A food-themed FREE resource site for ARTISTS.

Tag: Art Blog

Just Desserts: A personal note.

Posted on March 30, 2020March 30, 2020 by R.L. Gibson

Just Desserts -- a personal note from Rachel at AAAD!

Yesterday, my husband stood under the open hatch of our car with nitrile gloves wiping down our groceries with disinfectant before they entered the house the way a Southerner would clean-hand-dirty-hand the breading of fried chicken. Surreal. Covid-19 has touched all of our lives by now.

My husband lost his job in recent days, so I am grateful to HAVE groceries. I am grateful to have the option to stay home and complete creative work and commissions to keep my mind occupied while so many are fighting to get well or stay well. Productive distraction has always been a mental health tool for me, and I hope it is working for you.

With so many of us unsure of what lies ahead, it is hard to plan for the future or even find the motivation to want to do any hopeful planning. But today, I did. Today I applied for an artist residency… in Italy. I did it for me, and I did it in honor of all the galleries and arts agencies that have to keep planning for a future that they can’t currently clearly see. I see you. I hear you. My heart is full for you.

As for AAAD, because my own practice has been growing, I have not tended this site and the weeds are knee-high. I had plans to transition this site over the next year and a half, but it seems like the time to say goodbye is now. In 2009, this site began as a convenient way to catalog “safe” calls from trusted people and places. Along the way, I met the best people, made wonderful friends, shared ridiculous food segues and made connections that will last a lifetime. I will miss talking to you regularly, or even irregularly.

Fine Print details:

I have enabled comments on this post, which in this time of trolls and bots is uncommon for me to do, so feel free to leave a note.
The site will remain in place for a while and will eventually auto-forward to my personal website.
If you want to screenshot a feature of your work, your agency or anything else, the search bar is still in the sidebar even though the pages are not on the navigation menu. If you need help finding something, contact me, and I will help.
If you feel you are owed something by this site, please feel free to contact me so that I can make it right.
I added a contact page with all my personal contact info.
Social media sites for this page will go dark by (May 1, 2020), but feel free to contact me personally.
I will completely delete the mailing list (by May 1, 2020) for this website from the subscription feed to prevent any pirating of email addresses in my absence.

You deserve the very best. Be kind to yourselves, and may you all get your just desserts, artistically & edibly. Love always, Rachel (R.L. Gibson)

CHANGES for the NEW YEAR!

Posted on November 27, 2018November 28, 2018 by R.L. Gibson

CHEERS to change

I seem to always anticipate being done with the year, exhausted & ready for the idea of a fresh start do-over. This year I feel a subtle, but significant change. I am excited for the new year. 2018 has been hard and uncomfortable and has brought anxiety and fear and embarrassment AND GROWTH. My work has grown by leaps and bounds. Where are you? I fell into a rut and found my work technically more proficient, but I was creating without joy.

I languished. I talked with my friends & peers. Everyone had a story, but no one had a solution. I finally realized that it was fear that was holding me back. There is safety in the clear, known action. After 20 years, I changed media. I’ve coached a lot of artists on how to do it. Easy, right? Yeah, not. It feels like artistic, metaphorical puberty. Painful. The difference is that I now know there is something on the other side puberty. And, I can’t wait.

So, cheers to the new year. Raise a glass of whatever you crave, my current obsession is Prosecco, and let’s celebrate possibility. I’m scared but willing to gamble. How about you? That isn’t a rhetorical question. AAAD is about to change…

Have you noticed the lack of posts? I am busy. You are too. And, I’m not trying to sell the cult of busy. I am creating and screwing up and scheduling and dreaming. There hasn’t been use value in my posts FOR ME, so I have been avoiding them doing them at all, despite knowing that they ARE useful to some of you. Self-absorbed, but honest. How do we resolve this problem? My solution is to make these posts a part of my practice and process. Change is necessary but still scary.

So… food segues remain, calls remain, subscriptions remain free. Content will be less formal, more personal. Visuals will be simpler, colors softer. Some sharing of my own work (oh, the scandal) and some of yours too. ♥ I want to weigh the pros & cons of calls and opportunities for me, personally, in the hopes that my painful transparency makes you think about some portion of your own journey differently. We can’t all be on the same journey, but we all have the same issues with different food and geography and destination.

I don’t know exactly how all of this is going to look; be prepared for some trial and error. Tell me what works and what doesn’t. Tell me your stories and how your experience applies. Want to help? Follow us on Facebook, Twitter & Insta, wherever you are. Give us a thumbs up, like or re-post. Interact. We don’t need the social media boost, just YOU.

I want community.

PSA: Facebook

Posted on June 7, 2015June 7, 2015 by R.L. Gibson

anyone know
where I can find
TAHINI?

Have you ever gone to the grocery store in search of just ONE item, but you quickly discover that the grocers have moved it to a different location. And, even when you ask a cashier, butcher or produce manager, no one can seem to tell you where it is or why it was moved. Me too. Recently I looked for tahini for 20 minutes. I eventually found it near the pickles. Go figure. Well, this public service announcement is no different…

You have been asking and asking, “I follow you on Facebook; so why don’t I see your posts?” We share your frustration, but instead of climbing on into the choir loft and joining all of the voices singing the Facebook woes, let’s just try to fix the problem. Here’s an infographic… (post continues below)

So, here are the steps again:

Be certain you have liked our Facebook Page at http://www.facebook.com/artandartdeadlines
Be sure you are “Following” the page
Hover over the “Liked” button & then click “Get Notifications”

Head on over to our Facebook page and test it out…

FEATURED ARTIST: Robyn Thompson

Posted on October 24, 2013November 6, 2016 by R.L. Gibson

eyes
& EARS
wide open

Hurray! Our first featured artist since August comes from August & September entries to the Featured Artist Contest. I needed something new, something uncommon, or maybe just to revisit something with a different eye… like flint corn once all the summer ears have disappeared. Guess what? I got exactly that…

This month’s artist works is a an intentional painter that developed, almost by accident, into a photographer. I appreciate the exuberance and optimism in this work –an opportunity to look with a new perspective, fresh eyes, if you will.

