out and about in st. louis: margaret cho, a sustainable backyard tour and more

one of the photographs in Danziger's Transformations exhibit
photo via

St. Louis has a number of things going on this weekend sure to satisfy most everyone.

 For those intrigued by all things post-Apocalyptic:
Avery Danziger imagines what familiar scenes would look like in a world without people in the exhibit, Transformations.  The exhibit runs through August 5th at the Atrium Gallery. 

photo via

For the socially-conscious humor appreciator:
Margaret Cho will perform twice at Lumiere Place Casino and Hotel on June 23rd.  Shows are at 8:00 and 9:30.

photo via

For the local music aficionado:
STL Loud 4 Showcase release show at the PRIDEFEST this weekend in Tower Grove Park.  Previously unrelased tracks by St. Louis-based artists have been compiled this fourth volume, aptly titled "Pride for Our City" designed to showcase local talent.  The show will include performances by the Big Brother Thunder and the Masterblasters, Jump Starts, and Union Electric among others.

Jeri Villarreal and her sustainable backyard
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For the HGTV watcher/greenthumb hopeful/sustainability aspirant:
The Sustainable Backyard Tour on Sunday takes you on a journey through the backyards of over 50 St. Louisians who have committed to making their outdoor spaces green.  See rainwater collection systems in action, observe the lives of urban chickens and admire lush vegetable gardens in the backyards of your sustainable neighbors.  The tour is free, but you must preregister.

Are you doing anything fun this weekend?

interview: nick trapp

self-portait of Nick

I first learned about Nick Trapp's artist skills when I came upon a video on Facebook of him drawing a classmate.  Nick put a standalone video camera behind him as he drew, and then edited the film down so that you could see how the drawing evolved an a few minutes.  His rendering of our classmate was so spot on, I was amazed.  He captured this guy's essence, and I wanted to see more of Nick in action.  Soon after, I saw that Nick posted an offer to draw for people if they sent photos of their subjects into him.  He was trying to grow his YouTube channel, and though this would be a good incentive.  I quickly subscribed to this channel and sent him a picture of my brother.  I thought it would be a great present for my mom and dad.  Nick later got in touch with me and I was blown away again by his ability to capture my brother so perfectly.  He'd never even met him.  There was no way I could keep the drawing  from my parents, so I gave it to them last weekend.  They were thrilled and asked me to contact him about drawing me, too.  Typical parents!  Anyway, I so wanted to share Nick's talent with you, so I asked him if he would answer a few questions about himself and his art.  Below are his thoughtful responses, as well as some pictures of his art. 

Who or what inspires you?People inspire me. Their personalities, their faces, everything that makes a person truly unique. I always strive to capture a person's individuality when I draw their portrait.
As far as artists go, ever since I was little I have been attracted to Norman Rockwell's work. He is able to portray so much character and energy in his paintings; every scene is filled with so much life.

Who or what do you consider your most important form of support?I am so grateful that my friends and family have always supported me. Most of all I feel support from the love that I give and receive through my artwork. Love is what drives me to share my talent with the world.

How has your art evolved over time?I started off doodling and scribbling, making abstract finger paintings. Sometimes, I would even made up my own styles of writing. I drew things that caught my eye, trying to copy them exactly; I guess I have always been a perfectionist when it comes to art. I was really into comic books as a kid, so I drew a lot of super heroes. I imagine that's where my love of drawing people started. I slowly progressed over the years experimenting with different media, but my favorite is still pencil. I took nearly every class offered at my high school. College is where I finally found that portraits are what I love to do.

Nick's favorite piece of his own work

What’s your favorite piece of your own art and why?My favorite piece would have to be my largest one. It is a 41" x 32" portrait that I did of myself and one of my good friends. I spent so much time on it that, to be honest, I loathed it by the time I finished it. I love it now because it is my biggest accomplishment and it reminds me that I can finish any drawing no matter how big or how long it takes.



Nick's rendering of one of the dorms on our college campus



Who’s your biggest fan?My biggest fan, without a doubt, is my mom. None of my pieces are ever bad according to her, even when I know that some of them have been.

Nick's drawing of my brother, which he drew based on the picture I sent him on the right.


Final words? Advice for other artists and aspiring artists?Art is what inspires you to express and share your talent with others. It is not just drawing, painting, singing, etc., art is the giving and receiving of love through whatever form best suits you. Do what you love to do and never stop giving of yourself.

