Christine Mason Miller :: Artist interview

Last of the interviews from the participants of "A Vision of Squam" today with Christine Mason Miller. Visit her website right here at Christine Mason Miller. 

I truly hope you have enjoyed the posts and will stay tuned this month for some new podcasts with more artists! 

On with the finale.... 

1. What is your earliest memory of art making?

My clearest memory is of drawing Wile E. Coyote.  I had Road Runner sheets and would sit on my bed drawing the cartoons

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 2. What is your medium of choice?

A combination of acrylic paints, pastels, paper, ephemera, glue, pen and rubber stamp alphabets.

 3. What are your greatest inspirations for your work?

Nature, memories, questions, color, texture

 4. What is playing in rotation these days while you are working?

I think this question is about what music I am playing...if I am wrong I apologize!  I actually work in silence most of the time. Music tends to distract me.

 5. What is a good art making day look like for you?

MESSY

 6. Who are your favorite artists - living and dead

Robert Rauschenberg, Joe Sorren, Mark Ryden, Sabrina Ward Harrison, Anahata Katkin

 7. Greatest advice given to you which you would like to pass along?

Don't make anything too precious - mistakes are often opportunities!

Barbara Hoke :: artist interview

Another artist from the Vision of Squam show... Barbara Hoke. I am so taken with her jewelry and the beautiful quilt that she is standing in front of in the photos below. Thanks for taking part in both the show and the interview Barbara!

What is your earliest memory of art-making?

I remember drawing and painting pictures of animals in kindergarden and the teacher chose my picture of three cats to be in a downtown store window with other school art.  I was astounded to see my work in that store window!

What is your medium of choice?

I've worked in metals (usually jewelry) for years.  But I've taken classes in wood (rustic furniture making and marionette carving), in clay (mostly figurative), and textiles (art quilting).

What are your greatest inspirations?

My family (my son and husband are both musicians), nature (I live near beautiful Lake Champlain in Vermont), and travel, especially the folk art of Mexico.

What is playing in rotation?

Snatum Kaur, Anais Mitchell, Jonatha Brooke, Michael Franti, Iron and Wine, and the Decemberists.

What does a good art-making day look like to you?

Breakfast with my family, then to my studio, where everything that I envision flows easily(!)  Then late afternoon, go out into the world, hopefully moving my body -balancing out the stillness of working in my studio.

Favorite artists, living and dead?

Hundertwasser, Klimt, Roxanne Swentzell, Maira Kalman, and Cami Davis.

Greatest advice given to you which you would like to pass along?

What comes to mind is something I read on Judy Wise's blog which her husband said,  "It is a terrible loss if we only let others sing for us, make music for us, paint for us, write for us."  I try to remember this as I try a new medium or technique.  And I sing with a group of friends every Sunday morning!

Thanks Barbara for taking part in the interviews from Vision of Squam!

Wendy Cook :: Artist Interview

wendy cook self portrait 

I am thrilled today to share Wendy Cook's answers to my questions for the artist interviews I have been running here this month. I love her quirky photographs and was so pleased to see her participate in our Vision of Squam exhibition. Here are her pieces in the show over at our shop.  Without further delay - here are her answers and a peek into her studio space! Thank you so much Wendy!

1. What is your earliest memory of art making?

I was in second grade. I used to carry a tiny spiral note pad and draw cartoon characters and give them to kids. It was also around that time when I created my first book. I still have it, 

LOL, photos above.  I've gotten better at it....see here -  and more here - 

2. What is your medium of choice?

I don't like to limit myself, but I love photography and book arts.
In truth, I need to make something, anything, with my hands every day - I need this in order to live, like air.

3. What are your greatest inspirations for your work?

My son who reminds me that everything is wondrous.

4. What is playing in rotation these days while you are working?

Amy Steinberg, Rodrigo Y Gabriela, Joanna Newsom, Regina Spektor, The Accidental, Bjork

5. What is a good art making day look like for you?

Like today but even better.

6. Who are your favorite artists - living and dead?

Wayne Theibaud, Francesco Clemente, Alex Katz, David Byrne, Loretta Lux, Andy Goldsworthy, Camilla Engman, Nina Bagley, Penelope Dullaghan (many, many many)

7. Greatest advice given to you which you would like to pass along?

"See what you can make with this...."