On behalf of ArtAndArtDeadlines.com, I am proud to announce the Featured Artist chosen from the August & September entries is Robyn Thompson. I find this work to be…a nod to a little something different.

AAAD FEATURED ARTIST:
Robyn Thompson

RoByn began her journey as an artist by being a face painter. She soon sought larger canvases and has been exploring the world of body painting for over a decade. She very much appreciates the support of her wonderful body painting models because without their bodies she would have nothing to paint on!

She initially painted bodies for several prominent photographers before picking up the camera herself. Now she enjoys the creative control of the process from initial sketch of the body paint design through the painting process culminating in capturing the images on her trusty Nikon.

RoByn’s artwork has been seen in such diverse places as the cover of Time Out New York, the Tyra Banks Show, HBO’s Flight of the Concords and Time Magazine’s website.

Are you self taught or formally instructed? “I have a BA in visual arts. I barely graduated and didn’t really get much out of school. I was young and single parenting a toddler on the autism spectrum so it really wasn’t my priority. My areas of concentration were ceramic sculpture and paper making. I haven’t touched either in a couple of decades. I didn’t take a single drawing or painting class but really wish that I had. The things I learned aren’t relevant to my current work and I learned not a single thing about the marketing of art.”

Why paint bodies, such a temporary canvas? And, was the photography a way to have a more permanent format to exhibit? “I’ve never had a formal painting class. I was initially intimidated by the idea of painting on canvas. It’s such a permanent thing. I really embraced the temporary nature of body painting and found it very freeing. It was ok to take chances because it would all be gone tomorrow.

“I initially worked with photographers as a way to document my work. I learned photography as a way to get the images more like I wanted them. Exhibition has never been the focus. I just do what I do because I have a need to do it.

“Body painting is actually a very, very small part of what I do these days. I’ve just finished shooting an inclusive nude tarot deck using light painting. The 81 cards have models ranging from 18 to 76 and from under 100 to over 300 lbs.”

Your work is both fantastical AND oddly organic. Talk to me about your inspiration. “I like transformation. I like ambiguity. I like magic. Body painting got its start as a magical religious thing. I want to bring that back.”

Why the objection to touching up you work in Photoshop? What would this technological aid change for you about what makes you work your own?

“I think that Photoshop is often used as a shortcut or as a cheat. When I was working with photographers, I had my body painting Photoshopped several times without permission. I’ve seen body painters use it to fix blotchy spots or shaky lines. I think it compromised the integrity of the work. It is easier to fix something in post rather than do it right the 1st time.

“My strong anti-Photoshop bias but me in the minority, but I am not alone on this. I’ve seen instances of photos being disqualified from competitions because of unscrupulous Photoshopping. In the light painting world, Photoshop is pretty much frowned upon. That said, I think it’s an amazing tool.” *Editor’s Note: Since my work is dependent upon photo editing, I clearly disagree.

What style or school of art do you think your work fits into and why? “I don’t know where my work fits. It’s a problem for me with trying to get my work out. I feel like our current system encourages artists to be pigeon-holed within a specific medium or genre. Life is too short. I want to explore and play.

“I think doing what I’m doing feeds my soul
and likely hurts my pocketbook.”

You know we have to talk about food. What is your favorite? “I’m a chocoholic who is trying to go sugar-free so I’ve cut out chocolate among many, many things. I think for the shear sensuousness of it, nothing beats eating a mango naked. Smoked Gouda also rocks my world.” A life without chocolate isn’t worth living, Robyn.

What about snack foods? “Chocolate. Hands down. Chocolate pudding. Ohhhhhhhhh, warm chocolate pudding with just a dash of milk.” Either she gave up her sugar ban already or she’s snackless. Let’s hope for the former.

So, what’s coming up next for you? “I’ve just finished getting the tarot deck ready for publication, and I have 4 new series that I’ve just gotten the necessary supplies for. Two of them involve 3d constructions of dreams. The 3rd is a photographic series that is my take on the classical vanitas or memento mori. And, there’s also a project that I just worked out the concepts for that involve stuffed animals from one’s childhood. Body painting and painting with light photography both continue to interest me, so I’ll keep doing that. I also remain fascinated with fractals kaleidoscopes & glitches so you can expect them to pop up somewhere. And because, I am a madwoman, I try to do a painting a day. ”

Robyn, thanks for sending me something new…I needed it.

Learn more about Robyn Thompson online!

Save

FEATURED ARTIST: Stephanie Metz

Posted on January 21, 2013June 12, 2017 by R.L. Gibson

BUTTER, melts like butter

I try to co-ordinate the Featured Artists I choose with the season, the weather and, well, my mood. Given the time of year and the constant presence of butter-laden comfort foods in my house, I have been in the mood for something comforting, something soft, something knowable. Well, I don’t always get my way.

This month’s artist works in the soft and fuzzy, but she left me with an uneasy feeling. After reviewing her work, I had more questions than answers and the sinking feeling I might have seen something that wasn’t any of my business. I feel a little voyeuristic when feasting on her work. I am uncomfortable, and I am okay with that. On behalf of AAAD, I am proud to announce this month’s Featured Artist is Stephanie Metz. Her artwork is mysterious but overtly human. Let Stephanie take YOU out of your comfortable place and inspire you for the New Year…

FEATURED ARTIST: Stephanie Metz

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Stephanie Metz lives and works in San Jose, California and was a featured artist in Bay Area Currents 2009 at ProArts Gallery, Oakland, CA. She has exhibited at Hosfelt Gallery, San Francisco and New York, and the San Jose Institute of Contemporary Art. Her numerous group exhibitions include Creatures: From Bigfoot to the Yeti Crab at the Sun Valley Center for the Arts in Idaho, Formex Stockholm 2008 in Stockholm, Sweden, and Transmission: Experience at the Institute of Contemporary Arts Gallery, Singapore. Metz was honored with two Center for Cultural Innovation Grants in 2011 and 2009.

