Category Archives: art

Mid-August News

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I have poems in the current issues of Cake, Cider Press Review, Broad River Review, and California Quarterly.

During my six-week writing residency at the Prairie Center of the Arts, I collaborated with artist Kate Johnson to create a limited edition series of broadsides that combine poetry and graphic art. Here’s a brief clip from the collaboration when we were signing the prints.

Kate and I printed 60, plus 7 that were mistakes or imperfect due to color, pixelation, or centering. Kate and I divided the press run in half. All the accidental prints were given away as gifts to very small boys under the age of 6, to friends, to family, and to all those helpful people who gave Kate and I feedback, advice, and critiques. When I was packing up to leave Peoria, I had 30. By the time I left Illinois, I’d sold 5, which left me with 25. On my way home to Nebraska, I passed through Iowa to visit family, friends, and do a little research on family lore in Centerville and Winterset. By the time I left Iowa, I’d sold 5 more, which left me with 20. How cool is that? If you want one, let me know. If you’re local, I’ll deliver it to your door. Really. I will.

There are two more reviews of BRANDING GIRLS on Amazon. Thank you kind and insightful readers!

And – this just in -  my poem “Ten-Speed” will be the poem for July in the 2012 Nebraska Poets Calender by Black Star Press. How exciting is that? I find myself making “calender girl” and “Miss July” jokes when I tell anyone. Silly. Silly. But truly, I think, I’ve always wanted to be in a calender. *sigh* No one ever told me it was possible by writing poems. Here I thought women had to show a little skin to be in a calender. Does my poem, you ask, show skin? No. It’s about bicycling, my favorite mode of transportation, recreation, and way to achieve speed. It looks like BSP is still looking for art. Hey, Nebraska artists, check it out.

PCA Broadside Collaboration: Part 3

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Now for part 3 of the PCA broadside collaboration: Kate Johnson and I have been collaborating on a series of broadsides that combine poetry and graphic art printed at the Prairie Center of the Art‘s digital lab.

After a late night marathon we returned to the lab the next morning a little before 10am and printed continuously until we finished.

During which time, we befriended the PCA cats, Sally, a tabby, and Jack, a black and white cat.

We signed and numbered the series. Our press run total was 60 prints, with 12 of each of the 5 broadsides. We finished almost six hours later at 3:30pm.

Kate and I had a great time collaboration on our broadsides, with lots of great help and feedback from Michele, Joe, Erin Zellefrow, Adam, Wendy, Rachel, the PCA cats! A big thanks to all of you!

PCA Broadside Collaboration: Part 2

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Now for part 2 of the PCA broadside collaboration: Kate Johnson and I have been collaborating on a series of broadsides that combine poetry and graphic art printed at the Prairie Center of the Art‘s digital lab. Once we had the pieces created, revised, designed, and proofed, we had to do the following:

Write and submit a proposal to use PCA’s digital lab.

Select a printer. Our choice: the Epson Stylus Pro 4800 large format printer.

Read the printer manual and internet to consult for best paper for our project. Order paper. Our choice: Epson’s Ultra Premium Presentation Paper Matte, 11.7″ x 16.5″, 50 sheets.

Wait 2 days shipping (actually it took 6 days, because it was the weekend).

Meet at The Facility in the digital lab.

That’s where we were yesterday at 3pm, where we spent a couple of hours getting the printer up and going. We did four test prints to get the color, orientation, and sizing the way we wanted it.

At 6pm we began officially printing. There are five broadsides in our project. To print one run of the five took about an hour, assuming there were no mishaps, printer errors, paper outages, or other miscellany that might delay the process.

Thereafter, with the occasional troubleshooting, we had pizza, drank coffee, and printed the first half of the press run.

We stayed until 1am printing.

PCA Broadside Collaboration: Part 1

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For two weeks now, Kate Johnson and I have been collaborating on a series of broadsides that combine poetry and graphic art. We have created a short sequence that explore through words and imagery the fantastical machinations of Martians and the legends and myths of bigfoot and yeti, mixed with equal parts of the ordinary world of family holidays, housekeeping, domesticity, and the natural landscape. Next week, at the Prairie Center of the Art‘s digital lab we’re printing a limited edition print-run of the series. Yeah! This is so super exciting!

