Wednesday, June 10, 2015

MAGDA DUDZIAK

 


Untitled, 2015,
spray paint, cut outs on sewn fabric, 31x25 inches
 
 
 
 
What are you working on in your studio right now?
 
I have some works going on, which are still in progress. Some are smaller pieces on paper/cardboard and some are medium size works on canvas. There is also some sewing   happening. Besides that I recently started experimenting with clay, paper mache and wood and have been making these small sculptures/objects -not sure where it’s going just yet.
 
Can you describe your working routine?
 
I always do something in the studio probably because it is in my living room. In the morning I like to go through things, look at works in progress, rearrange, clean up the mess I made the night before or just play around with materials. Then I usually do some prepping like canvas stretching or unstretching, cutting, sewing fabrics, etc. I also go for walks and take photos of things I find interesting - walls; pavement- I’m always interested in different marks, shapes I can find. Generally I try to work/do something every day but prefer to work early in the morning or later in the evening.
 
 
 
Studio wall
 
 
 
Can you describe your studio space and how, if at all, that affects your work?
 
Until recently I had a shared studio at school and that made things easier in terms of working a bit larger and storing works. Currently my studio space is in my apartment in Chicago where I have a designated area in my living room. I don’t have a lot of wall space so I tend and prefer to work on the floor and use the wall space for evaluating works in progress. I think the size of my current working space definitely affects the work I’m making.
 
 

Studio wall
 
in process
 
 
 
 
Tell me about your process, where things begin, how they evolve etc.
 
Painting doesn’t always happen right away and sometimes the beginning can be a bit awkward. When it does happen it is usually a reaction to a previous work(s), my surroundings/domestic space, or something I’ve seen, read or overheard. But there are still these phases I go through, the” nesting phase” where I do all these other things (organizing, cleaning etc.) and then the actual painting phase. Once I get into the physical act of painting I tend to work fast and usually on several pieces at once and then I step back. So its back and forth – preparing, working and looking /thinking. I’m interested in surface manipulation- the act of deconstruction and reconstruction. Things get layered, reworked, concealed and then revealed again. I like when things get a little out of balance. Accidents that happen along the way are also always interesting and allow for problem solving. I welcome challenges and difficulties the work presents- this feeling of excitement and being unsure all at once. There is really no planning involved in terms of how the piece is going to look like; I don’t like to think too much about the end result –I’m always interested to see where the work will take me (even when it becomes a total mess).
 
 
Untitled, 2015, acrylic, ink on sewn canvas and drop cloth, 27x21inches
 
 
 
What are you having the most trouble resolving?
 
There are some things for sure. Scale – especially now since the studio space it rather small. Other ones: when is the work consider finished, how not to overdo it, stay loose, keep it fresh, how not to react too fast, how to leave it alone and avoid being a control freak.
 
 
Do you experiment with different materials a lot or do you prefer to work within certain parameters?
 
Yes! Process, experimentation and materials are important. I like to work with both traditional and non-traditional materials. Mostly I use acrylic paints, gouaches, inks, fabric dyes, enamels and spray paints. At the same time I’m always looking for new things to use– I’m into shopping at Home Depot stores- they are full of surprising materials! Lately, I have been playing with different fabrics- sewing them and painting on top. I’m also interested to see how some materials work or don’t work together. I don’t like to repeat the same moves all the time or feel too comfortable so this use of different materials and/or processes allows for the unexpected to happen and keeps things fresh and spontaneous.
 
 
 
 
Untitled (Toxic) ,
2015,acrylic, gesso, canvas bag, fabric over stretched canvas 29 x 12 inches
 
 
 
 
What does the future hold for this work?
 
Since I just graduated from SAIC I will be looking for a job while continuing to make art. I’m also looking for opportunities to show my work, residencies etc.
 
 
Is there anything else you would like to add?
 
Thank you for inviting me to participate Valerie! It’s really fantastic to be able to read about other artists and learn from them.
 
 
Untitled (Memories from Ordinary Moments,)
2015,
enamel, acrylic, collage spray paint and found objects on sewn fabric, 29 x 30 inches
 
 
 
 
 
 

Monday, June 1, 2015

JAMIE POWELL

Jib Jab, 13" x 10", Acrylic and spray paint on cut canvas, 2015

 
 



What are you working on in your studio right now?

The studio has been treating me well lately. And by that I mean it is a time of tremendous creative output. My studio walls are inhabited by  a bunch of new works that are pushing my process. My newest paintings continue to explore the traditional tropes of abstract painting language while borrowing from pop cultures and personal memory.



 
 

Works in process
 
 





Can you describe your working routine?


I teach .... A lot. I work for four organizations across all boroughs of New York City and now Long Island. In any given week I can work with upwards of 150 students. So at times when I have a moment of rest the last thing I have the energy for is my artwork. However this Spring (my busiest time) every moment I can, I'm in my studio. But because I do teach often it is over breaks that I get a lot of studio work done. One staple that is consistent in my studio practice is drawing. Even when I have little time in the studio I draw out ideas for works. I carry small sketch books with me everywhere, so on the train or even for 15 minute break I can sketch. This practice helps keep me wedded to my studio. Also, when I do finally have time to really engage in the studio I go to my sketchbooks for inspiration/ideas. 

 


 

studio wall
 
 
 
Can you describe your studio space and how, if at all, that affects your work?
 
Well in the last six months myself and two other artists (Joe Nanashe and Ronna Lebo) founded an arts space in Ridgewood, Queens. It is about a 3000 sq ft space that includes 11 private artist studios and a project / gallery space. We decided to call it Reservoir Art Space. It is three blocks from my home. So now, if I have an hour before I teach I can swing by and have my morning cup of coffee while looking at my work. There is no trip, just a short walk. Before I shared a space with my husband. Now I have a private space, this is the first time in almost 10 years that I have had a space all to my own. This I believe to be partially why I am  having a time of such creative output right now.



Tell me about your process, where things begin, how they evolve etc.

Drawing.  A lot of drawing. And like many artists I find writing opens me up to new ideas and ways of approaching a painting. Lately I've also been dying large vats of canvas. Then hanging/draping  the raw canvas all over the studio and  just meditating on the color. My studio practice is super slow and then punctuated with bursts of action.

I often have an idea for a painting, attempt to execute it and fail. It is most often out that failure where I feel as my best works take shape. Ha! birth from failure I never thought of it that way until now.

 

Meatball, 12" x 10" x 5", Acrylic and spray paint on cut canvas, 2015
 
 
 

 



What are you having the most trouble resolving?

SCaLe

 

Do you experiment with different materials a lot or do you prefer to work within certain parameters?
I stick to acrylic paint, spray paint and wooden stretcher bars, but I push them to the extreme...I guess you can say I'm a bit of a punk purist.
 
 
Snaggletooth, 14" x 10", Acrylic and spray paint on cut canvas, 2015

 
 
 

What does the future hold for this work?
I have some group shows coming up in Queens and I'm super excited to be in a group show in the Lower East side in 2016. Of course I'm looking for opportunities for solo exhibits, so fingers crossed for 2016.
 
Is there anything else you would like to add?

Thank you Valerie for creating this blog. I appreciate what you do.