus de la Rosa, an artist from McAllen, TX, participates in the Artists Interview Artists Project. Below Jesus responds to another artist's five questions (Claire Bryan from Traralgon, Victoria, Australia). In order to participate, Jesus had to provide me with five questions for some other artist to answer. The assigning of questions to artists is completely random.

Cluster
acrylic, charcoal, velum, lithograph on wooden panel
48" x 48"
2006

1) How/when did you come to the realization that you are an artist?

It's been a twenty-year process from childhood doodles to the completion of a very rigorous graduate art program. Now, I'm into my second year of having an art practice outside of academia. I thought of myself as an artist when I was an undergraduate art student, not so much now. I think it depends how you defined an artist, but I know that I'm a painter and a maker of things.

2) What is your process leading up to starting on a work?

The process of my art making is intellectual and physical. I search for the painting; it begins with chaos and slowly becomes ordered. The symbolism in the paintings centers on the "jaguar rosette markings" these are the black circular shapes with a dot in the center. They represent the numeral one or an individual according Mesoamerican culture. In my paintings the rosettes travel across a landscape in search of utopia. My goal is to create artwork so powerful it challenges the intellect of the individual experiencing it not just visually, but by having a conversation with it.

3) Please describe how you have come to work you chosen medium. Do you dabble with other materials or disciplines?

I have worked and have been introduced to a variety of mediums, from charcoal, oil, digital, video and most recently acrylics. I have been slowly moving away from painting on canvas to wood panels because the surface of the wood gives me so many possibilities. The surface of the paintings is three dimensional and more sculptural now. I would have never done this before graduate school. The program was inter-disiplinary so I learned not restrict my art making and to keep exploring and evolving my art practice.

4) Can you give us some examples of artists whose work you find inspiring or just really love. What is it that draws you to this work?

Damien Hirst, Robert Rauschenberg, Cy Twombly, Andy Goldsworthy, Sigmar Polk, Ray Smith, Dan Flavin, Ana Mendieta, Jim Hodges, Julio Galan, Guillermo Gomez-Pena, Jose Luis Cuevas, Vicente Rojo, Gabriel Orozco, Ann Hamilton, Devorah Sperber and Donald Judd. The the list goes on, but at the moment the work of Donald Judd has been the most influential. At Marfa I heard the sound of silence while visually absorbing Judd's phenomenal minimalist sculptures inside his Chinati Foundation. The space surrounding his work is just as important as his sculptures, as a result context became really important to me. An object becomes artwork when we give it that value and the space in which the object becomes artwork plays a paramount role in this value system. I also realized that as a painter, I have a lot of work ahead of me.

5) Do you have any hints for staying productive and focused in your art making

There are a lot of daily chores besides my nine to five job. I go to my studio space as time permits; usually all day Saturday or Sunday and I work on drawings at my apartment after work. Quiet, music, solitude, and good company all help me stay focused on my creative process. Entering juried shows also helps me stay productive by working toward a deadline. I also invest in myself, instead of buying a stereo for my car or a nice shirt, I'll buy a tool that I need at the studio. I go to as many art openings and art museums as possible, because these events and places inspire me to continue my art practice. Being artistically active in my community and with other artists also fuels my productivity.

