How did you get started making art?
As soon as I could hold a crayon I would be drawing. I grew up in a studio so
there would be things around to use. My mom would be encouraging me. She would
give me watercolors and brushes.
Did you
receive any formal art training? Where and
what did you major in?
I did, in school I actually transferred to a private school my junior and
senior year. There was a really great art teacher I wanted to study under, Mrs.
Unger. Then, I went to Tyler for
college.
Please
describe your work in general for the readers?
I would say abstract but organically based and inspired by nature.
What is your
medium?
Mainly encaustic, but I do work in acrylic and sometimes pencil; I do drawing
as well.
How do you do
choose your subject matter?
I find my paintings as I paint them. So, a lot of times there are things that
may be in my head but I like to paint the paintings through the process of
making them. Later, down the road, I find them. I usually work on about six at
once, all different sizes. That way if I get really frustrated with one, I move
to another.
What are your thoughts on perfection?
Well I think every artist is a perfectionist to some extent. People ask me what
is my favorite painting. I have some I like better than others, and have some
that I think are more successful than others. But I have not painted perfection
yet. I may never paint that painting. If I painted a painting that I thought
was perfect than I would have no reason to keep going.
What are a few tips for encaustic
painters?
Oh be careful about the fumes. And be careful about the flames. At Tyler I got
into using wax and someone said, “Why don’t you try encaustic?” But I couldn’t
do it on the premises because of the fumes. So I had to do it at home. At the time I was living in an
apartment so my studio was in the basement with a tiny little window and a tiny
little fan. I hadn’t researched it a ton and was in love with Prussian blue. I
started getting really sick: fatigued, achy, and had a weird taste in the back
of my mouth. Out of curiosity a
friend looked it up for me and found out that Prussian blue produces cyanide
gas. So, I found out I was giving myself cyanide poisoning.
How do you decide when an artwork is
done?
Obviously I was trained at Tyler and so I know certain things, but honestly it’s like a fight going on
with all the paintings I am working on. I kind of go around and around; most of
the time its very angsty with all that’s going on. People think I am crazy, but
I guess I kind of am. When we’re not fighting any more its like “Oh this is all
you need.” It doesn’t mean its good, but it’s done.
Who has been the biggest influence in your life?
Family and friends. Jeff Schaller, you have been very encouraging.
What would you like your daughter to
remember about you?
That I love her. Some people say, “Maybe you should just go on sabbatical?”
But, I would much rather have her see her mother working very hard and
struggling financially while pursuing something she loves.
What inspires you?
A lot of small things: Looking around in my travels, music, emotions, inspired
stories; the way windows are cracked. Or there’s a tree over on Gay Street that
is eating the bricks, and I pass it all the time. I love it! And the cracking
of paint, I’m always like, “That’s so cool!” That’s just something I am
naturally attracted to, the wear and tear.
You’re a late
night painter, what’s your normal routine?
Usually I kind of get the place cleaned up and that sort of thing. Than, I look
over what I have done the night before; removing fire hazards. Its more of finding
my tools again, because they all get covered in wax. So it’s re-harvesting my
materials, removing fire hazards, and getting back into it.
You have made reference to being an artist is
humbling, why?
Well, painting on demand is hard. It’s a struggle. Your work is not always
appreciated. You may hate the painting or feel cheated. I might labor and the
whole thing might be hard but than I see someone standing in front of one of my
paintings and their incredibly moved and touched in a way I feel like I cant
take credit for. There are people that are like, “Wow I feel like I am exactly
where that painting’s at.” There is just sometimes a really deep connection
some people have with artwork and when I see that, I just want to tip toe away.
I remember the first time that happened to me with the first big truly abstract
painting I had ever done. I had been working and went to take a break late at
night. I came back and there was somebody standing there five feet away with their
head cocked. And they had this look on their face that was like, Wow! And I
remember being like, “That’s awesome,” and tip toed away.
What are you eating
right now?
I am eating the sirloin burger with steak fries. It’s delicious.
What is your favorite food?
Everything that’s really bad for me: fries, fried chicken, ice cream, but I
don’t let myself eat that very often.
What does home mean to you?
I think it’s more of an environment than a place. It’s where you can let your
guard down and feel at ease.
Your proudest moment?
I think I continually keep having them since I have had her (looking at Annaleah).
What was your
mother right about?
She told me this would be hard, not that she didn’t want me to do it. She was
encouraging, but she knew that it would be rough. It has been, but I would rather
have it this way then not. It’s worth it.
Money is OK, but it isn’t what life is
about. What is it about?
It’s about living, experiencing, and loving. Most people will be poor most of
their lives but we’re so rich in so many ways. You can’t buy the things that bring you joy. There have been
times where I needed to choose between food and paint and I chose paint. And literally,
I wouldn’t eat for a few days. But I would have that color red for that
painting I was trying to get done. It’s crazy but it’s not always that dramatic
or hard. Now that my career has been built up a bit it’s not like that. But if
you’re coming from there than your like, “ I can eat anything! Life is great!”
Where did you grow up?
In Malvern, PA.
What is the last book you
read?
Unfortunately, most books I have been trying to read lately are about
parenting. If I have the time or energy I am usually in the studio or trying to
sleep.
You collect?
Odd things like tree branches. The oddest things strike my fancy. I like having
them around, they inspire me.
Something that is
important on your nightstand?
Pacifier.
Your strangest possession?
My water buffalo skull.
Your best birthday?
My best birthday was two birthdays ago. Bill and I were dating. It was right
before she came along. He just made me this great dinner and gave me this
really beautiful gift, than we went out.
Play- Bye Bye Birdie
Album- Its either the Cranberries or Ace of Base
Concert- James Taylor.
Plane ride- To Seattle
