Blog: Interview

Artist in Residence – Interview with Sam Pullin

Today I am sharing an interview I did with fellow Jersey City artist Sam Pullin. This is an interview series I am calling Artist in Residence.

I heard this great quote on the web recently: “On the bright side, I am no longer calling this shelter-in-place. I am now an artist-in-residence.” It got me thinking about how times of adversity and challenge are often what inspire action and creation for us artists.

I decided to seek out some peers whom I admire and ask them how they are using this time to be working artists. What has changed for them? Where are they finding room to create at home if they previously worked in an offsite studio, out-of-doors, or are now sharing a home studio with other working-from-home family members? What are they creating now – is it influenced by the current situation or on a similar path as before? Are they feeling called to action or struggling to create?

Everyone is responding differently to this crisis. Let’s learn how others are coping with their new status as Artists in Residence.

 

I emailed Sam the above questions and here is what he had to say:


One of the silver linings of having more time at home is that it’s a great time to reconnect with old friends that the pace and demands of the world have caused us to loose touch with.

I have definitely spent way more time and energy on making paintings over this quarantine period and feel as though my work has developed technically because of the level of focus I can spend on it. I am also working a lot smaller because of my limited supplies, particularly when it comes to canvas and I think that the change in scale is making things a bit more engaging and new. I dont want to order any unnecessary items but if I run out of canvas I may have to. If I’m unable to paint I think I will loose my mind!

The subject matter of my recent paintings, which I’m calling the “quarantine series” is inspired by my reaction to what’s happening in the world.  The tone of the paintings range from funny and light hearted to horrific and obscene, reflecting on both on my desire to turn away grom the horror of what’s happening and the need to acknowledge the full extent of the suffering that this has caused. 

I have been thinking a lot about why I make art and who benefits from the art market while paying close attention to the economic bailout, the half assed response to the coronavirus at the federal level and the pundents and political leaders who are placing market profits over human life. After this virus takes it’s horrible toll and we come out the other side of this i think there will be an opportunity to restructure some aspects of society and I’m sure there will be some organizations and individuals that seek to exploit the situation. I plan on focusing my creative energy into something that can force the restructuring into something positive and distribute the resources in a more equitable manner…I’m not exactly sure how to do that, but I spend a lot of time thinking about it and I assume it will mean rallying people and coming together with others to build coalitions.

I always thought of art making as two separate but related endeavours: the introspective time spent in the studio making the work and effort of putting it into the world and allowing it to interact with the people. It’s nice to have time in the studio, but when this is done I want to take it out into the world and see what can be done.


Thank you Sam for your thoughtful response – I think we can all relate to your concerns and your hopes for when this passes.

You can learn more about Sam here on his instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bedbugs_in_love/

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Artist in Residence – Interview with Grant Hardeway

Today I am sharing an interview I did with Jersey City writer and photographer Grant Hardeway. This is a new interview series I am calling Artist in Residence.

I heard this great quote on the web recently: “On the bright side, I am no longer calling this shelter-in-place. I am now an artist-in-residence.” It got me thinking about how times of adversity and challenge are often what inspire action and creation for us artists.

I decided to seek out some peers whom I admire and ask them how they are using this time to be working artists. What has changed for them? Where are they finding room to create at home if they previously worked in an offsite studio, out-of-doors, or are now sharing a home studio with other working-from-home family members? What are they creating now – is it influenced by the current situation or on a similar path as before? Are they feeling called to action or struggling to create?

Everyone is responding differently to this crisis. Let’s learn how others are coping with their new status as Artists in Residence.

 

A little bit about this video: Grant Hardeway is a photographer who lives and works in Jersey City, and whose work I found on instagram. In this interview Grant discusses his earliest artistic project (an art class stunt that turned out pretty successful), the importance of intention when he’s photographing the world, and his reluctance to call himself a photographer. He talks about using both film and digital, his love of composition and light, and the power of photos to evoke a mood or feeling and a memory of another time and place. We discuss the duty that artists have to document life (especially during crisis times like today) and also the importance of slowing down and being more aware of life. Grant is a very thoughtful person and I absolutely loved speaking with him. I hope you enjoy!

You can learn more about Grant and see his gorgeous work at: https://www.instagram.com/digital_taxidermy/

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Artist in Residence – Interview with Mario Robinson

Today I am sharing an interview I did with watercolor artist Mario Robinson. This is a new interview series I am calling Artist in Residence.

I heard this great quote on the web recently: “On the bright side, I am no longer calling this shelter-in-place. I am now an artist-in-residence.” It got me thinking about how times of adversity and challenge are often what inspire action and creation for us artists.

I decided to seek out some peers whom I admire and ask them how they are using this time to be working artists. What has changed for them? Where are they finding room to create at home if they previously worked in an offsite studio, out-of-doors, or are now sharing a home studio with other working-from-home family members? What are they creating now – is it influenced by the current situation or on a similar path as before? Are they feeling called to action or struggling to create?

Everyone is responding differently to this crisis. Let’s learn how others are coping with their new status as Artists in Residence.

 

A little bit about this video: I met Mario years ago through our work with Winsor Newton/Liquitex and I always love catching up with him. He is a super talented watercolor artist and just a great friend to chat with about all things art related and beyond. In this interview, Mario talks about a recent move, the positive side to disruptions in artmaking, his changing source of inspiration and artistic drive, and dealing with the emotional weight of the global pandemic. Mario discusses his craft as a watercolor artist, the challenges of working big showing us his unbelievably cool and mind blowing project he is working on, and the role that the arts community is playing these days to help the world cope.

You can learn more about Mario here on his website: https://www.marioarobinson.com and here on instagram: https://www.instagram.com/marioarobinson/

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Artist in Residence – Interview with Danny Gregory

Today I am sharing an interview I did with author, educator, and artist Danny Gregory. This is a new interview series I am calling Artist in Residence.

I heard this great quote on the web recently: “On the bright side, I am no longer calling this shelter-in-place. I am now an artist-in-residence.” It got me thinking about how times of adversity and challenge are often what inspire action and creation for us artists.

I decided to seek out some peers whom I admire and ask them how they are using this time to be working artists. What has changed for them? Where are they finding room to create at home if they previously worked in an offsite studio, out-of-doors, or are now sharing a home studio with other working-from-home family members? What are they creating now – is it influenced by the current situation or on a similar path as before? Are they feeling called to action or struggling to create?

Everyone is responding differently to this crisis. Let’s learn how others are coping with their new status as Artists in Residence.

 

A little bit about this video: I met Danny through Sketchbook Skool, his online educational platform that is a great resource for workshops, inspiration and advice. In this interview Danny talks about his experience sheltering in a state other than his own, cobbling together art supplies to continue his practice (including a surprising donation of supplies from a Sketchbook Skool student coming to the rescue), and using technology to fill in the gaps. He discusses the changing nature of his online business in response to the situation and the increasing need for online support communities and the responsibility he feels towards artists and their personal growth. We talk about talent, obstacles, motivation, and hard work. We do a bit of joking too, so definitely tune in until the end.

You can learn more about Danny (including a link to Sketchbook Skool) here: https://www.instagram.com/dannyobadiah/

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Artist in Residence – Interview with Jimmy Leslie

Today I am sharing an interview I did with artist Jimmy Leslie. This is a new interview series I am calling Artist in Residence.

I heard this great quote on the web recently: “On the bright side, I am no longer calling this shelter-in-place. I am now an artist-in-residence.” It got me thinking about how times of adversity and challenge are often what inspire action and creation for us artists.

I decided to seek out some peers whom I admire and ask them how they are using this time to be working artists. What has changed for them? Where are they finding room to create at home if they previously worked in an offsite studio, out-of-doors, or are now sharing a home studio with other working-from-home family members? What are they creating now – is it influenced by the current situation or on a similar path as before? Are they feeling called to action or struggling to create?

Everyone is responding differently to this crisis. Let’s learn how others are coping with their new status as Artists in Residence.

 

A little bit about this video: I met Jimmy years ago at a trade show in Germany and have enjoyed ever since following his art, working on special projects with him, and just being friends with such an enthusiastic and supportive person. In this interview, Jimmy talks about his role as a Resident Artist for an art materials company, his passion for sharing his artistic knowledge in a judgement-free way, and the variety in his day-today activities as a working artist. He discusses the ups and downs of putting yourself out there and connecting through technology, the challenges that artists can face with creating in this climate of crisis, and his own artistic journey that is ongoing. We chat about inspiration, working in sketchbooks, and the benefits of working with different media.

You can learn more about Jimmy and see his gorgeous work at: https://www.instagram.com/jimmyleslieart/

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Artist in Residence – Interview with John DuVal

Today I am sharing an interview I did with friend and watercolor artist John DuVal. This is a new interview series I am calling Artist in Residence.

I heard this great quote on the web recently: “On the bright side, I am no longer calling this shelter-in-place. I am now an artist-in-residence.” It got me thinking about how times of adversity and challenge are often what inspire action and creation for us artists.

I decided to seek out some peers whom I admire and ask them how they are using this time to be working artists. What has changed for them? Where are they finding room to create at home if they previously worked in an offsite studio, out-of-doors, or are now sharing a home studio with other working-from-home family members? What are they creating now – is it influenced by the current situation or on a similar path as before? Are they feeling called to action or struggling to create?

Everyone is responding differently to this crisis. Let’s learn how others are coping with their new status as Artists in Residence.

 

A little bit about this video:  John DuVal is a very talented watercolor artist who paints urban landscapes and dabbles in other media as well. He is a teacher at the Jersey City Art School and also a teacher on Creative JumpStart. In this interview John discusses the challenges of now working on his artwork at home, away from his regular studio, including working at a smaller scale, choosing specific materials that can be taken out and packed away more easily, and dealing with lighting issues. He also talks about using technology and how that has become a new way for him to more easily create as he works as an artist from home, but also discusses it as a double edged sword and is careful with how he lets technology influence his practice as an artist.

You can learn more about John and see his gorgeous work at: https://www.instagram.com/duval.artist/

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Jumping with… Mary Beth Shaw Part 2 – A CJS Interview Series

So happy to share with you today a special video interview I did with one of our Creative JumpStart 2020 teachers: Mary Beth Shaw. I have known Mary Beth for years and she is also the amazing woman behind StencilGirl Products. In this interview Mary Beth talks about her CJS lesson and the fun you can have from “making something out of nothing” and getting insight from the thought process behind creating an artwork. Mary Beth also discusses her new live video projects, her focus on self care during these difficult times, and the power of technology and creativity to help us maintain social connections and keep us engaged.


I hope you join me later today at 12noon EST for a live Kaffeeklatsch Get Together chat on Facebook! It will be fun to check in with you this week :)

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Jumping with… Tonia Jenny Part 2 – A CJS Interview Series

So happy to share with you today a special video interview I did with one of our Creative JumpStart 2020 teachers: Tonia Jenny. This is Tonia’s first year teaching with CJS and I am very happy to be chatting with her again to see what she is up to these days. In this interview Tonia talks about how she is taking advantage of more time at home both with art, craft, and with some culinary adventures. Tonia also discusses some of the projects on CJS that she is excited to try, she describes a bit more about her own lesson including possible variations on the process, and even shows us a special variation on the idea as a response to the reality of present times. I hope you enjoy this uplifting conversation.

Thank you Tonia!

You can learn more about Tonia (including links to her social media) on her website.

Sign up now for Creative JumpStart 2020 if you haven’t yet and make use of our special sale now – just $45 through the end of April 2020. If you have already jumped into the classroom, check out some of the tutorials and also work of other students again. There is so much inspiration in there: 31 different mixed media lessons from 31 Super Hero Artists like Tonia.  Hope to see you in the CJS classroom soon :)

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Live Stream: Studio Visit with… Me!

This is a fun thing that is happening tomorrow: my friend Jimmy Leslie is interviewing me for The Fine Art Collective! It will be on their Instagram live story feed here @TFACNA, so tune in tomorrow, April 16th at 12noon EST. 

The format will be very cool – a split screen with Jimmy and myself, I will be  in my studio, answering questions from Jimmy AND you! So stop by and get in on the conversation.

A little about TFACNA – “The Fine Art Collective North America is part of a global network of artists & technical experts dedicated to sharing art materials knowledge & skills.” It’s a great resource and I’m honored to be sharing my story with them :)

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