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| Cover Art via The Commons on Flickr. |
Monday, April 8, 2013
Friday, April 5, 2013
Artist Interview: Anna Magruder.
This artist is a huge girl-crush of mine. She uses images from found photos and old yearbooks (much like I do), but she transforms them into the most lovely paintings with such intriguing stories. I had to stop myself short of posting every single one of her images from her shop. I'm in love with this first image the most, but they all make me very happy. Please enjoy this little interview with Anna Magruder.
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| "Observer - Mediator" |
1. Were you always an art kid, or did
you stumble upon it later in life?
I have been drawing and creating art
for as long as I can remember. My favorite subjects were beautiful
girls. I was always trying to draw the perfect dress and shoes and
tiaras for my princess-like figures. I was also blessed with
encouraging parents who loved to see me immerse myself in art. We had
a "Make It" box filled with junk and anything my mom felt
could be recycled into art. My brothers and I would get crafty,
making cool art out of whatever was in the box.
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| "Coast" and "Entangle" |
2. What style of art is your favorite
and why?
I love portraiture - especially from
the Renaissance era. I am also drawn to unique textures and
unexpected color combinations found in abstract work.
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| "Book of Poems" and "Cheer" |
3. What do you use for inspiration, or
how do you generate ideas?
I am very inspired by past eras. Past
hairstyles and fashions spark my creative juices. I love perusing the
faces in old photos and feel a sense of shared humanity with the
subjects despite the passing of time. When I am feeling stuck or
down, I take a jaunt through my favorite thrift or antique store and
feel inspired and curious about the objects around me. I also collect
old yearbooks - all eras - and find inspiration in the multitude of
faces found in them.
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| "Shadow Tail" and "Openings" |
4. Walk us through your creative
process from idea to finished project.
I start a painting by finding a photo
or 2 that inspire me. I especially like black and white photos that I
can reinterpret with my own colors and ideas. I begin with a sketch
on tracing paper, refining it until I have an image I am pleased
with. The next step is typically an underpainting of red or burnt
sienna on canvas, then I transfer the sketched image and start
filling in colors and shading. I allow the painting to morph as
needed. I am often pleasantly surprised by the story that presents
itself when I am finished.
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| "In a Man's World" and "Mothers Day" |
5. What is a typical day in your life?
As a full-time artist, I am very
dedicated to showing up every day to paint. (Every weekday, that
is... I value my weekends to re-charge and spend time with my husband
and cats.) I start my day with catching up on emails and taking care
of admin stuff. When that's done, I move to my painting area and see
what calls for my attention that day. I often have 4-8 paintings
going on at one time. This gives me the opportunity to decide on what
I want to work with that day.
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| "Big Wheel" and "Boardwalk" |
I love thrift stores, antique shops and
flea markets. I am just starting to get back into rock climbing -
which I used to enjoy immensely before an injury kept me from
climbing the past 2 years. I love craft fairs and I organize a yearly
art & craft sale for Siren Nation every November.
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| Beautiful Anna in her studio space. |
Art-making is my full-time job.
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| "Boldness and Grace" and "Stargazer" |
8. What is your favorite piece you've
ever made and why?
Yikes, I have so many favorites! Right
this moment, I am digging my most recently completed piece "
Métis". It has a whole story behind it regarding the history of
Oregon when the trappers settled the area with their Native American
wives. The family portrait alludes to the struggle the mixed race
(Métis) daughters may have felt. Unlike boys who were typically not
accepted into Oregon society, educated Métis girls who downplayed
their native heritage had a chance at integrating. However, their
Indian heritage was usually ignored by their new families and by
generations of descendents.
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| Anna's Workspace and "Métis" |
9. What advice would you give to an
artist just starting out in the business world?
Treat it as a business. Do your
research - read books, attend workshops and learn as much as you can
about the business of art making.
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| Another shot of the studio and old photo albums. |
This past year I have been fortunate to
work in an office space in the historic Portland childhood home of
Nobel Prize winner, Linus Pauling. I love the old woodwork and
crooked doors. The North-facing windows allow plenty of wonderful
sunlight for my workspace.
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| More Studio shots. |
Quite the opposite. I was a graphic
designer for 14 years until I recognized that I was burnt out and not
following my path. Once I made the decision to move into art
full-time, I found my pathway cleared and doors opening, which to me
was confirmation I was on the right path. The most challenging has
been when I work extremely hard on a body of work, procure a gallery
show for it, then not sell anything in that show. I have learned to
look past this and recognize the amazing connections I am making and
hear how others are touched by my work through that show. And the
work eventually does sell, just not in the venue I was expecting.
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| Anna Magruder at work. |
I am in the process of applying for
artist residencies in other states, and hopefully out-of-country at
some point. I am realizing the importance of pulling myself out of my
comfort zone and allowing for new experiences and explorations to
shape my art and to re-energize it with fresh perspective.
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| My favorite image (Anna Magruder at age 3). |
Etsy Shop: http://annamagruder.etsy.com
Website: http://annamagruder.com
Monday, April 1, 2013
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