We discuss finishing a piece on top of someone else's marks, how they titled the pieces, how they divided up the work, how the exhibition was organized, and what they learned from the process that they'll carry forward.
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]]>I believe that collaborating is high-level thinking. Successful artists know that they will get further faster with the help of others.
When I teach about collaboration, I’m usually talking about an exhibition or event. Lori and Susan took it to the next level and collaborated on the artwork itself—resulting in a two-person exhibition.
I wanted to know what the artmaking process was like when you’re presented with someone else’s marks on the canvas. I think you’ll enjoy hearing about it and what they discovered during the process.
We also discussed:
- The parameters of the collaboration.
- The challenges they faced, such as Lori’s physical limitations.
- How they titled the pieces together (a fascinating theme and process).
- How they divided up the business stuff.
- How the exhibition was organized.
- How it has affected their individual work.
- The advice they share with any artist who is open to collaboration.
[ Helpful resource: Art Exhibition Checklist and Timeline to Customize ]
Listen
Mentioned
- The Old School House arts centre
- “From a Distance: Works in Correspondence” on Lori’s website
- “From a Distance: Works in Correspondence” on Susan’s website
- Asemic writing
- Erased de Kooning Drawing by Robert Rauschenberg
- Liz Crain’s “art swap” with Karen Koch
Quotes
“One of the challenges was … looking at some of the things that Susan was doing and saying, Does that resonate with me? Do I want to try that?”—Lori
“While Susan said she was very respectful and very diplomatic about the piece that I had sent her that she struggled with, I have to admit I was less so. The piece that I struggled with, I actually obscured about 90 percent of what she sent me.”—Lori
“A couple of things were wow, why didn’t I think of that?”—Susan
“There there were some pieces that I saw that she had completed, and it’s just like hearing something sung in perfect harmony.”—Lori
“I think it has changed in a way to not force me, but encourage me to be braver, to be more experimental, to be bolder in my work.”—Susan
“Sending something back and forth is a conversation between two people.” —Susan
Related Episodes
These episodes discuss collaboration.
About My Guests
As a textile artist, Susan Purney Mark has embarked on a life-transforming journey into the world of color, design and pattern.
She has studied design, patchwork and embroidery with the prestigious City & Guilds of London Institute, and deepened her knowledge by working with many internationally acclaimed teachers.
Susan has spent the last 20 years learning, experimenting and finally teaching a variety of surface design techniques in dyeing, painting, screen printing and image transfers. Most recently she has focused on mark making and textile narrative. Her work is known for its use of traditional methods with contemporary design and materials.
Susan acknowledges with gratitude her location on SDȺY¸ES (st̕ey̕əs), unceded traditional territory of the W̱SÁNEĆ peoples.
Follow her on Instagram @susanpurneymark.
Making art enables Lori Sokoluk to feel into, and wonder at, the dualities of our nature and our world. Urban and natural landscapes are a major influence and inspiration though she is primarily interested in conveying the beauty, power and mystery behind the things we see and experience in everyday life.
The interplay of man-made grids and the organic landscape and the shift from prairie to boreal forest are evident in her recent artwork. This reflects the coexistence of our physical and non-physical being, our intellect and our intuition, and similar contrasts in our surroundings.
After many years in New York, Boston, Montreal, and Vancouver, Lori now lives in Smoky Lake, Alberta, Canada which is Treaty 6 territory and the ancestral home of the Cree, Dene and Metis peoples.
Follow her on Instagram @lorisokoluk
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]]>In this episode I talk with Nanci Hersh about a big curatorial project that align with her values of connection and community. We discuss its benefits, what she'd do differently next time, and the ripple effect caused by impacting the artists first.
The post The Art Biz ep. 168: Impacting Artists First in a Curatorial Project Focusing on Empathy with Nanci Hersh appeared first on Art Biz Success.
]]>It’s so much easier to make art by yourself and show it and sell it by yourself. And this approach works for many artists.
But there are many other artists who crave connection and community. These artists have benefited by creating projects that involve numerous artists and, often, additional members of the community.
They are high on collaboration.
In this episode of The Art Biz I talk with Nanci Hersh about an exhibition she organized with 25 artists from multiple states and countries.
The show used the central theme of tears to explore empathy, compassion, and understanding within a sacred space—a metaphorical chapel. She says, as artists “we are so fortunate that we can use our art to make sense of life experiences.”
Nanci and I discuss:
- The ripple effect of art when it impacts the artist first.
- The training she received to facilitate uncomfortable conversations.
- The benefits of taking on such a big project and why it’s important that it aligned with her values.
- How the exhibition was paid for and ideas she has for improving funding options in the future.
- How she stayed organized.
- The importance of clear lines of communication, accepting help, and practicing gratitude.
[ See also: The Art Biz ep. 136: Putting Artists First in Curatorial Projects with Melissa Messina ]
Listen
Mentioned
- Chris White Art Gallery
- European Cultural Academy
- Pirate Ship
- Lifecycles, Vol. 1: Jewish Women on Life Passages & Personal Milestones edited by Rabbi Debra Orenstein (affiliate link)
Quotes
“I really trusted the artists.”