Her artwork has been reviewed and featured in the San Francisco Chronicle, Fiberarts Magazine, Craft Magazine, Artweek Magazine, and PBS. She received her BFA in Sculpture at the University of Oregon. Metz’s focus is overly domesticated creatures, especially those whose form has overgrown their function.

What do you consider your media? Felted Wool? Mixed Media? “I describe myself as a ‘Sculptor’, and I mostly use wool, but I feel free to use other things when they’re needed. I’m known for my felted wool work, and I truly love the medium, but I don’t identify myself as a fiber artist or a felt artist or a wool artist—all of which apply, but really narrow down the discussion with a lot of preconceptions. I have in the past listed my medium as ‘felted wool’ on labels for my work, but recently saw a show of Rosemarie Trockel’s wrapped yarn canvases described simply as ‘wool,’ and really liked the simplicity of it—probably because I feel that I’m always having to push forward the idea of wool as just another medium with which to sculpt, rather than a way to draw a line between art and craft. So I guess I’m saying my medium is wool.”

Talk to me about the process you use. “My process is ridiculously simple: I poke at masses of wool fibers with sharp, notched needles from various directions until they compact into nearly solid forms. Needle felting is a way to make non-woven textiles, but unlike wet felting which tangles the wool fibers through heat and motion, needle felting accomplishes the tangling by mechanically forcing the wool fibers against each other, where they become interlocked thanks to the microscopic scales that cover the hairs.

“Eventually the fluffy wool becomes more like a solid object, given a particular shape by the process of turning it over to reach different areas, adding on more wool, compacting it down, and all the time poking and poking and poking. Repeat. I enjoy pushing the known limits of a material and a technique, and since I had no background whatsoever in fibers when I stumbled across needle felting, I didn’t know what rules I might be breaking.” For those interested, there are some great process pictures on her Facebook page.

How do you feel about what I suspect are never ending questions, like mine, about your process? “Sometimes I wish I were a painter, because then when people ask what I do I could just say ‘I’m a Painter’ which either ends the discussion or opens on to a discussion of ideas and themes, rather than detailing the physical application of materials. Working in an unusual and craft-heavy medium means I have a lot of practice talking about my technique, which is a blessing and a curse. It’s great that people find it interesting, and I’m enthusiastic about sharing the ins and outs of needle felting—but that doesn’t always leave time to talk about the ideas behind the work. ” Watch a time lapse video of 35 hours of work in 4:14 minutes.

Your work actually makes me a little uneasy. It seems far too intimate for public viewing, and I don’t know why. Talk about your influences. “I’m intrigued to find that my work seems intimate to you, since I sometimes suspect that I’m too much of a chicken to really put it all out there. I’m a private person. I feel somewhat protected by the non-literal nature of my artwork, but perhaps it’s more self-disclosing than I realize. Or maybe it appears to be self-disclosing to a viewer because it reflects back their own issues or expectations. I do find that when I meet new people who have known my work first they often seem surprised that I am, er, ‘normal.’ I don’t know any ‘normal’ artists Stephanie. Even the folks doing representational pastel beach scenes on the Boardwalk have a weird streak.

“It is a strange disconnect to make things and know what they mean to me, and then find out that others have completely different takes on them. But I know each of us carries around a lifetime of personal baggage, and that affects the way we interpret art and life. My teddy bear skulls, for example, tend to separate viewers into two distinct camps: those who see them as specimens of surreal nature, and those who see them as evidence of murdered childhood icons. I’m in the former camp.”

What style of art do you find unbearable to own? “I dislike artwork that mines the cultural iconography of another time or culture in a frivolous way… like plunking a Kokopelli figure on a mailbox, for example. There has to be a reason, a connection.”

You know we have to talk about food. What is your favorite? “Hmm. I’m not sure if ‘butter’ is considered to be a food or just a component of food. I was allergic to dairy as a child, so I tell myself I’m making up for lost time. Perhaps a more socially acceptable answer would be one of many cheeses, probably between Cotswold and fancy sharp Cheddar. I lean towards an Italian palate of breads, cheeses, tomatoes, and the like.” Butter. I miss butter as it has been relegated to a rare indulgence, despite to my French culinary leanings.

What about snack foods? “I really like rice cakes with cream cheese heavily applied, but some Oreos wil l do as well as long as it’s after real food. I have a thing about not eating dessert food (chocolate-based) before ‘real food’. Not sure why.” Rice Cakes, Stephanie? Really? You lead me on with butter only to slap me down with rice cakes? I love them too, but it’s a long fall from butter.

So, what’s coming up next for you? “I’m considering this a ‘making year’- head down, working on my large scale body of work (and smaller studies as I work out the mechanics of making the large pieces). I’m looking into renting a larger studio space at the end of the year, since my work is lately taking over more of the house.”

What style or school of art do you think your work fits into and why? “I think my work is perhaps related to post minimalism, but the ‘official’ style that best seems to fit is “Eccentric Abstraction,” a term coined by curator Lucy Lippard in 1966, which refers to the use of organic abstract form in sculpture evoking the gendered body through an emphasis on process. I don’t know when there will be a term for a style or school that emphasizes hand work within the world of modern technology (and without the negative associations of ‘craft’), but I think I would fit there.” Holy cannoli, someone finally ANSWERED this question without saying, ‘I don’t think in terms of labels’ or “My work doesn’t really fit into any particular style.” Thank you. You might be the first one EVER.

Thanks, Stephanie, for making me uneasy with your felted creatures. We all need to be forced out of our comfort zone…

Learn more about Stephanie Metz online!