Migration Continued
acrylic, vellum, lithograph on wood panel
19" x 29"
2005

Previous Interviews:
Juno Doran (questions by James W. Bailey)
Josh Feldman (questions by Joseph Barbaccia)
Lisa Stephenson (questions by Whitney Lynn)
Joseph Barbaccia (questions by Josh Feldman)
James W. Bailey (questions by Matt Hollis)
Matt Hollis (questions by Juno Doran)
Carol Es (questions by James Leonard)
Alexandra Silverthorne (questions by Ami Lahoff)
Christine Buckton Tillman (questions by Carol Es)
Douglas Witmer (questions by Alexandra Silverthorne)
Sky Pape (questions by Douglas Witmer)
Whitney Lynn (questions by Lisa Stephenson)
Heather Levy (questions by Joanne Greenbaum)
Heather Lowe (questions by Samantha Wolov)
Samantha Wolov (questions by Heather Levy)
Timothy McClellan (questions by Heather Lowe)
James Leonard (questions by Sky Pape)
Joanne Greenbaum (questions by Timothy McClellan)
Richard Kooyman (questions by Robert Walton)
Candy Keegan (questions by Warren Craghead)
Robert Walton (questions by Candy Keegan)
John M. Adams (questions by Richard Kooyman)
Prescott Moore Lassman (questions by Mary Addison Hackett)
Mary Addison Hackett (questions by Prescott Moore Lassman)
Andrew Wodzianski (questions by Nathan Manuel & D.Billy)
Nathan Manuel & D.Billy (questions by Andrew Wodzianski)
Michael Janis (questions by Scott Listfield)
Scott Listfield (questions by Michael Janis)
F. Lennox Campello (questions by Sean Hennessy)
Matt Andrade (questions by Adrian Parsons)
Sean Hennessy (questions by F. Lennox Campello)
George Wayne (questions by Michelle McAuliffe)
Eridanus Sellen (questions by Anabela Jevtovic)
Anabela Jevtovic (questions by Eridanus Sellen)
Marianela de la Hoz (questions by A.B. Miner)
Martin Henry (questions by Barbara Johnson-Gresser)
A.B. Miner (questions by George Wayne)
Barbara Johnson-Gresser (questions by Martin Henry)
Adrian Parsons (questions by Matt Andrade)
Heather Schmaedeke (questions by Patricia Hartnett)
Anthony Easton (questions by Melissa Kennedy)
Roz Leibowitz (questions by Anthony Easton)
Melissa Kennedy (questions by Tracy Lee)
Michelle McAuliffe (questions by Marianela de la Hoz)
Tim Folzenlogen (questions by Jason Hanasik)
Rob Willms (questions by Dott Schneider)
Marsha Stein (questions by Gregg Chadwick)
Jason Hanasik (questions by Tim Folzenlogen)
John LeKay (questions by Rosa Naparstek)
Brock Neilson (questions by Richard Vosseller)
Rosa Naparstek (questions by Howard Salmon)
Patricia Hartnett (questions by Verta Reyes)
William Andrews (questions by Bean Gilsdorf)
Howard Salmon (questions by John LeKay)
Corey Amaro (questions by Jason Dean and Matt Nash)
Michael Grayeagle (questions by Chris Ashley)
Marion Boddy-Evans (questions by Deborah Fisher)
Richard Vosseller (questions by Brock Neilson)
Deborah Fisher (questions by Corey Amaro)
Eileen Wold (questions by Michael Grayeagle)
Rob Myers (questions by William Andrews)
Gregg Chadwick (questions by Marsha Stein)
Chris Ashley (questions by Eileen Wold)
Verta Reyes (questions by Heather Schmaedeke)
Jason Dean & Matt Nash (questions by Rob Myers)
Mary Taitt (questions by Adriane Giberson)
Adriane Giberson (questions by Peter Ferko)
Peter Ferko (questions by Amethyst Begley)
Susan Schwake-Larochelle (questions by Jean Hutter)
Jean Hutter (questions by Mary Stebbins Taitt)
Amethyst Begley (questions by Kimberley Lindsley)
Kimberley Lindsley (questions by Susan Schwake-Larochelle)
Prem Singh (questions by Alison Rose)
Erin Antognoli (questions by Karen Winters)
Denis Peterson (questions by Andrea Pratt)
Jennifer Seymour (questions by Erin Antognoli)
Imants Ozers (questions by Denis Peterson)
Mark Malmgren (quesntions by Fiona Ross)
Remi Viger (questions by Brady Hegberg)
Fiona Ross (questions by Susan Constanse)
Susan Constanse (questions by Remi Viger)
Amie Oliver (questions by Christin Ciaccio Briggs)
Christin Ciaccio Briggs (questions by Dawn Whetzel)
Tara Krause (questions by Cathy Breslaw)
Dawn Whetzel (questions by Tara Krause)
Warren Craghead (questions by John M. Adams)
Dwayne Butcher (questions by Miguel Avila)
Zachary Stadel (questions by Walter Logeman)
Miguel Ángel Ávila (questions by Mark Creegan)
Walter Logeman (questions by Dwayne Butcher)
Mark Creegan (questions by Zachary Stadel)
Jennie Rosenbaum (questions by Jesus de la Rosa)

Artists Interview Artists: Jennie Rosenbaum

Jennie Rosenbaum, an artist from Melbourne, Australia, participates in the Artists Interview Artists Project. Below Jennie responds to another artist's five questions (Jesus de la Rosa from McAllen, TX). In order to participate, Jennie had to provide me with five questions for some other artist to answer. The assigning of questions to artists is completely random.

Spirit
Oil on Canvas
31" x 20"
2006

1. Is art making important to your health or well being, why or why not?

Very much, I credit my painting with helping me recover and get on with my life after a debilitating injury and chronic pain. When I paint, all worries and pain disappear and I live in the moment. I tend to get very moody if I don't paint in fact, so much so that my husband frequently orders me into my studio - He always knows when I need to paint, it's like an addiction.