For Kate’s process, check out her PCA interview and her recent blogging. For my process check out my PCA interview. I can also say there have been many edits, revisions, rewrites, new poems, new starts, and many wonderful, kind, and insightful comments and suggestions from PCA staff, friends, and family. Finally the design process is most easily demonstrated by visuals. After the art and poems were paired, we set out for a general design by Adam Wagler and arrived with this:

After several of our own suggestions, a critique or two, a couple rewrites, a new poem, several color changes, and six proofs later we have this:

There are one or two teeny things to change, but otherwise, I think they are finally perfect!

What will they look like when they’re done? You’ll have to stay tuned to find out what happens next.

Meet the PCA resident: Kate Johnson

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Fellow resident Kate Johnson has been posting interviews of the current artists and writers at Prairie Center of the Arts on her blog The Suction Cup. Here’s Kate’s interview.

Where are you from?

I am from Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Where are you at in your career?

I am at an exciting point of growth in my career. In the past two years I have increased my national exhibition presence, and have been featured in some great press articles. I was honorable mention at the Arrowhead Biennial at the Duluth Art Institute, and was also a contest winner for the First Annual “Interviewed” Contest with Local Artist Interviews, a collection of interviews of Minnesota based artists.

You can read my interview here: http://www.local-artist-interviews.com/2011/04/kate-johnson-painter.html

Currently, I am serving a three year board position at Altered Esthetics, a non-profit gallery in Northeast Minneapolis. I am the first Director of Solo Exhibitions, a program I designed myself. I manage and teach a group of emerging artists career development topics, as well as help them implement a solo exhibition.

So in my career, I have a nice balance between practicing as a professional artist, and working in the arts administration and program development aspects of galleries.

What made you want to apply to Prairie Center for the Art’s Residency Program?

I began researching residencies this past spring. I did not know exactly where to start, so I looked for places in the Midwest and came across Prairie Center. I applied here, due to the fact that it was the only program where I could have a residency this summer. Many of the other programs were for next year already. I figured I would apply and see what happens. I was so excited and grateful to be accepted because this is my first residency and has truly been a unique experience.

What is your length of residency?

Six weeks! I am here from July 1st until August 12th

What are you working on during this residency?

I am focusing on building my portfolio and implementing more professional business practices into my career. I have created 46 individual new works. I am currently working with new materials as well. I am concerned with producing high quality pieces with archival materials, so I have been experimenting with new boards to paint on and a new brand of paint. I have also begun to explore adding gloss mediums to certain locations of my paintings, which have yielded a new look to my style.

I typically have been making 30” X40” sized pieces, but have expanded my range. I have begun to focus on smaller pieces, as well as much larger series of works. I have created three separate large scale series while I have been here. The large studio space I am working in is perfect for making multiple related works. I recently finished a four painting series based on the childhood game Hungry Hungry Hippos, and this week I am finishing up a six painting series based on the Disney Princesses. What is unique about the Disney Princess is that it’s the first few paintings where I have begun to paint people into my style. It is something I hope to continue to explore and work with.

In the business aspect of my art career, I have compiled an inventory, archived professional press, and organized my exhibitions history. I have updated my resume, bio and artist statement as well. But my big project is working on a business plan. It’s a new endeavor and something I am teaching myself. It’s a very thoughtful and involved project. I’ve made lots of discoveries and have had to be honest with myself during this process. Having it will help keep me you on a solid career track.

What is the best part about this residency?

The people here are great. I have had a wonderful time working along side two other artists, Lauren Scanlon and Allison Lacher. They have given me great feedback, advice, and critique while I have been here.

What are you doing after you leave Prairie Center?

I am going to head back to Minnesota. As I mentioned before, I have a gallery board position to attend to. In my free time I also study the Swedish language and volunteer as a Museum Receptionist at the American Swedish Institute. I hope that my enthusiasm and production of art maintains momentum as I switch studio spaces.

Tell me about your creative process and work habits as a professional?

When I first got to Prairie Center I tried to get to the studio early and start working right away, but as much as I try to fight it, my creative cycle is a night. I begin to get into focused work mode around 4pm. So, I usually get to the studio around 11am and leave around 1 in the morning. I have been working a minimum of twelve hour days every single day I have been here.