2012 ARTIST of the YEAR: Stephanie Mead

Posted on January 8, 2013 by R.L. Gibson

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Today marks another year for ArtAndArtDeadlines.com! And, I am running a little late again, but I at least I’m getting it done before Chinese New Year (February 10th this year). I am joyfully looking forward to a new year. 2012 was a really tough year for me personally. But, 2012 had some wonderful food highlights including pesto made from home-grown basil from my newly-planted garden as well as highlights for AAAD, including this one…

This is the day we name the
Artist of the Year for 2012.

When AAAD began in 2009, I was determined to cover art deadlines and really good ART. And, after I chose a few artists, I quickly realized that the Featured Artist program needed structure, or it would never really get done on any sort of regular basis. The $5 Art Contest was born.

The Featured Artist Page was getting crowded and adding each new artist was lessening the impact of being Featured. I knew I had to start archiving artists yearly. And, the idea of the Artist of the Year was born.

I now give all of our Featured Artists each year notice that on December 31st at midnight EST, the Artist of the Year would be determined by the number of comments on their individual Featured Artist blog posts.

Congratulations to
Stephanie Mead,
AAAD’s 2012 Artist of the Year

I followed up with Stephanie to find out what’s new: “I try to balance my art and my music and my cooking (I just made another batch of chili yesterday in between preparing a submission for a fellowship in Music through New York Foundation of the Arts). The Sullied Accolades are gaining happy success in our musical career; this year we have completed an in-home recording booth and are getting much use out of it. Additionally, our music video project was screened at the 2012 Coney Island Film Festival in Brooklyn.

“In the meantime, my large, mixed media, octopus piece is out on our main wall, reaching towards anyone that walks by. She is almost finished (a long, on-going project because of the scale!), and I felt compelled after Hurricane Sandy to pick up bits of paper from the streets and insert pieces of fishing route/Manhattan waterway maps as the octopus tentacles…

“As I gain more experiences in life, the more complex and refined my art has become. I look forward to keep pushing forward. I am happy to be an artist in this life, it is my calling. I am excited for all opportunities that are coming my way.”

I have enjoyed getting to know Stephanie this year. I found a kindred artist and musician in Stephanie, and her work spoke to both my frustration AND my optimism. Thank you, Stephanie, for being a highlight of the AAAD year! Get to know Stephanie Mead yourself.

Do you want to be the 2013 Artist of the Year?
It all starts with the $5 Art Contest.

CALL for PATIENCE: Received

Posted on January 7, 2013 by R.L. Gibson

I temporarily
LOST MY APPETITE

Food and art consumes a lot of my time. I spend a portion of most of my days talking to you via ArtAndArtDeadlines.com about the food that I love and trying to inspire you to create art that YOU love. I haven’t written a post since December 22nd. I didn’t take a holiday hiatus; my Dad died.

On December 20th, my Dad was in a devastating car accident. I didn’t find out until 2 days later. On December 27th, I had to remove my father from life support. He died 15 minutes later. I buried him on January 3rd.

Many of you heard of my family tragedy via the grapevine, and I appreciate all of the love and support I have received. I am digging my way out of a mountain of paperwork and morbidity, and well… a serious funk.

As I began cleaning out
my father’s house,
it all came back to
food and art…

Food: Did you know that funeral homes offer catering? Ewwww. I know; that’s been everyone’s response. It is a Southern tradition to have neighbors and friends deliver casseroles to the family after someone dies, but catering IN the funeral home? No thanks. I turned down that option.

Art: I found 36 pairs of glasses in my Dad’s house. Diabetes had nearly robbed him of his eyesight. I don’t know if they were all different prescriptions or if he just kept buying new a new pair each time he couldn’t remember where he put the last ones down. I found 6 more in his crumpled car. I keep imagining a resin cube with glasses suspended inside and the words “was blind, but now I see” etched in the side. Dad would have been amused.

So, I have written all of this to let you know that I have not forgotten you. I am officially returning to posting on Tuesday. Back to food and art… it makes my world go round. Thanks again for your kindness and love.

Stay tuned for the Artist of the Year
announcement coming soon!

FEATURED ARTISTS: Thayer & Van Patten

Posted on September 22, 2012June 7, 2017 by R.L. Gibson

PEARLS of plurality

The artist features had to evolve. Some days I feel like I’ve seen everything there is to be seen. When that I happens, I go back to the basics in an effort to remember what I personally love about art. I think about what the art that makes me want to BUY work.

This month’s featured artist is a departure, among other reasons, because they are this month’s artists, plural. Collaboration. Complicated. They are also portraitist, of sorts. Simplicity. Collaboration requires a perfect combination of both ego-maniacal fanaticism and selflessness. There isn’t a middle ground; it is a combination of extremes. Raw perfection. Two pearls in an oyster–distinctly different, but the same. I am proud to announce Cara Thayer & Louie Van Patten as this months Featured Artists…

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FEATURED ARTISTS:
Cara Thayer & Louie Van Patten

•

Cara Thayer was born in Panorama City, CA but grew up in Bend, OR. She studied painting at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (not to be confused with the Art Institute of Chicago) and received her BFA in 2007. Louie Van Patten was born in West Des Moines, IA.

They met in Chicago in events surrounding the attendance of a Pixies reunion show.

(If food wasn’t what brought them together, at least it was music.) They both studied art at Central Oregon Community College under Bill Hoppe, who has been hugely influential on them. They have been collaborating since 2005, maintaining a day job together and painting on the side in Bend, until they went full-time with their art in 2008.

They regularly show their art in Bend, Oregon and have participated in a handful of shows along the West Coast. In 2011, they were selected to create the art for Deschutes Brewery’s annual , as well as being featured on the cover of BLUECANVAS magazine.

Talk to me about inspiration. “We are inspired by the little sweet spots of masterworks of art – – things in the margins, single frames from a film, faces and musculature in motion and in stasis. We are fascinated with flesh and the relationship between frame and canvas and skin and bone, the apertures of the face and the way intense light traces the contours of the skeleton under the skin. We are inspired by paint as paint and paint being an analogue of skin and viscera.

