ArtSake

Reams of paper have been used to write about the concept of the gaze in painting. This is a nano-interview, so we’re not going there. Instead we’re honored to have artist Christopher Faust (FY10 MCC Painting Fellow) take us on a quick ride into his mind. Let’s see what he has to say.

What artists’ work do you admire most but create nothing like? Paul Pfeiffer at the moment. He’s got a real straightforward and hardworking approach to the material/medium of video that’s fearless. He’s not afraid of months of work for just a few minutes (or less) of footage.

If forced to choose, would you be an eraser or a permanent magic marker? Definitely a kneaded eraser.

What is the most surprising response to your art you have ever received? I had someone point out to me that there was something wrong with my composition – that the figures were too in the middle. When I told him I knew that and I did it on purpose, he kind of got angry and confused, then he stopped talking to me. I also had a piece stolen recently from a show.

Do you live with any animals? Yes, we have a mixed pit bull named Tessa. She looks tough as hell, but she’s all comedy… crazy smart and great around kids. She’s a rescue and I think she was abandoned because she had no fight in her.

How do you know when your work is done? I don’t, really. I mean I figure it out, because I get to a point where it doesn’t need anything more. I sometimes sit on pieces for months without working on them because I just can’t figure out what’s wrong, then I force myself to work and finish the piece. It’s just hard work, really.

What do you listen to while you create? All kinds of stuff. Lately I’ve been listening to a lot of Zeppelin. Most often nothing at all.

What films have influenced you as an artist? David Cronenberg’s first film, “Shivers” – just a great disconnected tone and amazing images. Also the last scene of Days of Heaven when Linda Manz is running and you just see her face from the side and this crazy blue/ green light (at least that’s my memory of it). The first scene of Solaris (Tarkovsky’s) where he’s staring at nature before he leaves for the space station….but mostly I see films to escape and they have nothing to do with my art. I love all zombie movies, Dune (David Lynch!) Jaws (every Memorial Day) and all sci fi- the recent Battlestar Galactica being at the top of the heap.

What are you currently reading? “Altered Carbon” by Richard K. Morgan

Spring, Summer, Winter or Fall? Can’t choose on that one – I’m from New England.

What has the MCC Artist Fellowship meant to you? Recognition. I moved back here from New York City after 13 years because I missed it, and to receive this award here, in Massachusetts, has meant a lot to me and made a huge difference in my life. The money’s nice but it means more to me to be recognized in a place where I really want to be.

Christopher will participate in small works invitational exhibition showcasing the works of eleven Massachusetts artists recognized by the MCC’s Artist Fellowship Program. Painted Visions will be at the Cultural Center of Cape Cod from July 13- August 8, 2010. The opening reception is Saturday, July 17 from 5-7 pm.

Image credit: All images by Christopher Faust. From top to bottom:
Red and Green Forest, 2010, watercolor and gouache on paper, 14″ x 20″
Blue House, 2010, watercolor and gouache on paper, 14″ x 20″
Hilltop Bleed, 2009, watercolor and gouache on paper, 14″ x 20″

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The Massachusetts Cultural Council (MCC) and the Cultural Center of Cape Cod will present a small works invitational exhibition, Painted Visions: Paintings by Award-Winning Massachusetts Artist, from July 13- August 8, 2010 at the Cultural Center of Cape Cod in South Yarmouth.

Painted Visions features eleven painters recognized by the MCC’s Artist Fellowship Program: Liza Bingham (Cambridge), Rebecca Doughty (Cambridge), Christopher Faust (Boston), Yanick Lapuh (Brookline), Scott Listfield (Somerville), Joshua Meyer (Cambridge), Anne Neely (Milton), Monica Nydam (Jamaica Plain), Harold Reddicliffe (Waltham), Matthew Rich (Jamaica Plain), and Michael Zelehoski (Lee).

“It’s an honor to host this exhibit, since it brings some of the region’s finest artists to the Cape for residents and visitors of all ages and interests” said Robert Nash, Executive Director, Cultural Center of Cape Cod. “We work hard to exhibit a balance of emerging and established artists of all genres from the Cape and Islands, the region, and across the country, so we’re very excited to devote our Great Hall to such an excellent and eclectic collection of paintings.”

These fellows/finalists were selected from a pool of 488 painting applicants. The jurors included Evan Garza (New American Paintings), Allison Kemmerer (Addison Gallery of American Art) and Christine McCarthy (Provincetown Art Association and Museum). MCC Artist Fellowships provide direct assistance to Massachusetts artists working across a range of disciplines, to recognize exceptional work and to support the further development of their talents. Artist Fellowships give individuals the financial ability to hone and deepen their craft.