Thank you so much, Nick for sharing your art and words! 

artist crush: mark newport

several of Newports Handknit Costumes including Naftaman and Valuesman (third and fifth from left)
photo via

My introduction to Mark Newport began a few years ago when I was looking for ways to spend my eekend, I came across a small write up about an installation called "Self-Made Man" in the Riverfront Times.  The exhibit was being shown at the museum at the Laumeier Sculpture Park, now one of my favorite museums in the area.  The write-up described an engaging exhibit full of Newport's hand-knit superhero costumes, as well as embroidered comic book covers and digital prints which promised to compel exhibit attendees to ponder fundamental questions about masculinity, bravery and courage.  Sign me up.



Batmen
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 When asked to describe the superhero costumes he knits, Newport comments that they “combine [the superheroes'] heroic, protective, ultra masculine, yet vulnerable personas with the protective gestures of my mother – hand knit acrylic sweaters meant to keep me safe from New England winters."* The costumes he creates are life-size, but are not built for the stereotypical superhero with bulging muscles.  Instead, most of of them look like they were made for someone lanky and hang lifelessly on hangers in the exhibit, which Newport did intentionally so that those attending the exhibit could imagine themselves donning the costumes and taking on the persona of the superhero. 



Newport knitting a Spiderman costume
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Newport goes on to say that he did not only draw on images of popular comic book heroes for the inspiration for these costumes but also his "childhood memories of the ultimate man – the Dad every boy wants, the man every boy wants to grow up to be. In these I work to forge the link between childhood experience and an adult understanding of protection, masculinity, and heroism.”

Freedom Bedcover: Zachary (detail). Embroidery and ribbon on comic book pages, 2006
photo via

If you ever have the chance to check out Mark Newport's work in person, dont miss it.  Attending one of his knit-ins would likely be just as cool (and something I regret not participating in when he held at least one during his exhibit's run at the Sculpture Park).  His exhibit remains one of my favorite shows to come to in St. Louis.  I appreciated that it challenged conventionally held concepts of masculinity and laid bare the complex nature of real manhood.

AlterEgos: Practice Digital Print
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Do you seek out exhibits to go to that challenge you to think about social issues?  Do you appreciate art that is visually beautiful, impressive or interesting and has a social mission?

*excerpts from a write-up by Oregon State University on a recent exhibit he installed at the Fairbanks Gallery

interview: erica popp

 Erica

Erica Popp is a St. Louis artist who has been exhibiting her photography and mixed-media work since 2003, including a solo show of her non-silver photographic prints at the Indianapolis Art Center in 2007. Erica holds a B.A. in Studio Art from Principia College, an A.F.A. in Photography from St. Louis Community College at Meramec, and is working toward an M.A. in Literacy Education. She also spent a year studying photography and ceramics at the Kansas City Art Institute. Erica is a practicing artist and teaches writing and Photography at Principia College in Elsah, IL and at the St. Louis Artists’ Guild. She also serves on the Board of Directors for the St. Louis Chapter of the Women’s Caucus for Art.

After seeing that Erica had work in the current exhibit at Art Saint Louis, I asked Erica some questions about her art, and she answered them as best she could. She remarked that the questions were challenging and fun to think about.

a Van Dyke Brown print, "Whisper of a Dream"

Who or what inspires you?

I draw a lot of inspiration from nature, and from ideas that I come across in literature or in conversation. I am also inspired by the work of other artists. Their influence may not be obvious in the work that I do, but some of my favorite artists are Andy Goldsworthy, Imogene Cunningham, Hiroshi Sugimoto, Anselm Kiefer, Ann Hamilton, and Oliver Herring. Most of those artists are contemporary. I think this is because I see art not as just making beautiful things, but as a conversation with other artists and with viewers of art. What am I saying in response to Goldsworthy’s work? How do I relate to Sugimoto’s ideas about what makes the best photographs? I am interested in what’s going on now – what is happening in the world, and how are other artists responding to these events and ideas?


a digital photograph titled "Secrets"

Who or what would you consider your most important form of support?

I think my mom’s encouragement to do whatever makes me happy is huge. Another important supporter is my friend Sun Smith-Foret. She’s an established artist who I work for as a studio assistant. I’ve learned a lot from working in her studio over the last two years. I also have the support of my friends and of other women artists from the Women’s Caucus for Art.