“Our paintings could be considered to be at least quasi-biographical about paint itself, so paint and pigment are also very much a source of inspiration – – we are very medium-oriented at the moment, hopefully not to the point of the tail wagging the dog. It also just occurred to us that we’re probably a self-fueling fire as we inspire and invigorate each other. ”

What do you consider your media? Are these pieces strictly paint? “We are primarily infatuated with oil paint. We’re not sure that we’re strictly painters, though. A certain theatricality informs the work, being transduced into paint via photography. Our collaborative process first began with fiber art and work with resin and spray paint. It is likely we’ll return to more semi-sculptural fiber art at some point, especially as more opportunities for installations and public art surface. We very much enjoy working together and that is truly the only constant.”

Clearly, portraiture has a strong influence in your work. While I love the hands, I have to admit that I am drawn to the faces. “Portraiture does have an influence on the work, as does the general physicality of human forms, both formal and informal. We tend to paint hands often, as they work as a portrait for people, rather than a specific person and they are also great armatures for paint. We’re interested in faces for the apertures, as well as the effect of filling a canvas with the architecture of facial flesh.

“We also enjoy the ambiguity that emerges from the truncation of the human face. Some of the imagery emerges from the fact that we use ourselves as source material, the portraiture happens naturally, but not without intention. Creating an exaggerated representation of our process, the final image looks like two people struggling to fill the picture frame with only their face by brute force, but becoming one form instead.” I find this an oddly poetic description of their own painting process. Watch the video.

Do you have special terminology for how you collaborate? “We do not have special terminology, although perhaps we should consider that. Conjunctive-painting? Bilateral art-making?

Tangled-arm painting? Shiva the Destroyer?

“As far as we know, the actual act of painting is painfully conventional in nearly every other way, aside from the fact there are two of us.

“Years ago, when we first starting making art, we created a website called thegryllus.com, as a way to loosely reference this four-armed method of painting. Essentially, a gryllus is a creature comprised of other creatures with nameable parts, such as a griffin. Our use of the word may be a little off, but the basic idea is that we work as one painter, made of the parts of two significantly different people.”

You know we have to talk about food. What is your favorite? “We’re very partial to scallops with a little sriracha, as well as pan-fried Brussels sprouts with Parmesan. For Louie, it might just be NY-style pepperoni pizza dipped in pukka sauce (hot sauce made with Jamaican scotch bonnet peppers).

Generally speaking, we’re big fans of cured meats, aged cheeses, raw vegetables, and craft beer, preferably all at once. Since we seem to drink more than we eat (nothing terribly excessive, we assure you), we’ll also mention that Cara is a gin girl and Louie is a bourbon/rye/scotch kind of guy.” I’ve never been to Oregon. I’m thinking the Thayer-Van Patten household needs to make room for a visitor. Yum.

What about snack foods? “We love smoked oysters with crackers. We also both love popcorn. Being a normal person, Louie shoves handfuls in his face like a savage, but Cara meticulously picks apart each kernel like a total weirdo. Point being, we have a very hard time sharing a bag of popcorn. It is a good thing painting doesn’t resemble popcorn-eating, at least not in any way we’re aware of.” For the record, I avoided asking which two hands of this four-armed monster wrote the interview responses.

So, what’s coming up next for you? “Ideally, a lifetime of painting. This is something one does not have to retire from, nor should they desire to.”

Thank you, Cara and Louie for bringing me back to what I love about art–raw perfection. The connection between you translates to canvas as a visceral tie to all that is human in art. Lovely.

Learn more about Thayer & Van Patten online!

FEATURED ARTIST: Heather Workman Rios

Posted on June 24, 2012August 7, 2017 by R.L. Gibson

BACON, my salty friend

Every once in a while, I find a kindred spirit. Some make me laugh so hard that my beverage squirts out my nose. Some become an inspiration & motivation. And this one just understands. I get her point of view just like I get that bacon makes everything better.

This artist has taken a less-than-traditional upbringing and turned it into life lessons for those that crave a little sweet with their salty. Like bacon on a cupcake. I am proud to announce the Featured Artist Heather Workman Rios. Her artwork captures the joy of the ideal without falling prey to the sappy sentiment that often accompanies it. I find myself smiling and having my faith renewed. Clever girl.

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FEATURED ARTIST:
Heather Workman Rios

•

When she was very young, Rios lived in rural West Virginia in a pink farm house with no running water. Her parents were hippies who had a gigantic vegetable garden, and raised chickens (her best friends). “We dressed how we wanted (often a t-shirt with nothing else), and I had no interactions with the “outside” world until I was nearly four years old. Then we moved to Morgantown, West Virginia, and I remember going grocery shopping with my grandmother. Everyone commented on what a ‘cute little boy’ I was, and my grandmother was outraged.

“I couldn’t understand why. I knew I was a girl. Why was my grandmother so upset, after all, they thought I was ‘cute’! Not too long afterwards, my grandmother took me clothes shopping, and began making clothes for me (dresses, mostly pink), and I soon learned that pink was the “girl” color.

My training had begun.

“My work chronicles my perception of human nature. They are clearly tainted by my stringent regimen of old fashioned, American gender training. They display my love/hate relationship with the American concept of what it means to be a woman.”

I love the retro feel of your imagery contrasted with the dark undertone. Talk to me about that. “I have this love/hate relationship with anything from post WW2 to the mid sixties. It was a really strange time in America because the War was over and people were optimistic and trying to build these sweet, innocent little domestic lives. Yet many of them were also building fallout shelters and there was still segregation and all kinds of crazy stuff was going on. To me this era epitomizes the struggle that is much of the content of my work. I believe people are inherently good, but yet they have this propensity towards choosing evil.”

Do you consider yourself a painter? Something else? “To me, it’s not really about the media but about the content. I’ll use whatever I feel fits the need of work I want to make. I tend to reach for paint the most, probably because of it’s plasticity. About 90% of my art is oil on wood panel. I sometimes use bits of collage or cut-out paper. I sort of like to keep people guessing as to which elements are collage and which are painted, but most of it is paint. I’ve done sculptures and printmaking, and other mixed-media works also.”

