Artist Interviews
Artist Roman Orellana
“When I look at the skill level of other artists like Joel Rea, Salvador Dali, Guillermo Lorca Garcia, Robin Eley, and Steve Chmilar it is very inspiring. Also, the excessive amount of work behind a painting inspires me in a big way”
Artist Claire McCall
“I am drawn to everyday scenes that depict everyday life. I have spent many years at the beach with my family and I do love to paint light-filled images of figures playing in the shallows but I believe anything can be a good subject if the light is right.”
Artist Fionna Madigan
“I am interested in the geometry, subtle colour shifts and the sensed experience of being in, and of, the natural world. I like to work on a reasonably large scale so that I have an experience of my body being in relationship to the environment and to the painting.”
Photographer Keith Wilson
“I think I am driven, maybe, more than inspired. By the tightening of the world around the very people who labor to keep it alive. Directly: I am interested in anti-racist, anti-imperialist work, and I'm interested in finding wonder, still.” - Keith Wilson
Artist Richard Barnett
“I also felt a crying need to say something about what was happening in my country, and my paintings became my voice. As one year became two, and now four, my fascination with crowds and groups continues, but not all crowds are the same and I am exploring that as well - Richard Barnett
Artist Tom Ferson
“I’ve trained myself to find inspiration anywhere. I could be inspired by the colours in a flower, the mood of a song, a frame from a comic, a scene from a 70’s pulp horror film, or even time spent in bed with a lover. A walk down the street will reveal inspiration just as much as sitting with myself in silence might.” - Tom Ferson
Artist Jennifer Globush
“Jennifer Globush has spent most of her life amongst landscapes of industrial gold mining within the boreal forests of Canada. She has an intimate appreciation and love of the people, the abstract landscapes and unique yet everyday objects that result from living in the remote north.” - Jennifer Globush
Photographer Samantha Schwann
“My work is inspired by the need to protect our oceans, as it contributes so significantly to our food, fresh oxygen, water, and global economy. Scientists urge for 30% of our oceans be protected by 2030 in order to absorb the demands of current global population, yet less than 6% is currently preserved. I hope to bring the topic of ocean conservation to an expanded audience” - Samantha Schwann
Photographer Kathy Servian
“I’ve found that in every creative pursuit be it fashion, writing, photography, or art of any kind it's essential to trust yourself and make work that comes naturally to you. It’s easy to get caught up in the ‘noise’ around creativity particularly now with social media.” - Kathy Servian
Artist John Wieser
“Fascinated by the smallest details of nature, he delights in the entire process, from empty canvas to a thought provoking painting perfectly executed. Not satisfied with just reflecting nature with colors or pencil, he incorporates aesthetic harmony.” - John Wieser
Artist Annie Murphy-Robinson
“My work is about memories: real and not real, truths and lies- fluid and changing. Through embedding layers of charcoal, memories are redefined, refracted and reclaimed. My work is about my own experiences re-imagined through imagery of my children.” - Annie Murphy-Robinson
Artist Megan Seiter
“There’s no doubt that I’m a perfectionist, but I’ve learned that perfection is subjective. I can look at one of my drawings and find ten flaws, and someone else can look at it and think that it’s perfect.” - Megan Seiter
Artist Cameron Richards
“I have learnt throughout my practice that it is possible to be satisfied and have pride in your work whilst also being critical and enabling self development. When you arrive at this place it is calming and truly allows you to celebrate your work and the work of others.” - Cameron Richards
Photographer Julian Ali
“The job of the creator is to remain malleable and while the nation struggles with both unemployment and empowering African Americans, artists have continued to create despite all odds. One of the most important things I personally continue to learn throughout life is the beauty in perspective. Simply put, what could look like a setback is really a chance to redefine your focus & that is oftentimes what needs to happen in order for you to get it right.” - Julian Ali
Artist Asiah Thomas-Mandlman
“Recently, my preferred mediums are charcoal, colored pencil, and ink. I have also utilized hair, fabric, felt, and video/photography imagery in my work. Charcoal is my dream. She’s messy, sexy, and sincere. For a 2D material, charcoal is extremely moldable and forgiving. I like colored pencils for the opposite reason. Colored pencil is silly, slick, and will not tolerate mistakes.” - Asiah Thomas-Mandlman
Artist Gabrielle Banks
“I think something that I even have to remind myself is that your craft is an extension of yourself. Your surroundings and the people around you are also pouring into your creative process, they’re contributing to your experience.” - Gabrielle Banks
Artist Leah Probst
“What inspired me to start creating art was the need to create images from real world subjects, it was almost like a craving for something sweet but instead it was to draw. As my passion for making art grew, I began to focus on acrylic painting and soft pastel drawing using people and animals as my subjects. I loved the challenge of creating a life-like portrait.” - Leah Probst
Artist Lexi Laine
“I think the tempting thing with a creative block is to stop producing. I think the only way that I personally can work through creative block is by just doing that - working through it. I carry on even if everything I make is hopeless. I have enough faith in myself to know that eventually I’ll come out the other side of the low.” - Lexi Laine
Artist Jason Rafferty
“Keep looking at all sorts of artists and let yourself stew around. Short naps can be good to help reset the mind. Walks. I find the constraint of making works that look ‘cohesive’ from one piece to the next can be very limiting early on in a series, so I let myself bounce around between approaches, even if they seem ridiculously irrelevant. Make lots of little experimental sketches and try to fail on a small scale first. “ - Jason Rafferty
Artist Ira Upin
“I think about the making of art in a number of different ways. There is the element of nature, what you are born with in both the physical and mental aspects of life. Then as you age you need to decide what to do with those abilities to make sense and purpose out of your life. I always try to make sense out of reality, to see things clearly and not shy away from the truth of things, to make sense of things so life works. In a way for me my art is like personal psychotherapy, a way to understand my own contrarian personality.” - Ira Upin