One of Erica's sculptures (Found books, plywood, and particle board) "They Are So Wise"

How has your own art evolved over time?

I think my art has come to be more concerned with exploring ideas than with creating pretty pictures. I still love making beautiful things, but I am now more interested in how it helps me think through complex ideas. I care less about the end product and more about the process. I’m also more comfortable working outside of my favorite medium, photography, and trying different approaches to the same idea.

Erica with her piece, "Temporal, Cyclical," which was on display at the Foundry Art Center in 2010. 
It is currently on display through Feb. 23 at Art St. Louis
photo credit: Jennifer Weigel

What is your favorite piece of your own art and why?

My favorite piece is the installation piece that is currently on display at Art Saint Louis as part of the “Memory” exhibit (the show runs through February 23). The piece is called “Temporal, Cyclical,” and is made up of ginkgo leaves and torn paper. It’s my favorite because it is one of my first serious departures from my photographic work. I’ve been interested in sculpture, but not done much of it. However, I find it refreshing to pursue similar themes in different media – to approach the same idea in several ways. In some ways this piece isn’t much of a departure at all. As a photographer, I’m interested sharing what I find beautiful or intriguing in the world. That’s also what I’ve done with “Temporal, Cyclical.” I found the leaves beautiful, and I found the yellowing paper beautiful, and I wanted a way to share what I saw in them. Presented in this way, as a shape resembling a crescent moon, I am able to speak about the way things change over time, yet continue. I think that art and poetry affect us on a level that is intuitive and that gives us a new insight into something that is true, but that perhaps we don’t know how to put into words. 

This piece is also a departure from my obsession with archival quality that so many photographers have. We’re trained in it. In photography, everything is acid-free, and I handle my work with white cotton gloves. This sculptural piece is the opposite of archival. This piece is not meant to last in its current state. It’s made from organic material and paper that is yellowing away to nothing. It will, however, have a second life when I use the materials to make new paper.

Erica installing her piece, "Temporal, Cyclical," at Art St. Louis
photo credit: Robin Hirsch

Who’s your biggest fan?

Definitely my mom. Although my friends and the rest of my family are also great supporters, as are the women from the Womens’ Caucus for Art.

"Temporal, Cyclical" at Art St. Louis
photo credit: Robin Hirsch

Final words? Advice for other artists and aspiring artists?

If you are passionate about art, make it fit into your life. It’s difficult sometimes. I know that I have a hard time finding time and space for art-making when I know I have papers to grade, papers to write, dishes to wash, and lessons to plan. I’m trying to get used to thinking about art practice in the same way musicians think about practice. When I took flute and piano lessons I was always supposed to practice for an hour or two a day or something like that. Art is the same way, I think.

I think building a network of artists is also important. Although it’s true that the world of art is competitive, my experience has been that artists are generally supportive of one another. Getting involved with groups such as The Women’s Caucus for Art, Art Saint Louis, or the Saint Louis Artists’ Guild can help you meet people who are dealing with the same things you are dealing with, or who are older and wiser and great at giving advice. I have learned a lot from the people I work with.

I also recommend that aspiring artists put their work out there! And don’t just show it to your parents and your friends who will tell you how great you are – show it to people who know about art and will ask you tough questions about what you’re doing. Getting critical feedback can sometimes feel discouraging, but you can’t fear it. It’s important to know what people are seeing in your work, and it’s an opportunity for artistic growth.

Also, look at art, read about art, write about art, and take a class in criticism. I audited a literary criticism class and learned even more about art than I had learned from my studio classes. I had learned techniques for making art, but studying literature helped me learn how to think about art.

Thanks so much Erica for taking the time to share your inspired thoughts on art with me.  Be sure to check out Erica's piece in Art St. Louis's Memory exhibit now through February 23rd.  You can also learn more about Erica by following her blog or visiting her Etsy shop.

painting lately

here

 Last night was the first night in a while that I had a block of time to spend just by myself.  In addition to updating my coat rack, I also broke out my acrylic paints and set to work on two new paintings.  I turned on Law and Order: SVU and went to town on these two canvases.  I haven't painted much since Christmas, and didn't realize how much I missed it until I sat down to work on these.

here

I realized that I need to make more of an effort to carve out time for painting.  To make it more of a priority to engage in creative pursuits that stimulate my mind and give me a sense of accomplishment.  That push me to think and to translate this thinking to something concrete and physical.