Typically, I like to see the painting in my head before I create it, although it always looks different, and better, when I actually make the piece. I begin with painting the entire background. Depending on the color of paint, this can take 2-4 coats of paint. Oftentimes, I am preparing backgrounds a few days before I plan to paint a subject. Next, I will either enlarge a drawing I already have or freehand draw on the surface. I fill in color until the painting is complete. Then, I outline the pieces in thick bold outlines. Most people are intrigued by my process and when the black lines appear. But they are last, and it’s actually marker and not paint, which many do not notice. The marker is India ink pens which creates this nice dark yet controlled line.

I tend to focus on character development. I enjoy the process of building a character, its personality, color scheme and way by which it interacts with the viewer. I also focus on color theory, gender representation and symbolism in my pieces. I have always enjoyed creative writing, and find that this passion is illuminated through my sarcastic, conversational, witty, and comical titles. I tend to build work by designing anthropomorphic objects, food and animals, but also draw inspiration from graffiti, street art, Pop and Lowbrow art, graphic design, and themes and objects from my childhood.

Do you have any advice for future residents who are considering residencies?

When I learned I was accepted as a resident at Prairie Center, I began to research things to pack and consider when going to a residency. However, I failed to find anything helpful. This August I will be posting a blog entry focused on this topic including a basic packing list to help future artists prepare for a residency. Here are a few highlighted tips that I would like to share:

  • When you arrive, head to a visitor center to get maps and guides of the local area. Research places to go to while you are there before you get to your residency and create a schedule for yourself.
  • What does your residency provide you with food, housing, a stipend? Who pays for the travel costs, material costs, equipment fees, residency fees?
  • Make sure you are educated on the expectations of your residency. Many expect artist to participate in public exhibitions, lectures, slide talks, art work donation, studio tours and more.
  • Create an art/residency schedule. How much work do you want to create, what projects are you going to focus on? Make sure you have time to be creatively inspired too! But do not plan out every second of your residency, this is a time to learn and grow.
  • Keep a journal! Written, visual, or digital (or all three) record your residency experience.

Where can we look at more of your work and keep in contact with you?

Website: www.katerjohnson.com

Blog: http://thesuctioncup.blogspot.com

Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/KateJohnsonsArt

July News

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I thought I’d take a quick break from the wonderful quiet of my writer’s residency at Prairie Center of the Arts, which I luckily was able to extend into August by the generous founders of PCA. Upon arrival, I realized, unexpectedly, that I had some research opportunities in the area. Though it’s too soon to tell what I’m working on, it is too much fun! In other PCA news, fantastic artist Kate Johnson has been posting interviews of other residents, such as Allison Lacher and Lauren Scanlon. More interviews to follow.

This month Poet Lore, The Adroit Journal, and Insolent Aardvark accepted new poems of mine. A big thanks to the editors! I have a funny story about Poet Lore that I thought I’d pass along. Since finishing my dissertation on Matilda Fletcher, I’ve been doing research on other ancestors. One of them was a Jessie Wiseman Gibbs, Matilda’s stepdaughter, who published the collection of poetry OVERTONES in 1913. In looking at her acknowledgements page, Jessie lists Poet Lore. I thought that was great! In the 1910s Poet Lore published my great-great-great-aunt and a hundred years later in the 2010s Poet Lore has published my poems.

In teaching news, I’ll be teaching classes this year in the English Department at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. Future students, you’re in for some fun essay assignments and great texts to read. Speaking of teaching, in uber-smart husband news, there’s a piece on UNL news on his Distinguished Educator Award and an article in his hometown newspaper the Bloomfield Democrat. Here’s his video.

Apple Distinguished Educator from adam wagler on Vimeo.

Miwa Yanagi: art & poems

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I fell in love with this artist, Miwa Yanagi, when I first saw her grandmother series in a museum in Sydney, Australia. Like this one:

Her next series was entitled White Casket, which featured elevator girls. I wrote a few poems in response to these beautiful images and the wonderful editor, Jane Armstrong, at MississippiReview.com accepted one, “Elevator Girl Brand” for their ekphrasis issue. Thanks, Jane! The poem responds to Miwa Yanagi’s piece “Midnight Awakening Dream.” Here’s a taste of White Casket: