Thinking about My Art – A Short Interview

Untitled (Say Goodbye Catullus, to the Shores of Asia Minor)
Cy Twombly

What medium do you prefer to work in and why?

I am drawn to textiles by the tactile nature of the medium and am intrigued by the flexibility of woven fabric in contrast to its underlying rigid grid construction.

I manipulate sections of pre-constructed color, verses applying pigment in brush strokes, to create a painting. During the warm summer days, hundreds of yards of cotton fabric are hand-dyed in small batches to create the unique palette used throughout the year. Individual elements are freehand cut from these dyed fabrics and placed onto a flannel-covered studio wall, where I work improvisationally, designing, constructing and refining the lines and shapes in each composition. The textile painting is completed by stitching rows of tightly spaced parallel lines across the entire surface to add a rich texture to the finished work.

When my work is on display, everyone wants to touch it. Fabric is familiar and it draws us in. The texture I create is almost irresistible. As a viewer – you don’t get to touch. But as the maker – I get to touch it every day. That tactile nature of the medium is a huge draw.

Have you always been an artist?

Yes – when I was a kid I would create elaborate sculptures with trash. I would spend my recess time in school in the library with my cache of expensive color pencils, stolen from my mother, drawing complex machines in bright colors that covered the entire page.

I wanted to major in art in college but the man footing the bill (ie dad) told me that art was a hobby not a career. So I ended up in computer science instead. I got part way through my PhD when I woke up and realized that I wasn’t enjoying myself so much. I still work full time as a software engineer but I view it like an actress in NYC views waiting tables.

What was the moment when you first realized you are capable of creating an art career for yourself?

When I started thinking big and not hiding.

I have a website devoted to helping other artists think big about their art, their marketing and their lives: MakeBigArt

I also teach online art workshops, where my skills as a software engineer come in handy for creating an online experience that captures as much of power of an in-person class as possible. Students are able to view and comment each others progress and hold conversations about the course material. Details here.

Where do you draw your inspiration?

From my personal attempts to be authentic and from the gorgeous landscape of the southwest. Essentially everything I do informs my art. Being an artist is a lifestyle, not an occupation.

What is your favorite work of art by another artist and why?

Untitled (Say Goodbye Catullus, to the Shores of Asia Minor) by Cy Twombly. This huge and amazing artwork is in Houston and I spent hours a few years back sitting in front of it soaking it in.

You

How would you answer these questions?

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