What are you trying to carve out more time for?  What are you cutting out of your life or making less of a priority to make this happen?

interview: diane presley of hunny::plum

Diane

One of the most inspiring things in the world to me is hearing other artists talk about their passion, their history as an artist, what gets them going artistically and how to channel their creative fire to make meaningful work.  This is my first interview in a series of interviews with mostly local, mostly twenty or thirty-something artists.  Please let me know if there are other questions you would like me to include in future interviews, and I will do my best to work those into future posts.

Diane is a friend from college.  We have enjoyed attending a fashion show and helping paint a mural in The Grove, participating in a local art fair, and just recently, eating soup and discussing art at Sloup in South City.  She is my go-to-girl for all things artsy.  She lives in Maryland Heights with her lovely husband, Stuart, and quirky cat, Jasper.  When she isn't crafting and blogging (at her adorable, informative and picture-laden blog, hunny::plum), she helps make a bookstore beautiful and functional.

I caught up with Diane and asked her some questions about her art and inspiration.  I hope you find her answers as fun to read as I did!

Who or what inspires you?

My inspiration comes from a love of all things vintage, as well as objects I have collected over the years.  Mostly, this involves a very extensive button collection, a hatbox of my great-grandmother’s photographs from her younger years, and old treasures from thrifted adventures.  For me, inspiration can stem from anything that catches my eye and I find myself more often noticing things that I might have overlooked before, only to stop and take note of its intricacies and jot them down in my handy-dandy notebook!

Diane's inspiration board

Who or what do you consider your most important form of support?

I have a great support system in both my husband and my mom.  First, my husband has helped me tremendously to become more confident in my work by encouraging me to be proud of what I make and to stick with it because he sees how happy it makes me to create new things and challenge myself with new ideas.  He even offers suggestions when I get stuck on a project, and it always helps me think differently and improve my final product.  I also give him props for lugging, helping set up, and being my biggest salesman at any craft fair or event!  Second, my mom has always been there to cheer me on and give advice on how to advance my creativity.  She has never missed something I have been involved in and I am so grateful for her guidance and support.

How has your art evolved over time?

As a child, if you gave me a crayon and some paper (or a napkin, or receipt, or paper towel…) I would have put a picture on it.  I mostly drew people in everyday settings- you know…on roller coasters or in the forest…but as I got older and took more classes in art, it changed to a love of the pencil and how to draw interesting lines to connect parts together.  After that, I discovered the sewing machine, and saw that I could create the outfits that I saw in my head and put on paper in my drawings.  That is where everything changed and I ended up going to school for fashion design.  Up until recently, my ensembles were a bit rigid and static and this bothered me.  However, after being away from it for a while now, and in exploring the accessories outlet, I feel I am now ready to re-visit the medium in a new and more whimsical way.  What was once just a box of Crayolas, is now yarn, metal, stamping, chain, felt, and fabric…and this excites me for what is to come. 

 a few of Diane's garments 

What’s your favorite piece of your own art and why?

Ok, well I have to admit I have two!  My first favorite piece would have to be an oil painting I did in college that my mom now has.  It is a simple still life of a couple pears…but I took the assignment meant for seeing how shadows play in light to an abstract, almost frosting-like consistency and added the actual country of origin sticker to one of the pears in an attempt to make it less serious.  I am pretty proud of that one and whenever I see it, I still think “I painted that?”  The second, and more current piece that I have enjoyed in my collection, is a vest I made for my senior collection in college.  My theme was Japanese Graffiti and I interpreted it in a two-tone, asymmetrical vest with a ruffle down one side and contrasting fan-printed lining.  Every time I wear it, someone compliments me, which is really nice.  I think it is the mixture of textures that makes it so special.  The front is almost a plastic-like woven and the back has a yarn-like quality.  It’s nice to have something that I envisioned, drew out, patterned, and sewed myself as a permanent piece of my wardrobe. 

Jasper

Who’s your biggest fan?

Probably those listed above who are my biggest support.  Oh, and my cat Jasper.  He always finds a way to be helpful, mostly by laying on projects or batting at thread and yarn while I am trying to work.  He’s kind of like my mascot.  Other than that, I’d be happy to accept new fans!! 