2. How or when dose a painting become art and not craft, and what is the difference between the two?

To me, it is emotional content that bridges the gap to art. a piece that the viewer can empathize with and gain some feeling from. If I can create a link with myself as the artist and the viewer then I consider the piece a successful work of art.

3. Why do you think others (non artists) should care about our art practice?

I deal with non-artists a lot and find they appreciate the mystery of the piece. I prefer to share small stories about the paintings or about myself rather than telling them about what blends I use and the techniques involved. I find that a little information helps the non-artist appreciate the works more, but too much can put them off the piece. They seem to be more interested in the artist, to give them background to the work, than to the practice of creating.

4. Why do you continue pursuing an artistic practice and what would make you stop?

I work hard at my art because I feel like half a person if I stop. I keep falling in love with it and my subjects over and over. I stopped once and everything was gray and dull around me - nothing could ever make me go through that again. It's a hard career but it is my pleasure to work long hours to make it a success.

5. Do you look forward to the act of art making or the final product?

The act of creating is an organic process and I love the smells, the feel of paint, the mess and even the little frustrations, the moment of irritation when a piece isn't working, the joy of getting a small section just right, the feeling of bliss when the piece comes together with one tiny change, and the zen like state when it is just the piece and me and the pure sensation of creating.

After painting I love the moment when I see the finished work, and I do allow myself time to appreciate it, blog about it, and hear other reactions to the piece, but I am usually already focussing on the next painting, pose or feeling. I need to allow myself to appreciate the finished work more.

Silf
Acrylic and Gesso on Canvas
36" x 24"
2006

Previous Interviews:
Juno Doran (questions by James W. Bailey)
Josh Feldman (questions by Joseph Barbaccia)
Lisa Stephenson (questions by Whitney Lynn)
Joseph Barbaccia (questions by Josh Feldman)
James W. Bailey (questions by Matt Hollis)
Matt Hollis (questions by Juno Doran)
Carol Es (questions by James Leonard)
Alexandra Silverthorne (questions by Ami Lahoff)
Christine Buckton Tillman (questions by Carol Es)
Douglas Witmer (questions by Alexandra Silverthorne)
Sky Pape (questions by Douglas Witmer)
Whitney Lynn (questions by Lisa Stephenson)
Heather Levy (questions by Joanne Greenbaum)
Heather Lowe (questions by Samantha Wolov)
Samantha Wolov (questions by Heather Levy)
Timothy McClellan (questions by Heather Lowe)
James Leonard (questions by Sky Pape)
Joanne Greenbaum (questions by Timothy McClellan)
Richard Kooyman (questions by Robert Walton)
Candy Keegan (questions by Warren Craghead)
Robert Walton (questions by Candy Keegan)
John M. Adams (questions by Richard Kooyman)
Prescott Moore Lassman (questions by Mary Addison Hackett)
Mary Addison Hackett (questions by Prescott Moore Lassman)
Andrew Wodzianski (questions by Nathan Manuel & D.Billy)
Nathan Manuel & D.Billy (questions by Andrew Wodzianski)
Michael Janis (questions by Scott Listfield)
Scott Listfield (questions by Michael Janis)
F. Lennox Campello (questions by Sean Hennessy)
Matt Andrade (questions by Adrian Parsons)
Sean Hennessy (questions by F. Lennox Campello)
George Wayne (questions by Michelle McAuliffe)
Eridanus Sellen (questions by Anabela Jevtovic)
Anabela Jevtovic (questions by Eridanus Sellen)
Marianela de la Hoz (questions by A.B. Miner)
Martin Henry (questions by Barbara Johnson-Gresser)
A.B. Miner (questions by George Wayne)
Barbara Johnson-Gresser (questions by Martin Henry)
Adrian Parsons (questions by Matt Andrade)
Heather Schmaedeke (questions by Patricia Hartnett)
Anthony Easton (questions by Melissa Kennedy)
Roz Leibowitz (questions by Anthony Easton)
Melissa Kennedy (questions by Tracy Lee)
Michelle McAuliffe (questions by Marianela de la Hoz)
Tim Folzenlogen (questions by Jason Hanasik)
Rob Willms (questions by Dott Schneider)
Marsha Stein (questions by Gregg Chadwick)
Jason Hanasik (questions by Tim Folzenlogen)
John LeKay (questions by Rosa Naparstek)
Brock Neilson (questions by Richard Vosseller)
Rosa Naparstek (questions by Howard Salmon)
Patricia Hartnett (questions by Verta Reyes)
William Andrews (questions by Bean Gilsdorf)
Howard Salmon (questions by John LeKay)
Corey Amaro (questions by Jason Dean and Matt Nash)
Michael Grayeagle (questions by Chris Ashley)
Marion Boddy-Evans (questions by Deborah Fisher)
Richard Vosseller (questions by Brock Neilson)
Deborah Fisher (questions by Corey Amaro)
Eileen Wold (questions by Michael Grayeagle)
Rob Myers (questions by William Andrews)
Gregg Chadwick (questions by Marsha Stein)
Chris Ashley (questions by Eileen Wold)
Verta Reyes (questions by Heather Schmaedeke)
Jason Dean & Matt Nash (questions by Rob Myers)
Mary Taitt (questions by Adriane Giberson)
Adriane Giberson (questions by Peter Ferko)
Peter Ferko (questions by Amethyst Begley)
Susan Schwake-Larochelle (questions by Jean Hutter)
Jean Hutter (questions by Mary Stebbins Taitt)
Amethyst Begley (questions by Kimberley Lindsley)
Kimberley Lindsley (questions by Susan Schwake-Larochelle)
Prem Singh (questions by Alison Rose)
Erin Antognoli (questions by Karen Winters)
Denis Peterson (questions by Andrea Pratt)
Jennifer Seymour (questions by Erin Antognoli)
Imants Ozers (questions by Denis Peterson)
Mark Malmgren (quesntions by Fiona Ross)
Remi Viger (questions by Brady Hegberg)
Fiona Ross (questions by Susan Constanse)
Susan Constanse (questions by Remi Viger)
Amie Oliver (questions by Christin Ciaccio Briggs)
Christin Ciaccio Briggs (questions by Dawn Whetzel)
Tara Krause (questions by Cathy Breslaw)
Dawn Whetzel (questions by Tara Krause)
Warren Craghead (questions by John M. Adams)
Dwayne Butcher (questions by Miguel Avila)
Zachary Stadel (questions by Walter Logeman)
Miguel Ángel Ávila (questions by Mark Creegan)
Walter Logeman (questions by Dwayne Butcher)
Mark Creegan (questions by Zachary Stadel)