“It’s clear that painting continues to be a thriving art form here in the Commonwealth,” says Anita Walker, MCC’s Executive Director. “From exquisitely executed still-lifes to boldly rendered geometrical abstraction, this exhibition showcases the range of exceptional artists we are fortunate to support.”

Cultural Center of Cape Cod
307 Old Main Street, South Yarmouth, MA
Opening Reception: Saturday, July 17 from 5pm-7pm.
Gallery hours: Monday – Friday, 9am-5pm; Saturday, 11am-5pm; Sunday, 12-5pm. Painted Visions is free and open to the public.

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We have a tidy, linear nano-interview with Yanick Lapuh, a 2010 MCC Painting Fellow. His work involves the repetition of geometric forms on rectangular canvases to play around with the idea of spatial illusion.

What artists’ work do you admire most but create nothing like?
Henri Matisse. I admire his going to the essential and the positive vibration that results. I like his apparent acceptance of his own humanity and of his limitations.

If forced to choose, would you be an eraser or a permanent magic marker? Eraser and permanenent magic marker – who says I have to choose?

Do you live with any animals?
A very independent cat – which is good.

How do you know when your work is done? I feel it. It’s done when I’m inspired and energized by it, when I like looking at it. A piece is done when it gives me back energy.

What do you listen to while you create? Nothing.

What films have influenced you as an artist? I consider films an art form in themselves. I watch many kinds but it is difficult to tell if any one has influenced me more than others.

What are you currently reading? Matisse the Master: A Life of Henri Matisse: The Conquest of Colour, 1909-1954 by Hilary Spurling and recently finished The Shock Doctrine: The Rise of Disaster Capitalism by Naomi Klein.

Spring, Summer, Winter or Fall?
I love them all.

What has the MCC Artist Fellowship meant to you? It’s encouraging to see that there are actually people out there who appreciate my work. I’m very grateful for that.

Yanick will participate in small works invitational exhibition showcasing the works of eleven Massachusetts artists recognized by the MCC’s Artist Fellowship Program. Painted Visions will be at the Cultural Center of Cape Cod from July 13- August 8, 2010. The Opening reception is July 17 from 5-7 pm.

Image credit: All images by Yanick Lapuh. From top to bottom:
Viable Option (2007), Oil on wood construction, 34″ x 16″ x 2 1/2″
Private Enterprise (2007), Oil on wood construction, 44″ x 33″ x 2 3/4″
Most Time (2008), Oil on wood construction, 47″ x 36″ x 3″

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Joshua Meyer (MCC FY10 Painting Fellow) gave ArtSake a quick peek into his mind. We want to share it with you, so here goes.

What artists’ work do you admire most but create no thing like? Musicians and writers.

If forced to choose, would you be an eraser or a permanent magic marker? I am about to have shoulder surgery for my painting arm. Even though it is relatively minor surgery, it makes me reconsider how I create and what would happen if I lost my arm. Could I paint with my left foot? While the physical act is extremely important to me, the imperative is simply to create. The tool comes later.

What is the most surprising response to your art you have ever received? I once stood in front of my paintings with the poet Robert Hass as he described my art to me. I felt like I was in the midst of one of his poem’s, a participant.

Do you live with any animals? I have a nine-year-old and a toddler. Do they count? Oh, and I’ve also got a little gargoyle that my wife gave me for my studio. Come to think of it, I also have a few toy turtles that were gifts from one of my models. They were meant to remind me to be the tortoise and not the hare–slow and steady wins the race!

How do you know when your work is done? I don’t, I never know. If it is still in my studio, it isn’t done. The paintings are just big buckets of ideas. Accumulations. Stone soup. The longer they are in my studio, the more densely packed they become. Paintings go on without end. I wish they would grow feet of their own so they could run away when enough becomes enough.

What do you listen to while you create? When my painting is really in full swing, the music gets louder louder. When I crank up something loud, like the Lounge Lizards, painting becomes a little bit like dancing on a canvas. But on quieter days, I podcast. I love Radiolab. I always listen to Fresh Air–Terry Gross is in my studio so often, it seems like she’s one of my models.

What films have influenced you as an artist? I’m a Fellini junkie, so 8 1/2 is about as good as it gets. Kieslowski’s great too. Dave McKean made an amazing short called “The Week Before”. Does Shirin Neshat count as film?

What are you currently reading? I just finished Tinkers, which came out of the blue and won the Pulitzer prize. It was really remarkable. Orhan Pamuk’s “Museum of Innocence”. Also some poetry.

Spring, Summer, Winter or Fall? I love living where the seasons keep dramatically changing. Every few months the rug gets pulled out from under us. Everything looks and feels different. Life has rhythm.

What has the MCC Artist Fellowship meant to you? It is so nice to have external validation and to be included in the dialogue. Plus, now I can afford twice as much coffee.