“There’s something really fun about being given a challenge.”
“We are so fortunate that we can use our art to make sense of life experiences.”
“Tears reflect a liminal state, meaning they come from inside and they come outside. They’re transitioning.”
“Once you can meet someone where they are, then so much is possible.”
“Don’t assume anything and just stay on top of things.”
“The next time I do a show, I would make sure that there’s more local artists.”
Related Episodes
These episodes centered around artists who had taken on large-scale, multi-year projects that involve collaboration.
About My Guest
Nanci Hersh is a contemporary artist whose work is informed by the experiences, relationships, and places in her life. Her two-dimensional work, as well as her sculptures and installations, are at the intersection of personal narrative, art-making, and community engagement—exploring the grace, beauty and fragility of our lives.
Nanci is also a curator, illustrator, educator, arts advocate, and former Executive Director of the Delaware Institute for the Arts in Education. She has one foot in Pennsylvania and the other in Delaware.
Follow her on Instagram @nancihersh
The post The Art Biz ep. 168: Impacting Artists First in a Curatorial Project Focusing on Empathy with Nanci Hersh appeared first on Art Biz Success.
]]>While bringing artists together to craft the building blocks of a characteristic state capitol building, she’s also leading conversations about changing the role of money in election campaigns. But the impact that Eve is going to make with this work is going to extend far beyond the current election cycle. In fact, it has very little to do with it.
Kicking off in early 2020, *Knit Democracy Together* combines interested organizations, knitting circles, and conversation about election finance reform. The result will be a 5'x3' knitted sculpture of a state capitol building that Eve hopes to exhibit in multiple venues.
The pandemic has certainly had an effect on Eve’s plans, but it hasn’t stopped her.
In this episode of the Art Biz Podcast, she shares details about how she has had to reimagine the previously scheduled in-person knitting circles, funding and exhibiting the project, and the art of knitting as a daring act of social activism.
The post The Art Biz ep. 64: Knit Democracy Together with Eve Jacobs-Carnahan appeared first on Art Biz Success.
]]>At the intersection of craftivism and the world of campaign finance is Eve Jacobs-Carnahan. Eve is taking the historical practice of knitting circles and re-envisioning them as modern craftivist assemblies.
While bringing artists together to craft the building blocks of a characteristic state capitol building, she’s also leading conversations about changing the role of money in election campaigns. But the impact that Eve is going to make with this work is going to extend far beyond the current election cycle. In fact, it has very little to do with it.
Kicking off in early 2020, Knit Democracy Together combines interested organizations, knitting circles, and conversation about election finance reform. The result will be a 5’x3′ knitted sculpture of a state capitol building that Eve hopes to exhibit in multiple venues.
The pandemic has certainly had an effect on Eve’s plans, but it hasn’t stopped her.
In this episode of The Art Biz Podcast, she shares details about how she has had to reimagine the previously scheduled in-person knitting circles, funding and exhibiting the project, and the art of knitting as a daring act of social activism.
Highlights
- Eve shares the objectives and the vision behind Knit Democracy Together. (2:43)
- The effect of COVID-19 on Eve’s plan for in-person knitting circles. (7:11)
- How Eve found people to participate in the project. (10:26)
- Details about the yarn and the sculpture dimensions. (14:48)
- The campaign funding message that Eve is working to increase awareness about. (17:26)
- Funding the project and what Eve learned from each declined request. (25:07)
- Questions surrounding the exhibition stage of the project. (27:07)
- Understanding knitting as a daring act of social activism. (28:37)
- How Eve is leading a group project while remaining politically neutral. (32:27)
- Collaborating in a community project just might mean letting go of total control. (34:33)
- Steps that will move the Knit Democracy Together project to the next level. (41:10)
Quotes
“People are cynical about elections, but there are ways to improve the system rather than throwing the whole thing out.”
“We are a community made up of all these different people, but together we can do something bigger.”
“The goal of all of this is to get people to care more and be able to participate in the election process more than before.”
“A lot of knitted art is activist art. It’s a tool for social action.”
“You have to push against stereotypes when you use any textile art, especially with knitting.”
Mentioned
Old Stone House Museum in Brownington, VT
Alexander Twilight at Middlebury
Katharine Cobey craftivism
Cat Mazza’s Nike Blanket Petition collaborative piece
About Eve Jacobs-Carnahan
Eve Jacobs-Carnahan makes knitted sculpture. Using the comforting qualities of knitting she explores human interactions with nature, democracy, and society.
Eve’s work has been exhibited throughout the United States, receiving regional and national awards. Her work appears in Lela Nargi’s survey of knitted art, Astounding Knits! 101 Spectacular Knitted Creations and Daring Feats. She loves the notion of knitting as a daring act. When not engaged in such audacious pursuits, she can be found digging in her garden or cross-country skiing through the woods. Both activities put her in touch with the plants and birds that appear in her sculptures.
See Eve’s art on her website and visit KnitDemocracy.org to see more about the project.
Follow Eve on Instagram: @ejcarnahan
Listen
Music by Wildermiss.
About My Guest
Eve Jacobs-Carnahan makes knitted sculpture. Using the comforting qualities of knitting she explores human interactions with nature, democracy, and society.
Eve’s work has been exhibited throughout the United States, receiving regional and national awards. Her work appears in Lela Nargi’s survey of knitted art, Astounding Knits! 101 Spectacular Knitted Creations and Daring Feats. She loves the notion of knitting as a daring act. When not engaged in such audacious pursuits, she can be found digging in her garden or cross-country skiing through the woods. Both activities put her in touch with the plants and birds that appear in her sculptures.
See Eve’s art on her website and visit KnitDemocracy.org to see more about the project.
Follow Eve on Instagram: @ejcarnahan.
Music by Wildermiss.
Join Our Community
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For a limited time, the Art Biz Success Community is open to new members. This is for you if …
- You could benefit from a weekly structure to keep you on track.
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- You are ready to share struggles and joys with like-minded artists around the world—artists who really get you.
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]]>Then, in 2017, Marilyn attended one of my workshops. At the end of two days of masterminding with like-minded ambitious artists, Marilyn had the outline of her multi-state, multi-artist, multi-road-trip project: Her Flag.
Her Flag includes collaborations with artists and public performances in each of the 36 states that passed the amendment. Her first road trip was in June and included the first four states: Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, and Kansas. Her next trip begins on July 13.
Marilyn has scheduled 17 trips over a period of 14 months. At the end, Her Flag will be complete and measure 18-by-26 feet.
It’s an enormous project that involves an incredible amount of logistics and organizing. But Marilyn is up to the task. As she says, she’s psycho-passionate about this project and topic.
I’ve been dying to share this project for awhile and had the thrill of interviewing Marilyn before she left on her first trip. I hope it inspires you to think bigger about what is possible for your art.
The post The Art Biz ep. 30: Multi-State Multi-Year Multi-Artist Art Project with Marilyn Artus appeared first on Art Biz Success.
]]>
Then, in 2017, Marilyn attended one of my workshops. At the end of two days of masterminding with like-minded ambitious artists, Marilyn had the outline of her multi-state, multi-artist, multi-road-trip project: Her Flag.
Her Flag includes collaborations with artists and public performances in each of the 36 states that passed the amendment. Her first road trip was in June and included the first four states: Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, and Kansas. Her next trip begins on July 13.
Marilyn has scheduled 17 trips over a period of 14 months. At the end of the journey, Her Flag will be complete and measure 18-by-26 feet.
It’s an enormous project that involves an incredible amount of logistics and organizing. But Marilyn is up to the task. As she says, she’s psycho-passionate about this project and topic.
I’ve been dying to share this project for awhile and had the thrill of interviewing Marilyn before she left on her first trip. I hope it inspires you to think bigger about what is possible for your art.
Music by Wildermiss.
Show Notes
In this interview, you will hear about:
- The research and passion that drove Marilyn into this ambitious project.
- Why it was important to Marilyn that the project be open to anyone who wants to celebrate, regardless of race or political affiliation.
- Why Marilyn knew if she wanted this project done, she needed to do it herself and not wait for anyone else.
- How Marilyn selected the 36 women artists in each state to work with.
- Why it was important to Marilyn that she pay the artists.
- The decision to make the flag at Rainbow Pennant, a business in Oklahoma that already employs women to make American Flags.
- A glimpse into the states Marilyn will travel to throughout her epic journey. She will start in Wisconsin in June to travel the path of ratification, and end her trip in Tennessee on August 18, 2020, the anniversary of the date on which the 19th Amendment was ratified.
- The physical details of the 18 x 26 ft flag, and how Marilyn plans to sew everything while she is on the road.
- The team Marilyn has hired to help her work on Her Flag, including one very important full-time project manager.
- The systems Marilyn used to keep their internal and external communication flow organized.
- The need for artists to not be so attached to their original idea that they miss out on something better.
- The decision to feature women of color and focus on women like Ida B. Wells, Mary McLeod Bethune, and Sojourner Truth.
- The part of the journey that is most uncomfortable for Marilyn, but why it’s important that she do it.
- Marilyn’s big dreams for the finished Her Flag.
Resources
Quotes
- “All of us need to step in and do what we can for our country right now.”
- “I’m kind of psycho passionate about this.”
- “As a feminist, I refuse to ask a woman artist to work for free.”
- “I’ve always been an artist that’s been flexible.”
- “I want to try and find some ground we can all agree on.”
- “As an artist, I try to be a joy bringer.”
About My Guest
Marilyn Artus explores the female experience within her artmaking practice. She has created shows that explore the suffragist era in the U.S., pay tribute to an assortment of women in American history and most recently uses the American flag as a vehicle for feminist exploration.
She has also been a curator, commercial artist, burlesque promoter, event planner and female artist mentor.
Read about Her Flag and follow the project on Instagram.
Music by Wildermiss.
Update With Marilyn Artus from July 22, 2020
This was filmed on Instagram Live just before Marilyn finished the final stripe and performance.
View this post on Instagram
The post The Art Biz ep. 30: Multi-State Multi-Year Multi-Artist Art Project with Marilyn Artus appeared first on Art Biz Success.
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