Artists Interview Artists: Mark Creegan

Mark Creegan, an artist from Jacksonville, FL, participates in the Artists Interview Artists Project. Below Mark responds to another artist's five questions (Zachary Stadel from Los Angeles). In order to participate, Mark had to provide me with five questions for some other artist to answer. The assigning of questions to artists is completely random.

Cassettes for Moon Colony (detail)
dims vary
Cassette Tapes, Fun Tak, Monofilamant on wall
2006

1. To what extent do you allow yourself to make work that isn't yours? That is, how bound are you to be consistent with the work you've made before?

I like to make work that I am not entirely comfortable with, so change is important. Sometimes I wonder if I am shooting myself in the foot by changing materials and such so much, but I really can’t help it. I find switching up the way you work is important. For example, I recently made a piece completely pre-conceived and executed according to plan, totally contrasting with my usual “letting the process determine the outcome” mode. I learned so much by doing that. Having said that, I do hope consistency on some level is noticed when you consider the entire body of work.

2. Do you have an explicit problem or set of problems that you are trying to solve by making objects or images?

Sometimes I set up some sort of physical problem such as making a particular material appear weightless or working with a given space. Conceptual or thematic issues vary according to the piece, but in general my basic problem is how to make the work engaging, seductive and surprising. Basically, I want a piece to be badass, like someone much smarter than me made it.

3. Do you consciously make your artwork a little ugly (not so easy to digest)?

Some of the materials I work with are inherently cruddy because they are discards or trash. I am not consciously trying to show “the beauty of garbage” or whatever. The materials come the way they are. Having said that, I do like the contrast of using base, stupid, ugly things to make tidy, rational minimalist arrangements. When done right, I think there exists a sadness and a hopefulness about it.

4. How do you know when a work is finished?

When I have finished the case of beer! No, just kidding. Um, I guess I could say the typical “a piece is never finished”, but I don’t think that would be entirely correct. There is a certain degree of “rightness” I am after, or at least some sort of equilibrium. But I recognize the fact that many possible “rightnesses” exist, which manifests in my tendency to keep the materials for my installations loose and free, un-static.

5. Does art serve a function beyond decorating walls?

God I hope so, or I have wasted a ton of time and money on those art books on my shelf! Decoration is a small part of art’s function, but if anyone ever sees me drag my 50 grand- in- art- school- debt butt into the studio to paint pretty pictures of palm trees for little old ladies, PLEASE SHOOT ME!

'Ainting Two
dims vary
paintcan drips and tape on wall
2006

Previous Interviews:
Juno Doran (questions by James W. Bailey)
Josh Feldman (questions by Joseph Barbaccia)
Lisa Stephenson (questions by Whitney Lynn)
Joseph Barbaccia (questions by Josh Feldman)
James W. Bailey (questions by Matt Hollis)
Matt Hollis (questions by Juno Doran)
Carol Es (questions by James Leonard)
Alexandra Silverthorne (questions by Ami Lahoff)
Christine Buckton Tillman (questions by Carol Es)
Douglas Witmer (questions by Alexandra Silverthorne)
Sky Pape (questions by Douglas Witmer)
Whitney Lynn (questions by Lisa Stephenson)
Heather Levy (questions by Joanne Greenbaum)
Heather Lowe (questions by Samantha Wolov)
Samantha Wolov (questions by Heather Levy)
Timothy McClellan (questions by Heather Lowe)
James Leonard (questions by Sky Pape)
Joanne Greenbaum (questions by Timothy McClellan)
Richard Kooyman (questions by Robert Walton)
Candy Keegan (questions by Warren Craghead)
Robert Walton (questions by Candy Keegan)
John M. Adams (questions by Richard Kooyman)
Prescott Moore Lassman (questions by Mary Addison Hackett)
Mary Addison Hackett (questions by Prescott Moore Lassman)
Andrew Wodzianski (questions by Nathan Manuel & D.Billy)
Nathan Manuel & D.Billy (questions by Andrew Wodzianski)
Michael Janis (questions by Scott Listfield)
Scott Listfield (questions by Michael Janis)
F. Lennox Campello (questions by Sean Hennessy)
Matt Andrade (questions by Adrian Parsons)
Sean Hennessy (questions by F. Lennox Campello)
George Wayne (questions by Michelle McAuliffe)
Eridanus Sellen (questions by Anabela Jevtovic)
Anabela Jevtovic (questions by Eridanus Sellen)
Marianela de la Hoz (questions by A.B. Miner)
Martin Henry (questions by Barbara Johnson-Gresser)
A.B. Miner (questions by George Wayne)
Barbara Johnson-Gresser (questions by Martin Henry)
Adrian Parsons (questions by Matt Andrade)
Heather Schmaedeke (questions by Patricia Hartnett)
Anthony Easton (questions by Melissa Kennedy)
Roz Leibowitz (questions by Anthony Easton)
Melissa Kennedy (questions by Tracy Lee)
Michelle McAuliffe (questions by Marianela de la Hoz)
Tim Folzenlogen (questions by Jason Hanasik)
Rob Willms (questions by Dott Schneider)
Marsha Stein (questions by Gregg Chadwick)
Jason Hanasik (questions by Tim Folzenlogen)
John LeKay (questions by Rosa Naparstek)
Brock Neilson (questions by Richard Vosseller)
Rosa Naparstek (questions by Howard Salmon)
Patricia Hartnett (questions by Verta Reyes)
William Andrews (questions by Bean Gilsdorf)
Howard Salmon (questions by John LeKay)
Corey Amaro (questions by Jason Dean and Matt Nash)
Michael Grayeagle (questions by Chris Ashley)
Marion Boddy-Evans (questions by Deborah Fisher)
Richard Vosseller (questions by Brock Neilson)
Deborah Fisher (questions by Corey Amaro)
Eileen Wold (questions by Michael Grayeagle)
Rob Myers (questions by William Andrews)
Gregg Chadwick (questions by Marsha Stein)
Chris Ashley (questions by Eileen Wold)
Verta Reyes (questions by Heather Schmaedeke)
Jason Dean & Matt Nash (questions by Rob Myers)
Mary Taitt (questions by Adriane Giberson)
Adriane Giberson (questions by Peter Ferko)
Peter Ferko (questions by Amethyst Begley)
Susan Schwake-Larochelle (questions by Jean Hutter)
Jean Hutter (questions by Mary Stebbins Taitt)
Amethyst Begley (questions by Kimberley Lindsley)
Kimberley Lindsley (questions by Susan Schwake-Larochelle)
Prem Singh (questions by Alison Rose)
Erin Antognoli (questions by Karen Winters)
Denis Peterson (questions by Andrea Pratt)
Jennifer Seymour (questions by Erin Antognoli)
Imants Ozers (questions by Denis Peterson)
Mark Malmgren (quesntions by Fiona Ross)
Remi Viger (questions by Brady Hegberg)
Fiona Ross (questions by Susan Constanse)
Susan Constanse (questions by Remi Viger)
Amie Oliver (questions by Christin Ciaccio Briggs)
Christin Ciaccio Briggs (questions by Dawn Whetzel)
Tara Krause (questions by Cathy Breslaw)
Dawn Whetzel (questions by Tara Krause)
Warren Craghead (questions by John M. Adams)
Dwayne Butcher (questions by Miguel Avila)
Zachary Stadel (questions by Walter Logeman)
Miguel Ángel Ávila (questions by Mark Creegan)
Walter Logeman (questions by Dwayne Butcher)

Artists Interview Artists: Walter Logeman

Walter Logeman, an artist from Christchurch, New Zealand, participates in the Artists Interview Artists Project. Below Walter responds to another artist's five questions (Dwayne Butcher from Memphis, TN). In order to participate, Walter had to provide me with five questions for some other artist to answer. The assigning of questions to artists is completely random.

1. What is the main idea or thought process behind your work?

Three months ago I began a sketch project with a blog and the commitment to do 1000 digital sketches on my Tablet PC in one year.

Behind it is an old interest, exploring the psyche in cyberspace. I am a psychotherapist and I saw the psychological potential in the new media because of its elusive but evocative depth, akin to the collective unconscious.

With the advent of drawing software, blogging, the Tablet PC and pigment ink archival printers, a new sphere for expression & creativity has opened. I want to explore it, and to re-kindle my childhood interest in drawing which has been dormant for about 50 years. My work is a self conscious and reflective endeavour.

Already I have some unexpected insights I am talking about them on my blog. While my work may seem anything but avant guard I think the cyberspace context of it is on the intersection of personal blogging, Tablet technology and pigment ink printing and that will be more important & explored more consciously in the future.

2. Explain what happens when first get to the studio.

My laptop is the studio. The camera is an extension of the studio, an ally and also the "robotic cyclops" as David Hockney called it. I think The real studio is a state of mind. Nothing much happens till there is a moment where there is a perfect storm of media, imagination, images and desire flooding together. Putting marks down might be the start or the end of a process to get to that point.

3. Who are some of your historically favorite artists and who in the contemporary art world are you looking at?

I like work where the essence of the painter and the subject comes through strongly in the lines, De Vinci, van Gogh, Cezanne, Monet and Picasso can do that. They capture the essence. I discovered I liked is Edouard Vuillard, and the Intimisme school, and I am attracted to the work of some art bloggers, the simple ink lines and felt washes that Janey of janeysjourney does, and the flair of the realism of Duane Keiser.

4. What is the greatest piece/show/installation you have seen and which piece/show/installation do you wish to see?

I have just been to a wonderful Giacometti exhibition with many of his works in our local gallery. I have seen exhibitions visiting New Zealand of Monet, the Preraphaelites, Pollack, Warhol. And of course there is very good NZ art.

My answer to this question is a little strange - I want to see the buildings designed by the architect Louis Kahn. I have just read a book about his philosophy of architecture and it his neoplatonist approach -
asking what the buildings want. It is like the Matisse phrase "the desire of the line". He designed the Salk research buildings inspired by the idea that Salk wanted Picasso to visit!

5. When did you first realize you wanted to be an artist.

Young, and even though my father was an art enthusiast he discouraged me, he was still in fear of war & depression. It is only now that I am reviving the early impulse and I wish I had done it much earlier. However, perhaps my journey into the psyche and the online world are excellent pre-requisites for this 1000 digital sketch project.

Previous Interviews:
Juno Doran (questions by James W. Bailey)
Josh Feldman (questions by Joseph Barbaccia)
Lisa Stephenson (questions by Whitney Lynn)
Joseph Barbaccia (questions by Josh Feldman)
James W. Bailey (questions by Matt Hollis)
Matt Hollis (questions by Juno Doran)
Carol Es (questions by James Leonard)
Alexandra Silverthorne (questions by Ami Lahoff)
Christine Buckton Tillman (questions by Carol Es)
Douglas Witmer (questions by Alexandra Silverthorne)
Sky Pape (questions by Douglas Witmer)
Whitney Lynn (questions by Lisa Stephenson)
Heather Levy (questions by Joanne Greenbaum)
Heather Lowe (questions by Samantha Wolov)
Samantha Wolov (questions by Heather Levy)
Timothy McClellan (questions by Heather Lowe)
James Leonard (questions by Sky Pape)
Joanne Greenbaum (questions by Timothy McClellan)
Richard Kooyman (questions by Robert Walton)
Candy Keegan (questions by Warren Craghead)
Robert Walton (questions by Candy Keegan)
John M. Adams (questions by Richard Kooyman)
Prescott Moore Lassman (questions by Mary Addison Hackett)
Mary Addison Hackett (questions by Prescott Moore Lassman)
Andrew Wodzianski (questions by Nathan Manuel & D.Billy)
Nathan Manuel & D.Billy (questions by Andrew Wodzianski)
Michael Janis (questions by Scott Listfield)
Scott Listfield (questions by Michael Janis)
F. Lennox Campello (questions by Sean Hennessy)
Matt Andrade (questions by Adrian Parsons)
Sean Hennessy (questions by F. Lennox Campello)
George Wayne (questions by Michelle McAuliffe)
Eridanus Sellen (questions by Anabela Jevtovic)
Anabela Jevtovic (questions by Eridanus Sellen)
Marianela de la Hoz (questions by A.B. Miner)
Martin Henry (questions by Barbara Johnson-Gresser)
A.B. Miner (questions by George Wayne)
Barbara Johnson-Gresser (questions by Martin Henry)
Adrian Parsons (questions by Matt Andrade)
Heather Schmaedeke (questions by Patricia Hartnett)
Anthony Easton (questions by Melissa Kennedy)
Roz Leibowitz (questions by Anthony Easton)
Melissa Kennedy (questions by Tracy Lee)
Michelle McAuliffe (questions by Marianela de la Hoz)
Tim Folzenlogen (questions by Jason Hanasik)
Rob Willms (questions by Dott Schneider)
Marsha Stein (questions by Gregg Chadwick)
Jason Hanasik (questions by Tim Folzenlogen)
John LeKay (questions by Rosa Naparstek)
Brock Neilson (questions by Richard Vosseller)
Rosa Naparstek (questions by Howard Salmon)
Patricia Hartnett (questions by Verta Reyes)
William Andrews (questions by Bean Gilsdorf)
Howard Salmon (questions by John LeKay)
Corey Amaro (questions by Jason Dean and Matt Nash)
Michael Grayeagle (questions by Chris Ashley)
Marion Boddy-Evans (questions by Deborah Fisher)
Richard Vosseller (questions by Brock Neilson)
Deborah Fisher (questions by Corey Amaro)
Eileen Wold (questions by Michael Grayeagle)
Rob Myers (questions by William Andrews)
Gregg Chadwick (questions by Marsha Stein)
Chris Ashley (questions by Eileen Wold)
Verta Reyes (questions by Heather Schmaedeke)
Jason Dean & Matt Nash (questions by Rob Myers)
Mary Taitt (questions by Adriane Giberson)
Adriane Giberson (questions by Peter Ferko)
Peter Ferko (questions by Amethyst Begley)
Susan Schwake-Larochelle (questions by Jean Hutter)
Jean Hutter (questions by Mary Stebbins Taitt)
Amethyst Begley (questions by Kimberley Lindsley)
Kimberley Lindsley (questions by Susan Schwake-Larochelle)
Prem Singh (questions by Alison Rose)
Erin Antognoli (questions by Karen Winters)
Denis Peterson (questions by Andrea Pratt)
Jennifer Seymour (questions by Erin Antognoli)
Imants Ozers (questions by Denis Peterson)
Mark Malmgren (quesntions by Fiona Ross)
Remi Viger (questions by Brady Hegberg)
Fiona Ross (questions by Susan Constanse)
Susan Constanse (questions by Remi Viger)
Amie Oliver (questions by Christin Ciaccio Briggs)
Christin Ciaccio Briggs (questions by Dawn Whetzel)
Tara Krause (questions by Cathy Breslaw)
Dawn Whetzel (questions by Tara Krause)
Warren Craghead (questions by John M. Adams)
Dwayne Butcher (questions by Miguel Avila)
Zachary Stadel (questions by Walter Logeman)
Miguel Ángel Ávila (questions by Mark Creegan)

Artists Interview Artists: Miguel Ángel Ávila

Miguel Ángel Ávila, an artist from Houston, TX, participates in the Artists Interview Artists Project. Below Miguel responds to another artist's five questions (Mark Creegan from Jacksonville, FL). In order to participate, Miguel had to provide me with five questions for some other artist to answer. The assigning of questions to artists is completely random.