Joshua will participate in small works invitational exhibition showcasing the works of eleven Massachusetts artists recognized by the MCC’s Artist Fellowship Program. Painted Visions will be at the Cultural Center of Cape Cod from July 13- August 8, 2010. The Opening reception is July 17 from 5-7 pm.

Upcoming feature exhibit in 2010: Rice/Polak Gallery, Provincetown, MA. August 13-August 26, 2010.

Upcoming Solo exhibit in 2010: Dolby Chadwick Gallery, San Francisco, CA. December 2010-January 2011.

Image credit: All images courtesy of Joshua Meyer. From top to bottom:
Pearl (2010), Oil on panel, 20″ x 24″

Makings of the Sun (2008), Oil on canvas, 30″ x 30″

And the Love that Loves the Love that Loves to Love (2009), Oil on canvas, 35″ x 46″

Accidents that Always Happen (2009), Oil on canvas, 24″ x 24″

Roundabout (2009), Oil on canvas, 24″ x 24″

Once I Was (2009), Oil on canvas, 30″ x 30″

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Many painters are soley dedicated to creating the masterful illusion of deep space on a two-dimensional picture plane. No small feat for sure. But Michael Zelehoski (FY10 Painting Fellow) goes the other way. He takes three-dimensional objects and forces them to submit into two-dimensional picture planes. Michael took a moment away from his work to answer a few questions.

What artists’ work do you admire most but create nothing like? People like Jeff Koons’ and Richard Haden’s treatment of the object is the inverse of what I do, although I think the concepts overlap. I definitely envy anyone who paints and their ability to work autonomously in illusionary space unencumbered by mass and physical dimension. Then again, bumping up against those limitations is central to my creative process and helps make my work what it is.

If forced to choose, would you be an eraser or a permanent magic marker? Definitely an eraser, and we need a lot more of them. I’m imagining people all over the world rubbing each other out of existence.

What is the most surprising response to your art you have ever received? Someone once burst into tears.

The unauthorized biography of your life is titled: Objectification.

Do you live with any animals? Just my girlfriend and I. We’re pretty much domesticated though.

How do you know when your work is done? I hate to say it but when it sells. Until then nothing is safe.

What do you listen to while you create? Lots of NPR, classical, random obscure progressive, Smylonylon, bands named after animals etc.

What films have influenced you as an artist? Good question.

What are you currently reading? Merleau-Ponty’s Primacy of Perception, The Death of Mister Watson by Peter Mattheissen and The New Yorker.

Spring, Summer, Winter or Fall? All of them.

What has the MCC Artist Fellowship meant to you? New tools, some financial security and a measure of validation. Thank you.

Michael Zelehoski’s work will be part of a small works invitational which will feature painters from this year’s MCC Artist Fellowship Program. The exhibition will be at the Cultural Center of Cape Cod. The opening reception is Saturday, July 17th from 5-7pm. The show runs from July 13-August 8, 2010.

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Liza Bingham (MCC ’10 Painting Finalist) is wild about hedges and geometry and architechture. We asked her to take a moment to answer a few quick questions about what makes the garden of her mind grow highly manicured.

What artists’ work do you admire most but create nothing like? Clyfford Still.

How do you know when your work is done? I’ve noticed that good paintings seem to “float” or “levitate” away from the wall. It has something to do with having enough light and air in them. On the otherhand, if there’s something in the painting that doesn’t support or follow the logic of the rest of the piece, then there’s still work to be done.

What do you listen to while you create? I find music too distracting to paint to regularly, however I almost always tune into Terry Gross on Fresh Air (WBUR) at midday.

What are you currently reading? Robert Sullivan’s new biography of Henry David Thoreau (The Thoreau You Don’t Know).

Spring, Summer, Winter or Fall? This past Winter I was painting a lot of Summer, Spring and Fall imagery, so it’s hard to pick a favorite–they all factor into my work.

 What has the MCC Artist Fellowship meant to you? It’s been a great form of validation.

For more on Liza Bingham check out her Web site.

Also, coming in July at the Cultural Center of Cape Cod is a small works invitiational which will feature painters from this year’s MCC Artist Fellowship Program including Liza. Stay tuned for more on this show as we head closer towards summer.

Image credit: All paintings by Liza Bingham. From top to bottom:
Tickle; (2009); Oil on panel; 12″ x 16″ (photo credit: Steward Woodward)

Corner Lot; 2009); Oil on panel; 12″ x 16″ (photo credit: Freddie Wys)

Corner Piece ll; (2009); Oil on linen on panel; 10″ x 19″ (photo credit: Steward Woodward)

Cool, Sweet Suburban Midnight; (2009); Oil on panel; 12″ x 16″ (photo credit: Freddie Wys)

Corner Piece l; (2009); Oil on panels; 5″ x 9″ (photo credit: Steward Woodward)

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