I’m a sucker for portraiture. Why do people feature so prominently in your work? “It’s funny because even though I spent most of my childhood in nature, the most interesting things to me, even out in the forest, were the man-made– in the form of artifacts that we never found. I am just fascinated in general with human beings.

“I attempt to look at modern humans from an outside perspective–like an anthropologist studying an extinct people group. Material culture intrigues me– clothing, hairstyles, toys, etc.

“The human body really hasn’t changed that much in thousands of years, but our material culture changes constantly, and we impose an enormous amount of meaning on many of our objects.”

You know we have to talk about food. What is your favorite? “It has to be bacon. My favorite combo at the moment is bacon with fried plantains.”

Bacon really goes with everything–especially vegetables.

“I’m Italian and my husband is Puerto Rican, so I’ve been trying to combine our food together into new recipes. So far I’ve discovered we have a mutual love for pork and garlic–but I don’t eat garlic unless he eats it too.” Wise move, sister.

What about snack foods? “Anything Italian, anything fresh or crunchy. Cheese is good…and bacon!” Italian, cheese and bacon. I love you, Heather Rios.

So, what’s coming up next for you? “I don’t really have any big plans for my life right now. I just plan to keep making art and see what happens.” Once a hippie, always a hippie?

Thank you, Heather for giving me a dose of salty and sweet along with a wicked smile. You have reminded me WHY I keep producing work.

Learn more about Heather Rios online!

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UPDATED ARTIST RESOURCE: Grants in 50 States

Posted on December 11, 2011December 12, 2011 by R.L. Gibson

PICKIN’ UP
THE TAB

I love a good meal, but I love a free meal even better. The cliche that “you get what you pay for” isn’t always true. Afterall, my favorite gift to receive for ANY holiday is a home-cooked meal. However, complaining about a bad meal at a restaurant (when it was free) does pose complications. As you might imagine, free money for artists are about as plentiful as free meals. But, it can be found. I find that many artists that don’t live within 20 miles of a state’s capitol overlook one of their best opportunities for a free meal or two–their state Arts Organization. Don’t forget to check out the Art of Cooking for tips on writing a winning grant Proposal. It is the same as trying to get a show…

Check out this collection of Arts Organizations across the United States that give artist grants, and I added links to their websites, when possible. Find a Grant. Apply For a Grant. Get a Grant …EAT!

*Editor’s Note: If you have read the personal portion of this post, UPDATED ARTIST RESOURCE: Grants in 50 States, anywhere other than by email subscription or on ArtAndArtDeadlines.com, it has been published without permission and is considered theft.

UPDATED:
Art Grants in 50 States

Alabama State Arts Council – The Alabama State Arts Council awards Artist Fellowships of $5,000 for Alabama artists working in crafts, dance, design, media/photography, music, literature, theater and the visual arts. Recipients may use funds to set aside time to create art, improve their skills, or to do what is most advantageous to enhance their artistic careers. Recipients must be residents of Alabama.

Arizona Commission on the Arts – The Arizona Commission on the Arts “Artist Projects” is a programs to support individual artists in all disciplines for project-related costs that allow the artist(s)increased time to research and develop ideas or new works.

California – San Francisco Arts Commission – The San Francisco Arts Commision awards “Individual Artist Commission” Grants of up to $10,000 to individual artists working and living in San Francisco to stimulate the creation and presentation of works of art through out the city.

California – Arts Council Silicon Valley – Up to six fellowships will be given annually to artists living in the Silicon Valley in rotating artistic categories.

California – LEF Foundation – After 25 years of open review funding, LEF California will no longer be accepting uninvited proposals. The Board of Directors will only be funding proactively for the time being.

Colorado Council on the Arts – Colorado Council on the Arts Artist Fellowships acknowledge artistic integrity and quality among Colorado’s artists and promote public awareness of their work. Artist Fellowship Awards are $2,000 to $18,000.

Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism – Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism Artist Fellowship program is designed to encourage the continuing artistic development of Connecticut’s finest creative artists who are seriously committed to their art form and who have a demonstrated history of professional activity in the state. Twenty to thirty-five awards are made each year in the amounts of $5,000 and $2,500. Visual artists are eligible for this program during odd numbered years.

Delaware Division of the Arts – The Delaware Division of the Arts Individual Artist Fellowships are awarded to applicants residing in Delaware for at least one year and at least 18 years of age.

The District of Columbia Comission on Arts and Humanities – The Arts Commission offers funding for the arts in the District of Columbia. The Artist Fellowship Program offers grants to individuals in a broad range of artistic endeavors. Individual fellowships support individual artists who make significant contributions to the arts and who promote the arts in the District of Columbia through artistic excellence. Fellowship artist disciplines rotate on a biannual basis. In 2011, fellowships will be awarded in Media, Visual Arts, and Crafts.

Florida Division of Cultural Affairs – Division of Cultural Affairs for the state of Florida awards grants to individual artists.

Idaho Commission on the Arts – Idaho Commission on the Arts offers grants to individuals.

Illinois Arts Council – The Illinois Arts Council awards grants to individuals for up to $7000.

Indiana Arts Commission – Indiana Arts Commission Grants support individual Indiana artists, in all disciplines, for specific project-related costs. Eligible projects are purposely left flexible to respond to the artists’ ideas, dreams, and needs, however, the goal of this program is to aid the artists’ career development.

Iowa Arts Council – Iowa Arts Council provides Major Grants (up to $10,000) and Mini Grants (up to $1,500) to individual artists working in all disciplines, to develop significant and specific projects that will be presented to or shared with the public during or after the grant period. Applicants may request up to $15,000 which must be matched dollar-for-dollar.

The Kansas Arts Commission offers a number of grants that support arts and
culture programs throughout the state. Funding is available for arts and culture
nonprofit organizations and government agencies, schools, libraries and other
government entities, and college and university programs.