Opium Attack
Acrylic, colored pencil and collage on Masonite
12" x 16"
2006

1) Do you ever feel that the ambition of your art practice far exceeds the role it plays or its influence within the discourse of art? If so is this a problem or do you not think in these terms and consider the personal fulfillment of making work and challenging yourself enough to sustain you?

I do not believe I worry that much about things like that. It’s like something is missing at the end of the day if I didn’t draw or read about art. I just enjoy painting, expressing my ideas and thoughts through art.

2) If your studio were to burn down (The gods forbid!) what is the first thing you would do to begin again? Would you continue with what you were doing or perhaps make a fresh start?

I would organize a benefit art show!... To be honest I don’t think anything major would happen, other that probably making a reference of that event into one or two of my works. But as far as changing the direction I’m headed, whatever that is, I don’t think so.

3) How important is reinvention to you in sustaining your practice?

I’ve always said that if tomorrow I feel like doing something different with a painting, I’ll definitively go for it. Seems a little boring to me to keep painting the same thing over and over again. I know some people do it on purpose so everybody can recognize them, others because their own market forces them to do it (in that case I don’t blame them, we have to eat right?). I can say at this point I feel totally free, with a long list of things to paint.

4) Describe a recent breakthrough you made in your work. Was it a self realized one or come from some external source?

I used to be very ‘respectful’ of the medium. For instance, if I was working with acrylics that’s all I would use; but lately I’ve been more open to use different things on the same piece. Right now I’m working on a series of paintings using wood panels. I’m working with acrylics, ink, pencil, felt pen and gouache. And I’m letting the various wood veneer grains and textures to become part of the painting as well, by being partially visible.

5) What do want others to remember you for? For example, would you want to be known as a hard worker, an innovative thinker, a skilled craftsman, a crazy artist etc.?

An artist who beyond the skills was a creator of images. Someone who was able to ‘listen’ to the ‘music’.

Lordosis, Kyphosis, Trombosis
Acrylic on canvas panel
9" x 12"
2006

Previous Interviews:
Juno Doran (questions by James W. Bailey)
Josh Feldman (questions by Joseph Barbaccia)
Lisa Stephenson (questions by Whitney Lynn)
Joseph Barbaccia (questions by Josh Feldman)
James W. Bailey (questions by Matt Hollis)
Matt Hollis (questions by Juno Doran)
Carol Es (questions by James Leonard)
Alexandra Silverthorne (questions by Ami Lahoff)
Christine Buckton Tillman (questions by Carol Es)
Douglas Witmer (questions by Alexandra Silverthorne)
Sky Pape (questions by Douglas Witmer)
Whitney Lynn (questions by Lisa Stephenson)
Heather Levy (questions by Joanne Greenbaum)
Heather Lowe (questions by Samantha Wolov)
Samantha Wolov (questions by Heather Levy)
Timothy McClellan (questions by Heather Lowe)
James Leonard (questions by Sky Pape)
Joanne Greenbaum (questions by Timothy McClellan)
Richard Kooyman (questions by Robert Walton)
Candy Keegan (questions by Warren Craghead)
Robert Walton (questions by Candy Keegan)
John M. Adams (questions by Richard Kooyman)
Prescott Moore Lassman (questions by Mary Addison Hackett)
Mary Addison Hackett (questions by Prescott Moore Lassman)
Andrew Wodzianski (questions by Nathan Manuel & D.Billy)
Nathan Manuel & D.Billy (questions by Andrew Wodzianski)
Michael Janis (questions by Scott Listfield)
Scott Listfield (questions by Michael Janis)
F. Lennox Campello (questions by Sean Hennessy)
Matt Andrade (questions by Adrian Parsons)
Sean Hennessy (questions by F. Lennox Campello)
George Wayne (questions by Michelle McAuliffe)
Eridanus Sellen (questions by Anabela Jevtovic)
Anabela Jevtovic (questions by Eridanus Sellen)
Marianela de la Hoz (questions by A.B. Miner)
Martin Henry (questions by Barbara Johnson-Gresser)
A.B. Miner (questions by George Wayne)
Barbara Johnson-Gresser (questions by Martin Henry)
Adrian Parsons (questions by Matt Andrade)
Heather Schmaedeke (questions by Patricia Hartnett)
Anthony Easton (questions by Melissa Kennedy)
Roz Leibowitz (questions by Anthony Easton)
Melissa Kennedy (questions by Tracy Lee)
Michelle McAuliffe (questions by Marianela de la Hoz)
Tim Folzenlogen (questions by