To say I am excited would be a gross understatement.  I have been invited to be one of 18 artists from around the world to participate in a bootcamp art workshop with the super talented Jeremy Mann and wildly creative Nadezda in beautiful Menorca Pulsar in the middle of the Mediterranean Sea.  I had to formally apply for this opportunity, and thought I would share my answers to their application questions.  I put a lot of time and thought into this, and the exercise already has pushed me out of my comfort zone.  Can’t wait to see what I achieve after a week of work there.    

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What is your opinion on the current state of the art world?

Oh my. How many bottles of wine worldwide have been consumed discussing this topic in artists’ circles? There are two sides to analyzing the current state of the art world- what is being created, and who is buying and supporting it? On a daily basis, I see innovators who are elevating the art world. There will always be people churning out paintings of bowls of fruit, benign architecture, predictable rom-coms, etc. What excites me is to see the people who are critically thinking about different approaches to traditional themes and methods of creation. The people who observe and gain inspiration from others rather than becoming another copycat. 

 

We live in an incredible time where art can be accessed, shared, and purchased more easily than ever.  The traditional brick-and-mortar gallery that used to be an intimidating barrier for many potential patrons now has overseas collectors and a multitude of people buying work after only viewing it online. Some of the big national shows that used to be well-respected have declined in talent and attendance. Others have popped up and gained popularity. It is a fluid market and the artists who are successful have recognized these changes, shifted their business model, and ridden that ebb and flow. 

 

Everything these days is consumed faster than ever. Art offers us the luxury of time. To take a pause, listen, and observe the world around us. To really open our eyes and see.  That ability makes art more valuable than ever.  So, I am just going to keep at it and work hard at what I love.  The world is richer with more people with passion and purpose.

 

Describe your Artistic and Creative difficulties:

Super excited for this opportunity because it is the creative kick in the ass that I know I need right now.  Sometimes I get wrapped up in the technical proficiency of painting and lose sight of the original purpose. I am only as strong as my reference material and would like to get out from under that crutch. Looking back at my earlier work, I know I took more creative risks and I want to rejuvenate that part of the process. I want to be the best at my craft, and I want my work to radiate with an energy that reflects my love for creating art.

 

I am not a complainer, but I do feel stuck in my career advancement and the loftier goals of gaining broader, high-quality representation. I know what the end goal is to be successful but it all still seems painfully out of reach. I have done a lot of types of work in my life but no other job, as nearly perfect as it could be, will ever be as fulfilling as pursuing art. I won’t settle for mediocrity.

 

List your two most influential painters:

Jeremy Lipking is undoubtedly a modern master and his artwork is just shockingly beautiful. Andrew Wyeth embodied everything I admire in living a life in the pursuit of excellence while maintaining creative curiosity. 

 

List your two most influential sculptors:

I was caught touching an Auguste Rodin sculpture at the Paris museum, hoping that just an ounce of his genius might rub off onto me.  The sculptural installations of Henrique Oliveira are equally alluring and unsettling. I can’t stop looking.

 

List your two most influential photographers:

The street photography of Brandon Stanton, who started “Humans of New York”, and the recently discovered Vivian Maier both serve as a reminder that art is ultimately about truth and the human condition.  I am in awe of the honest candid stories told through their photography, and fascinated that so many strangers end up sharing surprisingly intimate details about their challenges in life just by starting with the simple question, “What is your greatest struggle right now?”

 

List your two most influential film directors:

If I ever get stuck on a desert island with only a handful of movies, please let them be directed by Jean-Pierre Jeunet or the Coen brothers. 

 

List your two most influential musicians: 

I will never tire of the beautiful voice and innovative song-writing of Gillian Welch. The best concert I ever saw was with Manu Chao. Passion just poured out of him in 8 different languages and I stood transfixed in the crowd for hours because I didn’t want to miss a second of it.

 

Bio- Development as an artist, as an ​individual, current situation, ​and future goals:

After graduating from the Maryland Institute College of Art, I was lured by pictures of the mountains and moved to Colorado where I found my love for the outdoors while leading a trail crew on the 14,000′ peaks. For three consecutive summers I lived in a tent and worked on trail maintenance and conservation projects above tree-line. It was manual labor with little oxygen, but the hiking “commute” and the jaw-dropping views couldn’t be beat. In the off-season I traveled, painted like crazy, and worked as a model for the CSU art department. I now backpack all over the high alpine country and Southwest desert to feed my soul and seek inspiration for my artwork.

 

My paintings are about contemplation and connection.  In the figurative art, I purposefully leave some ambiguity in each piece so that the imagery is open to interpretation, offering the viewer opportunities for critical thinking, creative storytelling, and personal reflection. In the landscapes, I seek out those places that embody the expanse of the wild west, appreciating the opportunity to immerse myself in the spaces where the silence is deafening and the big open skies are humbling. 

 

I originally began my art career in 2001 with a BFA degree in Illustration and a minor in Literature.   However, after a few years in the commercial art world, I shifted to fine art. I worked an assortment of odd jobs to support myself while I painted and have been working solidly as a full-time artist for the last 5 years. I am represented by Abend Gallery in Denver and make a living through gallery and show sales, private commissions, and public art projects.  Looking forward, I strive to be a passionate, focused, financially-independent artist recognized worldwide for my talents.