The goals of these programs are to help communities build their capacity to
implement arts activities, employ artists in all areas of cultural endeavors and
reach ever-expanding audiences in effective, responsive ways.

Kentucky Arts Council – Kentucky Arts Council offers Individual Artist Professional Development Grants, Folk and Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Grants, and The Al Smith Individual Artist Fellowship Awards.

Arts Kentucky – Arts Kentucky is a statewide membership organization for individual artists, performers, craftspeople, community and arts groups. Providing professional development opportunities, access to resources, consulting services and inclusion in a powerful arts network for people who are working to improve their communities through the arts.

Louisiana Division of the Arts – Louisiana Division of the Arts awards fellowships to individual artists.

Maine Arts Commission – The Maine Arts Commission Individual Artist Fellowships are awarded annually, one in each catagory: Visual Arts, Performing arts, and Literary Arts.

Maryland State Arts Council – Maryland State Arts Council Individual Artist Awards are grants awarded to Maryland artists through an anonymous, competitive prices to encourage and sustain their pursuit of artistic excellence. A limited number of awards of $1,000, $3,000 and $6,000 are offered each year. Different categories of the Visual Arts are awarded in alternate years.

Massachusetts Cultural Council Fellowships – The Artist Grants Program provides direct assistance to Massachusetts artists, to recognize exceptional work and to support the further developments of their talents. Fellowship grants of $5,000 are offered in discipline categories which rotate according to fiscal year.

Art Serve Michigan – Art Serve Michigan is not giving out grants at this time, but has a list of other grant opportunities on this webpage.

Minnesota – Five Wings Art Council – The Five Wings Art Council is one of eleven designated Regional Arts Councils in Minnesota who provide grants and services to nonprofit arts organizations and individual artists on a regional basis. The Individual Artist Grants (up to $1,000) are designed to help strengthen an artist’s career by taking advantage of arts related, short term opportunities.

Minnesota – Jerome Foundation – The Jerome Foundation makes grants to support the creation and production of new artistic works by emerging artists, and contributes to the professional advancement of those artists. Open to residents of Minnesota and New York City. Individual grants are available in the visual arts, theater, literature, etc..

Minnesota State Arts Board – The Minnesota State Arts Board Artist Initiative Grants are a pilot programs that supports and assists artists at various stages of their careers. Grants will be awarded for career building and for the creative development of artists. Some artists may choose to request funds to create new work, but it isn’t a requirement of the program.Grants range from $2,000-$6,000.

Mississippi Arts Commission – The Mississippi Arts Commission Artist Fellowship program is focused on honoring mississippi artists who demonstrate the abilty to create exemplary work in their chosen field The agency awards fellowships up to $5,000 in several catagories each year.

Montana Arts Council – Montana Arts Council offers an Artist’s Innovations Award to honor the innovative ideas, practices and the contributions of Montana artists

Nebraska Arts Council – Nebraska Arts Council offers Artist Fellowships which provide monetary awards to Nebraska artists in various disciplines.

Nevada Arts Council – Nevada Arts Council (NAC) awards Fellowships ($5,000) and “Jackpot” Grants to individual artists in literary, performing and visual arts.

New Hampshire State Council on the Art – New Hampshire State Council on the Arts’ Artist Services Programs offer the following grants to individuals: Individual Artist Fellowships, Artist Entrepreneurial Grants, Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Grants, and Percent for Art Purchases/Commissions Grants which fund purchases or commissions of art and craft work for state buildings.

New Jersey Arts Council supports artists in several important ways, through a wide array of programs and services that recognizes, encourages and showcases their talents. In turn, such recognition brings their work to the attention of organizations and communities everywhere to embrace and support this remarkable “creative capital” that helps make New Jersey great.

New Mexico Arts funds nonprofits and governmental organizations for arts activities in the following discipline areas: performing arts, visual arts, literary arts, media arts, multidisciplinary arts, and interdisciplinary arts. They support programs that foster arts education, arts economic development; performing and visual arts, and contemporary and traditional folk arts in New Mexico.

New York – Jerome Foundation – The Jerome Foundation makes grants to support the creation and production of new artistic works by emerging artists, and contributes to the professional advancement of those artists. Open to residents of Minnesota and New York City. Individual grants are available in Media Arts, and for travel or study.

New York – Lower Adirondack Regional Arts Council – Individual Artist Grants are available to individual artists residing in Warren or Washington County. One grant of $2500 is available for artists who reside in Washington County, and a grant of $2500 and another for $1000 are available to artists who reside in Warren County. These proposals must be for the creation of new art that will impact the community creatively or involve the community in the creative process.

New York Foundation for the Arts – New York Foundation for the Arts Artists’ Fellowships awards grants of $7,000 in sixteen separate disciplines to individual originating artists in New York State. Through Artists & Audiences Exchange, each fellowship recipient performs a public service activity in collaboration with a non-profit organization located in New York State. The Foundation also offers Career Advancement Mini-Grants ($100-$600).

North Dakota Council on the Arts – North Dakota Council on the Arts awards Individual Artists Fellowships in the amount of $2,500. In 2003, artists working in the visual arts/crafts and media arts will be eligible for grants.

Ohio Arts Council – The Ohio Arts Council offers several programs for individual artists.

Oregon Arts Commission – Oregon Arts Commission, due to the current state budget crisis, has temporarily suspended awarding the Individual Artist Fellowship Grant. This program may be resumed after the January 2003 election, pending approval by the voters of the State Income Tax Surcharge.

Pennsylvania Council on the Arts – Pennsylvania Council on the Arts offers funding opportunities and services for Pennsylvania artists. Opportunities include individual fellowships up to $10,000 and an annual catalogue of Fellowship Recipients.

Pennsylvania – Leeway Foundation – The Leeway Foundation was established to promote the welfare of women and benefit the arts. Awards to individual women artists are offered in a selected visual or literary discipline each year. Specific grants are available for emerging and established women artists. There is also a Window of Opportunity Grant which help artists take advantage of unique, time-limited opportunities that could significantly benefit their work or increase its recognition.