A few pieces from Diane's jewelry collection

Final words? Advice for other artists and aspiring artists?

My favorite quote of all time is Oscar Wilde’s declaration, “Be Yourself.  Everyone Else is Taken”.  Never lose your creative perspective in whatever you do.  Don’t critically compare your work to others (something I am STILL working on).   There will always be those times you wonder what in the heck you are doing, but dream big and be proud of your accomplishments, no matter how small!  The best experiences are those that spontaneously appear- grab a hold of those and don’t be afraid of jumping in the deep end.    

Thanks, so much Diane, for being my guinea pig!  Make sure to check out all that Diane is doing over at hunny::plum!

stuffed muffins, life chapters and lafayette square

photo via

This Sunday, after keeping three squirmy-wormy 4-year-olds in their seats and talking about God for an hour during Sunday School, I met Joe at Urban Eats, a cafe in South City where I used to display some of my paintings.  I love going there, because, not only is their food really tasty and innovative (french toast muffins stuffed with cream crease frosting.  homemade red pepper pesto and pita chips.  need I say more?), but the owners are the nicest people you will meet.  The cafe also gives back to its community in so many different ways and fosters the creativity of amatuer and full-fledged artists alike.  I also love their karaoke, hosted by Jacqui, each Tuesday night.

photo via



Joe had never been to Urban Eats and I thought it was about time he saw the place.  We ordered sandwiches and a muffin to split, headed over to a table by the window.  We ate our sandwiches and played a game I call, Name the Chapters of Your Life.  You start out by estimating how many chapters you've had in your life thus far, were you to write an autobiography.  Then, you tell the other person the title of each chapter (what the content would include, why it deserves a chapter in your book, etc).  It was fun and helped us learn more about each other.  Then, after lunch, I showed Joe where my paintings used to hang in Urban Eats.

my paintings hanging in Urban Eats, October 2011

We planned to spend the evening in the city with some friends, so we decided to explore more of the city until we met up with them.  So we ventured into the Lafayette Square neighborhood, a short drive from South City and Urban Eats.  Lafayette Square is one of my favorite places to visit.  I love the architecture, the old, lovingly-restored homes from the 1800s, the beautiful, tree-lined park, the neighborliness of the people, the late-night hours of the cafes. 

a few of the historic homes in Lafayette Square



Joe had never been, so we took a walk down Park Ave, close to Lafayette Park and admired all of the houses on the block.  I told Joe that Lafayette Square hosts a home and garden tour in the summer and a parlor tour around Christmastime.  I went to both last year and loved seeing the inside of each home on the tours, hearing about the renovations and the care with which each was restored.  I love that our city has historic homes and that there are enough people who care about owning and restoring them.  Owning an old home is one of the items on my mental bucket list, and I am reminded of this goal each time I wander past these houses.

artist crush: francoise nielly

An artist I am totally digging right now is Francoise Nielly.  Her portraits are gorgeous and haunting.  I love the realistic look she gives to each face in contrast with the bright, unrealistic colors she uses to paint them.  I love portraits, and I think part of it is because I can never imagine being able to create something half as realistic or poignant if attempting to draw or paint a human face.  I don't know what it feels like to be able to look into a person's face and translate their soul onto canvas.  I don't know how, but I want to.

 I do, however, know how it feels to be painted by someone who does.  How it feels to look at a painting of you and feel like someone has captured a piece of you, simply using oils and a paint brush.  Its an eerie feeling. A feeling of being disrobed, but at the same time understood.  Understood by a stranger and exposed to whomever comes across the canvas.  Laid bare for me and anyone else to see.

 

Nielly paints in Paris, but grew up in South France. She says, "all of that classical imagery of South France is very alive as an experience inside of me. Maybe it is what led me to the use of fluorescent colors in my paintings."  She considers the Internet and the dishwasher to be the greatest inventions of the past 100 years. When speaking about her life and painting, she says, "I am a passionate woman and i am passionate about my life, about doing my life with intensity. That is the way i approach painting, traveling, reading, etc. Somehow, painting may be the love of my life; and as in every couple relationship it's a moving territory with high and lows, fights, weariness, desire, fire and water. It can be exhausting, exhilarating, boring, fun, sparkling... whatever i go through with it, i just can't stop loving it."* You can view more of her work here.

*pictures and excerpts from the biography on her painting website