Pennsylvania – Pew Fellowships in the Arts – Pew Fellowships in the Arts awards grants of $50,000 to artists working in a wide variety of performing, visual, and literary disciplines which rotate on a four-year cycle. The primary function of the fellowships is to free artists from other activities-literally to “buy time”-so they can focus on creative development for an extended period. Up to twelve fellowships are awarded annually to artists living and working in the five-county Philadelphia area.

Rhode Island State Council on the Arts – Rhode Island State Council on the Arts makes direct grants to Rhode Island artists. Grants to individuals include Fellowships and Folk Arts apprenticeships. Proposals for funding for individual artists are also considered.

South Carolina Arts Commission – South Carolina Arts Commission Fellowships recognize and award the artistic achievements of South Carolina’s exceptional individual artists. Six fellowships are awarded each year on a rotation by arts discipline. Fellowship awards are made through a highly competitive process and are based on only one criterion: artistic excellence.

South Dakota Arts Council – South Dakota Arts Council awards several different kinds of grants to individual artists. These are: Artist Grants, Artist Collaboration Grants, and Traditional Arts Apprenticeship Grants.

Tennessee Arts Commission – The Tennessee Arts Commission offers Individual Artist Fellowships and Professional Artist Support grants.

Texas Cultural Arts Council of Houston and Harris County – The Cultural Arts Council of Houston and Harris County offers fellowships that are cash awards of $2,500 and $5,000 for artists who have resided in Houston for at least two full years prior to the application deadline.

Utah Arts Council – Individual Artist Grants (for Utah residents only) for up to $1,200 are available two times annually with deadlines on the 1st day of June and October. For a hard copy, please contact Tay Haines, thaines@arts.state.ut.us, (801) 236-7549.

Vermont Arts Council – The Vermont Arts Council awards Creation Project grants ($3,000), Artist Development grants ($250-$1000) to individual artists, Arts Endowment Fund ($1,000-$10,000) for Vermont artists and Vermont Arts Organizations for creation, production of new work and technical assistance.

Virginia Commission on the Arts – Through the Virginia Commission on the Arts a limited number of fellowships with awards of $5,000 are available to professional creative artists living in Virginia. Specific arts disciplines will be eligible for support each year on a rotating basis, depending on the amount of state and federal funding available to the Commission.

Washington Artist Trust – Artist Trust is a not-for-profit organization dedicated exclusively to supporting Washington State artists working in all creative disciplines. Grants awarded to individual artists are Grants for Artist Projects which awards up to $1,500 to artists to begin, further or complete specific works of art, and Fellowships, which are unrestricted awards of $6,500 to recognize artistic merit and continued dedication to art-making.

West Virginia Commission on the Arts – West Virginia Commission on the Arts annually awards fellowships in various categories of the visual, literary, and performing arts based on the originality, creativity, and accomplishment of previous work, as well as the level of commitment and potential for further growth. Fellowship awards are for $3500. The Commission also awards Professional Development grants to individual artists.

Wisconsin Arts Board – Wisconsin Arts Board’s Artist Fellowship Awards recognize the significant contributions of professional artists in Wisconsin. Fellowships of $8,000 are available, in odd-numbered years, to individual artists working in the Visual Arts and Media Arts.

Wyoming Arts Council – The Wyoming Arts Council awards The Individual Artist Fellowship. This is a competative program and applicants are judged on the merit of their work. The awards are given to recognize outstanding work that is already compeleted.

Tag: Art Blog

You deserve the very best. Be kind to yourselves, and may you all get your just desserts, artistically & edibly. Love always, Rachel (R.L. Gibson)

CHEERS to change

I want community.

anyone know where I can find TAHINI?

Head on over to our Facebook page and test it out…

eyes & EARS wide open

AAAD FEATURED ARTIST: Robyn Thompson

“I think doing what I’m doing feeds my soul and likely hurts my pocketbook.”

Learn more about Robyn Thompson online!

BUTTER, melts like butter

FEATURED ARTIST: Stephanie Metz

Learn more about Stephanie Metz online!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

This is the day we name the Artist of the Year for 2012.

Congratulations to Stephanie Mead, AAAD’s 2012 Artist of the Year

Do you want to be the 2013 Artist of the Year? It all starts with the $5 Art Contest.

I temporarily LOST MY APPETITE

As I began cleaning out my father’s house, it all came back to food and art…

Stay tuned for the Artist of the Year announcement coming soon!

PEARLS of plurality

FEATURED ARTISTS: Cara Thayer & Louie Van Patten

They met in Chicago in events surrounding the attendance of a Pixies reunion show.

Tangled-arm painting? Shiva the Destroyer?

Learn more about Thayer & Van Patten online!

BACON, my salty friend

FEATURED ARTIST: Heather Workman Rios

My training had begun.

Bacon really goes with everything–especially vegetables.

Learn more about Heather Rios online!

PICKIN’ UP THE TAB

UPDATED: Art Grants in 50 States

anyone know
where I can find
TAHINI?

eyes
& EARS
wide open

AAAD FEATURED ARTIST:
Robyn Thompson

“I think doing what I’m doing feeds my soul
and likely hurts my pocketbook.”

This is the day we name the
Artist of the Year for 2012.

Congratulations to
Stephanie Mead,
AAAD’s 2012 Artist of the Year

Do you want to be the 2013 Artist of the Year?
It all starts with the $5 Art Contest.

I temporarily
LOST MY APPETITE

As I began cleaning out
my father’s house,
it all came back to
food and art…

Stay tuned for the Artist of the Year
announcement coming soon!

FEATURED ARTISTS:
Cara Thayer & Louie Van Patten

FEATURED ARTIST:
Heather Workman Rios

PICKIN’ UP
THE TAB

UPDATED:
Art Grants in 50 States